Healthcare News and Research

Latest Healthcare News and Research

White House says new CBO estimates do not signify high health spending

"The new healthcare law doesn't include more spending and less deficit reduction than previously reported, an Obama administration official said Wednesday," The Hill reports.

14 May 2010

Studies explore geography's influence on medical practice, spending

Reuters: "Doctors in some parts of the United States are more likely to tell Medicare patients they are sick than in other parts, researchers said on Wednesday in a finding that could explain regional differences in health spending. The study is the latest from the Dartmouth Atlas Project, which [has uncovered] wide differences in spending by region, a finding that became a touchstone in the debate about the need for healthcare reform in the United States."

14 May 2010

CIGNA adds CTCA to national network

Recognizing the importance of access, quality and choice for its many customers who have been touched by cancer, CIGNA has entered into a new agreement that opens the doors to comprehensive, integrative care at Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA).

14 May 2010

Insight Imaging third-quarter revenues decrease 12.9% to $46.4 million

InSight Health Services Holdings Corp. today announced its financial results for the third quarter ended March 31, 2010.

14 May 2010

Osteoporosis screening of women increased from 34% in 2001 to 64% in 2006: AHRQ

The proportion of women age 65 and over on Medicare who said that they had been screened for osteoporosis increased from 34 percent in 2001 to 64 percent in 2006, according to the latest News and Numbers from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

14 May 2010

Minnesota lawmakers debate budget, Medicaid expansion

More budget talks were expected Thursday as Minnesota's legislative session hurtled toward a midnight Sunday deadline with no deal on a $3 billion deficit. The Democratic-controlled Legislature defied another veto threat from Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty late Wednesday and sent him a health and welfare package he opposes.

14 May 2010

GE Healthymagination Fund invests $5M in CardioDx

GE Healthcare, the healthcare business of GE and CardioDx, a pioneer in cardiovascular genomic diagnostics, announced today that the companies have entered into a strategic alliance to advance and co-develop diagnostic technologies to improve the care and management of patients with cardiovascular disease.

14 May 2010

Groups plead for more health funding as Chairman warns about cuts to proposed HHS budget

House Appropriations Committee Chairman David Obey, D-Wis., said Wednesday that groups pressing for $14 billion more in funding for education, health and labor programs will likely be disappointed because the budget proposed by President Barack Obama already faces cuts of about $3.5 billion in those areas.

14 May 2010

Home health care stocks fall with Senate Finance Committee inquiry

Shares of four home health care providers tumbled Thursday after the Senate Finance Committee raised questions about how the companies bill Medicare for home health therapy visits, The Associated Press/ABC News reports.

14 May 2010

Medco announces new $3 billion share repurchase program

Medco Health Solutions, Inc. today announced that its Board of Directors has unanimously approved a new $3 billion share repurchase program.

13 May 2010

First Edition: May 13, 2010

Among today's headlines are reports that some Republican senators are taking aim at President Obama's pick to run the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

13 May 2010

Graymark Healthcare first-quarter consolidated net revenues increase 7% to $27.6 million

Graymark Healthcare, Inc. today announced progress on Fiscal 2010 Initiatives and financial results for the Quarter ending March 31, 2010.

13 May 2010

Prestige Brands Holdings fourth fiscal quarter revenues up 4% to $71.4 million

Prestige Brands Holdings, Inc. today reported results for the fourth fiscal quarter and fiscal year ended March 31, 2010.

13 May 2010

No clear consensus on prevalence, diagnosis, management, and prevention of food allergies

A review of previous research indicates that there are few high-quality studies on food allergies, with limited uniform criteria for making a diagnosis and determining prevalence and effective treatments, according to an article in the May 12 issue of JAMA.

13 May 2010

Study reveals increase in treatment admissions for drug abuse

From 1998 to 2008 there were marked changes in some patterns of substance use treatment admissions according to a study by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Although the concurrent abuse of both alcohol and drugs has remained widespread, the proportion of treatment admissions for the co-abuse of these substances has declined gradually yet significantly during this period - from 44 percent to 38 percent.

13 May 2010

25% of adults quit their overactive bladder medication: Study

Study of 5,392 adults found that a quarter had quit their overactive bladder medication, with nine out of ten saying it didn't work as expected or they couldn't tolerate it. A follow-up study found that being a current smoker raised the risk of quitting by 80%, having an enlarged prostate by 74% and believing that bladder medication caused side effects by 111%.

13 May 2010

Study: Treating serious gum disease in diabetics can help lower blood sugar levels

Researchers have found that reducing inflammation of the gums in people with diabetes can help lower the risk of serious complications associated with the condition, such as eye problems and heart disease.

13 May 2010

Proposed cuts in Medicare payments impact access to healthcare: Poll

An independent poll recently conducted on behalf of the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) shows that an alarming number of physicians will stop seeing Medicare beneficiaries if current payment policies are not reformed.

13 May 2010

AHF targets BMS over pricing and policies for its HIV/AIDS drug

AIDS Healthcare Foundation will host a protest Wednesday morning, May 12th at 10:30am targeting New York-based Bristol Myers Squibb Co. over the pricing and policies for its key HIV/AIDS drug, Reyataz, one of the most expensive first-line AIDS treatment in the US, during the Bank of America-Merrill Lynch 2010 Health Care Conference.

13 May 2010

Family medical costs surge to new high

Families' health care costs continued to rise last year, Modern Healthcare reports. "Total healthcare costs for a typical family of four increased $1,303 or 7.8% over the past year, according to the Milliman Medical Index, the highest total dollar increase in the history of the actuarial firm's annual study.

13 May 2010