Breaking News from Other Sources news and information

Johnson & Johnson reported better-than-expected third-quarter results, as strong growth for prescription drugs overshadowed weaker contributions from its medical device and consumer products businesses.
FULL STORY »

Improving efficiency and cutting costs in healthcare means better collaborating with patients. Web portals and mobile applications can help, but only if they connect with the myriad systems that doctors actually use. Organizations can't forget that a little empathy goes a long way, too.
FULL STORY »

Over the past two years, dozens of medical specialty groups have embraced a national campaign to reduce unneeded tests and procedures, with at least one notable exception: Emergency room doctors have been slow to join this push to cut costs and improve care.
FULL STORY »

A former employee of North Country Hospital, Newport, Vt., says he was given a laptop to fix that contained sensitive patient information. He says he tried to do the right thing and alert hospital officials when a laptop ended up in his possession with more than 3,000 patient documents on it, but...
FULL STORY »

The Veterans Affairs Department led the nation in digitizing medical records, giving employees access to health and financial records with a few keystrokes. An analysis of reports filed with the VA's Risk Management and Incident Response Resolution Team found a pattern of illegal snooping through...
FULL STORY »

Nearly two weeks after the debut of Covered California, the state's online insurance marketplace, its website still doesn't offer a way to find out which doctors and hospitals are included in each health plan. The website tool designed to help shoppers cross-reference providers launched last week,...
FULL STORY »

Consumers shopping for health coverage in new online marketplaces may scratch their heads when they come to a handful of plans in Virginia: Why do some cost more than $1,800 a month? The reason: Those premiums reflect an add-on benefit for a type of costly surgery for obesity which makes them up to...
FULL STORY »

Hospitals, a reliable source of employment growth in the recession and its aftermath, are starting to cut thousands of jobs amid falling insurance payments and inpatient visits.
FULL STORY »

In dentists’ and doctors’ offices, hearing aid centers and pain clinics, American healthcare is forging a lucrative alliance with American finance. A growing number of healthcare professionals are urging patients to pay for treatment not covered by their insurance plans with credit...
FULL STORY »

Asthma can usually be well controlled with drugs. But being able to afford prescription medications often requires top-notch insurance or plenty of disposable income, and time to hunt for bargains.
FULL STORY »