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Biomedical subjects

Cinda Becker

Publications and source records attributed to Cinda Becker.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed2006

New chapter in NCFE saga. SEC's civil fraud charges against executives at failed firm offer cold comfort for the hospitals, physicians hurt by the debacle.

Trouble revisited National Century Financial Enterprises last month, when the Securities and Exchange Commission sued four former execs for the accounting fraud that caused the financial firm's collapse in 2002. The investigation worries some, but others, like Kathy Patrick, left, an attorney representing former NCFE investors, says there is "legitimate business to be done in the purchase of healthcare receivables."

Capital Financing↗
PubMed2005

Influenza economics. Providers and suppliers who usually reap big profits during flu season might find that a pandemic could backfire on their bottom lines.

Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt, right, spoke about avian influenza at the National Press Club in Washington last week. President Bush's plan involves asking Congress to invest billions of dollars in development, production and stockpiling of antiviral drugs and vaccines in case the flu strain becomes a pandemic. HHS hopes to stockpile enough of vaccine to inoculate 20 million Americans.

Disease Outbreaks↗
PubMed2005

Reshuffling the DRG deck. New cardiac DRGs praised for more equitable reimbursements while post-acute-transfer changes are generating some worries.

The CMS' changes to its DRGs, which took effect Oct. 1, could alter hospitals' bottom lines significantly. The addition of 16 DRGs makes a total of 526 classifications that will dictate payments and determine hospital services and patient mix. Tom Watson, left, a partner with accounting firm BKD, which specializes in healthcare reimbursement, says it's unlikely the changes will put any hospitals out of business, but they will feel a pinch.

Aged↗