Healthcare News and Research

Latest Healthcare News and Research

Roundup: Calif. and health reform; Conn. mental health parity; Insurance premium increases in Iowa, Fla.

Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield's proposed 11 percent health insurance premium increase is excessive, two experts have concluded. The company, which insures three-quarters of Iowans who buy their own policies, already raised premiums on those plans an average of 18 percent last spring. Wellmark sparked outcries when it announced in November that it wants to raise those rates again in order to keep up with rising prices and increased use of medical care (Leys, 1/7).

7 Jan 2011

CBO analysis estimates health overhaul repeal price tag to be $230 billion

With the CBO findings, GOP efforts to undo the health law and claim the mantle of fiscal responsibility took a hit. Democrats immediately pounced on the cost estimate as new ammunition in an ongoing battle. But Republican leaders dismissed the document, saying it is a "job-killing" measure that would add to the nation's debt and instead pointed to a report of their own.

7 Jan 2011

BIND Biosciences commences BIND-014 Phase 1 clinical trial in cancer

BIND Biosciences announced today that it has initiated a Phase 1 clinical trial to assess the safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetic profile of BIND-014 in cancer patients. BIND-014, the first product candidate to enter clinical evaluation from BIND's broad proprietary Medicinal Nanoengineering platform, is a targeted polymeric nanoparticle containing the cytotoxic agent, docetaxel.

7 Jan 2011

Today's Opinions: Brooks, Reich, Fund, Cook on repeal; End-of-life care controversy continues

The health care reform law was signed 10 months ago, and what's striking now is how vulnerable it looks. Several threats have emerged — some of them scarcely discussed before passage — that together or alone could seriously endanger the new system. ... After the trauma of the last two years, many people wish the issue would go away. But it's not going away, especially since costs will continue to rise. (David Brooks, 1/6).

7 Jan 2011

Some Democrats wrestle with reform positions, others file amendments on repeal to force GOP votes against popular consumer protections

As the House vote on repealing the health law looms in the near future, some Democrats are contemplating their votes in the context of stiff election pressure or expressing their doubts about the measure's individual mandate. Meanwhile, in a strategic measure, other Democrats are pursuing amendments to the GOP repeal bill that would force up-or-down votes on the health care law's popular consumer provisions.

7 Jan 2011

Hologic announces acquisition of Interlace Medical

Hologic, Inc., a leading developer, manufacturer and supplier of premium diagnostics, medical imaging systems and surgical products dedicated to serving the healthcare needs of women, announced today it has acquired Interlace Medical, Inc. (Interlace), the developer and manufacturer of the MyoSure hysteroscopic tissue removal system (MyoSure). Interlace's operations will be integrated within Hologic's GYN Surgical Products division.

From Hologic, Inc. 7 Jan 2011

ADVENTRX Pharmaceuticals to raise $22.5 million

ADVENTRX Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced today that it has entered into definitive agreements to sell 8,184,556 units in a registered direct offering to RA Capital Management, certain healthcare-focused investors, and other institutional investors for a per unit purchase price of $2.75, representing gross proceeds to ADVENTRX of approximately $22.5 million.

7 Jan 2011

First Edition: January 16, 2011

Today's headlines include news about public opinion regarding the GOP health law repeal effort.

7 Jan 2011

BG Medicine enters agreement to develop galectin-3 test for Siemens' automated immunoassay platforms

BG Medicine, Inc. announced today that it has entered into an agreement with Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Inc., a division of Siemens Healthcare, one of the world's largest suppliers of clinical diagnostics to the healthcare industry, for the development and commercialization of a galectin-3 test for Siemens' automated immunoassay platforms for clinical laboratories.

7 Jan 2011

Massachusetts General borrows $420 million for improvements; Detroit hospital penalty reveals new trend

Partners HealthCare System Inc., which runs Boston's Massachusetts General Hospital, is borrowing $420 million for improvements including electronic medical records and to refinance debt, with average tax-exempt yields at close to a 16-month high.

7 Jan 2011

Roundup: In Oregon, New Gov. Kitzhaber vows to change state's health care delivery system; In Ariz., 2nd person denied transplant coverage dies

Oregon Governor-elect John Kitzhaber, a Democrat who will be inaugurated in Salem on Monday (January 10), is no stranger to the state's top political office: He was a two-term governor between 1995 and 2003. ... An emergency-room physician by background, Kitzhaber, 62, also is no stranger to the nation's health care system, which he sees as costly, ineffective and unsustainable.

7 Jan 2011

Saints Medical Center enters multi-faceted agreement with ZOLL

Saints Medical Center, a leading non-profit healthcare facility in the Greater Lowell area, is pleased to announce it has entered into a multi-faceted agreement with ZOLL Medical Corporation (Nasdaq: ZOLL) of Chelmsford, Mass., a leader in comprehensive hospital and EMS resuscitation solutions. This agreement includes the Saints-based EMS service working with ZOLL to collaborate on and test new product concepts and technology concepts.

7 Jan 2011

Get examined during National Cervical Cancer Awareness Month

Cervical cancer is the second leading cause of cancer in women worldwide, yet it is almost always preventable – with the Pap test, the HPV test and the HPV vaccine. That's what the Pearl of Wisdom Campaign to Prevent Cervical Cancer wants women to know – and share with their mothers, daughters, sisters and friends.

7 Jan 2011

U.S. health expenditures increased 4% in 2009

This increase represents the smallest one in at least a half a century. At the same time, though, medical costs ate up a record share of the overall economy. Experts pointed to the recession as a key explanation.

7 Jan 2011

Obama health team undergoes reorganization

As work to implement and defend the health law kicks into high gear, the Obama administration is making major changes among the key players.

7 Jan 2011

Dade Medical College officially launches new School of Continuing Education on Jan 22

Dade Medical College will officially introduce its new School of Continuing Education on January 22. This new division will begin offering non-credit courses for students and working professionals.

6 Jan 2011

Cornerstone Healthcare Plus announces acquisition of Hedgcoxe Health Plaza Medical Office Building

Cornerstone Real Estate Funds and its strategic alliance partner and sub-advisor, Servant Healthcare Investments, announced that Cornerstone Healthcare Plus REIT has acquired the Hedgcoxe Health Plaza Medical Office Building in Plano, TX, from Hedgcoxe MOB Partners, L.P. The contract price for the property is approximately $9.0 million.

6 Jan 2011

Choosing between EGFR therapeutic options in metastatic colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer in men and women in the USA, with a new diagnosis made every 3.5 minutes and an associated death every 9 minutes.

6 Jan 2011

Problems reported with Implanon contraceptive implant

Quite a few women have reported accidental and unwanted pregnancies while using Implanon, a hormone implant injected into the arm which is designed to last three years. Although the hormonal implant is described to be 99% effective, is thought to be due to problems with the initial implantation, rather than its efficacy once correctly inserted beneath the skin.

6 Jan 2011

Symphogen closes €100 million stock to a group of investors

Symphogen, a private biopharmaceutical company developing superior antibody therapeutics to treat cancer, infectious and autoimmune diseases, announced today that it closed a €100 million placement of Preferred Stock to a group of investors.

6 Jan 2011