Healthcare News and Research

Latest Healthcare News and Research

Polls: Protests fuel opposition to health reform bills

"The raucous protests at congressional town-hall-style meetings have succeeded in fueling opposition to proposed health care bills among some Americans," USA Today reports on USA Today/Gallup poll.

13 Aug 2009

MedPlexus announces creation of “Cash for Clunkers” program

MedPlexus today announced the creation of their “Cash for Clunkers” Program. The “stimulus package,” which is available September 1, 2009, grants cash payments of $3,000 to $5,000 to doctors who replace their previous EHR and/or practice management platforms with MedPlexus integrated platforms.

13 Aug 2009

Schwarzenegger: Health worker discipline delays 'absolutely unacceptable'

"Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger [of California] on Wednesday conceded that long-standing delays in disciplining errant health professionals were 'absolutely unacceptable' and promised broad reforms to better protect patients from dentists, pharmacists, therapists and others accused of misconduct," ProPublica/The Los Angeles Times reports.

13 Aug 2009

Arcadia resources announces Q1 2009 financials

Arcadia Resources, Inc. (NYSE Amex: KAD), a leading provider of home care, medical staffing, and pharmacy services under the Arcadia HealthCare(SM) brand, today announced results for its fiscal first quarter ended June 30, 2009.

13 Aug 2009

Medical imaging: The good, the bad and the ugly

In the political minefield of healthcare reform, medical imaging has emerged as a microcosm of this contentious debate. Congress has been charged with a high stakes, high wire balancing act: to create a bill preserving quality and access while trimming unethical and unnecessary spending. Medical imaging represents such a challenge, with its undeniable benefits tainted by inappropriate use.

13 Aug 2009

Pennsylvania Patient Safety Authority marks one million report milestone

The Pennsylvania Patient Safety Authority has collected over one million reports from Pennsylvania healthcare facilities since June 2004. Ninety-six percent of the events are near misses or events that did not cause harm to the patient.

13 Aug 2009

Pacific Biosciences raises additional $68 million in financing

Pacific Biosciences, a private company pioneering the development of a transformative DNA sequencing technology, announced today it has raised an additional $68 million in financing.

12 Aug 2009

Jobless, uninsured seek health care from COBRA and free clinics

Many people are going without health care in the current economy, but COBRA and free clinics can provide relief.

12 Aug 2009

Dynavax announces European development strategy for investigational adult hepatitis B vaccine in Europe

Dynavax Technologies Corporation (Nasdaq:DVAX) today announced that it has met with the European Medicines Evaluation Agency (EMEA) to discuss its plans for continued clinical development of HEPLISAVTM Phase 3 investigational adult hepatitis B vaccine in Europe.

12 Aug 2009

Tiotropium - corticosteroid combination improves lung disease survival

Sufferers of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease have a greater chance of survival when treated with a combination of drugs that includes tiotropium, according to research at the University of Illinois at Chicago.

12 Aug 2009

Democrats champion change, Republicans charge confusion in message talking points

Democrats and Republicans are both honing their recess reform messages, hoping to win support for their respective positions and potentially, making opponents look bad, The Hill reports.

12 Aug 2009

Congressional Black Caucus keeps up efforts for reform

The Louisiana Weekly reports that the Congressional Black Caucus "has vowed to continue pushing for specific provisions that its members feel are vital for African Americans. ... The original House and Senate bills would significantly reduce the staggering number of uninsured Americans," which are disproportionately black, according to the news organization.

12 Aug 2009

A rebounding biotechnology industry

Investors accurately forecasted the rebound of the biotechnology industry, but underestimated the degree to which positive clinical trial data would drive the sector higher, according to findings from an investor perception study released today by the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) and Thomson Reuters.

12 Aug 2009

Obama takes reform message to New Hampshire, takes on 'scare tactics'

President Barack Obama Tuesday called out "wild misrepresentations" of a plan to reform the health care system in America, The Concord (N.H.) Monitor reports.

12 Aug 2009

Health care opposition exposed

"The opposition to health reform is a web of vested interests with major financial stakes in the status quo," say former Chief of Staff to the House Aging Committee/former White House Drug Policy spokesman Bob Weiner and Analyst Jordan Osserman in a column in today's South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

12 Aug 2009

Emdeon opens for trading today on NYSE

Emdeon Inc. opened for trading today on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol “EM” after its successful initial public offering in which it raised $367 million in gross proceeds. Headquartered in Nashville, Tenn., Emdeon is the 13th IPO by an operating company, including non-U.S. companies, and the 10th U.S. domestic IPO to list on the New York Stock Exchange this year.

12 Aug 2009

A historical look at health refom

Several news organizations offered historical looks at health reform and explainers on specific proposals.

12 Aug 2009

Revenue cycle: How to maximize patient collections

Conifer Revenue Cycle Solutions, Inc., President Stephen M. Mooney will discuss how hospitals and healthcare systems can improve their financial performance in the current economic downturn during an upcoming executive webinar, “Revenue Cycle: How to Maximize Patient Collections.”

12 Aug 2009

Health Canada approves Multaq (Dronedarone) for atrial fibrillation

Sanofi-aventis Canada announced today that Multaq (dronedarone, 400 mg tablets) has received Health Canada approval for the treatment of patients with a history of, or current atrial fibrillation to reduce their risk of cardiovascular hospitalization due to this condition.

12 Aug 2009

IBM to deliver advanced analytic solutions to public sector clients

IBM (NYSE: IBM) today announced the creation of a new practice focused on delivering advanced analytic solutions to public sector clients. IBM will expand its work with federal, state and local government organizations, as well as in fast-growing markets such as healthcare and education.

12 Aug 2009