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Quorum Report Demonstrates Viability of a Full-Service Hospital in Albert Lea, Minn.

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SOH Pleased that Data Indicates Alternative Provider as a Consistent Performer and Asset to Community

ALBERT LEA, Minn. (PRWEB) December 07, 2017

Elected officials, business leaders, and SAVE OUR HOSPITAL (SOH) will now use the newly released proforma to clear hurdles and pursue an alternative provider for 55,000 people in the Freeborn County area. The report shows that another entity could operate the hospital in a different, more cost-effective manner, and would be profitable to at least $4.4 million annually. Furthermore, inpatient revenue that is currently being transferred to Rochester could be added back into Albert Lea’s economy.

This encouraging report signals to medical providers in the Midwest to come to Albert Lea, because not only is the county designated as a Health Professional Shortage Area (Appendix A), but also patients would be extremely welcoming of a better performing organization.

Elected and community leaders recognize the need for a second provider scenario. Dan Sparks, Minnesota state senator, District 27, stated, “On behalf of my constituents served by Albert Lea’s hospital and in light of the Quorum report, I support community efforts to bring an alternative provider to Albert Lea. I will work with my colleagues in the Minnesota Senate to ensure any legislative roadblocks are lifted. I also believe competition is sorely needed in Southeastern Minnesota’s health care market, and patients could receive high-quality health care at lower prices with another provider.”

The market is controlled by only one provider with the highest overall costs in Minnesota and no clear quality differentiation. Research shows that health care monopolies don’t serve patients well. This is driving up the cost of health insurance for businesses and individuals by 30-40% or more compared to the metro area.

Gerry Vogt, president and founder of Mrs. Gerry’s, a major employer in the city, stated, “Since our first plant opened in Albert Lea, Minnesota, in 1973, Mrs. Gerry’s has innovated and expanded in every way. Our continued success depends on our ability to recruit and retain talent, and we need to ensure we offer our employees high-quality, affordable health care as part of our benefits package. I support efforts to bring an alternative provider to the city, and I look forward to working with providers to offer the most attractive health care benefits to our 200 employees in Albert Lea.”

An alternative provider would gain market share and attract both physicians and patients. Patients like Don Sorensen are motivated to seek a new provider. “It appears that our dominant health care organization is doing everything possible to steer patients away from Albert Lea, but there are other very qualified facilities available. I want to go to a different provider,” he observed.

Reports also indicate that rural communities such as Wabasha and Belmond are successfully attracting physicians, debunking generalizations about physician shortages.

A ripple effect is spreading across southern Minnesota because of Save Our Hospital’s efforts in Albert Lea. Citizens who desire local input in their communities’ health care choices have formed the Rural Healthcare Coalition and will take their voices to the legislature this session.

### Reported by PRWeb 6 hours ago.

Do your employee medical files meet ADA privacy requirements?

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Contrary to popular belief, the most significant law for employers with regard to medical privacy is the Americans with Disabilities Act, not the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. Employers,in their activities as employers (as opposed to health plan sponsors), are not included under the HIPAA provisions. In activities as plan sponsors, however, HIPAA privacy rules require protected health information be kept private and secure. Under the ADA, any employment-related documentation… Reported by bizjournals 6 hours ago.

Asia-Pacific Colorectal Cancer Therapeutics in Markets to 2023: Market will be valued at $7.9 billion in 2023, growing from $4.7 billion in 2016

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Dublin, Dec. 07, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Colorectal Cancer Therapeutics in Asia-Pacific Markets to 2023 - Launch of Premium Targeted Therapies and Increasing Prevalence to Drive the Market" report has been added to *Research and Markets'* offering.The report Colorectal Cancer Therapeutics in Asia-Pacific Markets to 2023 - Launch of Premium Targeted Therapies and Increasing Prevalence to Drive the Market analyzes the CRC pipeline and stratify pipeline therapies by stage of development, molecule type and molecular target. Furthermore, this report helps to understand the current clinical and commercial landscape by considering disease pathogenesis, diagnosis, prognosis, and the treatment options available at each stage of diagnosis, including a clinical comparison of marketed therapies.

China has the most newly diagnosed CRC cases in Asia-Pacific (APAC). In 2011, there were 310,200 incident cases in the country and this rose to 376,300 in 2015. CRC is the most common malignancy among Chinese males, with an estimated incidence of 215,700 men and 160,600 women in 2015. Mortality in 2011 stood at 149,700, and in 2015 rose to 191,000 (Chen et al., 2016).

In Japan, the incidence and mortality of CRC have substantially increased. In 2012, the incidence of colon and rectum cancer in Japan was 87,800 and 46,800 cases respectively, and mortality was 32,200 and 15,100 cases (NCC, 2016a). CRC is a major cause of death in Japan, where it accounts for the largest number of deaths from malignant neoplasms among women, and the third largest among men (Watanabe et al., 2015). In 2016, there were an estimated 147,200 new CRC cases and 51,600 deaths in the country (NCC, 2016b).

In Australia, the five-year survival rate increased from 50% between 1984 and 1988 to 69% between 2009 and 2013. Improvement in survival from CRC may be due to earlier diagnosis and the availability of better treatment options (AGCA, 2017). The incidence of CRC is still several folds lower in India than in most developing and developed countries (Mallath, 2014). However, the country has witnessed a steady increase in numbers in line with its increasing urbanization.

*Companies mentioned in this report:*· Merck & Co.
· Roche
· Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma
· Array BioPharma
· AB Science
· Hutchison MediPharma
· Jiangsu Chia-Tai Tianqing
· Suzhou Zelgen Biopharmaceuticals

*Scope*

*The CRC Asia-Pacific market will be valued at $7.9 billion in 2023, growing from $4.7 billion in 2016 at a CAGR of 7.9%.*

· How will immune checkpoint inhibitors such as Keytruda and Tecentriq contribute to growth?
· What effect will patent expirations of currently branded therapies have on market value?

*The CRC pipeline is large and diverse, with an strong presence of mAbs and targeted therapies.*

· What are the common targets and mechanisms of action of pipeline therapies?
· Will the pipeline address unmet needs such as the lack of targeted therapies available for BRAF-mutant CRC patients?
· What implications will the increased focus on targeted therapies have on the future of CRC treatment?

*Numerous late-stage pipeline therapies with a strong clinical record have the potential to enter the market over the forecast period.*

· How have the late-stage therapies performed in clinical trials?
· How would the approval of encorafenib plus binimetinib to treat BRAF-mutant patients affect the competitive landscape, with no targeted therapy currently available to address this patient subset?

*The market forecasts indicate that Japan will contribute the most to the Asia-Pacific market value due to the emergence of novel therapies.*

· How will the annual cost of therapy and market size vary between the five assessed Asia-Pacific markets?
· How could changes in risk factors such as population age, obesity and lifestyle influence the market?

*Licensing deals are the most common form of strategic alliance in CRC, with total deal values ranging from under $10m to over $3 billion.*

· How do deal frequency and value compare between target families and molecule types?
· What were the terms and conditions of key licensing deals?

*Key Topics Covered:**1 Table of Contents*

*2 Introduction*
2.1 Disease Introduction
2.2 Epidemiology
2.3 Symptoms
2.4 Etiology and Pathophysiology
2.4.1 Etiology
2.4.2 Pathophysiology
2.4.3 Biomarkers/Targets of Interest
2.5 Diagnosis
2.5.1 Digital Rectal Examination
2.5.2 Fecal Occult Blood Test
2.5.3 Flexible Sigmoidoscopy
2.5.4 Colonoscopy
2.5.5 Virtual Colonoscopy
2.5.6 Double Contrast Barium Enema
2.6 Disease Stages
2.7 Prognosis
2.8 Treatment Guidelines and Options
2.8.1 Surgery and Radiation Therapy
2.8.2 Chemotherapy
2.8.3 Targeted Therapies
2.8.4 Resistance to Pharmacological Therapies
2.8.5 Treatment Algorithm

*3 Marketed Products*
3.1 Overview
3.2 Chemotherapies
3.2.1 Lonsurf (Trifluridine plus Tipiracil) - Taiho Pharma
3.2.2 TS-1 (Tegafur plus Gimeracil plus Oteracil) - Taiho Pharma
3.2.3 UFT (tegafur plus uracil) - Merck KGaA
3.3 Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Targeted Therapies
3.3.1 Erbitux (cetuximab) - Eli Lilly/Merck KGaA
3.3.2 Vectibix (panitumumab) - Amgen/Takeda
3.4 Anti-angiogenesis Therapies
3.4.1 Avastin (bevacizumab) - Roche
3.4.2 Cyramza (ramucirumab) - Eli Lilly
3.4.3 Zaltrap (Ziv-Aflibercept) - Sanofi/Regeneron
3.5 Kinase Inhibitors
3.5.1 Stivarga (regorafenib) - Bayer/Onyx
3.6 Comparative Efficacy and Safety of Marketed Products

*4 Pipeline Analysis*
4.1 Overview
4.2 Pipeline by Stage of Development, Molecule Type, Route of Administration and Program Type
4.3 Pipeline by Molecular Target
4.4 Promising Pipeline Candidates
4.4.1 Keytruda (pembrolizumab) - Merck & Co.
4.4.2 Tecentriq plus Cotellic (Atezolizumab plus cobimetinib) - Roche
4.4.3 Napabucasin (BBI-608) - Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma
4.4.4 Encorafenib plus binimetinib (LGX-818/MEK-162) - Array BioPharma
4.4.5 Masitinib - AB Science
4.4.6 Fruquintinib (HMPL-013) - Hutchison MediPharma
4.4.7 Famitinib (SHR-1020) - Jiangsu Hengrui Medicine
4.4.8 Anlotinib (AL-3818) - Jiangsu Chia-Tai Tianqing
4.4.9 Donafenib (CM-4307) - Suzhou Zelgen Biopharmaceuticals
4.5 Comparative Efficacy and Safety of Pipeline Products
4.6 Product Competitiveness Framework

*5 Clinical Trial Analysis*
5.1 Failure Rate
5.1.1 Overall Failure Rate
5.1.2 Failure Rate by Phase and Molecule Type
5.1.3 Failure Rate by Phase and Molecular Target
5.2 Clinical Trial Size
5.2.1 Patient Enrollment per Product by Molecule Type and Stage of Development
5.2.2 Patient Enrollment per Product by Molecular Target and Stage of Development
5.2.3 Patient Enrollment per Trial by Molecule Type and Stage of Development
5.2.4 Patient Enrollment per Trial by Molecular Target and Stage of Development
5.3 Clinical Trial Duration
5.3.1 Trial Duration by Molecule Type and Stage of Development
5.3.2 Trial Duration by Molecular Target and Stage of Development
5.4 Summary of Clinical Trial Metrics

*6 Multi-scenario Forecast*
6.1 Overview
6.2 Asia-Pacific Market
6.3 India
6.3.1 Treatment Usage Patterns
6.3.2 Annual Cost of Therapy
6.3.3 Market Size
6.4 China
6.4.1 Treatment Usage Patterns
6.4.2 Annual Cost of Therapy
6.4.3 Market Size
6.5 Australia
6.5.1 Treatment Usage Patterns
6.5.2 Annual Cost of Therapy
6.5.3 Market Size
6.6 South Korea
6.6.1 Treatment Usage Patterns
6.6.2 Annual Cost of Therapy
6.6.3 Market Size
6.7 Japan
6.7.1 Treatment Usage Patterns
6.7.2 Annual Cost of Therapy
6.7.3 Market Size

*7 Drivers and Barriers*
7.1 Drivers
7.1.1 Increasing Elderly Population and Incidence of CRC
7.1.2 Increasing Screening Programs and Approval of New Screening Tests for CRC to Drive Early Diagnosis Rate
7.1.3 Increase in Mutation Testing to Drive Market Growth
7.1.4 Availability of Novel First-, Second- and third-Line Therapy Options in Pipeline
7.1.5 Diversified Healthcare Reform to Boost Market Growth
7.1.6 Diversified Health Insurance System to Help Nurture Growth
7.2 Barriers
7.2.1 Patent Expiration of Branded Therapies to Affect CRC Market Growth
7.2.2 High Prices of Therapeutics to Slow Down Market Growth
7.2.3 Limited Incorporation of Immunotherapies in the CRC Treatment Algorithm
7.2.4 Lack of Development of Neoadjuvant and Adjuvant Pipeline Products
7.2.5 Lack of Reimbursement and Penetration of Generic Drugs to Hinder Market Growth in China and India
7.2.6 Drug Pricing Reforms

*8 Deals and Strategic Consolidations*
8.1 Licensing Deals
8.1.1 Deals by Region and Value
8.1.2 Number of Disclosed and Undisclosed Deals by Year, Aggregate Deal Value
8.1.3 Deal Value by Stage of Development, Molecule Type, and Molecular Target
8.1.4 Key Licensing Deals
8.2 Co-development Deals
8.2.1 Deals by Region and Value
8.2.2 Number of Disclosed and Undisclosed Deals by Year, Aggregate Deal Value
8.2.3 Deal Value by Stage of Development, Molecule Type, and Molecular Target
8.2.4 Key Co-development Deals

*9 Appendix**Companies Mentioned *· AB Science
· Amgen
· Array BioPharma
· Bayer
· Eli Lilly
· Hutchison MediPharma
· Jiangsu Chia-Tai Tianqing
· Merck & Co.
· Onyx
· Regeneron
· Roche
· Sanofi
· Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma
· Suzhou Zelgen Biopharmaceuticals
· Taiho Pharma
· Takeda

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/9k6p48/colorectal_cancer
CONTACT: CONTACT: Research and Markets
Laura Wood, Senior Manager
press@researchandmarkets.com
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Related Topics: Genomics, Colon Cancer Drugs Reported by GlobeNewswire 4 hours ago.

Lack of Knowledge and Changing Healthcare Landscape Impacting Millennial Payments

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CHICAGO, Dec. 07, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A new TransUnion (NYSE:TRU) Healthcare Millennial Report found that nearly six in 10 Millennials (57%) have little to no understanding of their health insurance benefits. This is significantly lower than other generations, including Gen X (50%) and Baby Boomers (42%).The report also found that despite the vast majority of Millennials having health insurance, they tend to pay their medical bills at a slower rate than other generations. In fact, in 2016, 74% of Millennials did not pay their medical bills in full, compared to 68% for Gen X and 60% for Baby Boomers. Yet, seven in 10 Millennials said they would pay their medical bills in full if they had the money to do so.

The TransUnion Healthcare Millennial Report reviewed a combination of proprietary TransUnion Healthcare data and information from a survey of 1,576 consumers administered in October 2017. For this analysis, “Millennials” are defined as consumers born between the years 1980 and 1994; “Gen X” are born between 1965 and 1979; and “Baby Boomers” are born between 1946 and 1964.

“Millennials are facing a tough road – in some ways they were placed at an early disadvantage compared to previous generations. As Millennials were just entering the workforce and likely had less disposable income, both insurers and employers began cost-shifting payments,” said Jonathan Wiik, author of the recently published book, ‘Healthcare Revolution: The Patient Is the New Payer’ and Principal of Healthcare Strategy at TransUnion Healthcare. “Despite these challenges, our research indicates that Millennials are indeed interested in responsibly paying their medical debts, while at the same time, healthcare providers will need to get innovative to make the payment process more manageable for millennials.”

*Percent of Consumers Who Either Have a Limited Understanding or No Understanding *
*of Their Healthcare Insurance Coverage *

*Generation* *No Understanding* *Limited Understanding* *Total*
*Millennials* 18% 39% 57%
*Generation X* 15% 35% 50%
*Baby Boomers* 8% 34% 42%

According to the report, approximately half of Millennials (46%) would be more apt to pay their medical bills if they were provided an estimate of their healthcare costs at the point of service. Millennials also tend to have less understanding of recent trends in the healthcare space such as high deductible healthcare plans. More than ¼ of Millennials (26%) said they don’t understand high deductible plans, a higher level than Gen X (17%) and Baby Boomers (9%).

“Healthcare providers looking to improve cash flow from Millennial patients should look for ways to encourage payments at the time of service while offering more educational tools to ensure they better understand the complex healthcare landscape,” said John Yount, Vice President for Healthcare Solutions at TransUnion.  “This will not only engage them early, it will protect revenue from leakage, and provide an overall better patient experience.”  

Additional findings from the TransUnion Healthcare survey include:

· 35% of Millennials do not plan for medical or healthcare expenses as part of their budget. 
· 80% of Millennials do not have a Health Savings Account in which to pay for out-of-pocket expenses.
· 37% of Millennials have private commercial health insurance.  
· 51% of Millennials do not feel prepared to manage healthcare/medical expenses; compared to 42% of Gen-Xers and 33% of Baby Boomers.
· 40% of Millennials compare the cost of services by healthcare provider compared to 29% of Gen-Xers and 22% of Baby Boomers.

For more detailed information about TransUnion’s Millennial study, please click here.  

*About TransUnion Healthcare*

TransUnion Healthcare, a wholly owned subsidiary of credit and information management company TransUnion, is a trusted provider of revenue cycle management solutions for maximizing reimbursement, improving patient engagement, and ultimately increasing the effectiveness of the healthcare system. We deliver this by leveraging our data assets, market-leading revenue cycle management technologies, and deep insights into consumer financial behavior, to help providers reduce uncompensated care and improve cash flow with one of the most patient-centric revenue cycle management systems on the market today. www.transunionhealthcare.com

*About TransUnion *(NYSE:TRU)

Information is a powerful thing. At TransUnion, we realize that. We are dedicated to finding innovative ways information can be used to help individuals make better and smarter decisions. We help uncover unique stories, trends and insights behind each data point, using historical information as well as alternative data sources. This allows a variety of markets and businesses to better manage risk and consumers to better manage their credit, personal information and identity. Today, TransUnion has a global presence in more than 30 countries and a leading presence in several international markets across North America, Africa, Latin America and Asia. Through the power of information, TransUnion is working to build stronger economies and families and safer communities worldwide. www.transunion.com/business  

*Contact* Dave Blumberg                                                                                                            
  TransUnion  
*E-mail* dblumberg@transunion.com  
*Telephone* 312-985-3059  
      Reported by GlobeNewswire 2 hours ago.

Shutdown Imminent? Bitter Divisions Remain As Lawmakers Scramble To Pass Funding Bill

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Shutdown Imminent? Bitter Divisions Remain As Lawmakers Scramble To Pass Funding Bill Lawmakers are just two days away from the expiration of the continuing resolution that's been funding the government for the last two months, and yet many battles over a host of intractable issues are still being fought. At this point, passing something by midnight Friday - when the continuing resolution expires -is looking increasingly problematic.

Adding to the uncertainty are reports that President Donald Trump believes a shutdown could be spun as a political victory for Republicans by blaming it on the Democrats (it worked for Obama) - remarks that would seem to invalidate Mitch McConnell’s declaration that a shutdown “just isn’t going to happen."

*Looming largest over negotiations is the fate of former President Obama’s DACA program *- which is set to expire in March thanks to a Trump executive order. Most - but not all - Democrats want language preserving DACA attached to the funding bill - as a preliminary deal struck between Trump and “Chuck and Nancy” back in September had stipulated. Many Republicans - even many of those who ultimately support preserving DACA - feel it shouldn’t be attached to the spending bill.

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Aside from preserving DACA, there are two other legislative priorities that Democrats and some moderate Republicans are fighting to include in the spending bill: An extension of a popular child health-insurance program, and a provision that would preserve federal cost-sharing payments to insurance companies for a couple of years.

Meanwhile, some conservatives are objecting to the two-week timeline favored by the Republican leadership, arguing that such a short timeline would give lawmakers more leverage to push for favors by threatening to make problems by holding tax reform hostage - something Republicans have promised to pass by the end of the year.

Here’s RealClearPolitics:



*Democrats, and several dozen moderate Republicans, want to see a legislative solution for immigrants who came to the United States illegally as children -- known as “Dreamers” -- before the end of the year.* Democrats and some Republicans in the Senate also hope to pass bipartisan legislation to shore up the Affordable Care Act marketplace, and lawmakers hope to reauthorize the Children’s Health Insurance Program. Also lingering are the expiring federal flood insurance program, and another round of disaster relief money for areas damaged by hurricanes.



As the Hill points out, many Democrats would refuse to support a spending bill unless it includes the protections for undocumented immigrants who were brought here as children.



Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Kamala Harris (D-Calif.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.) and Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), all prospects to run for president in three years, say they won’t vote for a year-end funding bill while these immigrants face the threat of deportation.

*“I have been clear,”* Harris said on the Senate floor Tuesday afternoon, noting the looming deadline to fund the government. *“Any bill that funds the government must also include a fix for” the young immigrants.*

Members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus have also warned they would oppose spending legislation unless some concessions are made to protect these so-called Dreamers.



Unsurprisingly, red-state Democrats are somewhat less enthusiastic about preserving DACA.



*But vulnerable Democrats running for reelection next year in states that President Trump won don’t want any part of that strategy. *They are aiming to show swing voters who backed Trump that they’re willing to work with Republicans when it makes sense.

 

*“I think it’s stupid talk. You don’t want to shut the government down. That’s not where I’m going to be,”* said Sen. Jon Tester. Tester said he wants the Dreamers taken care of, but “you don’t shut the government down."



The Democrats’ leaders in Congress have been wary of appearing to threaten a shutdown lest it makes them look like they’re willing to fight for their principles - something the Democratic Party brain trust apparently believes could hurt Democrats’ chances in next year’s midterms.

Like the original agreement with Trump, Schumer ultimately expects Democrats to reach a deal with Republicans that will offer some border-security concessions in exchange for preserving DACA.



The party’s top leaders, Senate Democratic Leader Charles Schumer (N.Y.) and House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi (Calif.), have assiduously avoided threats of a government shutdown, knowing it could put some of their colleagues in a tough spot.  *Schumer downplayed the prospect of Democrats blocking a spending measure to force Republicans to replace the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program *that President Obama created in 2012 to halt deportations for certain young immigrants who came to the country illegally as children.

 

*“We don’t think we’re going to get to that. There are good negotiations occurring between Democrats and Republicans to come up with a good DACA program, as well as some good border security,” *he said Tuesday after a meeting of the Democratic caucus.



According to Bloomberg, conservatives angling for a funding extension until Dec. 30 argue that would give them more leverage over spending demands from Democrats as well as the promises of potentially costly legislation made in the Senate. They also want to use the time to secure more money for the Pentagon.



*“You’ve got the major part of our conference making sure our war fighters are taken care of,”* said Mark Walker, a North Carolina Republican who chairs the 170-member Republican Study Committee. “But right behind that number you’ve got the fiscal hawks who want to control mandatory spending."



Stocks and yields were slightly lower Wednesday, while the yield on the short-term T-bill that comes due next week trimmed some of its rise but remained just below its highs from earlier in the week.

Still, several lawmakers are insisting that they won’t let the government shutdown. Is that because they fear Trump is right and that a shutdown could endanger Democrats, especially Democrats from red states, during next year’s election?

We’ll need to wait and see. Reported by Zero Hedge 2 days ago.

While still rising, health law sign-ups likely to fall short

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WASHINGTON (AP) — The government says sign-ups for the Affordable Care Act's subsidized health insurance are still rising, but with just over a week to go in an enrollment season that was cut in half, experts believe the final tally is likely to fall short. About 3.6 million people had signed through Dec. 2 in states served by the federal HealthCare.gov website. That's more than 20 percent higher than the comparable period last year. But this year's open enrollment ends on Dec. 15, and last time it continued through Jan. 31. Barring an unusually strong final surge, experts say it's unlikely that enrollment will match the 12.2 million initial sign-ups for 2017 coverage. Reported by SeattlePI.com 2 days ago.

House’s own coverage stalls bid to bar transgender insurance

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HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Republican-penned legislation in Pennsylvania to prohibit coverage for gender or sex reassignment surgery and services under taxpayer-paid insurance programs is on ice after lawmakers realized their own health insurance covers it. The bill’s sponsor, Rep. Jesse Topper, said Wednesday he decided to pull the bill from the House’s debate calendar a […] Reported by Seattle Times 2 days ago.

The CHIP program is beloved. Why is its funding in danger?

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The Children’s Health Insurance Program, which has had unusually strong bipartisan support since it was created in 1997, is now in limbo — an unexpected victim of the partisan rancor in D.C. Its federal funds ran out Sept. 30 and Congress has not agreed on renewal. Reported by Seattle Times 2 days ago.

Aetna wants to create a 'Genius Bar' at CVS, and it could forever change the way Americans access healthcare (CVS)

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· *CVS Health and Aetna's $69 billion merger would create an entirely new healthcare company, one that contains an insurer, pharmacy, and a company that negotiates prescription drug costs, among other businesses. *
· *The deal would put a lot more of the healthcare system under CVS's oversight and change the way people access their healthcare. *
· *It might mean, for instance, that a lot more healthcare happens outside a traditional doctor's office.*

--------------------CVS Health's $69 billion merger with the health insurer Aetna could put a lot more of the healthcare system all under one roof. 

The combined companies, which altogether include a health insurance business, retail pharmacies, and a company that negotiates prescription drug prices with drugmakers called a pharmacy benefits manager, would have a lot more control over how people access and pay for healthcare. 

The intent of the deal is to create "health hubs," where communities can better improve their health, in a way that they might not if their pharmacy was separate from their urgent care and their insurance company. 

Here's how Aetna CEO Mark Bertolini explained it on a call with investors on Monday: 

"The real important part here is that we need to understand that almost 60% of Americans don't have a regular doctor. A lot of people can't get in to see the doctor they want to see. So I view the offering — I think it's less about what the store looks like and more about the offering, and the experience the customer gets is really about a patient-centered medical home model, where we're supporting interaction with the medical community, preparing people for appropriate compliance, preparing them for their visits, setting up appointments, eliminating prior ops, doing all those other sorts of things to help navigate that system for them. So the relationship becomes one of trust. And what I want to use over and over and over again because it makes it so much simpler."

The "patient-centered medical home" model that Bertolini refers to is a kind of primary care model in which primary care is more of a team effort, beyond the relationship between just a patient and his or her doctor. It might mean that a lot more healthcare happens outside a traditional doctor's office.

Bertolini envisions CVS pharmacies serving a lot like the Genius Bar that Apple has to provide tech support to customers. 

"Think of the Genius Bar at Apple, for example, and this ability to walk in the store and get help," Bertolini said. "I think this is the kind of idea we want to create in the stores, and I think we want to get going on the projects and pilots as soon as we can."

While CVS might be best-known for its roughly 10,000 pharmacies around the US, CVS as a company operates a number of different businesses, including a pharmacy benefits manager, its MinuteClinic health clinics that are staffed by health care professionals, specialty pharmacy fulfillment and management services, mail prescription services, and long-term care services.

Here's the full breakdown of all the parts of the healthcare system CVS touches on its own: 

With Aetna, CVS picks up a few more pieces of the healthcare system, such as medical benefits and population health tools. The addition gives CVS a lot more data to analyze as well. 

*SEE ALSO: CVS Health is buying Aetna for $69 billion in 2017's biggest deal*

*DON'T MISS: A startup looking to reverse type 1 diabetes just raised $114 million*

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: This is what you get when you invest in an initial coin offering Reported by Business Insider 2 days ago.

MARKET FOOLERY // 12-04-2017

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The pharmacy giant’s official bid for the health insurance giant didn’t move either stock much, but a single analyst’s upgrade sent the meal kit company skyward. Reported by Motley Fool 2 days ago.

CVS Wants Aetna; Does Anyone Want Blue Apron?

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The pharmacy giant’s official bid for the health insurance giant didn’t move either stock much, but a single analyst’s upgrade sent the meal kit company skyward. Reported by Motley Fool 2 days ago.

Louisiana Children's Health Insurance Program will run out of money in January until Congress acts

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Congress failed to renew funding for program before Sept. 30. Reported by nola.com 2 days ago.

If Congress doesn't fund children's health insurance, Texas officials have an idea

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Reported by DallasNews 2 days ago.

Why Is An Appendectomy In The US 10 Times More Expensive Than An Appendectomy In Mexico?

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Why Is An Appendectomy In The US 10 Times More Expensive Than An Appendectomy In Mexico? Authored by Michael Snyder via The Economic Collapse blog,

*This is what can happen when you go to a socialized healthcare system.  *

*A lot of people out there believe that the United States has a free market healthcare system, but that is actually not true.*  The percentage of the population that receives government-subsidized healthcare is rapidly approaching 50 percent, and the healthcare industry may be the most heavily regulated sector of the entire U.S. economy. 

Every year the rules, red tape and regulations seem to get even worse, and every year health insurance premiums rise much faster than the overall rate of inflation.  *If we don’t start applying free market principles and start getting healthcare costs under control, our entire healthcare system could very easily implode.*

I would like to share with you an excerpt from an article by former DEA agent David Hathaway.  According to Hathaway, the average cost for an appendectomy in the United States is $33,000…



My son had an attack of appendicitis late Saturday night. I knew that the Obamacare inflated prices for surgery in the U.S. would be ridiculous and that the service would likely be impersonal, involve long waits, and be nerve-wracking. I have friends in the medical field so I inquired just for grins.

 

*The price for the latest routine appendectomy in my area was, my jaw dropped, $43,000. I read on-line that the average cost for an appendectomy in the U.S. is $33,000.* I am not near some of the great direct-pay medical facilities in the U.S. like the Surgery Center of Oklahoma, but I am near Mexico. I chose that option since I have often utilized foreign medical and dental facilities in the past and find the service and prices to be outstanding.



You can buy a very nice brand new car for $33,000.

*How in the world did we get to the point where costs have escalated so far out of control?  Should performing an appendectomy really be this expensive?*

I can imagine that some of my readers may be thinking that the quality of care down in Mexico is much lower, but this is actually not the case at all.  Here is more from David Hathaway…



My son was checked into a private room with private bath and satellite TV awaiting his surgery. The surgical staff was prepped and ready to start within an hour-and-a half of our arrival. The appendix was ruptured, so extra precautions were taken to clean and flush the abdominal cavity. Since the appendix was ruptured, the chief surgeon said that my son should stay two days to receive intravenous antibiotics to prevent the development of peritonitis.



The surgery was a success, and David’s son did stay in the hospital for two full days in order to receive the antibiotics that the doctor suggested.

*But despite the extra time, the bill for the appendectomy was still less than 10 percent of what it would have been if the appendectomy had been performed in the United States…*



The hospital stay was for 48 hours in a private room where my wife was allowed to spend the nights with my son sleeping on a couch in his room. This cost would have been significantly less if we hadn’t incurred emergency fees and if the appendectomy had not involved complications which required a longer stay and more medication.

 

*Despite all that, I though the total price of $2,830 dollars was very reasonable.*



So why can’t we have hospitals like that on our side of the border?

*This is yet another example that shows that Obamacare has got to go and that we need to get government out of the healthcare business.*

We once had the greatest healthcare system in the history of the world, and we can do it again if we will just return to free market principles.  Elections really matter, and we simply cannot allow the Democrats and the establishment Republicans to take us even further down the road of socialized medicine.

*They have already turned our once great healthcare system into a giant disaster zone, and we need to show them the door before they can do even more damage.*

*  *  *

Michael Snyder is a Republican candidate for Congress in Idaho’s First Congressional District, and you can learn how you can get involved in the campaign on his official website. His new book entitled “Living A Life That Really Matters” is available in paperback and for the Kindle on Amazon.com. Reported by Zero Hedge 2 days ago.

Tax Bill Is Likely to Undo Health Insurance Mandate, Republicans Say

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House Republicans are embracing the Senate’s repeal of the health law’s mandate that most people have insurance, but they are not buying a side deal to stabilize insurance markets. Reported by NYTimes.com 1 day ago.

Quorum Report Demonstrates Viability of a Full-Service Hospital in Albert Lea, Minn.

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SOH Pleased that Data Indicates Alternative Provider as a Consistent Performer and Asset to Community

ALBERT LEA, Minn. (PRWEB) December 07, 2017

Elected officials, business leaders, and SAVE OUR HOSPITAL (SOH) will now use the newly released proforma to clear hurdles and pursue an alternative provider for 55,000 people in the Freeborn County area. The report shows that another entity could operate the hospital in a different, more cost-effective manner, and would be profitable to at least $4.4 million annually. Furthermore, inpatient revenue that is currently being transferred to Rochester could be added back into Albert Lea’s economy.

This encouraging report signals to medical providers in the Midwest to come to Albert Lea, because not only is the county designated as a Health Professional Shortage Area (Appendix A), but also patients would be extremely welcoming of a better performing organization.

Elected and community leaders recognize the need for a second provider scenario. Dan Sparks, Minnesota state senator, District 27, stated, “On behalf of my constituents served by Albert Lea’s hospital and in light of the Quorum report, I support community efforts to bring an alternative provider to Albert Lea. I will work with my colleagues in the Minnesota Senate to ensure any legislative roadblocks are lifted. I also believe competition is sorely needed in Southeastern Minnesota’s health care market, and patients could receive high-quality health care at lower prices with another provider.”

The market is controlled by only one provider with the highest overall costs in Minnesota and no clear quality differentiation. Research shows that health care monopolies don’t serve patients well. This is driving up the cost of health insurance for businesses and individuals by 30-40% or more compared to the metro area.

Gerry Vogt, president and founder of Mrs. Gerry’s, a major employer in the city, stated, “Since our first plant opened in Albert Lea, Minnesota, in 1973, Mrs. Gerry’s has innovated and expanded in every way. Our continued success depends on our ability to recruit and retain talent, and we need to ensure we offer our employees high-quality, affordable health care as part of our benefits package. I support efforts to bring an alternative provider to the city, and I look forward to working with providers to offer the most attractive health care benefits to our 200 employees in Albert Lea.”

An alternative provider would gain market share and attract both physicians and patients. Patients like Don Sorensen are motivated to seek a new provider. “It appears that our dominant health care organization is doing everything possible to steer patients away from Albert Lea, but there are other very qualified facilities available. I want to go to a different provider,” he observed.

Reports also indicate that rural communities such as Wabasha and Belmond are successfully attracting physicians, debunking generalizations about physician shortages.

A ripple effect is spreading across southern Minnesota because of Save Our Hospital’s efforts in Albert Lea. Citizens who desire local input in their communities’ health care choices have formed the Rural Healthcare Coalition and will take their voices to the legislature this session.

### Reported by PRWeb 1 day ago.

Do your employee medical files meet ADA privacy requirements?

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Contrary to popular belief, the most significant law for employers with regard to medical privacy is the Americans with Disabilities Act, not the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. Employers,in their activities as employers (as opposed to health plan sponsors), are not included under the HIPAA provisions. In activities as plan sponsors, however, HIPAA privacy rules require protected health information be kept private and secure. Under the ADA, any employment-related documentation… Reported by bizjournals 1 day ago.

McAuliffe to attend health insurance enrollment event Saturday in Hampton

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Gov. Terry McAuliffe is expected to attend a health insurance enrollment event in Hampton on Saturday.

The Health Insurance Marketplace Enrollfest, at the Hampton Roads Convention Center, will run Friday, Saturday and Sunday. McAuliffe is expected to attend about noon Saturday, according to officials... Reported by dailypress.com 18 hours ago.

Poll: Most Say Funding for CHIP Important Enough to Shut Down Govt

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Sixty-seven percent of American voters say obtaining funding for the Children's Health Insurance Program is potentially important enough to shut down the government, according to a Politico/Morning Consult poll. Reported by Newsmax 20 hours ago.

Ending individual mandate could reduce Medicaid burden on taxpayers

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A measure to end the individual health insurance mandate in the U.S. Senate’s tax reform bill could save taxpayers more than $400 million over the next 8 years. Reported by Harrison Daily 19 hours ago.
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