Healthcare News and Research

Latest Healthcare News and Research

The new health law is 'pro-business,' Obama says

The Christian Science Monitor: During President Barack Obama's speech in Maine Thursday, he focused some of his comments on how small businesses fare under the new health law. "'This healthcare tax is pro-jobs, it's pro-business, and it starts this year,' Mr. Obama said. ... The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimates that tax credits to cover healthcare premiums would save small businesses $40 billion by 2019. But it's not clear that small-business owners are buying the argument.

3 Apr 2010

Some Dems face criticism at home for health law

Some Americans, angry with health reform, are also worried about the direction the country is headed as Democrats spend the Easter recess touting the new law.

3 Apr 2010

16 universities receive ARRA funds for training new health IT professionals

Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius has enlisted the talent and resources of some of the nation's leading universities, community colleges, and major research centers to advance the widespread adoption and meaningful use of health information technology (health IT).

3 Apr 2010

Nephros' 2009 product revenues up 81%

Nephros, Inc. announced today financial results for the twelve month period ended December 31, 2009.

3 Apr 2010

CTRC commences enrollment in Phase 2 trial of REOLYSIN combination for SCC lung cancer

A virus that destroys cancer cells but leaves normal cells unharmed may offer hope to those affected by squamous cell carcinoma of the lungs (SCC lung cancer), according to investigators from the Cancer Therapy & Research Center (CTRC) at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. The CTRC has started patient enrollment in a US Phase 2 clinical trial using intravenous administration of REOLYSIN® in combination with carboplatin and paclitaxel in patients with SCC lung cancer.

3 Apr 2010

Obama promotes health bill, asks people to give it time to work

Los Angeles Times: Ihe president said "it would take four years for the overhaul to be fully implemented but that some provisions would kick in quickly. Those include ending insurance company practices of using preexisting conditions as an excuse to curb benefits and lifting annual caps on payments. ... The president also stressed the advantages for small-business owners.

3 Apr 2010

Winner of 2010-2011 Luminex/ACMGF Award

The American College of Medical Genetics Foundation (ACMGF) has awarded Dr. Marilyn M. Li, of the Tulane Medical Center and the Tulane University School of Medicine the 2010-2011 Luminex/ACMGF Award at the ACMG 2010 Annual Clinical Genetics Meeting in Albuquerque, NM.

From Luminex 3 Apr 2010

Tips to get optimum healthcare coverage during economic downturn

The economic downturn is impacting the health of many people – not only by exacerbating conditions like hypertension, stress and fatigue, but also by causing some people to put off getting the health care they need.

3 Apr 2010

Dems tout savings from Medicare fraud crackdown, swindlers exploit health bill confusion

The Hill: "Democrats on the Senate Finance Committee are trying to make the case that the healthcare bill will strengthen Medicare and Medicaid by finding major savings through a crack down on fraud, waste and abuse."

3 Apr 2010

ApolloMed Hospitalists, Benchmark Hospitalists form strategic partnership

Apollo Medical Holdings, Inc., a leading provider of hospitalist services to the healthcare community, today announced that ApolloMed Hospitalists, one of its affiliated medical groups, has entered into a strategic partnership with Benchmark Hospitalists, a division of Emergent Medical Associates, to provide hospitalist services at Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center, a 434-bed acute care hospital.

3 Apr 2010

Mass. rejects insurers' rate hikes

Massachusetts regulators denied 235 of 274 requests by health insurance plans to raise premiums because officials view the hikes as excessive, The Boston Globe reports. "The rulings, following a review process set in motion by emergency regulations [Gov. Deval] Patrick filed in February, mark the first time the state has used its authority to turn down health premium increases."

3 Apr 2010

Young adults with hyperthyroidism face increase risk of stroke

Young adults with overactive thyroid face a 44 percent increased risk of stroke compared to those with normal thyroid function, according to a study reported in Stroke: Journal of the American Heart Association.

3 Apr 2010

Recent releases in Global Health

"Achieving the [Millennium Development Goal] MDG 4 target of reducing newborn and child mortality will require concerted efforts to scale up evidence-based interventions, especially community-based preventive and therapeutic strategies in primary care," according to a Lancet comment that reflects on the challenges associated with developing "the appropriate mix of strategies" to improve maternal health.

3 Apr 2010

Debate and skepticism over the healthcare reforms

A few years back a law that was meant to cover millions of elderly extending their prescription drug coverage backfired with many who could not access their medicines or were charged more all because of computer generated errors. Administration, industry and consumer groups are gearing up to prevent the same thing from happening after the healthcare bill became law last week.

2 Apr 2010

Merge Healthcare completes private placement of preferred and common stock

Merge Healthcare, a health IT solutions provider, announced today that it has completed a private placement of preferred and common stock totaling $41.75 million, which is specified for use in funding a portion of the proposed acquisition of AMICAS, Inc., a provider of medical imaging software and services.

2 Apr 2010

Controversial healthcare reform bill evaluated on 106.3FM

ABC7 and NBC5 cameras didn't miss a beat as fathers' rights attorney and guru Jeffery M. Leving and Congressman Danny K. Davis analyzed the historic healthcare bill on 106.3FM Sunday, March 28, 2010. Phones were ringing off the hook during Leving's Fathers' Rights Legal Show as the dynamic duo evaluated the controversial healthcare reform bill answering burning questions on every American's mind.

2 Apr 2010

First Edition: April 2, 2010

Today's headlines highlight President Obama's speech yesterday in Maine, during which he continued stumping for the new health reform law and urged patience as the measure kicks in.

2 Apr 2010

PIH to acquire DRMC, signs non-binding letter of intent

Presbyterian Intercommunity Hospital (PIH) and Downey Regional Medical Center (DRMC) today announced they had each signed a non-binding letter of intent with plans to execute a definitive agreement calling for PIH's acquisition of DRMC. This will bring together two not-for-profit hospitals both with long standing histories of being dedicated to providing quality care to the communities they serve. The nonbinding letter of intent would allow for the continuation of a nonprofit hospital serving the greater Downey community.

2 Apr 2010

Pfizer shares details of financial relationships with U.S. healthcare professionals and researchers

Pfizer Inc. today released detailed information about how and why the company works with a range of healthcare professionals and researchers to advance patient care and develop lifesaving medicines. The information reflects payments or exchanges of value received by licensed U.S. healthcare professionals who consulted with Pfizer about the development and marketing of new medicines and helped to educate other healthcare professionals about the safe and appropriate use of its products.

2 Apr 2010

American Career College offers new training program in health IT

American Career College President Al Nederhood today announced that it will offer an Associate of Occupational Science Degree in Health Information Technology at its Anaheim campus beginning May 2010.

2 Apr 2010