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☆ Cyberattack leaves patients facing the choice to pay – or wait for their prescriptions
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-23 | by ( Sean Lyngaas | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

It is only the latest in long list of hacking incidents that have roiled the health care sector in the last few years. Mara FurlichPrescription insurance processing at big university health systems in Indiana and California have also been disrupted, according to internal email correspondence at the health systems reviewed by CNN. In a regulatory filing Thursday, Change Healthcare’s parent firm said “suspected nation-state associated” hackers had breached some of their computer systems. The Change Healthcare spokesperson declined to comment when asked on what information the company based its assessment that foreign government-linked hackers could be responsible. The FBI and CISA did not respond for requests for comment on whether they agreed with Change Healthcare’s assessment on who was responsible for the hack.

Persons: Mara Furlich, Furlich, ” Furlich, Camp Pendleton, Luke Bonczyk, Abi, ”, “, CISA, Max Henderson Organizations: CNN, FDA, Healthcare, Naval Hospital, American Hospital Association, FBI, Infrastructure Security Agency, Department of Health, Human Services, HHS, Optum, “ Locations: United States, Detroit, Camp Pendleton, Southern California, Indiana, California

Las Vegas Sands and Adelson and Dumont families representative Ron Reese declined Wednesday to comment. Adelson, a physician, rarely gives interviews; in 2021, she told Las Vegas television station KNTV about her work with people fighting addictions. “A good person with good values, though he is totally opposite of us in his political views,” she told the Las Vegas Review-Journal then. The Adelson family owns that newspaper. Major League Baseball owners recently voted to let the Oakland Athletics relocate to Las Vegas, and the city is frequently mentioned as a possible home for an NBA team.

Persons: — Miriam Adelson, powerbroker, Adelson, Dumont, Sands, Patrick Dumont, Mark Cuban, Ron Reese, ” Adelson, “ I'm, Cuban, Miriam Adelson, ”, Sheldon Adelson, Sheldon Adelson's, “, Donald Trump, Trump, Robert Mueller's, “ Miriam, ” Trump, “ You’ve, Michael Milken, Israel Hayom, Benjamin Netanyahu, ” Miriam Adelson, Brad Alberts, “ I’m, ” Alberts, ___ Organizations: LAS VEGAS, Israel, Dallas Mavericks, Las Vegas Sands Corp, NBA, Forbes, Vegas Sands, Adelson, Las, Las Vegas, Sands, Expo, Republican, Cuban, White, Republican Jewish Coalition, Nevada’s, Vegas, Securities and Exchange Commission, Oakland Raiders, Major League Baseball, Oakland Athletics, Mavericks, Las Vegas Sands, NHL's Dallas Stars, Dallas Morning Locations: U.S, Las, Vegas, Las Vegas, Cuban, Israel, New York City, Boston, Sands, Macau, Singapore, Tel Aviv, Russia, Gaza, West, Vegas Sands, Dallas

☆ Fact Check: US infant mortality rise not linked to vaccines
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-13 | by ( Reuters Fact Check | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Ask CDC about vaccinating pregnant ‘people’, preemies and newborns today vs 20 years ago” in response to a CBS News X post about the CDC report. Two of these causes of infant death, maternal complications and bacterial sepsis, showed statistically significant (greater than would be expected by chance) increases of 2.6 infant deaths per 100,000 live births and 2.1 infant deaths per 100,000 live births respectively. Overall, infant mortality was 5.60 per 100,000 in 2022, compared with 5.44 per 100,000 in 2021, a 3% rise. The CDC, World Health Organization (WHO), American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and evidence-based research support vaccinations for preventable diseases and reducing infant mortality. Reuters has previously addressed similar false claims that vaccinations were linked to sudden infant death syndrome rates in the U.S.CDC did not respond to requests for comment.

Persons: Dr, Sandy L, Chung, Eric Eichenwald, Read Organizations: U.S . Centers for Disease Control, Prevention, CDC, CBS, Vital Statistics, CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics, American Academy of Pediatrics, World Health Organization, WHO, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Alaska, Nevada, Georgia, Iowa , Missouri, Texas, U.S

☆ Powerful senators fire off letter decrying 'abusive' tactics in Corizon bankruptcy
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-25 | by ( Dakin Campbell | Nicole Einbinder | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +10 min

Nine US senators including Elizabeth Warren, Dick Durbin, and Bernie Sanders have sent a letter to Corizon leaders demanding answers on its bankruptcy. The letter says Corizon has sought "to manipulate bankruptcy law" and calls the strategy "abusive." Citing Insider's reporting, the senators gave Corizon two weeks to turn over details about its use of the Texas Two-Step to shield assets from creditors. AdvertisementAdvertisementA powerful group of senators have pressed for answers about the bankruptcy of the private prison healthcare provider formerly known as Corizon Health. "The Texas Two-Step is a distorted use of the U.S. bankruptcy system by corporations to evade mass tort liability," the senators write.

Persons: Elizabeth Warren, Dick Durbin, Bernie Sanders, Corizon, —, Cory Booker, Ron Wyden, Tehum, Jeffrey Sholey, Isaac Lefkowitz, Tehum's, Sholey, Lefkowitz, Sen, Warren, YesCare, Hector Garcia, Adria Malcom, excoriate Corizon, Hector Garcia Jr, David Jones, Jones, Christopher Lopez, Durbin, Johnson, Sanders, Booker, Wyden, Democratic Sens, Richard Blumenthal, Mazie, Jeff Merkley, Peter Welch of Organizations: Service, Tehum Care, Finance, Corizon, Detention, Genesis Healthcare, Geneva Consulting, Genesis, Geneva Consulting —, Genesis HealthCare Inc, US, Texas, Committee, Democratic Locations: Texas, Ana, Las Cruces , New Mexico, New Mexico, Alabama, Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, Hawaii, Oregon, Peter Welch of Vermont

☆ Beware of these expensive stocks that analysts don't like
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-17 | by ( Brian Evans | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

For context, the longer-term P/E ratio for the past 12 months of the S & P 500 is about 21 times trailing earnings. That compares to a five-year average P/E ratio of 19.87. The life insurer's 12-month trailing P/E ratio came in at 31.99, compared to its five-year average P/E ratio of 13.62. For context, the longer-term P/E ratio for the past 12 months of the S&P 500 is about 21 times trailing earnings. The life insurer's 12-month trailing P/E ratio came in at 31.99, compared to its five-year average P/E ratio of 13.62.

Persons: JPMorgan's Marko Kolanovic, David Vogt, Tyson Foods, Jefferies, Henry Schein, Michael Bloom, Darla Mercado, Angela Weiss, HSIC Henry Schein, MOH Organizations: Treasury, Federal Reserve, CNBC Pro, IBM, UBS, Premier U.S, Tyson, Prudential Financial, Jefferies, Prudential, CNBC, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Molina Healthcare, Pinnacle West, Traders, New York Stock Exchange, AFP, Getty, Business Machines Corp, Healthcare, Progressive Corp, Pinnacle West Capital Corp, TSN Tyson Foods, Business Machines Corp IBM, Target Premier U.S, Tyson Foods Inc TSN, Prudential Financial Inc

Major insurers UnitedHealth Group (UNH.N) and Humana (HUM.N) have already warned of booking higher costs due to a jump in non-urgent surgeries in the United States, highlighting demand for such procedures. HCA Healthcare, which is the biggest for-profit hospital operator in the United States, raised its full-year adjusted core earnings forecast to between $12.3 billion and $12.8 billion, from prior expectations of between $12.1 and $12.7 billion. "We anticipate the market wanted more even though HCA's outlook remains prudent as the healthcare system normalizes," said Citi analyst Jason Cassorla. Shares of rivals Tenet Healthcare (THC.N) and Universal Health Services (UHS.N) fell 2% and 1%, respectively, in morning trading. Profits at hospital operators took a hit following COVID-led lockdowns as people delayed non-urgent surgeries, and as the pandemic deepened a nursing shortage that led to a spike in costs.

Persons: Jason Cassorla, lockdowns, Khushi Mandowara, Manas Mishra, Shinjini Ganguli, Anil D'Silva Organizations: Healthcare Inc, UnitedHealth, HCA Healthcare, Citi, Tenet Healthcare, Universal Health Services, Thomson Locations: United States, Bengaluru

☆ JPMorgan reveals its 'pecking order' for the second half including these high-yielding global stocks
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-10 | by ( Lucy Handley | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

JPMorgan has named a raft of European stocks it described as having high yields, strong balance sheets and safe dividends, such as BT Group , Bayer and Sainsbury's . In a July 3 note detailing its outlook for the second half of the year, analysts led by Mislav Matejka stated: "Our pecking order for 2H is: bullish on Staples, Utilities, Telecoms and Healthcare, European Energy could hold up well." The bank said international markets had outperformed the U.S., adding that it sees a "significant valuation discount in International vs US stocks." Its European Sustainable yield basket — made up of 40 "high- and sustainable-yielding European stocks, with safe dividends and strong balance sheets" — include stocks across the bank's preferred sectors. JPMorgan also chose a number of "cheap" global sectors it expects to outperform, including telecoms, energy and staples.

Persons: Mislav Matejka, JPMorgan's, J Sainsbury, Banks, Michael Bloom Organizations: JPMorgan, BT Group, Bayer, Sainsbury's, Healthcare, European Energy, International, Novartis, Sanofi, Telefonica, Telia Locations: Staples, Utilities, Swiss, Norwegian, Spanish, Swedish, Europe

☆ UN agencies 'alarmed' at scale of Jenin raid, concerned about access
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-04 | by ( Emma Farge | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

SummarySummary Companies Aid workers cite Israeli access restrictionsIsrael says gunfire exchanges create risks for medicsGENEVA, July 4 (Reuters) - U.N. aid agencies on Tuesday voiced alarm at the scale of the ongoing Israeli military operation in the West Bank town of Jenin, where 10 Palestinians have been killed, saying there were restrictions on medical access. Damage to infrastructure caused by air strikes have cut off most of the water and electricity at the camp, she added. The Red Cross said it was "extremely concerned by the alarming intensification of armed violence" in Jenin. "Israel ensures that humanitarian assistance is provided and does not apply any limitation on access for medical staff, except in places where the lives of medical staff is at risk due to exchanges of fire," its diplomatic mission in Geneva said in a statement to Reuters. Reporting by Emma Farge; Editing by Matthias Williams, Rachel More and Conor HumphriesOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Vanessa Huguenin, Christian Lindmeier, Israel, Emma Farge, Matthias Williams, Rachel More, Conor Humphries Organizations: GENEVA, West Bank, Palestinian, World Health Organization, MSF, Medical, Thomson Locations: Israel, West, Jenin, Geneva

June 2 (Reuters) - Texas Governor Greg Abbott on Friday signed a bill that bans transgender healthcare including puberty blockers and hormone therapy for minors, making Texas the largest of the 20 states to have outlawed gender-affirming care. Republican lawmakers across the country have promoted similar bills, saying they mistrust the consensus among major medical associations that endorse gender-affirming care as needed and even life-saving for trans youth after extensive evaluation. Texas, the second most-populous U.S. state, has an estimated 29,800 transgender youth aged 13 to 17, according to the Williams Institute of UCLA. The Texas law creates exceptions for minors who began treatment before June 1 or for those who attended 12 or more sessions of mental health counseling or psychotherapy for at least six months. Groups including the American Medical Association, the American Psychological Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics oppose the legislation.

Persons: Greg Abbott, Daniel Trotta, Edwina Gibbs Organizations: Williams Institute of UCLA, American Civil Liberties Union, American Medical Association, American Psychological Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, Republicans, Human Rights, Thomson Locations: Texas, U.S

The survey also showed that 36% of the nurses plan to continue working in the sector but may change workplaces. "This really underscores the continued mental health and well-being challenges the nursing workforce experiences post pandemic," AMN Healthcare CEO Cary Grace told Reuters in an interview. The survey showed there are various changes needed, with 69% of nurses seeking increased salaries and 63% of them seeking a safer working environment to reduce their stress. This comes at a time hospital operator and sector bellwether HCA Healthcare Inc (HCA.N) indicated a recovery in staffing situation. The staffing crisis drove up costs at hospital operators, while boosted profits at medical staffing providers such as AMN Healthcare.

The benchmark S&P 500 has been generally stable over early stages of a first-quarter earnings season that investors expect to show tepid results. For the week, the S&P 500 slipped 0.1%, the Dow dipped 0.2% and the Nasdaq lost 0.4%. Amazon shares rose 3% on Friday after a research firm predicted the online retailer's business in North America would beat Wall Street's estimates. The materials group (.SPLRCM) fell 0.9%, most among S&P 500 sectors, weighed down by declines in Freeport-McMoRan Inc (FCX.N) and Albemarle Corp (ALB.N). So far, analysts have largely retained last week's expectations of a near-5% year-on-year fall in quarterly profits at S&P 500 companies, according to Refinitiv data.

"Investors are okay with earnings so far because the lack of bad news is good news," said Adam Sarhan, chief executive of 50 Park Investments. "The market is waiting to see if we can get some bullish earnings over the next few weeks from some of the big cap tech stocks." A slate of Fed speakers this week voiced support for another 25-basis-point rate hike by the U.S. central bank when it meets next week. Declining issues outnumbered advancers by a 1.42-to-1 ratio on the NYSE and a 1.30-to-1 ratio on the Nasdaq. The S&P index recorded 18 new 52-week highs and three new lows, while the Nasdaq recorded 27 new highs and 78 new lows.

☆ Futures flat on mixed earnings, Fed policy uncertainty
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

SummarySummary Companies Futures off: Dow 0.02%, S&P 0.02%, Nasdaq 0.01%April 21 (Reuters) - U.S. stock index futures were little changed on Friday as investors digested a mixed bag of earnings reports, while awaiting more data for clues on the outlook for interest rates and the economy. Investors will focus on S&P Global's flash purchasing managers' indexes (PMI) at 9:45 a.m. Meanwhile, a slate of Fed speakers this week supported the view of another 25 basis point rate hike by the U.S. central bank when it meets next week. ET, Dow e-minis were down 8 points, or 0.02%, S&P 500 e-minis were down 0.75 points, or 0.02%, and Nasdaq 100 e-minis were down 1.5 points, or 0.01%. Reporting by Sruthi Shankar in Bengaluru Editing by Vinay DwivediOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ The parents of an 8-year-old trans girl say they're moving from Florida to Minnesota, fearing an anti-trans law that could threaten the custody of their daughter
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-07 | by ( Leo Aquino | Lloyd Lee | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

The bill would restrict funding and protections for healthcare providers that offer gender-affirming care to trans patients. "I thought the worst they would do is restrict gender-affirming care," Amanda said. This would prohibit universities or health insurance plans for government workers from using public funds to provide gender-affirming care. In February, the Board of Medicine expanded on the restrictions and banned gender-affirming care for minors, including in clinical trials. In a previous story about SB 254, representatives for DeSantis declined to comment on SB 254 until it makes its way to the Governor's desk.

☆ Amazon Closes Health Clinic Deal in Bet on Physicians for Healthcare Growth
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-22 | by ( Sebastian Herrera | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Amazon .com Inc. closed a $3.9 billion deal to acquire an operator of primary-care clinics, joining an array of companies betting on physicians and medical services to broaden their reach in healthcare. The company said Wednesday it had completed its acquisition of 1Life Healthcare Inc., which operates a primary-care practice under the name One Medical. The deal gives Amazon access to dozens of medical offices in more than 20 U.S. markets, as well as deals with thousands of companies to provide health benefits to employees through in-person and virtual care.

☆ Amazon Purchase of One Medical Health Clinics Won’t Be Blocked by FTC
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-21 | by ( Dave Michaels | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

WASHINGTON— Amazon.com Inc. will be able to close its purchase of 1Life Healthcare Inc., the operator of the One Medical line of primary-care clinics, without a legal challenge by antitrust enforcers. The Federal Trade Commission won’t sue in time to block the $3.9 billion deal, including debt, but will continue its investigation of the merger, an agency spokesman said. The decision clears a path for Amazon to substantially expand its healthcare offerings and operate physical medical clinics. Amazon has invested in the healthcare space for years, including with an online pharmacy and other health ventures.

☆ Tenet Healthcare's fourth-quarter beat puts 2023 concerns at bay
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Feb 9 (Reuters) - Tenet Healthcare Corp (THC.N) on Thursday beat Wall Street estimates for fourth-quarter results as growth in its outpatient service business put concerns around the hospital operator's weak 2023 forecast at bay. HCA Healthcare also recently forecast lower-than-expected 2023 profit, but bet on improved staffing trends and lower labor costs to drive growth for the year. "As expected, the 2023 forecast came in below consensus estimates, but we believe investors had already priced that in," SVB Securities analyst Whit Mayo said. Tenet is betting on growth in its ambulatory care unit, which deals with patients who are not bedridden and don't require overnight hospitalization. On an adjusted basis, Tenet reported a net income of $1.96 per share for the quarter ended Dec. 31, beating estimates of $1.23 per share.

☆ A top digital health investor predicts that a big tech company like Amazon or Salesforce will buy a mountain of patient health records in 2023
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-28 | by ( Blake Dodge | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

She said that next year, a tech giant will buy an electronic medical records company. Missy Krasner, who oversaw several health efforts at Google and Amazon, predicts that a large technology firm will buy a mountain of patient medical records in 2023. EHR companies provide software that doctors use to store and analyze medical records and other kinds of patient data. The timing is right for big tech to make a play for patient dataThe timing may be right for a big tech company to buy its way into owning patient data. Tech companies have made seismic investments in this area.

☆ Walgreens-backed VillageMD to buy Summit Health in $9 billion deal
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Nov 7 (Reuters) - Primary care provider VillageMD, which is backed by Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc (WBA.O), is buying urgent care provider Summit Health in a deal valued at nearly $9 billion, as the No. Private equity firm Warburg Pincus-backed Summit Health runs an independent physician-run medical groups, and also operates CityMD, which acts as alternatives to hospital emergency department visits. Walgreens also raised its fiscal year 2025 sales goal for U.S. healthcare business to $14.5 billion to $16.0 billion, from $11.0 billion to $12.0 billion previously to account for the deal. Together, VillageMD and Summit Health will have a presence in more than 680 locations. Summit Health and CityMD had merged in August 2019, with the company now having over 13,000 employees and operating in over 370 locations.

Oct 21 (Reuters) - HCA Healthcare Inc (HCA.N) on Friday reported lower-than-expected third-quarter revenue as hospital admissions related to COVID-19 dropped, dragging its shares nearly 5% lower in premarket trade. The decline in COVID-related admissions, which had peaked due to the Delta variant-led wave last year, led to a 1.5% drop in overall same facility admissions, and a 3.5% fall in same facility revenue per equivalent admission. Total revenue fell 2% to $14.97 billion, falling short of analysts' estimates of $15 billion, as per Refinitiv IBES data. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterA similar trend was also seen at rival Tenet Healthcare Corp (THC.N), which also saw a decline in same-hospital admissions and revenue. Excluding one-off items, HCA reported earnings of $3.93 per share, above estimates of $3.88 per share.

☆ A portfolio manager beating 99% of his peers this year breaks down why the market has another 15% to 20% of downside ahead — and shares the biggest mistake investors could make once the Fed begins to
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-17 | by ( Lisa Kailai Han | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Drawing from the dot-com crash, he believes the current bear market still has 15%-20% more downside. Abate also shared the biggest mistake investors could make once the Fed begins to ease once more. Today's bear market mirrors the dot-com crashPart of Abate's investment process involves drawing parallels between the current market and historical recessions. "I still think that we are in the midst of a bear market. Similarly, both bear markets were also kicked off by an "excessive period of poor allocation of investment capital," Abate said.

WalletHub ranked the best US cities for affordability, activities, quality of life, and healthcare. The best cities for retirement in 2021 include Orlando, Charleston, and Scottsdale. New data from WalletHub looks at the best places in the US for retirement, based on affordability, quality of life, retirement-friendly activities, and healthcare. The activities category factored in popular retirement activities per capita, like fishing, golf courses, recreation and senior centers, and cultural activities. Quality of life included factors like the share of people over age 65, walkability, weather, and air and water quality.

Persons: WalletHub, —, there's Organizations: Service Locations: Orlando, Charleston, Scottsdale, Minneapolis, Cincinnati, Fort Lauderdale, Atlanta

☆ Social Determinants of Health: Technology, examples and healthcare trends in 2021
▼ + stars: | 2021-04-16 | by ( Insider Intelligence | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

Healthcare payers and providers are broadening the scope of health-influencing factors they address to include social determinants of health (SDOH). The following is a preview of one Digital Health report, the Social Determinants of Health Report. Hospitals and insurers use digital health to tackle nonclinical health factors. What are social determinants of health (SDOH)? Social determinants of health (SDOH) are non-medical, economic and environmental conditions that both directly and indirectly impact one's health, like access to transportation and nutritious food.

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