Healthcare News and Research

Latest Healthcare News and Research

Primers: What's really going on with health reform?

As Congress returns from its August recess for what promises to be a dramatic health care finale, a few papers offer refreshers on what's contained in the bills lawmakers and the president are preparing to debate, and how they will affect millions of citizens. Three news reports compare key proposals, and suggest key questions for reformers.

9 Sep 2009

Obama hopes to reconquer high-stakes health debate

President Obama is hoping to give a boost to congressional Democrats who are reconvening after a recess beleaguered by harsh criticism, plummeting public opinion, and divisions within the majority party.

9 Sep 2009

Hoyer: 'meaningful' health overhaul legislation could pass without a public option

"House Democratic Leader Steny Hoyer said on Tuesday he could back a bill to overhaul the U.S. healthcare system without a so-called public option that would create a government-run insurance program."

9 Sep 2009

Baucus plan details released; Grassley says Bipartisan bill 'up in the air'

According to CQ Politics, Chairman Max Baucus' is circulated a proposal to the Finance Committee Gang Of Six over the weekend that would "establish a system of consumer-owned insurance cooperatives in lieu of a ... 'public plan' and would expand Medicaid to millions more Americans."

9 Sep 2009

Web-based clinical support tool for gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy patients

Building on the success and popularity of REALIZE mySUCCESS(R) for REALIZE(TM) Band patients, Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. announced today it will expand availability of the Web-based clinical support tool to gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy patients.

9 Sep 2009

Study to test efficacy of lapatinib in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma

Use of the molecularly targeted agent lapatinib to delay tumor growth and improve the survival of patients with inoperable hepatocellular carcinoma, or liver cancer, only benefited certain subgroups of patients. While results of this study were largely negative, patients that exhibited toxicity from the drug in the form of a skin rash appeared to have a greater tumor response and longer survival.

9 Sep 2009

Butzel Long expands national health care practice in New York

Alan Lambert, M.D., an attorney with a diverse practice representing healthcare providers and institutions, has joined Butzel Long and is Of Counsel in the firm’s Health Care practice. He is based in New York.

9 Sep 2009

Online destination resource for diabetics

Bayer Diabetes Care is continuing to simplify life for people with diabetes with the launch of simplewins.com, an online destination designed to inspire people with diabetes and help them meet the day-to-day challenges of living with and managing the disease.

9 Sep 2009

Covidien acquires Power Medical Interventions

Covidien (NYSE: COV), a leading global provider of healthcare products, today announced that it has completed the previously announced acquisition of Power Medical Interventions Inc. (PMI) for an aggregate consideration of approximately $65 million, including assumption of debt.

9 Sep 2009

Craneware reports 23% increase in revenues in the fiscal year-end results

Craneware, Inc. (AIM: CRW.L), a leader in sustainable financial improvement solutions for the U.S. healthcare market, is pleased to announce results for the year ended June 30, 2009.

9 Sep 2009

House Democrats split on health reform options

Conservatives are still leery of supporting a government-funded, or public, insurance option. Freshman lawmakers from suburban districts remain fearful of increasing taxes for their wealthy constituents to pay for the new measure and await alternatives from moderate Senate Democrats.

9 Sep 2009

Wellmont partners with HealthSouth to open a new inpatient rehabilitation hospital in Bristol

Wellmont Health System and HealthSouth Corporation (NYSE: HLS) today announced that a joint venture entity formed by the two parties has been awarded a certificate of public need (COPN) to open a new inpatient rehabilitation hospital in Bristol, Va. The 25-bed hospital will enable more patients in Bristol and throughout Southwest Virginia to have access to comprehensive, high-quality rehabilitative services.

9 Sep 2009

CHW urges Congress and Obama Administration to successfully conclude health care reform

Catholic Healthcare West (CHW) President/CEO Lloyd H. Dean unveiled a multi-faceted campaign today aimed at pushing health care reform in Washington to a successful conclusion. CHW’s “September for Reform” will bring the resources of one of America’s largest hospital systems to bear on the national health care reform debate with a focus on urging members of Congress and the Obama Administration to accomplish reform this fall.

8 Sep 2009

Mid-Atlantic region’s first laparoscopic gastric banding surgery performed at AEHN

Albert Einstein Healthcare Network (AEHN) announced today that its chief bariatric surgeon successfully performed the Mid-Atlantic region’s first laparoscopic gastric banding surgery, which is performed through a single incision in a patient’s umbilicus (or belly button), ultimately resulting in the potential for no visible scar.

8 Sep 2009

NRHA Services Corporation selects Amerinet as its “Provider of Choice”

In recognition of their commitment to helping rural healthcare providers reduce costs and improve quality, Amerinet, a leading national healthcare group purchasing organization, has been named a “Provider of Choice” by the National Rural Health Association (NRHA) Services Corporation.

8 Sep 2009

African health ministers adopt resolutions to improve health as WHO regional meeting closes

At the conclusion of the 59th session of the WHO Regional Committee for Africa, African health ministers agreed on four resolutions that aim to improve health on the continent, the Guardian reports.

8 Sep 2009

PPJ Enterprise purchases medical billing service

PPJ Enterprise (PPJ) (PINKSHEETS: PPJE), a leader in proprietary automated healthcare multi-specialty provider reimbursement cycle technology and EHR development/information management digital system software for health care providers. PPJ is generating momentum for their strong comeback. The Company's short term strategic goal is to invest into a business that can sustain its everyday operational costs. So PPJ is developing alliances and making acquisitions/mergers in the medical billing service industry to eventually regain their position in the market.

8 Sep 2009

Shalala, Cleveland Clinic's Cosgrove weigh in on current health debate

Two health care industry players have views about to handle the current overhaul debate.

8 Sep 2009

Visual Management Systems signs a dealer agreement with High Tech Innovations

Visual Management Systems, Inc. (OTCBB: VMSY), a leading developer, manufacturer and provider of video surveillance technologies, is pleased to announce that it has entered into a dealer agreement with High Tech Innovations, a leader in technology infrastructure for the healthcare industry.

8 Sep 2009

Recipients of Charles C. Shepard Award announced

Jill Van Den Bos, a healthcare consultant in Milliman's Denver Health practice, and her colleagues from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have been named recipients of the prestigious Charles C. Shepard Award.

8 Sep 2009