In Small California Hospitals, the Marketing of Back SurgeryThe volume of spine surgery, which is an increasing cost in the U.S. health system, rose sharply at two small California hospitals that focused on workers' compensation patients and used a marketing consultant who helped bring doctors to the hospitals.
UnitedHealth Revamps PaymentsUnitedHealth, the largest health insurer in the nation, is the latest carrier to say that it is overhauling its fees for medical provide.
Memory Gets Jolt in Brain ResearchAn electrical brain-stimulation technique appears to enhance human memory, according to a tiny but intriguing new study that bolsters hope for one day developing a nondrug treatment for memory problems, including ailments like Alzheimer's.
GOP Takes Aim at Contraception RuleRepublicans vowed to push ahead with a bill to block an administration regulation that virtually all health-insurance plans cover contraception.
FDA Panel Votes Against Expanding Use of Amgen Drug XgevaA federal advisory panel rejected a proposal by Amgen to expand the use of its bone drug Xgeva in men with prostate cancer that has not spread to the bones.
CVS Earnings Rise 3.7%CVS Caremark's fourth-quarter profit rose 3.7% as pharmacy-services and retail revenue grew.
Obama Seeks Deal on Birth ControlThe White House is exploring a compromise with religious leaders over a requirement religious employers cover contraceptives in health plans.
Glaxo Repatriates Euro-Zone CashGlaxo has been funneling cash back to the U.K. daily from banks in euro-zone countries as part of its strategy to reduce exposure to risks of a possible breakdown of the European monetary system.
Dogs Get Cancer, Hold Clues to CuresPersonalized medicine is expected someday to give a big boost to treating cancer. Researchers are hoping to speed up those therapeutic benefits by testing the concept in another group: pet dogs.
Who Really Shouldn't Eat GlutenA group of experts is proposing a new classification system for the gluten-related disorders plaguing a growing number of people world-wide.
Merck to File Insomnia Drug ApplicationMerck plans to apply this year for U.S. regulatory approval to market a potential new treatment for insomnia, based on positive clinical-trial results.
HCA's Profit Soars on Acquisition GainHCA's earnings soared behind a big acquisition-related gain, plus help from continued growth in patient volumes and the hospital operator's cost-cutting efforts.
Smith & Nephew to Settle Foreign Bribery ChargesMedical-device company Smith & Nephew and its U.S. unit will pay more than $22 million to settle charges that a former distributor bribed public doctors in Greece for more than a decade, the SEC said.
Humana's Net Jumps 86%Humana's earnings surged 86% as the health insurer continued to benefit from membership growth and light use of health benefits.
Komen Reverses on Planned ParenthoodThe Susan G. Komen for the Cure breast-cancer charity said it was reversing its decision to cut breast-screening grants to Planned Parenthood.
Study: Hospitals Overpay for DevicesSome hospitals pay thousands of dollars more than others for big-ticket medical devices such as defibrillators, and a portion of the higher costs could be passed on to Medicare.
Nonprofits' Backers MobilizeThe Susan G. Komen for the Cure breast-cancer charity grappled with the fallout from its decision to cut funding for Planned Parenthood affiliates, as both groups saw a surge in donations.
Walgreen Same-Store Sales DeclineWalgreen's same-store sales slid 4.6% in January as the drugstore chain's prescriptions sales were battered by the loss of major customer Express Scripts.
Merck Swings to ProfitDrug maker Merck swung to a profit amid fewer acquisition-related and restructuring charges, and it also reported a modest increase in revenue.
AstraZeneca to Cut 7,300 JobsAstraZeneca announced it will eliminate another 7,300 jobs, bringing its total cuts over the past five years to nearly 30,000.
Pfizer Recalls Some Birth-Control PillsPfizer recalled about a million packs of birth-control pills that weren't packaged correctly and raised the risk of unplanned pregnancies.
Device Makers, FDA Agree on FeesMedical-device companies reached a tentative deal to pay the FDA $595 million over five years to increase the number of federal workers who approve devices and get new devices on the market faster.
French Report Blames Implant Maker, OfficialsThe French company at the heart of a scandal over faulty breast implants repeatedly misled and tricked authorities, who themselves neglected warning signs, a French government report said.
