Healthcare News and Research

Latest Healthcare News and Research

Obama’s corporate wellness initiatives delivered by Professional Health Services

The Obama Administration has put corporate wellness programs like those offered by Professional Health Services (PHS) at the forefront of healthcare reform. The benefits of improving employee health not only increase productivity and decrease absenteeism, but also lower health care costs.

11 Aug 2009

Cases of depression and other mental illnesses nearly doubled between 1996 and 2006

The number of Americans under care for depression and other mental illnesses nearly doubled between 1996 and 2006, and the overall cost of treating them jumped by nearly two-thirds, according to the latest News and Numbers from HHS’ Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

11 Aug 2009

Negotiations: A 'frustrating process' as lawmakers elbow for position during recess

The Senate Finance Committee's "Gang of Six" closed negotiations are frustrating for other lawmakers on Capitol Hill, The Christian Science Monitor reports and adds: "So, how do the other 529 members of Congress get to have a say in these closed yet critical deliberations? The same way they influence legislation — by working through outside interest groups with clout in the Congress to influence other members."

11 Aug 2009

'Nanobee' drug delivery to tumors

When bees sting, they pump poison into their victims. Now the toxin in bee venom has been harnessed to kill tumor cells by researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. The researchers attached the major component of bee venom to nano-sized spheres that they call nanobees.

11 Aug 2009

Underinsured face daunting medical bills, look for help from Congress

"While much of the American health care discussion has focused on providing coverage to the country's 46 million uninsured, there is growing concern about millions more who are underinsured, or whose policies require them to pay thousands of dollars out-of-pocket before coverage kicks in," The Sacramento Bee reports.

11 Aug 2009

Sorting out the truth in the health care debate

The New York Times reports in a "primer on the details of health reform" that Republican criticism of a government-run insurance plan to compete with private health insurance as "socialized medicine" "seems overblown," it reports. "The Congressional Budget Office has estimated that, under the House bill, the number of people with employer-sponsored insurance would climb to 162 million in 2016, which is 3 million more than expected under current law. Further, it said, enrollment in the proposed public plan might total 11 million, far lower than estimates cited by Republicans."

11 Aug 2009

Additional trial to be conducted for KYNAPID under FDA special protocol agreement

Cardiome Pharma Corp. (NASDAQ: CRME/TSX: COM) and its co-development partner Astellas Pharma US, Inc. ("Astellas") announced today that Astellas will undertake a single confirmatory additional Phase 3 clinical trial of KYNAPID(TM) (vernakalant hydrochloride) Injection for rapid conversion of atrial fibrillation to sinus rhythm. The trial, to be called ACT 5, is expected to begin enrolling patients by the end of 2009, with completion expected in the first half of 2011.

11 Aug 2009

Study shows that competitive bidding benefits insurance companies and forces many seniors to use out-of-state providers

The American Association for Homecare hosted a media conference call this afternoon, unveiling a new economic study that exposes severe flaws in the Medicare competitive bidding program for durable medical equipment and services. The bidding program is set to restart this October.

10 Aug 2009

Emphasis on quality reduces deaths in hospitals, report finds

A new report finds that a focus on quality reduces the number of deaths in U.S. hospitals, specifically saving 47,000 lives a year and preventing 92,000 complications.

10 Aug 2009

CDC expands existing vaccine distribution partnership with Mckesson to include H1N1 flu vaccine

McKesson Corporation (NYSE:MCK) today announced that its current partnership with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has been expanded to include preparations for H1N1 flu vaccine distribution. The CDC currently has a contract with McKesson for distribution of its public-sector purchased adult and pediatric vaccines, including those distributed through the Vaccines for Children Program.

10 Aug 2009

Dendreon signs lease for new manufacturing facility in Union City, Ga

Dendreon Corporation (Nasdaq: DNDN) today announced it has signed a lease agreement with Majestic Realty Co. to build a 160,000 square-foot manufacturing facility in Union City, Ga., where it expects to manufacture PROVENGE(R) (sipuleucel-T) for patients with advanced prostate cancer. The state of Georgia will be hosting a ribbon-cutting ceremony on September 30.

10 Aug 2009

Hythiam, Inc. announces Q2 financials

Hythiam, Inc. (NASDAQ:HYTM) today announced financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2009, which include the consolidated results from Comprehensive Care Corporation (CompCare) through January 20, 2009, the disposition date. As a result of the January 20, 2009 sale, the Company’s results treat CompCare as a Discontinued Operation.

10 Aug 2009

At health care town halls, lawmakers try to cope with very opinionated citizens

Town hall meeting fracases continue, as members of Congress 'feel the heat' of very strong opinions on health reform.

10 Aug 2009

Decode Genetics announces Q2 2009 financials

deCODE genetics (Nasdaq: DCGN) today announced its consolidated financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2009. A conference call to discuss these results and recent developments in the company's business will be webcast live tomorrow, Tuesday, August 11, at 8:00am Eastern Daylight Time/12 noon GMT/1pm British Summer Time (details below).

10 Aug 2009

Mindray Medical International announces Q2 2009 financials

Mindray Medical International Limited (NYSE: MR), a leading developer, manufacturer and marketer of medical devices worldwide announced today its selected unaudited financial results for the second quarter and first half ended June 30, 2009.

From Mindray 10 Aug 2009

Human swine flu conference in Washington DC, August 19-20

Tribal, local, state, federal and other leaders in the field will share best practices and current research with more than 700 delegates already registered, including participants from 32 countries at the International Swine Flu Conference. Priority will be placed on identifying the responsibilities of various stakeholders in order to improve global communication coordination and collaboration

10 Aug 2009

Care Investment Trust announces Q2 2009 financials

Care Investment Trust Inc. (NYSE: CRE) ("Care" or the "Company"), a real estate investment and finance company formed to invest in healthcare-related real estate and commercial mortgage debt, today reported financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2009.

10 Aug 2009

Chindex International reports financials for first quarter of fiscal 2010

Chindex International, Inc. (Nasdaq: CHDX), a leading independent American provider of Western healthcare products and services in the People's Republic of China, today announced results for its first quarter of fiscal 2010, ended June 30, 2009.

10 Aug 2009

New online tool to help nurses prevent the 10 "Never Events"

Elsevier, a world leader in healthcare and medical publishing and online solutions, today announced the availability of a new online tool within Mosby's Nursing Consult designed to help nurses prevent the 10 "Never Events" identified by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) in an October 2008 fact sheet.

10 Aug 2009

AHRA and Toshiba partner on putting patients first program

Patient safety and quality care continue to be important issues for hospitals and imaging centers. To help these facilities start new or build upon existing programs, AHRA: The Association for Medical Imaging Management announces the second year of its Putting Patients First grant program.

10 Aug 2009