St. Jude Medical In Talks to Acquire Thoratec Corp.

/

St. Jude Medical Inc. is said to be in talks to acquire implant maker Thoratec Corporation. The maker of implants that aid failing hearts saw their stock reach an all time high today at $57.98 per share. According to Bloomberg, Thoratec Corp. is valued around $3 billion. 

Consolidation in the medical device space has been rampant over the last year in an attempt to gain more bargaining power with hospitals. Neither side could be reached for comment. Stay tuned for more information regarding this potential deal.

To read more from Tommy click here

To read more from Bloomberg click here

Obamacare Money Leading to Mergers Galore

/

Health Net Inc. agreed to be bought by Medicaid insurer Centene Corp. for $6.8 billion. This merger is one of many fueled by the surge of insured patients due to the Affordable Care Act.

President Obama's signature health law has unleashed the biggest expansion of insurance coverage in half a century, lifting stock prices and revenues across the healthcare industry.

The federal government is expected to spend $1.2 trillion over the next decade on subsidies and other aspects of the health law.

Despite all those gains, some regulators and consumer advocates expressed alarm about this increasing consolidation. They worry that this will create powerful new healthcare giants that will limit the negotiating power of government health programs and employers to hold down prices.

To read more from Maya click here

To read more from LA Times click here

Massachusetts Hospital Closure Sheds Light on Plight of Community Hospitals

/
Massachusetts Hospital Closure Sheds Light on Plight of Community Hospitals

Partners HealthCare said Tuesday that it will close its community hospital in Lynn as part of a $200 million plan to consolidate medical services on the North Shore over the next three years. The plan calls for adding 58 beds at Salem Hospital while shuttering the 126-bed Union Hospital in Lynn, less than 6 miles away. Salem would also get a renovated emergency department and about 50 new beds for psychiatric patients.

Read More

AmSurg Continues Anesthesia Provider Acquisition Strategy in Florida

/
AmSurg Continues Anesthesia Provider Acquisition Strategy in Florida

Sheridan, the Physician Services Division of AmSurg Corp. (based in Tennessee), acquired Coastal Anesthesiology Consultants, P.A. AmSurg has been focusing on investments in emergency and anesthesia services. Coastal Anesthesiology Consultants currently has 25 healthcare providers, including physicians, registered nurse anesthetists, and anesthesiologist assistants, who serve patients at Flagler Hospital and St. Augustine Surgery Center in Florida.

Read More