Healthcare Stocks

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HealthCare Oh My God!

Maybe an even Bigger Bubble!

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Amazon, Berkshire Hathaway, JPMorgan Chase to tackle employee health care costs, delivery

https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/americasmarkets/2018/01/30/amazon-berkshire-hathaway-jpmorgan-chase-tackle-employee-health-care-costs-delivery/1077866001/

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Even Healthcare charts looking a little rough...

[Autopov]

$VSHC Rumor is that the quarter ending 9/30 (results out in early Nov) will be the company's best ever. http://investorshub.advfn.com/boards/show_ibox.aspx?boardid=8053

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CNC and AGP have been flyinG!

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Top 10 Healthcare Stocks with Highest Short Interest: AMED, AMAG, SQNM, MYL, ENZN, VARI, ARNA, NUVA, BCRX, CPTS (Mar 05, 2010)
Below are the top 10 Healthcare stocks with the highest short interest as a percentage of total shares outstanding.
Friday, March 05, 2010

Amedisys, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMED) has the 1st highest short interest in this segment of the market. Its short interest is 50.8% of its total shares outstanding. Its Days to Cover is 8.48, calculated as current short interest divided by average daily volume. AMAG Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMAG) has the 2nd highest short interest in this segment of the market. Its short interest is 43.0% of its total shares outstanding. Its Days to Cover is 3.29, calculated as current short interest divided by average daily volume. Sequenom, Inc. (NASDAQ:SQNM) has the 3rd highest short interest in this segment of the market. Its short interest is 30.8% of its total shares outstanding. Its Days to Cover is 8.51, calculated as current short interest divided by average daily volume. Mylan Inc. (NASDAQ:MYL) has the 4th highest short interest in this segment of the market. Its short interest is 25.4% of its total shares outstanding. Its Days to Cover is 13.41, calculated as current short interest divided by average daily volume. Enzon Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:ENZN) has the 5th highest short interest in this segment of the market. Its short interest is 25.4% of its total shares outstanding. Its Days to Cover is 16.78, calculated as current short interest divided by average daily volume.

Varian, Inc. (NASDAQ:VARI) has the 6th highest short interest in this segment of the market. Its short interest is 24.9% of its total shares outstanding. Its Days to Cover is 18.43, calculated as current short interest divided by average daily volume. Arena Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:ARNA) has the 7th highest short interest in this segment of the market. Its short interest is 23.2% of its total shares outstanding. Its Days to Cover is 17.06, calculated as current short interest divided by average daily volume. NuVasive, Inc. (NASDAQ:NUVA) has the 8th highest short interest in this segment of the market. Its short interest is 23.2% of its total shares outstanding. Its Days to Cover is 12.96, calculated as current short interest divided by average daily volume. BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:BCRX) has the 9th highest short interest in this segment of the market. Its short interest is 21.5% of its total shares outstanding. Its Days to Cover is 8.66, calculated as current short interest divided by average daily volume. Conceptus, Inc. (NASDAQ:CPTS) has the 10th highest short interest in this segment of the market. Its short interest is 20.8% of its total shares outstanding. Its Days to Cover is 15.96, calculated as current short interest divided by average daily volume.

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Big Day for Healthcare!

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Feeling hot hot hot...

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CI is the only HMO trading at under a 10 multiple, Hoping this move continues into tomorrow!

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WCG UNH and CI all trading up %5 here, CI is the only one trading at less than a ten multiple...

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Managed-Care Stocks Rise On Upgrade; Cigna Leads Way
DECEMBER 7, 2009, 12:09 P.M. ET
By Kerry Grace Benn Of DOW JONES NEWSWIRES

NEW YORK (Dow Jones)--Shares of managed-care companies rose after an upgrade from Goldman Sachs, which said it expects Senate moderates will prevail in curbing parts of the health-overhaul legislation that threaten the future of private-health insurance.

Goldman said Cigna Corp. (CI) is its favorite stock of the group, as it has the lowest valuation but a solid outlook and the least exposure to health-overhaul risk.

Cigna earlier Monday backed its full-year outlook for this year and next, sending its shares up 4.5% to $33.62. Aetna Inc.'s (AET) shares followed closely, rising 4.4% to $30.27.

Goldman said it continues to see the passage of "comprehensive health reform legislation as more than 50% likely."

Senate Democrats over the weekend wrestled with a new proposal on a government health-insurance plan that would give private entities a central role in running the program, which would extend health insurance to tens of millions of Americans not now covered.

In closed-door negotiations Sunday, Democrats were nearing agreement on an alternative that would empower the government's Office of Personnel Management to run a new national health plan, congressional aides told The Wall Street Journal. The office already oversees the federal employee health plan, and administration officials have pointed to it as an example of how the government can successfully run a health-insurance program.

Goldman said it thinks an end to the uncertainty around health-care overhaul will be positive, bringing investors back to the sector.

"We believe downside risk from the commercial underwriting cycle is now mostly behind us," Goldman said, adding checks with the industry have shown conservative underwriting to be the norm in most markets.

Meanwhile, Wells Fargo issued a downgrade to the managed-care sector, cutting it to market weight from overweight, saying the recent rally in managed-care stocks is likely to reverse going into the end of the year on health-care changes.

Health Net Inc. (HNT) shares gained 3.2% to $21.98, Humana Inc. (HUM) rose 2.4% to $41.28, WellPoint Inc. (WLP) shares grew 2.5% to $55.21 and UnitedHealth Group Inc. (UNH) gained 2.8% to $28.22.

Health Management Associates Inc. (HMA) also gained 3.2% to $6.78 after a separate upgrade to outperform from market perform from Wells Fargo on continuing operational improvement. The firm said the selloff in the stock from about $8 at the beginning of October offers a buying opportunity.

-By Kerry Grace Benn, Dow Jones Newswires; 212-416-2353; [e-mail]

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CI still looks the most undervalued here...

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HNT has been flying!

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It's showtime!

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Just getting started...

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Soon!

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IHF probably the best etf for a pure play on Healthcare providers...

TOP 10 HOLDINGS ( 62.12% OF TOTAL ASSETS)

Company Symbol % Assets
AETNA INC. NEW AET 5.62
CIGNA CP CI 3.95
DAVITA INC DVA 3.35
Express Scripts, Inc. ESRX 8.22
HUMANA INC HUM 3.46
LABORATORY CORP NEW LH 3.78
MEDCOHEALTH SOLUTNS MHS 10.17
QUEST DIAGNOSTC DGX 4.18
UNITEDHEALTH GROUP UNH 10.62
WELLPOINT INC. WLP 8.77

[zenvesting]

NHC.to/NRTSF.pk: $1.00/$1.01

I believe there's a lot of hidden value here that might get discovered next week when the company has it's 3rd quarter earnings conference call to discuss recent events.

In particular, yesterday the company announced that it resolved the dispute with the major third party insurance company and has signed an "in network" contract with them and will collect on previously billed claims that have already been written off.

Looking at last years 4th quarter earnings report, it looks like there was about $6 Million of disputed claims that will now be paid at the new "in-network" rates.

Here's the news:

Northstar Healthcare Announces Complete Resolution to Dispute with Major Payor

08:45 EST Wednesday, November 04, 2009

Palladium-Houston Facility Not Subject to Recovery Claims

TORONTO and HOUSTON, Nov. 4 /CNW/ - Northstar Healthcare Inc. (TSX:NHC) today announced that its Palladium-Houston facility has reached a complete resolution to its dispute with one of its largest payors, a major private health insurance provider.

As a critical component of the resolution, the parties have signed a Settlement Agreement under which Palladium-Houston and the payor have agreed to release each other from any past or present claims related to the dispute.

"This announcement is the culmination of extended discussions covering a number of issues and represents a complete resolution to all elements of the dispute," saidSteve Linehan , CEO of Northstar. "In particular, I'm pleased to report that Palladium-Houston has been released from any potential claims - past or present - related to the disputed payments. This is great news for the company and our shareholders."

In addition to the Settlement Agreement, Northstar entered into a Facility Participation Agreement with the payor. Under this in-network agreement, surgical procedures performed at Palladium-Houston will be reimbursed by the payor at agreed-upon rates. The contract is effective December 1, 2009 for an initial period of three years, extendible annually thereafter.

"This strengthened relationship positions us favorably for future projects with this payor as well as for similar agreements with other large payors, where appropriate" addedMr. Linehan.

In finalizing terms of the contract, Palladium-Houston and the payor have agreed that the payor will adjudicate previously billed claims, which have remained unpaid, at the agreed in-network rates, excluding claims billed for procedures performed by Exclusive Use (EU) physicians.

<<
About Northstar Healthcare Inc.
-------------------------------
>>

Northstar owns and/or manages ambulatory surgery centers in the United States, focusing initially on Houston and other metropolitan areas in Texas. The Company currently holds interests in two ambulatory surgery centres in Houston - a 70% partnership interest in The Palladium for Surgery - Houston and a 60% partnership interest in Medical Ambulatory Surgical Suites. In addition, Northstar manages an ambulatory surgery centre inDallas.

Northstar was founded and sponsored by Donald Kramer, M.D. and Stewart A. Feldman. Mr. Feldman also served as the co-principal and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Healthcare Ventures, Ltd., which sponsored Northstar, withDr. Kramer serving as its President.

<<
Forward-looking statements
--------------------------
>>

This news release may contain forward-looking statements (within the meaning of applicable securities laws) relating to business of Northstar Healthcare Inc. (the "Company") and the environment in which it operates. Forward-looking statements are identified by words such as "believe", "anticipate", "expect", "intend", "plan", "will", "may" and other similar expressions. These statements are based on the Company's expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections. They are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties that are difficult to control or predict. These risks and uncertainties are discussed in the Company's regulatory filings available on the Company's web site atwww.Northstar-Healthcare.com or at www.sedar.com . There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate as actual outcomes and results may differ materially from those expressed in these forward-looking statements. Readers, therefore, should not place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements. Further, a forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update any such statement or to reflect new information or the occurrence of future events or circumstances.

%SEDAR: 00025141E

For further information: Philip Koven, Tel: [phone] Ext. 235, E-mail: [e-mail]

© CNW Group

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MOH having a nice day!

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GOP hopes to push healthcare into 2010
By Michael O'Brien - 11/05/09 11:49 AM ET
Republicans may be able to push back the healthcare debate into next year, one of its top House members said Thursday.

Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wisc.), the ranking member of the House Budget Committee, said he personally believes the GOP will be able to carry through the debate on health reform to 2010, an election year.

Ryan condemned House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) for moving quickly on their health bills, but expressed confidence in Republicans' ability to slow down the bills.



"Speaker Pelosi is trying to jam her bill through as soon as possible; Harry Reid's trying to come up with every parliamentary procedure he can come up with to move this before Christmas," Ryan said in an interview on Fox News. "I personally think we can delay that and get it into next year, but we'll see."

The House is set to vote on its healthcare bill this weekend. Earlier in the interview, Ryan asserted a belief that Senate procedure would slow down its own health bill.

On that side of the Capitol, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said Wednesday afternoon that their debate over health reform should last "weeks and weeks and weeks."

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Cramer: WellPoint Goes to $90?
Published: Wednesday, 4 Nov 2009 | 4:18 PM ET
Web Editor, Mad Money


WellPoint next year could shoot $40 higher than its Wednesday trading price, Cramer said during Stop Trading!, as long as the stock’s price-to-earnings multiple normalizes.

Cramer predicted $6.50 in 2010 earnings per share for the company, which, when given WLP’s [WLP 49.95] historic 14 price-to-earnings multiple, would propel the share price to Cramer’s new $91 target. The stock’s PE right now is 10.5.




“It’s on the move,” Cramer said of WellPoint.

According to Standard & Poor’s Director of Markets, Credit and Risk Strategies Richard Peterson, a New York Yankees win in the World Series is better for the markets. Find out what Cramer, a red-blooded Philadelphia Phillies fan, had to say about it.

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Reid Suggests Health Care Reform May Not Come This Year
Posted by Brian Montopoli

Asked if health care reform legislation will pass this year, Senate Majority leader Harry Reid told reporters today that "we're not going to be bound by any timelines."

"We need to do the best job we can for the American people," he said. "We want quality legislation, and we're going to do that."

President Obama had set a deadline of the end of the year to pass health care reform, and advocates fear that further delay could hamper the legislation's chance of passage.

"We're going to do this legislation as expeditiously as we can, but we're going to do it as fairly as we can, also," Reid said. He later added that the Senate Democratic Caucus wants "Democrats to do this the right way, not the fast way."

Health Care Progress Report

Reid made the comments after meeting with Democrats at a policy luncheon. He complained Senate Republicans were using stalling tactics to keep health care and other legislation from passing.

The Democratic leader said the opposition party had included numerous unrelated amendments, including votes related to ACORN, designed to draw out the legislative process.

"They have a strategy, one they're proud to admit, the Republicans, of doing everything they can to derail health care reform," he said.

Reid also told reporters that he was waiting for the non-partisan Congressional Budget office to complete its analysis on the legislation, "a time-consuming process that makes it unlikely the Senate would begin debate before Veterans' Day, Nov. 11," as the Associated Press notes.

The House is expected to vote on that chamber's version of the legislation by early next week. After both chambers pass their versions of the bill, they must be combined before being sent to Mr. Obama for his signature.

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Harry Reid says they are pushing back reform, these stocks are a screaming buy here!

CI is my pick of the litter!

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Health insurer shares a buy for the patient-Barron's
Sun Oct 25, 2009 3:53pm EDT

NEW YORK, Oct 25 (Reuters) - Shares of health insurers have languished since the summer and could be a good buy for the patient, and the brave, according to a report in the Oct. 26 edition of Barron's.
The financial newspaper said that the five major stocks in the sector -- including UnitedHealth Group (UNH.N), WellPoint (WLP.N), Humana (HUM.N), Aetna (AET.N) and Cigna (CI.N) - all are trading at historically low price-to-earnings ratios.

The group has suffered because of concerns about health insurance overhaul but their stocks already discount a dire scenario, Barron's said.

It pointed to Cigna and Aetna as the two safest choices because they get the lowest percentage of revenue from the sectors most threatened by legislative reform. UnitedHealth and WellPoint get more of their profits from those sectors.

Humana gets 70 percent of its profits from Medicare Advantage, which puts it at high risk, Barron's said, citing Goldman Sachs analyst Matthew Borsch. (Reporting by Caroline Humer; Editing by Diane Craft)

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Snowe Rejects Public Option as Senate Democrats Weigh Measure
By Laura Litvan and Catherine Dodge

Oct. 23 (Bloomberg) -- Senator Olympia Snowe rejected the idea of backing the immediate creation of any government-run insurance program even as top Democrats are leaning toward including such a plan in U.S. health-care legislation.

“A public option at the forefront really does put the government in a disproportionate position with respect to the industry,” Snowe, the only Republican to vote for a health plan so far, said in an interview with Bloomberg Television’s “Political Capital With Al Hunt,” airing this weekend.

Snowe’s stance is crucial because Democrats such as Nebraska Senator Ben Nelson say a bill has to have Republican support to win his vote. She might also bring along more Republicans, such as fellow Maine Senator Susan Collins.

While the establishment of a so-called public option to compete with private insurers is opposed by all Republicans and has divided Democrats, the idea is getting fresh attention from Senate Democratic leaders, lawmakers say. It was the main topic of discussion all day on Capitol Hill and was brought up at a meeting that Majority Leader Harry Reid and other lawmakers had later with President Barack Obama at the White House.

Senator Kent Conrad, a North Dakota Democrat who’s played a leading role in seeking a bipartisan compromise, said Reid and Obama administration officials are tilting in favor of including a version in a Senate bill.

States would be free to opt out of the insurance program and the plan would pay health-care providers at higher rates than does the Medicare insurance system for the elderly, Conrad, a member of the finance committee, told reporters.

“What I’m hearing is this is the direction of the conversation,” he said, adding that no decision had been made.

Reid’s spokesman, Jim Manley, declined to comment.

60 Votes Needed

A Democratic aide familiar with the discussions said while a public option is being considered, it won’t be included in legislation unless Reid can get 60 votes, the number needed to avoid Republican stalling tactics. Another possibility is Snowe’s plan to start a government plan only if there isn’t enough competition for private insurers to keep rates low, said the aide, who requested anonymity.

Meanwhile, House Democratic leaders are trying to gain consensus among the party’s rank and file for a public option that would peg doctor reimbursements to lower Medicare rates, which would present a stronger challenge to private insurers.

In the Senate, Democrats including Charles Schumer of New York and Jay Rockefeller of West Virginia say a public option is vital to bringing costs down. Snowe and some Democrats such as Nelson say they’re worried about undermining the market.

Snowe said yesterday she would vote with other Republicans to keep a bill with a public option from even reaching the Senate floor for consideration.

Biggest Changes

Lawmakers are considering the biggest health-care changes since the creation of Medicare in 1965. The legislation, Obama’s top domestic priority, attempts to curb medical costs while covering tens of millions of uninsured Americans.

Obama has told Congress he wants to sign legislation this year, a goal that may slip, Snowe said.

“Christmas might be too soon,” she said in the Bloomberg interview. “We should give it the time it deserves.”

Reid is combining a measure passed by the Senate health committee in July with an $829 billion proposal approved by the Senate finance panel on Oct. 13 with Snowe’s vote. The Senate has to debate and vote on a plan before it can be merged with a bill from the House, which is going through the same process.

Legislative Timeline

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Democrats hope to introduce their combined legislation next week. Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus said he doesn’t expect a Senate bill to be ready for floor debate in his chamber.

All the measures require that Americans get insurance, creating online purchasing exchanges and tax credits to help. They also restrict insurers’ ability to deny people coverage and encourage greater use of preventive care, electronic records and research on the effectiveness of treatments.

Baucus said he’d be open to a national public option if it can get 60 votes, the number of seats controlled by Senate Democrats. He voted against it in his committee.

Arkansas Senator Blanche Lincoln, who also voted against a public option on the finance panel, said she still has concerns and wouldn’t vote to allow floor debate on something she doesn’t support. “It would be very difficult to move forward,” the Democrat said yesterday.

Nelson, Collins

Nelson said he doesn’t favor a national public option and told Reid he wants a system where states could set up their own programs. “I made it clear -- a state-based public option, the nature of which would be determined by the states,” he said.

Some Republicans, including South Carolina Senator Jim DeMint, have said it might be best to work against the Democrats on health care and enjoy the fallout if they fail.

Snowe said she understands that political calculus, yet disagrees.

“The question is whether or not you’re willing to be sitting at the table or being a bystander,” she said. “I think it’s important for Republicans to be at the table.”

To contact the reporters on this story: Laura Litvan in Washington at [e-mail]; Catherine Dodge in Washington, at [e-mail].

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I'm liking CI here, with estimated EPS of $4 for 2010, I think it is trading the cheapest and it smoked earnings last Q...

Earnings Nov 5th

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CIGNA Again Posts Gains on NCQA Report Card on Health Plan Quality

Press Release
Source: CIGNA
On 1:51 pm EDT, Thursday October 22, 2009

BLOOMFIELD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--According to data released today by the independent non-profit National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA), CIGNA plans continue to post gains in health care quality, with year-over-year improvements in more than 80 percent of measures tracked by NCQA, according to a CIGNA analysis of the NCQA data. For example, gains included more people getting screened for colorectal or breast cancer, and more people having good control of their blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

Related Quotes
Symbol Price Change
CI 28.48 -0.44


{"s" : "ci","k" : "c10,l10,p20,t10","o" : "","j" : ""} As in past years, the analysis indicates that CIGNA continues to exceed the national average and the averages of its national competitors in a significant number of these measures. Most important, the data also show that accountable health plans like CIGNA that measure and publicly report on the quality of care and service made available to customers are providing value by improving health care quality over time.

“We are proud of the difference that CIGNA's programs continue to make in helping our customers receive quality care and enjoy better outcomes that improve quality of life, promote good health and reduce costs,” said Dr. Jeffrey Kang, chief medical officer for CIGNA. “NCQA’s data underscore just some of the many ways that quality-oriented health service organizations bring additional value to the health care system.”

CIGNA has participated in the NCQA program of measurement and accreditation for HMO and Point of Service plans for many years, and was the first national health plan to voluntarily commit, in 2004, to measuring and reporting on quality for its PPO-type plans. CIGNA has provided this information to NCQA annually since 2006. Its efforts helped the NCQA to establish national benchmarks for quality in these plans, thereby making it possible for many more people to use the NCQA’s “report cards” on health plan quality.

How much does improved quality save? Nearly $400 per person, per year, according to the CIGNA Quality Value Model©. In 2003 CIGNA developed the Quality Value Model to demonstrate the costs savings that can be attributed to quality care. The Quality Value Model is a mathematical model that quantifies the estimated savings that result from compliance with 25 of the measures of medical effectiveness examined by the NCQA.

In calculating savings, the model estimates direct medical costs and indirect costs of lost productivity avoided because an individual received appropriate care, and compares them to the cost to comply with the measure, such as the cost of an office visit and/or certain test or procedures. Based on CIGNA's 2008 data, the total savings attributable to compliance with these evidence-based standards of care is estimated to be approximately $388 per person per year, - $167 in direct medical costs and $221 in indirect productivity savings. The Quality Value Model will be updated this fall with the newly available 2009 data.

About CIGNA

CIGNA (NYSE:CI - News), a global health service company, is dedicated to helping people improve their health, well-being and sense of security. CIGNA Corporation's operating subsidiaries provide an integrated suite of medical, dental, behavioral health, pharmacy and vision care benefits, as well as group life, accident and disability insurance, to approximately 46 million people throughout the United States and around the world. To learn more about CIGNA, visit www.cigna.com. To sign up for email alerts or an RSS feed of company news, log on to http://newsroom.cigna.com/section_display.cfm?section_id=18.

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Pelosi lacks votes for most sweeping public option
Mike Allen Mike Allen – Fri Oct 23, 7:53 am ET

Speaker Nancy Pelosi counted votes Thursday night and determined she could not pass a “robust public option” — the most aggressive of the three forms of a public option House Democrats have been considering as part of a national overhaul of health care.

Pelosi's decision—coupled with a significant turn of events yesterday during a private White House meeting—points to an increasingly likely compromise for a “trigger” option for a government plan.

Administration officials have been telling POLITICO for weeks now that this the most likely compromise because it can probably satisfy liberals—albeit only reluctantly and after many vent frustration and some even threaten to walk away from the bill.

This would clear the way for backers to sneak a limited public option through the Senate by attracting moderate Democrats and then to win President Barack Obama's signature.

Obama told Democratic leadership at the White House Thursday evening that his preference is for the trigger championed by Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-Maine) – a plan that would allow a public plan to kick in if private insurers don’t expand coverage fast enough, a top administration official told POLITICO. It’s also sign Obama is interested in maintaining a sense of bipartisanship around the health reform plan.

At that meeting, Obama did not sign on to a plan being floated by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid to include a different variation of the public option in the Senate bill – a plan that would create a national public plan but allow states to “opt-out.” Reid now believes he can get 60 votes to bring a bill with that plan to the floor by breaking an expected GOP filibuster – and then secure the 51 votes needed to pass it.

But Pelosi’s vote-counting didn’t go as well in the House. There has been a flurry of rumors that a robust government option remains viable. But top House Democrats privately concede that is wishful thinking that ignores the power of moderate Democrats in this debate.

The House is now likely to include one of the two weaker versions in the bill that will be considered on the floor as Obama’s historic health-reform plan chugs toward passage – possibly a version that would set rates for the public plan by allowing doctors and hospitals to negotiate them with Medicare.

Nadeam Elshami, deputy communications director and senior adviser to the speaker, said: "Speculation that a final decision has been made about the public option are not accurate. We continue to work with all the members of the caucus to build consensus."

A House Democratic official said: "The leadership did not tell progressives last night that the robust public option is off the table. The votes are still being counted."

The vote count is a disappointment to liberal members in the House, after two days in which Pelosi seemed increasingly confident she could secure the votes needed for the most liberal option. She had her top lieutenants polling members and even enlisted progressive leaders in trying to corral more support.

“Votes aren’t there,” a top official said. “The progressives are always more optimistic than reality.”
But the final outcome could be helpful to the crucial members of her caucus from conservative-leaning districts, who opposed the most liberal version of the public option, one tied to Medicare rates.

The speaker has proven herself a reliable vote counter, and she wants to release a bill that she knows can get at least 218 votes. Aides say the count was somewhat of a surprise, but not completely.

The speaker plans to roll out the House bill with a big ceremony on the West Front of the Capitol.

That was planned for Tuesday or Wednesday, and may still happen then. But aides say that disappointing first tally could delay the timeline a bit as they scramble to finalize the bill that will be considered on the House floor.

Follow the discussion about this story in POLITICO’s Health Care Arena.

[iconoclassic]

Well done Mikey...another board bookmarked...thanks...

[Rawnoc]

REPR -- profitable, cash-rich, rapidly growing, recession-proof, tiny float OS & market cap with a juicy FDA approval pending any week...

Management is so confident of continued much higher profits than last quarter going forward that they have set aside a "deferred tax asset" in the balance sheet "based the valuation allowance calculations on the prospect of future profitability"
http://pinksheets.com/edgar/GetFilingHtml?FilingID=6632631

Products are recession-proof with no direct competition with sales rapidly expanding due to a new treatment (Vivaglobin) where their infusion pump is the best, cheapest, safest, and most convenient form of delivery:
http://investorshub.advfn.com/boards/read_msg.asp?message_id=28775119
http://investorshub.advfn.com/boards/read_msg.asp?message_id=28777209
http://investorshub.advfn.com/boards/read_msg.asp?message_id=28838178

Medicare reimbursement for the Freedom60 (their biggest & most exciting revenue-generating product) was increased 20 fold in June of 2007 and is the ONLY infusion pump accepted by Medicare for reimbursement for Subcutaneous Immune Globulin treatment (Vivaglobin):
http://investorshub.advfn.com/boards/read_msg.asp?message_id=28776642
http://investorshub.advfn.com/boards/read_msg.asp?message_id=28776847

They are hiring like crazy:
http://investorshub.advfn.com/boards/read_msg.aspx?message_id=39063328
http://www.rmsmedicalproducts.com/Careers.htm

FDA Approval pending and could be announced any day which should help accelerate sales & earnings:
http://investorshub.advfn.com/boards/read_msg.aspx?message_id=38239770

Based on seasonal & cylical patterns as well as their recent hiring and doubling of shifts and landing business with a huge hospital & the pending FDA approval, I suspect REPR is 1 or 2 quarters away from +.02 EPS per quarter or more or an annualized +.08 EPS pace IMO. 10 PE = .80/share, 15 PE = $1.20/share. 20 PE = $1.80/share

REPR Board:
http://investorshub.advfn.com/boards/board.aspx?board_id=201

[dc_350]

Good idea Mikey...thanks!


edit - He said to no one in particular...lol

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Charts to monitor the industry...