Healthcare News and Research

Latest Healthcare News and Research

Study finds sizeable position for Actemra in rheumatoid arthritis treatment paradigm

Results from a study conducted by Majestic Research suggest that Bristol Myers Squibb's Orencia, Johnson & Johnson's Remicade, and Amgen's/Wyeth's Enbrel will forfeit share of the rheumatoid arthritis market to Roche's newly launched Actemra. Early switching data from Majestic’s proprietary panel of rheumatologists indicates that Orencia may be the biggest loser of all, as 54% of switches to Actemra thus far have been from Orencia.

9 Mar 2010

Sebelius reiterates call for insurer transparency

Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius Monday "called on managed-care companies to publicly justify rate increases." Meanwhile, President Obama "cited a recent Wall Street conference call as evidence that the industry is willing and able to price out some customers." Sebelius' action came on the heels of last week's White House meeting with the executives of a number of major health insurance companies.

9 Mar 2010

Obama taking to road to appeal to skeptical public, skiddish lawmakers

The Associated Press: President Barack Obama will travel to Philadelphia today to "try to persuade the public to back his plan to remake the nation's health care system, while also urging uneasy lawmakers to cast a 'final vote' for a massive reform bill in an election year." Obama will then travel to St. Louis Wednesday.

9 Mar 2010

Medica Research Institute launched for applying innovation to healthcare delivery

Medica today announced the launch of the Medica Research Institute as a non-profit company that will serve as the research arm within the broader organization. Built on the principals of systematic investigation, some potential areas of study include health services research, comparative effectiveness research and clinical trial studies.

9 Mar 2010

Obama rallies Pa. audience, challenges insurers in health reform speech

"Trying to rally the public and put more pressure on Congress to act quickly, President Obama on Monday took to the road to castigate insurance companies and urged voters to lobby for passage of the healthcare overhaul," the Los Angeles Times reports.

8 Mar 2010

White House emphasizes rising health insurance costs as reason for reform

The Los Angeles Times analyzes how insurance costs became a focal point: "The Democrats' bill was in serious trouble when news broke of planned rate hikes by the California insurer. ... Anthem Blue Cross was seeking double-digit rate increases for many of its 800,000 individual policyholders. Company executives had little reason to worry. Insurers can raise premiums in the individual market as often -- and as much -- as they like, within certain guidelines. For years, such requests were routinely approved."

8 Mar 2010

Reconciliation update: Some Dems, GOP and industry groups wary health bill strategy

The Los Angeles Times: "Obama's signature ability to inspire fellow Democrats and Pelosi's well-honed ability to read their parochial needs will be tested as they tackle the job of finding the last stubborn votes for the healthcare bill. ... "Under the Democrats' strategy, the House would pass the Senate's version of the bill. Then both chambers would approve changes under the budget reconciliation process, which could pass the Senate with a simple 51-vote majority. Democrats hope to finish by the end of the month" (Hook and Levey, 3/8).

8 Mar 2010

Positive interim results from NxStage Medical's FREEDOM study in RLS

NxStage Medical, Inc., a leading manufacturer of innovative dialysis products, today announced the latest interim results from its ongoing FREEDOM study, which show the significant improvement of overall sleep quality and marked improvement in Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) experienced by patients after four months of daily home hemodialysis therapy with the NxStage System One™.

8 Mar 2010

Democrats pressure Stupak on abortion; Split threatening health bill

A split among Democrats on abortion is threatening to derail efforts to overhaul the nation's health care system.

8 Mar 2010

Butler Health System to implement Alpha Systems' enterprise EDM solution

Alpha Systems, a premier provider of electronic data and document management solutions, today announced that Butler Health System (Butler), an innovative healthcare provider located in Pennsylvania, has named Alpha Systems their vendor of choice for enterprise electronic document management (EDM) software. This move is designed to improve Butler’s communication across the enterprise while moving the healthcare provider closer to a paperless environment.

8 Mar 2010

Centric Health's 2009 revenues up 132%

Centric Health Corporation, a diversified healthcare company, today announced its financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2009.

8 Mar 2010

Global Genes Project: World Rare Disease Day 2010, a tremendous success

The Global Genes Project, a worldwide rare disease awareness initiative, today announced the success from its World Rare Disease Day 2010 efforts and laid out plans for future rare disease awareness campaigns.

8 Mar 2010

First Edition: March 8, 2010

Today's headlines highlight how the health reform battle lines continue to take shape as President Obama takes his plan on the road, looking for public support.

8 Mar 2010

Evaluating asymptomatic diabetics for CHD: Speckle Tracking by Echo ultrasound substudy sponsored

Cardiovascular death is the most common cause of mortality among Type 2 diabetics and claims the lives of millions each year, with many diabetics experiencing their first “symptom” as a heart attack or sudden death. Understanding that diabetics are at high risk for Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) and that many with the disease are asymptomatic, Toshiba America Medical Systems, Inc., has sponsored Speckle Tracking by Echo, a faCTor64 substudy using Toshiba’s Wall Motion Tracking ultrasound technology.

8 Mar 2010

KCI receives reimbursement approval for use of V.A.C. ATS Therapy System in Japan

Kinetic Concepts, Inc. today announced it has received reimbursement approval from Japan’s Health Insurance Bureau for use of the innovative V.A.C. ATS® Therapy System in the country. The approval signifies an important advancement in the company’s plans for market launch in April and follows Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare’s decision in November 2009 to grant final regulatory approval for the product.

8 Mar 2010

MS Awareness Week: Time for nation to go orange and move it to end MS

MS Awareness Week March 8-14 is the time for the nation to go orange and move it to end multiple sclerosis, a disease where someone is newly diagnosed every hour of every day. Supported by a Congressional resolution, this year MS Awareness Week and the state of MS research aptly coincide. Move it to create a world free of MS!

8 Mar 2010

APA announces winners of Psychologically Healthy Workplace Awards

Employers who understand the link between employee well-being and organizational performance are best positioned for success in the economic recovery, the American Psychological Association reported at its Psychologically Healthy Workplace Awards ceremony this weekend. APA recognized five organizations for their comprehensive efforts to promote employee health and well-being while enhancing organizational performance.

8 Mar 2010

Survey challenges long-held assumption: Having health insurance is synonymous with having access to health care

A survey released today by the Center for Healthcare Research & Transformation challenges the long-held assumption that having health insurance is synonymous with having access to health care.

8 Mar 2010

World Heart Federation to open WCC Scientific Sessions 2010 in Beijing, China

In 100 days the World Heart Federation, with the support of the Chinese Society of Cardiology and the Chinese Medical Association, will open the World Congress of Cardiology (WCC) Scientific Sessions 2010 in Beijing, China.

8 Mar 2010

NSF's Sleep in America poll finds differences in sleep habits and attitudes among ethnic groups

The 2010 Sleep in America poll released today by the National Sleep Foundation reveals significant differences in the sleep habits and attitudes of Asians, Blacks/African-Americans, Hispanics and Whites. It is the first poll to examine sleep among these four ethnic groups.

8 Mar 2010