Medical devices and equipment
New FDA clearance opens up Philips' smartphone-connected ultrasound to cardiac use cases | MobiHealth NewsPhilips received FDA clearance for an additional transducer for its Lumify ultrasound system, a small portable ultrasound that can connect to mobile devices as well as traditional PACS.
Pharmaceuticals
Seven insurers alleged to use skimpy drug coverage to discourage HIV patients | Kaiser Health NewsThe health law prohibits insurers from discriminating against people with serious illnesses, but some marketplace plans sidestep that taboo by making the drugs that people with HIV need unavailable or unaffordable, complaints filed recently with the HHS' Office for Civil Rights allege. The effect may be to discourage people with HIV from buying a particular plan or getting the treatment they need, according to the complaint.
Drug company falsely claimed patients had cancer, feds allege | Connecticut Health I-Team
A former executive of Insys Therapeutics has been criminally charged for leading a special “reimbursement unit” at the company that defrauded insurers into paying for a potent opioid pain medication by falsely claiming patients had cancer and other conditions needed for pre-approval.
10 infant deaths may be relate to teething remedies, FDA says | The New York Times
The Food and Drug Administration is investigating 10 infant deaths that may be related to use of homeopathic teething gels and tablets.
Safety, quality and clinical practice
Big raises for many home care workers won't necessarily help senior citizens | Kaiser Health NewsPeople with a deep understanding of eldercare policy say that without improving conditions and raising pay, which hovers at $10 an hour, it will be impossible to meet skyrocketing demand for skilled and devoted workers. But they also argue that bigger paychecks and benefits will not have a significant impact on senior citizens unless their aides and assistants are also better screened, trained and organized.