Health Headlines for Friday, April 29
Colorado Weighs Replacing Obama’s Health Policy With Universal Coverage
New York Times
For years, voters in this swing state have rejected tax increases and efforts to expand government. But now they are flirting with a radical transformation: whether to abandon President Obama’s health care policy and instead create a new, taxpayer-financed public health system that guarantees coverage for everyone.
Health Care Companies See Scale as the Only Way to Compete
New York Times
A spate of deals on Thursday showed that health care companies are convinced, regardless of tax benefits, that bigger is not only better, it is necessary.
Aetna Tops Expectations for Affordable Care Act Membership
Wall Street Journal
Aetna Inc.’s enrollment in Affordable Care Act plans grew more than the company expected in the first quarter, but the insurer said it is still on track to roughly break even on the business this year, adding to the mixed signals from the industry about the direction of the health-law exchanges.
Health care’s next big issue: Drug costs
Politico
The No. 1 health policy challenge facing the next administration — of either party — may well be the cost of drugs, according to a top administration health official.
Albany Med, RPI partner to boost biotech industry
Albany Business Review
Another collaboration will boost support for biotech and biomed innovations in Albany.
New York’s first new dental school in 50 years opening
Ithica Journal
New York Medical College is poised to open the first new dental school in the state in nearly 50 years.
AbbVie Agrees to Buy Stemcentrx, Reports Jump in Earnings
Wall Street Journal
Drugmaker AbbVie Inc. agreed to acquire a cancer-drug developer, Stemcentrx Inc., for $5.8 billion, continuing AbbVie’s aggressive push to build an oncology business.
Hospitals hope to recoup unpaid claims as liquidation process begins for Health Republic
Buffalo Business First
Western New York hospitals are owed close to $6 million in unpaid claims from the defunct Health Republic Insurance of New York.
Health Republic leaves millions unpaid
Buffalo Business First
The likelihood is shrinking that Western New York health care providers will be made whole for the $6 million owed by the defunct Health Republic Insurance of New York.