Healthcare News and Research

Latest Healthcare News and Research

Governors raise concerns about insurance exchanges

Some of the federal healthcare law's requirements related to insurance exchanges threaten the autonomy of U.S. states, which need more support in establishing the marketplaces, state governors said in a letter released on Thursday. "The decision to implement health insurance exchanges requires a number of complex policy decisions amid aggressive timelines," wrote the National Governors Association in a letter to U.S. Health Secretary Kathleen Sebelius dated Nov. 2.

5 Nov 2011

CPPIB, Apax and PSP Investments acquire Kinetic Concepts

A consortium comprised of funds advised by Apax Partners, together with controlled affiliates of Canada Pension Plan Investment Board and the Public Sector Pension Investment Board, today announced the completion of its acquisition of Kinetic Concepts, Inc. for $68.50 per common share in cash.

5 Nov 2011

Siemens Healthcare to acquire MobileMD

Today, Siemens Healthcare announced that the company has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire all issued and outstanding equity of MobileMD, Inc., of Yardley, Pa., a provider of health information exchange (HIE) solutions.

From Siemens Healthineers 5 Nov 2011

VA announces 13 new awards in 2010 Industry Innovation Competition

The Department of Veterans Affairs today announced 13 new awards in the agency's 2010 Industry Innovation Competition. The new projects will give VA an opportunity to evaluate new ways to enhance care and benefits for Veterans.

5 Nov 2011

Tenet to sell $750 million senior secured notes due 2018

Tenet Healthcare Corporation announced today that it is offering to sell $750 million aggregate principal amount of senior secured notes maturing in 2018 through a private placement.

5 Nov 2011

EES closes transaction to acquire SterilMed

Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (EES), a global leader in the development of innovative medical devices for minimally invasive and open surgical procedures, today announced the closing of the transaction to acquire SterilMed, Inc. (SterilMed), a leader in the reprocessing and remanufacturing of single-use medical devices in the United States.

5 Nov 2011

Viewpoints: Romney's plan to cut the debt; congressional squabbles on spending; spurning insurers' concerns about new labels

First, eliminate every government program that is not absolutely essential. There are many things government does that we may like but that we do not need. … For example: Repeal ObamaCare, which would save $95 billion in 2016. …Eliminate Title X family planning programs benefiting abortion groups like Planned Parenthood. … Second, return federal programs to the states where innovation, cost management and reduction of fraud and abuse can far exceed what Washington achieves. I will block grant Medicaid and workforce training, saving well over $100 billion in 2016.

5 Nov 2011

100 House lawmakers urge super committee to consider 'all options'

A letter from this bipartisan group of House members to the deficit panel asked that the super committee strive for a larger, $4 trillion deal. Meanwhile, Politico offers four possible scenarios that could play out.

4 Nov 2011

Women and men ages 45 to 64 more likely to be hospitalized for knee replacement surgery

Women and men ages 45 to 64 were 2.5 times more likely to be hospitalized for knee replacement surgery in 2009 than in 1997, according to the latest News and Numbers from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

4 Nov 2011

Health law's reproductive health provisions continue to draw criticism

At a Wednesday subcommittee hearing, faith-based providers and some House Republicans lamented new federal rules that they say could erode long-standing "conscience clauses."

4 Nov 2011

AHA/ASA honors UH Case Medical Center with Get With The Guidelines-Stroke award

For the third consecutive year, University Hospitals (UH) Case Medical Center has received the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association's Get With The Guidelines--Stroke Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award.

4 Nov 2011

Roundup: Mental health hospital woes; N.Y. Medicare scam bust

A Miami Herald series "Neglected to Death," focused this spring on critical breakdowns in Florida's enforcement system, including failures by the state's Agency on Health Care Administration to fully investigate deaths or to shut down some of the worst offenders among Florida's 2,850 assisted-living facilities. Although more states are using Medicaid money to pay for some portion of assisted living care for the poor, the federal government has a limited role in the facilities their oversight has been and will likely continue to be a state duty.

4 Nov 2011

Calif. Hospital Association sues over Medi-Cal provider cuts

The trade group for California's hospitals has sued state and federal officials to block a 10 percent cut in government reimbursements for health care providers who treat low-income patients. The California Hospital Association said in its suit, filed in federal district court in Los Angeles, that cuts to the Medi-Cal insurance program will threaten the ability of many hospitals to continue operating skilled nursing facilities.

4 Nov 2011

Cain offers up his views on health policy

In a short policy speech delivered on Capitol Hill, GOP presidential hopeful Herman Cain expressed his support for repealing the 2010 health law and replacing it with market-based reforms.

4 Nov 2011

Oxford Instruments acquires Platinum Medical Imaging

Oxford Instruments plc, a leading provider of high technology tools and systems for industry and research, announces the acquisition of Platinum Medical Imaging LLC (“Platinum”).

4 Nov 2011

Senate GOP attempts to officially undo CLASS Act

An attempt to bring up a bill to fast-track efforts to repeal the CLASS Act was beaten back by Democrats. But the AARP and 50 other advocacy groups sent a letter to lawmakers asking them not to touch the measure.

4 Nov 2011

Healthcare workers who wear gloves less likely to wash their hands

Healthcare workers who wear gloves while treating patients are much less likely to clean their hands before and after patient contact, according to a study published in the December issue of Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology, the journal of the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America.

4 Nov 2011

First Edition: November 3, 2011

Today's headlines include reports about a bipartisan group of lawmakers who are urging the super committee to consider "all options."

3 Nov 2011

ARIAD reports net income of $13.9 million for third quarter 2011

ARIAD Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today reported financial results for the third quarter of 2011 and provided an update on its corporate developments.

3 Nov 2011

Budget experts focus on health costs

Four well-known budget gurus testified Tuesday in a public super committee hearing, telling the panel they should raise revenues and overhaul expensive federal health programs in order to develop a budget compromise that will meet the $1.2 trillion, 10-year mandate.

3 Nov 2011