Boston Scientific has reached an agreement in principle with the U.S. Department of Justice (DoJ) related to product advisories issued by its Guidant subsidiary in 2005. The company noted that the alleged conduct and product sales occurred prior to Boston Scientific's 2006 acquisition of Guidant.

Consumer advocacy organization Consumer Watchdog issued a letter last week chastising the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for its interpretation of security protocols for personal health records (PHRs). The Washington D.C.-based nonprofit organization is seeking to repeal the HHS interpretation and properly implement what Congress enacted.

Due to stronger sales, Boston Scientific has booked large (unaudited) net gains in the 2009 third quarter, which ended Sept. 30.

A report by the New York City-based Commonwealth Fund Commission has found there is a significant difference between the access, quality and cost of healthcare across state lines and that healthcare disparities among states continue to widen.

The Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association (BCBSA) has begun re-evaluating its security policies after a laptop containing sensitive BCBSA data concerning physicians was stolen in August from an employees car.

Digital pathology developer Aperio Technologies has begun offering its technology based on a monthly fee, calculated on the basis of throughput.

The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) and the staff of the Joint Committee on Taxation have released a preliminary analysis of the Senate healthcare reform legislation, Chairmans Mark for the Americas Healthy Future Act of 2009, estimating the bill would reduce federal budget deficits by $81 billion over the 20102019 period.

The Harvard Clinical Research Institute (HCRI) has reported that the first patients have been enrolled in the DAPT [dual-antiplatelet therapy] Study, marking the official initiation of the four-year clinical trial to investigate the duration of dual-antiplatelet therapy following drug-eluting stent (DES) implantations.