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Health Inc. : Shots - Health News As spending on care rises, the business of health keeps getting more important. We feature news on and analysis of drugmakers, health insurers, hospitals, doctors and others in the business of providing health care.

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Health News From NPR

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Friday April 30, 2010

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Pricey Provenge Raises Questions And Hopes For Cancer Treatment

April 30, 2010 • Provenge, a new prostate cancer treatment, will cost $93,000. On average, men live about four months longer after treatment. Is it worth it?

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California Insurer Drops Rate Hikes After Errors Are Found

April 30, 2010 • Anthem Blue Cross of California made numerous mistakes in calculations to support premium increases as high as 39 percent, independent actuaries found. The insurer acknowledged them and dropped the proposal.

Thursday April 29, 2010

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Johnson & Johnson Settles Charges Over Epilepsy Drug

April 29, 2010 • The health care company agreed to pay $81 million to settle claims it marketed the epilepsy drug Topamax for psychiatric uses the Food and Drug Administration had not approved.

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Feds Investigate Boston Health System's Insurance Pacts

April 29, 2010 • The Justice Department is scrutinizing the contracts between Massachusetts' biggest health insurers and the health system anchored by Massachusetts General and Brigham and Women's hospitals.

Wednesday April 28, 2010

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AstraZeneca Whistleblower Also Turned In Eli Lilly

April 28, 2010 • The same drug salesman lies at the heart of federal cases alleging overzealous marketing of antipsychotic drugs by AstraZeneca and Eli Lilly.

Tuesday April 27, 2010

AstraZeneca Paying $520 Million To Settle Seroquel Charges

AstraZeneca went too far in trying to sell Seroquel tablets like these, the government says. AstraZeneca/AP hide caption

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AstraZeneca/AP

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AstraZeneca Paying $520 Million To Settle Seroquel Charges

April 27, 2010 • The Justice Department alleged the drugmaker illegally marketed Seroquel, an antipsychotic, for wide range of unapproved uses.

Monday April 26, 2010

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Ethics Disclosures Gain Steam In Health Care

April 26, 2010 • Even before provisions of a new federal health law kick in, quite a few organizations are taking steps to limit financial conflicts of interest in medicine.

Friday April 23, 2010

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Health Insurance Rate-Hike Ruling Could Echo Outside Maine

April 23, 2010 • The country is watching as a Maine judge decides a state regulator can tell a health insurance company not to raise rates.

FDA Pushes For Safer Infusion Pumps

The FDA says a new approach is needed to cut the risks from infusion pumps. iStockphoto.com hide caption

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iStockphoto.com

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FDA Pushes For Safer Infusion Pumps

April 23, 2010 • The agency will require design improvements, more thorough testing, and inspections of the infusion pump makers' facilities before the devices are allowed on the market.

Wednesday April 21, 2010

California Bill Would Make Insurers Cover Smoking Cessation Costs

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California Bill Would Make Insurers Cover Smoking Cessation Costs

April 21, 2010 • Insurers — and possibly the state — will renew battles with lawmakers over a new proposal to make health insurance pay for smoking cessation programs.

FDA Warns Pfizer On Overdoses In Drug Study

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FDA Warns Pfizer On Overdoses In Drug Study

April 21, 2010 • The Food and Drug Administration said many children with bipolar disorder received excessive doses of the antipsychotic Geodon in a clinical test. The agency called on Pfizer to improve its conduct of human drug trials.

Thursday April 15, 2010

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Waxman Cancels Hearing To Grill Companies On Tax Hit From Overhaul

April 15, 2010 • When congressional staffers took a look at the companies' books, they concluded their financial filings making provision for higher future taxes were legit.

Tuesday April 13, 2010

Judge Lets Mass. Insurance Rate Rejections Stand

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Judge Lets Mass. Insurance Rate Rejections Stand

April 13, 2010 • In a setback for health insurers, a Massachusetts judge told them to exhaust their administrative appeals on rate hikes rejected by the state before asking the court to intervene.

Monday April 12, 2010

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California Hospitals Fined $1 Million For Reporting Lapses

April 12, 2010 • The most common mistake that hospitals were late to report was bed sores. The runner-up: leaving surgical equipment inside of patients after stitching them up.

Friday April 9, 2010

New York AG: College Kids Shortchanged By Insurance Plans

New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo says some college insurance plans don't make the grade. Chris Hondros/Getty Images hide caption

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Chris Hondros/Getty Images

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New York AG: College Kids Shortchanged By Insurance Plans

April 9, 2010 • New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo warns colleges and universities that students aren't always getting their money's worth from health insurance plans.

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