BOARD CERTIFICATION EXAM STUDY GUIDES Lower Extremity Trauma
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Posted on July 21, 2024 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™
KAMALA HARRIS IN
BREAKING NEWS!
By Staff Reporters
WASHINGTON − President Joe Biden said he is ending his bid for reelection amid intense pressure from Democratic leaders sounding the alarm that his path to beat former President Donald Trump in November has vanished.
The president’s historic withdrawal throws the 2024 race − already roiled by a shocking attempt on Trump’s life − into uncertain territory, with Vice President Kamala Harris seen as the Democrat best placed to take Biden’s place atop the party’s ticket. Biden did not immediately endorse a successor but did so later.
Biden just made the announcement Sunday from his home in Rehoboth Beach, Del., where he’s self-isolated since testing positive for COVID-19 Thursday night.
Posted on July 21, 2024 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™
MEDICAL EXECUTIVE-POST–TODAY’SNEWSLETTERBRIEFING
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Essays, Opinions and Curated News in Health Economics, Investing, Business, Management and Financial Planning for Physician Entrepreneurs and their Savvy Advisors and Consultants
“Serving Almost One Million Doctors, Financial Advisors and Medical Management Consultants Daily“
A Partner of the Institute of Medical Business Advisors , Inc.
CrowdStrike saw its share price plummet Friday, although it is still up ~24% YTD. At $74.2 billion, CrowdStrike has the second-largest market cap in the IT security industry, behind only Palo Alto Networks ($107.1 billion), and reported $900 million in revenue for the quarter ending in April, per Reuters. It’s got ~29,000 customers, which is part of why the outage caused so much havoc.
Crowdstrike Banks: Some traders at JPMorgan Chase, UBS, Bloomberg, and other financial institutions couldn’t execute orders yesterday morning, with one unnamed senior trader telling the Financial Times that it was “the biggest upset in years.”
Crowdstrike Healthcare: Many hospitals—including some of the largest in Europe and the US—were forced to cancel all elective operations, routine appointments, and walk-ins, and online portals for most UK general practitioners went down.
Posted on July 20, 2024 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™
MEDICAL EXECUTIVE-POST–TODAY’SNEWSLETTERBRIEFING
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Essays, Opinions and Curated News in Health Economics, Investing, Business, Management and Financial Planning for Physician Entrepreneurs and their Savvy Advisors and Consultants
“Serving Almost One Million Doctors, Financial Advisors and Medical Management Consultants Daily“
A Partner of the Institute of Medical Business Advisors , Inc.
42,500. That’s how many people died in car accidents in 2022, which experts believe was exacerbated during the Covid-19 pandemic, as reckless driving worsened and traffic enforcement decreased. (KFF)
“These attacks and breaches of data can literally mean the difference between life and death for patients, significantly impact hospital operations, and—with the average hack costing millions to address—increase healthcare prices across the board.”—Sen. Angus King about a bill he co-sponsored to improve cybersecurity in healthcare (Healthcare Dive)
The S&P 500® index (SPX) dropped 39.59 points (–0.7%) to 5,505.00 and ended down 1.97% for the week, its worst weekly performance in three months; the Dow Jones Industrial Average® ($DJI) slipped 377.49 points (–0.9%) to 40,287.53 on Friday and finished up less than 1% for the week; the NASDAQ Composite®($COMP)fell 144.28 points (–0.81%) on Friday to 17,726.94 and lost 3.65% for the week.
The 10-year Treasury note yield (TNX) rose four basis points to nearly 4.24% and finished up for the week, partly on worries about possible U.S. tariffs and their potential impact on inflation.
The CBOE Volatility Index closed at 16.47 after climbing above 17 intraday for the first time since late April.
Markets sagged under the weight of a massive IT outage, accentuating a selloff that was already in motion. All three indexes spent the day in the red, with the S&P 500 capping off its worst week since April and the NASDAQ snapping its six-week win streak.
The CBOE Volatility Index, a gauge of investor fear, rose to its highest level since April. The VIX is up over 25% in the last five days alone, as the small-cap rotation rally sputtered to a halt.
Gold sold off as well as investors not only took profits after the commodity hit a new all-time high this week, but also began to rotate into riskier assets in light of a likely Fed rate cut.
Arm Holdings went Super Saiyan, soaring 3.20% after it received an analyst upgrade from Morgan Stanley, as well as a higher price target.
Schlumberger waxed like the moon, rising 1.97% on an earnings report that missed estimates but showed surprisingly strong international revenue growth.
What’s down
SunPower transformed into a stock submarine, sinking 55.01% after the company made it clear it’s about to go out of business.
American Express fell faster than a greased pig on skates, sliding 2.68% after beating bottom line expectations but missing on revenue.
Plug Power turned into a lead balloon, descending 13.87% after management declared a $200 million stock offering.
Halliburton crumbled like a cookie, dropping 5.63% following a mixed earnings report that saw the fracking giant fall short of revenue expectations.
Travelers journeyed to the center of the Earth, burrowing 7.73% after beating earnings expectations, missing on revenue, and revealing that catastrophe losses came in higher than hoped.
Comerica sank like a stone, plummeting 10.50% due to lower net interest income last quarter and forecasts of lower interest income in the quarters ahead.
Posted on July 18, 2024 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™
By Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP
I grew up in SE inner city Baltimore, Maryland and played stick ball in the parking lot of JHU medical school. And so, I was gratified to learn that it is about to get a lot cheaper—for many students at Johns Hopkins University, at least.
Thanks Mike Bloomberg. Be like Mike!
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The former New York mayor, entrepreneur, and 1964 John Hopkins alum Michael Bloomberg donated $1 billion to the university, according to Bloomberg Philanthropies and the university in a recent announcement. Starting this fall, tuition will be free for students coming from households that earn less than $300,000 annually, and the gift will also cover living expenses and other fees for students from families with less than $175,000 in annual income.
Financial access to medical school is a challenge for many students: The median debt for the class of 2023 is $200,000, according to the Association of American Medical Colleges. This cost can discourage students from attending medical school at a time when the US needs more physicians; the association predicted that there will be a physician shortage of up to 86,000 doctors nationwide by 2036.
Posted on July 18, 2024 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™
as MEDICAL EXECUTIVE-POST–TODAY’SNEWSLETTERBRIEFING
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Essays, Opinions and Curated News in Health Economics, Investing, Business, Management and Financial Planning for Physician Entrepreneurs and their Savvy Advisors and Consultants
“Serving Almost One Million Doctors, Financial Advisors and Medical Management Consultants Daily“
A Partner of the Institute of Medical Business Advisors , Inc.
The Dow surged another 240 points as the cyclical rotation continues, sending the index to its 22nd record closing high of the year. The S&P 500 had its worst day since late April, while the NASDAQ slumped to its worst finish since December 2022. The last time the Dow rose on the same day the S&P 500 fell by more than 1% was all the way back in 1999. Gold hit a record high yesterday on hopes of a rate cut, not a hike. Oil bubbled up thanks to an Energy Information Administration report highlighting higher demand and lower crude inventories. Bond yields stayed steady throughout the trading session before sinking slightly 20-year Treasury bond auction.
The S&P 500® index (SPX) fell 78.93 points (–1.39%) to 5,588.27; the Dow Jones Industrial Average added 243.6 points (0.59%) to 41,198.08; the NASDAQ Composite plunged 512.41 points (–2.77%) to 17,996.92.
The 10-year Treasury note yield (TNX) dropped just below 4.15%.
The CBOE Volatility Index jumped sharply to 14.48.
What’s up
VF Corp. rose 13.64% on the news that it is selling its Supreme brand to EssilorLuxottica for $1.5 billion.
Roche soared 7.55% after the Swiss pharmaceutical company announced it has made strides in developing a weight-loss and diabetes treatment that uses a pill rather than an injection. Competitors sank on the news, with Eli Lilly declining 3.78% and Novo Nordisk falling 3.87%.
GitLab popped 9.34% on a report that the software developer is exploring a sale, potentially to cloud company Datadog, whose shares fell 7.35%.
Johnson & Johnson rose a tepid 3.67% thanks to a mixed earnings announcement that included beating expectations this quarter but warning of lower profits ahead.
What’s down
Spirit Airlines descended 10.76% to a new all-time low after warning that both earnings and revenue will come in lower than expected this coming quarter.
Five Below plummeted 25.05% after its CEO, who has helmed the company for over a decade, announced his departure smack in the middle of a very difficult year.
J.B. Hunt tanked 6.88% thanks to a poor second-quarter earnings report in which earnings and revenue came in well below analyst expectations.
Charles Schwab fell yet another 5.34% as the hits keep coming. Today, the culprit was a price target downgrade from Bank of America analysts.
Elevance Health slipped 5.96% despite beating analyst expectations this quarter, but warning that Medicaid membership declined.
UnitedHealthGroup has bounced back in the second quarter, reaffirming its guidance for the year as it posts a profit of $4.2 billion.
An audit of Aetna Health of Texas found significant errors in how the health plan calculated the qualifying payment amount for air ambulance services, raising more questions over broader noncompliance in the industry for the No Surprises Act.
And … clinical decision software company Regard pocketed $61 million in series B funding to scale its reach in healthcare as investors have a growing appetite for AI-powered startups.
A study published in JAMA this month found that nearly 7% of the US population (or roughly 18 million people) have had long Covid. Symptoms of the condition vary widely, but often include fatigue, brain fog, and post-exertional malaise (meaning symptoms worsen after minimal exertion), according to the CDC. Booster shots may help protect against long Covid, the JAMA study suggested.
And, President Joe Biden tested positive for COVID-19 while campaigning in Las Vegas with ‘mild symptoms’.
Physician burnout is on the decline after spiking to unprecedented levels during the Covid-19 pandemic, according to a survey from professional group the American Medical Association (AMA).
Posted on July 17, 2024 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™
By Staff Reporters
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A Non-Disclosure Agreement (or “NDA”) is an agreement under which a party (the “Recipient”) agrees not to disclose proprietary and confidential information (“Confidential Information”) that it receives from another party (the “Owner”).
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Surgeon to Pay $5 Million for Restriction of Negative Reviews, Directing Fake Reviews
A Seattle plastic surgeon who illegally restricted patients from posting negative reviews about his practice and directed his staff to post fake positive reviews will pay $5 million for violating Washington state’s consumer protection law. According to a July 1 consent decree, Javad Sajan, MD, and his practice Allure Esthetic must pay $1.5 million in restitution to 21,000 patients and $3.5 million to the state for manipulation of patient ratings.
The settlement resolves a federal lawsuit brought by Washington State Attorney General Bob Ferguson that accused the doctor of illegally suppressing patients’ negative reviews by “forcing” them to sign nondisclosure agreements (NDAs) before they received care. In an April decision, US District Judge Ricardo S. Martinez sided with the state, ruling that Allure Esthetic’s actions violated the federal Consumer Review Fairness Act (CRFA).
Posted on July 17, 2024 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™
MEDICAL EXECUTIVE-POST–TODAY’SNEWSLETTERBRIEFING
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Essays, Opinions and Curated News in Health Economics, Investing, Business, Management and Financial Planning for Physician Entrepreneurs and their Savvy Advisors and Consultants
“Serving Almost One Million Doctors, Financial Advisors and Medical Management Consultants Daily“
A Partner of the Institute of Medical Business Advisors , Inc.
The Dow jumped 700 points at one point today, its biggest single-day surge this year. The S&P 500 spent the entire trading session in positive territory, ending the afternoon at another record close, while the NASDAQ was flat most of the day as tech stocks sat out the rally.
Bitcoin continued to surge, rising as high as $65,191 as predictions of a second Trump presidency helped erase the cryptocurrency’s recent losses.
Gold hit a new record as hopes of a rate hike continue to rise, while oil sank on the news of slower economic growth in China translating to lower demand for crude.
The Russell 2000 enjoyed its 5th straight gain of 1% or more for the first time since 1979 as small caps make their comeback (more on that below).
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Apple released public beta versions of the newest software for iPhone, Mac, iPad, and Apple Watch. Macy’s ended talks of a buyout with investment firms Arkhouse Management and Brigade Capital Management after months of wrangling. Goldman Sachs was the latest big bank to benefit from rebounding investment banking fees as deals start making a comeback.
Despite such challenges as high interest rates, a sluggish M&A market, and increased regulatory scrutiny, bank executives are feeling optimistic about the road ahead. That’s according to KPMG’s 2024 US Banking Industry Outlook Survey, published last month, which polled 200 senior executives at US banks of varying sizes in March 2024.
The S&P 500® index (SPX) rose 35.98 points (0.64%) to 5,667.20; the Dow Jones Industrial Average® ($DJI) climbed 742.76 points (1.85%) to 40,954.48; the NASDAQ Composite® ($COMP) added 36.77 points (0.2%) to 18,509.34.
The 10-year Treasury note yield (TNX) fell slightly to just under 4.17%.
The CBOE Volatility Index® (VIX) ticked up to 13.19, still near three-week highs.
What’s up
Match Group climbed 7.46% after activist investor Starboard Value revealed it has taken a 6.6% stake in the matchmaking company.
Bank of America rose 5.35% on strong earnings, and management’s expectation that the bank’s net interest income will rise this year.
UnitedHealth Group popped 6.49% after beating analyst earnings estimates, missing revenue expectations, and most importantly, avoided higher costs after a recent cyberattack.
Shopify surged 8.57% thanks to an analyst upgrade from “neutral” to “buy” on the company’s turnaround efforts. Shares of Etsy rose 6.33% in sympathy.
GRAIL boomed 24.76% on the news that it is kicking off the clinical trials of its new cancer detection test.
Home builders’ hot streak continues: Hopes of a rate cut are fueling a rally for home builder stocks, with D.R. Horton up 6.64%, Lennar rising 6.55%, KB Home gaining 7.17%, and Builders FirstSource popping 8.11%.
What’s down
Trump Media & Technology Group fell 9.09%, sinking back to Earth after yesterday’s big pop on the news that the company is reselling 38 million shares of common stock.
Posted on July 16, 2024 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™
MEDICAL EXECUTIVE-POST–TODAY’SNEWSLETTERBRIEFING
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Essays, Opinions and Curated News in Health Economics, Investing, Business, Management and Financial Planning for Physician Entrepreneurs and their Savvy Advisors and Consultants
“Serving Almost One Million Doctors, Financial Advisors and Medical Management Consultants Daily“
A Partner of the Institute of Medical Business Advisors , Inc.
Though the accountant shortage is still a concern, a shortage of AI and tech skills might be a more pressing issue right now. That’s according to a pulse survey by consulting firm RGP and YouGov, which polled 213 US financial professionals at the director level and above this June.
Read: What do you do when you hit your insurance deductible? Some people throw parties. (the New York Times)
The S&P 500® index (SPX) rose 15.87 points (0.28%) to 5,631.22; the Dow Jones Industrial Average® ($DJI) climbed 210.82 points (0.53%) to 40,211.72, a new record-high close; the NASDAQ Composite® ($COMP) added 74.12 points (0.4%) to 18,472.57.
The 10-year Treasury note yield (TNX) gained four basis points to just below 4.23%.
The CBOE Volatility Index® (VIX) increased to 13.14, its highest close since June 24.
What’s up
Bitcoin-related stocks rose alongside the crypto rally today, with Coinbase up 11.39% and Microstrategy climbing 15.36%.
Gun manufacturersalways rise after a major shooting incident, and the assassination attempt on Donald Trump certainly meets that criteria. Sturm, Ruger & Company jumped 5.44%, and Smith & Wesson rose 11.38%.
AutoNation popped 2.01% on the news that it’s cutting $1.50 off of its EPS for the latest quarter due to the CDK cyberattack. Apparently getting ahead of the bad news is actually good news?
What’s down
Macy’s sank 11.76% after the department store’s board voted to end acquisition negotiations with activist investors Arkhouse and Brigade.
Burberry fell 16.08% after a poor quarterly report, a profit warning, and the ousting of its CEO.
AES plummeted 10.01% thanks to a storm cutting power to thousands of the utility company’s customers throughout Ohio.
SolarEdge Technologies dropped 15.36% after the company announced it will lay off 400 employees to improve profitability. Shares of solar competitors slumped in sympathy: First Solar fell 8.50%, Sunrun sank 8.95%, and Sunnova Energy fell 9.96%.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) frequently sets its sights on healthcare, which has previously included efforts to crack down on data privacy and ban noncompetes in contracts. Lately, the agency has turned its attention to pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs)—the groups that negotiate drug prices between insurers and pharmaceutical manufacturers—to shed light on how they impact the healthcare industry.
Posted on July 16, 2024 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™
By Staff Reporters
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According to Fierce Healthcare, 60% of patients say they are willing to switch doctors for a better communications experience, according to a survey. Patients want more of a “human touch” when texting their providers, like conversational message exchanges.
Posted on July 16, 2024 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™
ByStaff Reporters
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Arecent survey by StaffHealth of 250 RNs, LPNS, and CNAs found the following:
• 86% of respondents say their workload/job responsibility has increased in the last year. • 54% of the above respondents say that the increase in workload has negatively impacted their mental health. • 83% of those surveyed agree that an increase in compensation/incentives would alleviate nurse burn out and shortages. • 62% of nursing professionals would currently consider a change in career paths. • 66% of respondents say access to mental health resources at work would be beneficial.
Posted on July 15, 2024 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™
MEDICAL EXECUTIVE-POST–TODAY’SNEWSLETTERBRIEFING
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Essays, Opinions and Curated News in Health Economics, Investing, Business, Management and Financial Planning for Physician Entrepreneurs and their Savvy Advisors and Consultants
“Serving Almost One Million Doctors, Financial Advisors and Medical Management Consultants Daily“
A Partner of the Institute of Medical Business Advisors , Inc.
Americans are traveling in record numbers this summer, but Delta Air Lines said Thursday that it saw second-quarter profit drop 29% due to higher costs and discounting of base-level fares across the industry. The airline is also predicting a lower profit than Wall Street expects for the third quarter.
Markets: Stocks swung upward finishing the week strong. The Dow closed above 40,000 for the second time ever. And, investors expect the stock market to get a jolt of volatility this week following the assassination attempt on former President Trump, and trades linked to his victory in November (such as a rising US dollar) could see an uptick. For example, Trump has fashioned himself into a pro-crypto candidate, and bitcoin spiked above $62,000 after the shooting.
Finance: Big banks kicked off the Q2 earnings season, with JPMorgan, Citigroup, and Wells Fargo reporting. Investment banking revenue was up as deals have started coming back, even as continued high interest rates took a toll on their loan and deposit businesses. Wells Fargo, which relies most on the businesses hit by inflation, saw its profit drop year over year. Investors are wary: All three banks’ stock fell.
Alphabet is close to acquiring cybersecurity startup Wiz, according to the Wall Street Journal. The $23 billion purchase price would be the largest in the company’s history.
Posted on July 15, 2024 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™
By Staff Reporters
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What is a medical credit card?
Medical credit cards are typically offered through healthcare providers such as physicians, veterinarians, dentists, and even hospitals. Unlike major credit cards, you can’t use them for cash advances or to purchase items like groceries, gasoline, or airline tickets.
Posted on July 15, 2024 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™
Report underscores ongoing concerns about accuracy of collections data, particularly with respect to medical debt
By Staff Reporters
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According to Gabriella Cruz-Martinez, tens of millions of debt collections disappeared from Americans’ credit reports during the pandemic, a new government watchdog report found, but overdue medical bills remain a big strain on many households nationwide. The total number of debt collections on credit reports dropped by 33% from 261 million in 2018 to 175 million in 2022, according to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, while the share of consumers with a debt collection on their credit report shrunk by 20%.
Medical debt collections also dropped by 17.9% during that time, but still made up 57% of all collection accounts on credit reports, far more than other types of debt combined — including credit cards, utilities, and rent accounts. Despite the reduction in collections, the CFPB noted that the results underscore ongoing concerns that current medical billing and collection practices can lack transparency, often hurting the credit scores and financial health of those most vulnerable.
“Our analysis of credit reports provides yet another indicator that, due to a strong labor market and emergency programs during the pandemic, household financial distress reduced over the last two years,” Rohit Chopra, CFPB director said in a statement. “However, false and inaccurate medical debt on credit reports continues to drag on household financial health.”
Posted on July 14, 2024 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™
By Staff Reporters
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Mental Health America is proud to recognize June as Men’s Health Month. So, if you think you or a loved-one may be experiencing signs of a mental illness, visit www.mhascreening.org to take a free, quick and confidential screen for depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, PTSD, and/or Alcohol or Substance Use problems.
Put a doctor in your pocket (and skip the waiting room)
Caraway is an app that delivers mental, physical, and reproductive health services tailored to 18- to 29-year-olds. Start therapy, fill prescriptions, answer immediate health concerns, and more—anytime, anywhere, 24/7. Lock in limited-time pricing of $20/month or $180/year (your first 30 days are free!)
Posted on July 14, 2024 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™
MEDICAL EXECUTIVE-POST–TODAY’SNEWSLETTERBRIEFING
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Essays, Opinions and Curated News in Health Economics, Investing, Business, Management and Financial Planning for Physician Entrepreneurs and their Savvy Advisors and Consultants
“Serving Almost One Million Doctors, Financial Advisors and Medical Management Consultants Daily“
A Partner of the Institute of Medical Business Advisors , Inc.
A brief note on yesterday’s shocking events at the Donald J. Trump Rally.
A shooting at a Pennsylvania rally in Butler County for former President Trump has officially been deemed an assassination attempt, the FBI confirmed. Trump said he was shot in the ear but is “fine,” according to a spokesperson, while the alleged gunman and one rally attendee are dead.
Moreover, Texas Rep. Ronny Jackson, who was former President Donald Trump‘s White House doctor, revealed that his nephew was ‘grazed in the neck’ by a bullet at the Butler, Pennsylvania rally.
Authorities identified the gunman as a 20-year-old man from Bethel Park, a town about an hour’s drive from the site of the shooting. Leaders in the US and around the world offered their support to Trump and condemned political violence as the Secret Service faces questions about the security failure.
Therefore, we will re-post related articles on workplace violence, prisons, mental health and psychological turmoil etc; addressing our core but non-political topics. Unite and stay strong. Thank You!
Posted on July 14, 2024 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™
Global Healthcare Exchange
By Staff Reporters
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5 Key Findings
• 58% of Americans are worried about nurses and other clinicians being harmed while on hospital property. • 66% of Americans agree nurses and other front-line healthcare workers are more likely than those in other professions to be victims of workplace violence. • 57% say burn out from the past few years plays a role in contributing to healthcare labor shortages. • 88% believe that keeping track of every hospital visitor is essential to safety. • 82% of Americans believe that more state/federal action should be taken to keep healthcare workers safe.
At least 5 people are dead and multiple people are injured following a shooting at the Natalie Building at St. Francis Hospital in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
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The impact of medical workplace violence became widely exposed on November 6, 2009 when 39 year old Army psychiatrist Maj. Nidal M. Hasan MD, a 1997 graduate of Virginia Tech University who received a medical doctorate in psychiatry from the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in Bethesda, Maryland, and served as an intern, resident and fellow at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center in the District of Columbia, went on a savage 100 round shooting spree and rampage that killed 13 people and injured 32 others. In April 2010 he was transferred to Bell County Jail in Belton, Texas awaiting trial.
Federal Government Guidelines
The federal government and some states have developed guidelines to assist employers with workplace violence prevention. For instance, one of the earliest sets of guidelines for a comprehensive workplace violence prevention program was published in 1993 by California OSHA. This resulted from the murder of a state employee. In 1996, Guidelines for Preventing Workplace Violence for Healthcare and Social Service Workers was published by OSHA.
OSHA Guidelines
In its guidelines, OSHA sets forth the following essential elements for developing a violence prevention program:
Management commitment — as seen by high-level management involvement and support for a written workplace violence prevention policy and its implementation.
Meaningful employee involvement — in policy development, joint management-worker violence prevention committees, post-assault counseling and debriefing, and follow-up are all critical program components.
Worksite analysis — includes regular walk-through surveys of all patient care areas and the collection and review of all reports of worker assault. A successful job hazard analysis must include strategies and policies for encouraging the reporting of all incidents of workplace violence, including verbal threats that do not result in physical injury.
Hazard prevention and control — includes the installation and maintenance of alarm systems in high-risk areas. It may also include the training and posting of security personnel in emergency departments. Adequate staffing is an essential hazard prevention measure, as is adequate lighting and control of access to staff offices and secluded work areas.
Pre-placement and periodic training and education — must include educationally appropriate information regarding the risk factors for violence in the healthcare environment and control measures available to prevent violent incidents. Training should include skills in aggressive behavior identification and management, especially for staff working in the mental health and emergency departments.
On May 17, 1999, Governor Gary Locke signed the New Workplace Violence Prevention Act for the state of Washington. This act mandates that each healthcare setting in the state implement a plan to reasonably prevent and protect employees from violence.
New Washington Workplace Violence Prevention Act
According to this act, prevention plans need to address security considerations related to:
physical attributes of the healthcare setting;
staffing, including security staffing;
personnel policies;
first aid and emergency procedures;
reporting of violent acts; and
employee education and training.
Prior to the development of an actual plan, a security and safety assessment needs to be conducted to identify existing or potential hazards. The training component of the plan must include the following topics:
general safety procedures;
personal safety procedures;
the violence escalation cycle;
violence-predicting factors;
means of obtaining a patient history form from a patient with violent behavior;
strategies to avoid physical harm;
restraining techniques;
appropriate use of medications as chemical restraints;
documenting and reporting incidents;
the process whereby employees affected by a violent act may debrief;
any resources available to employee for coping with violence; and
the healthcare setting’s workplace violence prevention plan.
Assessment
The act further mandates that any hospital operated and maintained by the State of Washington for the care of the mentally ill is required to provide violence prevention training to affected employees identified in the plan on a regular basis and prior.
Conclusion
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The approval expands the limited treatment options for Alzheimer’s as the drug, which will be sold as Kisunla and priced at about ~$32,000 for a year’s supply, will compete with a similar one from Biogen and Eisai that was approved last year. Both drugs target plaques in the brain called amyloids to slow the progression of the disease, representing a breakthrough after decades of failures to find new treatments.
Posted on July 13, 2024 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™
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The study examines the challenges of integrating new technologies in clinical practice, identified four primary barriers: insufficient knowledge of health system technology procurement protocols, which can vary across facilities; strict regulations and clinical trial requirements; obstacles in the health system technology procurement process; and competitive disadvantages for smaller startups.
Instead, physician assistants (PAs) and nurse practitioners (NPs) will increasingly provide primary care services, according to a report from consulting firm Mercer.
Posted on July 12, 2024 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™
What is anAccountable Care Organization?
DEFINITION: ACOs are groups of doctors, hospitals, and other health care providers, who come together voluntarily to give coordinated high-quality care to their patients. The goal of coordinated care is to ensure that patients get the right care at the right time, while avoiding unnecessary duplication of services and preventing medical errors. When an ACO succeeds both in delivering high-quality care and spending health care dollars more wisely, the ACO will share in the savings.
Thankfully, Anish Koka is vigilant and explains the blatant obfuscations and manipulations that the central planners engage in to have their way.
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And so, In this video, Anish and colleague Michel Accad, MD, will reveal the machinations, take the culprits to task, and discuss pertinent questions regarding health care organization:
Does “capitation” reduce costs?
Do employed physicians necessarily utilize fewer resources?
What happens when a HMO and a traditional fee-for-service health system operate side-by-side in a community?
Posted on July 12, 2024 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™
By Health Capital Consultants, LLC
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Because of the federal government’s preference for, and reliance on the success of, accountable care organizations (ACOs), some ACOs assume their legal status shields the organization from legal scrutiny on all issues.
However, since the 2010 advent of ACOs, the law has adapted uniquely to these organizations. This fourth installment of a five-part series on the valuation of ACOs will discuss this unique regulatory environment in which ACOs operate. (Read more…)
The International Franchise Association (IFA) estimates that that about $1 trillion in sales, or 40% of all retail sales, were made through franchised establishment last decade. On the positive side, franchises offer a branded practice concept with management training and access to proprietary methods, marketing and advertising campaigns and a host of support. Moreover, there are franchises available for virtually every healthcare product or service, including: diet, weight loss and fitness; vein care and laser surgery; vitamins, nutriceuticals and pharmaceuticals; plastic and cosmetic surgery; dermatology, tanning and skin care; home healthcare and extended, etc.
Some well know established healthcare and medical franchises are: Doctors Express, Being There Senior Care, Home Care Assistance, Personal Training Institute, Inches-A-Weigh, Remedy Intelligent Staffing, Visiting Angels, Unlimited MedSearch, prnYourHealth and Any Lab Test Now.
On the downside, franchises incur high start-up costs, rules and obligations, payment of franchise percentages and many contractual obligations.
Questions to consider when contemplating this business entity include:
Franchise stability, track record, licensing and costs. Training, support and proximity of other franchises. Independence, ownership laws, contracts and dispute resolutions, Screening methods, market size and potential market share. Replacement cost and transferability?
For more information on Uniform Franchise Offerings Circulars (UFOCs) contact:
Frandata 1130 Connecticut Avenue, NW Washington DC 20036 202.659.8640
International Franchise Association7 1350 New York Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20005 202.628.800
Multi-Level Marketing and In-Office Dispensation
A multi-level marketing (MLM) business delivers products or services through a chain of independent distributors rather than traditional retail business outlets. Existing medical practices not only pursue income ancillary, but it is not unusual for beginning practitioners to plan for and include it in their start-up models and business plans.
The first layer is usually the distributor who must sell products/services and recruit additional members to produce a hierarchical organization with many employees. Each distributor profits from direct sales, and from a varying commission stream down-line. It may be best to investigate before you leap into these situations since some may be fraudulent pyramid schemes that sell no useful product or service, and requires only recruiting others into the scheme. Be sure to obtain a Dunn & Bradstreet or TRW credit report about any MLM company and inquire about current litigation. Most authorities agree that it take 3-5 years before serious money is made in the MLM business.
Moreover, care must be taken with this model. According to colleague Stephen Barrett MD, writing on the Mirage of Multilevel Marketing: “Many any physicians are selling health-related multi-level products to patients in their offices. The companies most involved have included Amway (now doing business as Quixtar), Body Wise, Nu Skin (Interior Design), Rexall, and Juice Plus+. Doctors are typically recruited with promises that the extra income will replace income lost to managed-care.
Back, in December 1997, the AMA Council on Ethical and Judicial Affairs (CEJA) advised against profiting from the sale of “non- health-related products” to their patients. Although CEJA’s policy statement does not mention products sold through multilevel marketing, CEJA’s chairman said the statement was triggered by the growing number of physicians who had added an Amway distributorship to their practice.”
Posted on July 11, 2024 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™
MEDICAL EXECUTIVE-POST–TODAY’SNEWSLETTERBRIEFING
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Essays, Opinions and Curated News in Health Economics, Investing, Business, Management and Financial Planning for Physician Entrepreneurs and their Savvy Advisors and Consultants
“Serving Almost One Million Doctors, Financial Advisors and Medical Management Consultants Daily“
A Partner of the Institute of Medical Business Advisors , Inc.
A day before the June CPI report, major indexes extended their rally amid growing demand for semiconductors and rate cut hopes.
The S&P 500 rose above 5,600 for the first time ever, only a few short days after breaking above 5,500, with the index hitting a new record for the last seven straight trading sessions. The NASDAQ also enjoyed a solid day as well thanks to strong performances by tech stocks, while even the Dow got in on the action and ended the session in the green.
Bond yields stayed almost right where they’ve been all week as investors hold their breath ahead of tomorrow’s key CPI reading.
Gold rose as investors hope for a strong CPI report to point the Fed toward more rate cuts, while oil rose as well thanks to a stronger-than-expected outlook on global demand from OPEC.
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The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced in June it would recalculate 2024 Medicare Advantage (MA) star ratings for all plans after two court rulings called into question the agency’s method for determining this year’s ratings. The decision is estimated to cost the federal agency roughly $1 billion in additional bonus payments for insurers, according to healthcare analytics firm Cotiviti. The move comes after several large insurers laid off employees in late 2023 after their star ratings decreased.
HIPAA: Some groups are disputing a proposed federal rule that would require hospitals to report cybersecurity incidents, saying they want it to also include insurers and third-party vendors. (Healthcare Dive)
Taiwan Semiconductor rose 3.54% after it reported that its June revenue fell 10% month over month, but its sales rose roughly 33% year over year.
Advanced Micro Devices popped 3.87% on the news it is acquiring Silo AI, the largest private artificial intelligence lab in Europe, for $665 million.
Carvana drove 4.21% higher after Needham analysts upgraded the stock from “hold” to “buy” due in part to new features at checkout highlighting EVs. Competitor CarMax jumped 6.42% in sympathy.
Aehr Test Systems rocketed 24.01% after the semiconductor testing equipment maker raised earnings guidance thanks to strong AI demand.
Smart Global Holdings rose 26.27% thanks to earnings that beat Wall Street expectations in the third quarter and a strong outlook for the rest of the year.
What’s down
LegalZoom plummeted 25.35% to a new all-time low after the company cut its outlook and its CEO stepped down.
HubSpot sank 12.24% on a report that Alphabet is no longer interested in acquiring the company.
Deckers Outdoor fell 4.86% after M Science analysts published a note cautioning that sales for key brands UGG and HOKA fell in June.
Ziff Davis fell 10.32% after the digital media company tried to get ahead of the bad news and pre-announced that second-quarter earnings will fall below analyst expectations.
Fast-casual restaurant stocks continued to sink today as investors grow more concerned about lower consumer spending and higher valuations. CAVA Group fell 5.47%, Sweetgreen dropped 1.72%, and Dutch Bros fell 4.34%.
In a scathing report, the Federal Trade Commission accused [PBMs] pharmacy benefit managers—the companies that act as go-betweens for drug makers and consumers—of jacking up drug prices
Posted on July 10, 2024 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™
MEDICAL EXECUTIVE-POST–TODAY’SNEWSLETTERBRIEFING
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Essays, Opinions and Curated News in Health Economics, Investing, Business, Management and Financial Planning for Physician Entrepreneurs and their Savvy Advisors and Consultants
“Serving Almost One Million Doctors, Financial Advisors and Medical Management Consultants Daily“
A Partner of the Institute of Medical Business Advisors , Inc.
The S&P 500 index®(SPX) rose 4.13 points (0.1%) to 5,576.98; the Dow Jones Industrial Average® ($DJI) fell 52.82 points (0.1%) to 39,291.97; the NASDAQ Composite® ($COMP) climbed 25.55 points (0.1%) to 18,429.9.
The 10-year Treasury note yield increased two basis points to 4.29%.
The CBOE Volatility Index® (VIX) inched up to 12.49, still near recent lows.
What’s up
Tesla rose 3.71%, putting the company squarely in the green year to date as investors continue to celebrate the automaker’s strong delivery numbers.
Corning rose yet another 3.76%, extending the glassmaker’s gains as it quickly becomes the new hot AI stock du jour.
KymeraTherapeutics shot 23.40% higher after its partner Sanofi gave the go-ahead for further studies of its experimental skin disease treatment.
Jumia Technologies soared 29.79% after Benchmark analysts initiated coverage of the African e-commerce company with a “buy” rating.
Sony rose 4.46% on the news that it has nothing to do with the merger of Paramount and Skydance as shareholders celebrate dodging a Paramount-shaped bullet.
What’s down
Albemarle dropped 8.76% after Baird analysts warned that lower lithium demand will translate to lower profits for the miner in its upcoming second quarter.
BP sank 4.80% after management warned of lower-than-expected profits and a writedown of its German refining facility to the tune of up to $2 billion.
Helios Technologies fell 10.94% on the news that the CEO of the industrial manufacturer had been placed on paid leave for potentially violating the company’s code of ethics.
OpenAI’s venture fund and Arianna Huffington’s Thrive Global are jointly funding a new startup that aims to build an AI health coach to promote healthier lifestyles.
Function Health, a health tech company focused on preventive medicine, recently closed a series A round led by Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) Bio + Health along with a slew of celebrity investors.
Posted on July 9, 2024 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™
By NIHCM
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Private equity acquisition of physician practices continues to grow nationwide. New research focused on specialists in dermatology, gastroenterology, and ophthalmology shows the impact of the trend.
Novel evidence by NIHCM grantee Jane Zhu, MD, and her team, reveals shifts in workforce composition and hiring patterns after private equity firms obtain physician practices. The researchers’ findings are particularly important for policymakers and practices considering selling to private equity firms. Highlights include:
A significant yearly increase in the number of advanced practice providers at private equity-acquired practices, specifically nurse practitioners and physician assistants.
In acquired practices, entering clinicians replaced exiting clinicians at a higher rate than at non-private equity-acquired practices.
This work adds to the research team’s previous findings, including the geographic variations in private equity ownership across six medical specialties, and the impact of private equity on health care costs and utilization.
Posted on July 9, 2024 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™
MEDICAL EXECUTIVE-POST –TODAY’SNEWSLETTERBRIEFING
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Essays, Opinions and Curated News in Health Economics, Investing, Business, Management and Financial Planning for Physician Entrepreneurs and their Savvy Advisors and Consultants
“Serving Almost One Million Doctors, Financial Advisors and Medical Management Consultants Daily“
A Partner of the Institute of Medical Business Advisors , Inc.
The CBOE Volatility Index® (VIX) climbed slightly to 12.37.
The S&P 500 index®(SPX) rose 5.66points (0.1%) to 5,572.85; the Dow Jones Industrial Average® ($DJI) dropped 31.08 points (0.1%) to 39,344.79; the NASDAQ Composite® ($COMP) gained 50.98 points (0.3%) to 18,403.74.
The 10-year Treasury note yield (TNX) was roughly flat at 4.27%.
Intel popped 6.15% after an analyst at Melius Research declared the company could be one of the big AI winners in the second half of this year.
Morphic Holding skyrocketed 75.06% on the news that Eli Lilly will acquire the drugmaker for $3.2 billion in cash.
SolarEdge climbed 9.26% thanks to an upgrade from “underperform” to “neutral” by Bank of America analysts, who see big upside and few downside risks ahead.
Lucid rose 7.85% on the news that its deliveries rose 70% in the second quarter.
What’s down
ServiceNow dipped 5.04% after Guggenheim analysts downgraded the cloud computing company to “sell,” citing growing risks in the second half of this year.
Stat: 27. That’s a tally of some of the hospital mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, affiliations, and partnerships that have been canceled since January 2022. (Becker’s Hospital Review)
Read: Health insurers received $50 billion from Medicare for diseases that doctors did not treat over three years, according to a recent analysis. (Wall Street Journal)
Posted on July 9, 2024 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™
By Health Capital Consultants LLC
In February 2023, Novant Health, a 19-hospital, non-profit health system operating throughout the Carolinas, agreed to acquire two North Carolina hospitals – Davis Regional Medical Center and Lake Norman Regional Medical Center – from Community Health System (CHS), a publicly-traded mega-system operating in 15 states.
After the $320 million deal was announced, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) began an extensive review of the acquisition, and concluded that: (1) the transaction may substantially reduce competition; (2) create a monopoly; and (3) constitute an unfair method of competition. (Read more…)
Posted on July 8, 2024 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™
MEDICAL EXECUTIVE-POST–TODAY’SNEWSLETTERBRIEFING
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Essays, Opinions and Curated News in Health Economics, Investing, Business, Management and Financial Planning for Physician Entrepreneurs and their Savvy Advisors and Consultants
“Serving Almost One Million Doctors, Financial Advisors and Medical Management Consultants Daily“
A Partner of the Institute of Medical Business Advisors , Inc.
Wall Street is counting down the hours until Friday, which is when Q2 earnings season kicks off. Investors are hoping anyone besides Big Tech will post impressive results to keep the rally going. Although the stock market has set record after record this year, it’s mostly been the work of tech giants. As of Tuesday, about 40% of S&P 500 companies were in the red for 2024.
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell will give updates on the economy to Congress on Tuesday and Wednesday, where he’ll likely be asked about the prospect of interest rate cuts. Those plans could become clearer on Thursday, when the consumer price index inflation report drops.
Boeing will plead guilty to a criminal fraud charge stemming from two fatal crashes of 737 Max planes and pay an additional $243.6 million fine, allowing it to avoid a criminal trial sought by victims’ families. More here.
Posted on July 8, 2024 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™
Bad things can happen in paperless practices, Doc
By Darrell Pruitt DDS
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“Illinois Hospital First To Shut Down Completely After Ransomware Attack”
-By Karl Bode for Techdirt, Jun 16th 2023.
“Such attacks can have a chain reaction on already broken hospitals and health care systems. Health care workers are sometimes forced to resort to pen and paper for patient charts and prescriptions, increasing the risk of potentially fatal error. Delays in care can also prove fatal. And ransomware is only one of the problems that plague dated medical IT systems whose repair is being made increasingly costly and difficult by medical health care system manufacturers keen on monopolizing repair.”
Remember the MCNA (Managed Care of North America) data breach that was reported by Bill Toulas in Bleeping Computer on May 29th? There have been new developments.
“Patients of a Florida-based dental insurance provider brought a proposed class action lawsuit alleging negligence over a ransomware data breach that leaked the private information of more than 8.9 million people on the dark web, saying they face a lifetime risk of having their identities stolen.”
–David Minsky for Law 360
[June 16th, 2023]
If you are still using paper records, don’t change now.
Posted on July 8, 2024 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™
Europe can’t stop penalizing US tech firms.
The European Union or EU has charged Meta with violating its Digital Markets Act (DMA), a new law regulating digital platforms, through its “pay or consent” model. That model, which Meta introduced in November to comply with the DMA, allowed European users of Instagram and Facebook to pay for a subscription instead of seeing ads. The EU now says these options prevent users from consenting to the use of their personal data.
Meta is the second US-based Big Tech company to be charged for violating the DMA, after Apple got nailed last week.
Posted on July 6, 2024 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™
MEDICAL EXECUTIVE-POST–TODAY’SNEWSLETTERBRIEFING
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Essays, Opinions and Curated News in Health Economics, Investing, Business, Management and Financial Planning for Physician Entrepreneurs and their Savvy Advisors and Consultants
“Serving Almost One Million Doctors, Financial Advisors and Medical Management Consultants Daily“
A Partner of the Institute of Medical Business Advisors , Inc.
As home hospital programs continue to grow—employment in the home health industry is projected to increase by nearly 30% by 2029—so does the concern that home healthcare professionals are increasingly vulnerable to assault and harassment.
The S&P 500 index® (SPX)rose 30.17 points (0.54%) to 5,567.19; the Dow Jones Industrial Average® ($DJI) rose 67.87 points (0.17%) to 39,375.87; the NASDAQ Composite® ($COMP) climbed 164.46 points (0.9%) to 18,352.76.
The 10-year Treasury note yield (TNX) dropped nearly seven basis points to just below 4.28%.
The CBOE Volatility Index® (VIX) increased slightly to 12.45.
What’s up
Meta Platforms rose 5.88% a day after CEO Mark Zuckerberg posted a video of himself wearing a tux, holding an American flag and a beer, and wakeboarding. Shareholders apparently approve of such an absolute stud running the company.
Koss Corp. rose another 25.68% as the latest meme stock continues to rally for no reason at all.
Macy’s popped 9.48% after bidders looking to acquire the beleaguered retailer raised their offer from $6.6 billion to $6.9 billion.
Southwest sank 5.67% on the first full trading day after the company adopted a “poison pill” to fend off activist investor Elliott Management.
Budget airline companies took a blow after a Raymond James analyst downgraded the industry due to a “clear as mud” outlook for the third quarter. Frontier Group fell 6.79%, while Spirit Airlines dropped 8.70%.
Crypto-related stocks tumbled after bitcoin fell below $54,000 at one point today, though they recovered alongside the cryptocurrency later in the trading session. Coinbase Global fell 0.56%, Robinhood Markets dropped 0.98%, and MicroStrategy fell 1.56%.
Posted on July 5, 2024 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™
MEDICAL EXECUTIVE-POST–TODAY’SNEWSLETTERBRIEFING
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Essays, Opinions and Curated News in Health Economics, Investing, Business, Management and Financial Planning for Physician Entrepreneurs and their Savvy Advisors and Consultants
“Serving Almost One Million Doctors, Financial Advisors and Medical Management Consultants Daily“
A Partner of the Institute of Medical Business Advisors , Inc.
Wednesday’s stock market trading was brief but sweet—the S&P 500 and NASDAQ closed at records in a half-day session. The stock market was closed yesterday for the Fourth of July, but will reopen today with all eyes on the June jobs report to be released this morning. It’s expected to show more cooling in the labor market, which would reinforce the FOMC is likely plan to cut interest rates this fall.
A federal court temporarily paused a ban on noncompetes from taking effect in September, ruling that the FTC overstepped its authority in April when it ordered a halt to the clauses affecting 30 million Americans. The ban on noncompetes was intended to allow workers like doctors and nurses to move jobs more easily and boost wages in the process, but businesses opposed it on the grounds that competitors could poach their employees and they’d lose valuable trade secrets.
Posted on July 4, 2024 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™
MEDICAL EXECUTIVE-POST–TODAY’SNEWSLETTERBRIEFING
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Essays, Opinions and Curated News in Health Economics, Investing, Business, Management and Financial Planning for Physician Entrepreneurs and their Savvy Advisors and Consultants
“Serving Almost One Million Doctors, Financial Advisors and Medical Management Consultants Daily“
A Partner of the Institute of Medical Business Advisors , Inc.
The S&P 500 broke above 5,500 yesterday and stayed there for the first time in market history, notching yet another all-time high for the index—its 32nd this year alone. With so much bullishness it’s understandable that investors may be wondering if we’re at the top yet, but chartists suggests gains tend to beget gains. The bulls have too much momentum to stop now—and if/when the FOMC cuts rates later this year, it seems likely that we’ll see more all-time highs in 2024? Any thoughts.
The Biden administration has awarded $206.3 million of funding to clinician training programs across 42 universities and provider organizations to bolster the nation’s geriatrics care workforce. Programs will be able to integrate geriatrics training into primary care and will work to educate older adults’ families on their care needs. Health and Human Services, in its announcement, noted that primary care providers are a crucial source of care for much of the aging population.
As Walmart shutters its primary care clinics, the retail giant inked a deal to sell its MeMD telehealth business to health tech startup Fabric. Fabric provides a telemedicine platform for a range of customers, including provider groups, with the goal of improving the clinician and patient experience, as well as operational efficiency. The acquisition will expand its provider network, add virtual behavioral health to the company’s services and build on Fabric’s employer and payer solutions.
And…The U.S. Supreme Court has overturned the Chevron deference, stripping power from federal agencies to interpret and enforce regulations. Courts no longerhave to defer to reasonable agency interpretations. One healthcare attorney told Fierce Healthcare he predicts the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services will be under a microscope from the courts going forward, and there will be more scrutiny towards provider reimbursement cuts, drug pricing regulation and the Inflation Reduction Act.
The S&P 500 index®(SPX)rose 28.01 points (0.51%) to 5,537.02; the Dow Jones Industrial Average® ($DJI) fell 23.85 points (-0.1%) to 39,308.00; the NASDAQ Composite® ($COMP) gained 159.54 points (0.9%) to 18,188.30.
The 10-year Treasury note yield (TNX) dropped seven basis points to 4.36%.
The CBOE Volatility Index® (VIX) held steady at 12.09.
What’s up
Tesla rose yet another 6.54% as investors continue to celebrate stronger-than-expected delivery numbers. Much like the company’s self-driving mode, this stock can’t stop.
Nvidia rose 4.57%, with the bulls seemingly beating profit-taking bears heading into the holiday.
MGM Resorts popped 2.24% after BTIG analysts gave the company a “buy” rating and a price target 20% higher than shares trade for today.
Quest Diagnostics rose 3.11% after announcing it will acquire fellow laboratory service provider LifeLabs for $985 million.
What’s down
First Foundation plummeted 23.81% after the bank announced it will raise $225 million to shore up a balance sheet burdened by commercial real estate loans.
Constellation Brands fell 3.76% after the alcoholic beverage maker reported stronger than expected earnings but missed Wall Street’s expectations on revenue.
Simulations Plus slid 14.87% after it reported strong third-quarter earnings but announced it’s cutting its dividend.
CureVac popped then dropped 6.59% after GSKbought the rights to the smaller pharma company’s Covid-19 and flu vaccines for $1.6 billion.
Posted on July 3, 2024 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™
MEDICAL EXECUTIVE-POST–TODAY’SNEWSLETTERBRIEFING
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Essays, Opinions and Curated News in Health Economics, Investing, Business, Management and Financial Planning for Physician Entrepreneurs and their Savvy Advisors and Consultants
“Serving Almost One Million Doctors, Financial Advisors and Medical Management Consultants Daily“
A Partner of the Institute of Medical Business Advisors , Inc.
SCOTUS: Two technology company cases involving Texas and Florida laws challenging social-media companies’ content moderation were sent to lower courts. SCOTUS thus effectively granted the companies a victory. The Supreme Court isn’t willing to blow up the internet just yet.
PitchBook released its analysis of digital health venture capital deals done in the first quarter. The first quarter saw downturns in telehealth and digital therapeutics, but opportunities exist in mental health chatbots and care search platforms.
Amedisys, a large home health provider, plans to divest a number of care centers to an affiliate of VitalCaring Group in advance of its planned merger with UnitedHealth Group later this year.
Paramount Global rose 5.97% on a report from the New York Times that Barry Diller’s IAC may be exploring an acquisition of the embattled entertainment company. IAC fell just 0.26%.
Archer Aviation popped 8.92% after the air taxi manufacturer received a $55 million investment from Stellantis.
Oliveda International is up 19.81% today after the olive oil company announced massive quarterly revenue growth at a key subsidiary.
Pure Storage plunged 4.15% after UBS analysts downgraded the stock to “sell,” citing its high valuation and overhyped AI potential.
Homebuilders took a beating after Citi analysts downgraded Lennar and D.R. Horton from “neutral” to “sell,” noting the housing market will remain soft in the second half of the year. Lennar dropped 1.61%, and D.R. Horton fell 1.35%.
Here’s where the major benchmarks ended:
The S&P 500 index rose 33.92 points (0.62%) to 5,509.01; the Dow Jones Industrial Average® ($DJI) climbed 162.33 points (0.41%) to 39,331.85; the NASDAQ Composite® ($COMP) rallied 149.46 points (0.84%) to 18,028.76.
The 10-year Treasury note yield (TNX) dipped four basis points to 4.43%.
The CBOE Volatility Index® (VIX) dropped to 12.03 after earlier trading at its lowest intraday level since late May.
SCOTUS: Health policy leaders say patients, providers, and health systems should brace for more uncertainty and less stability in the healthcare system. Even routine government functions such as deciding the rate to pay doctors for treating Medicare beneficiaries could become embroiled in long legal battles that disrupt patient care or strain providers to adapt.
Posted on July 2, 2024 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™
Did you know that today is the real Independence Day?
The Continental Congress formally declared freedom from Great Britain on July 2nd, 1776, but approved the Declaration of Independence two days later.
John Adams was so sure that July 2nd would be the date of the holiday that he wrote, “I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival … It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade with shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations.”
Posted on July 2, 2024 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™
MEDICAL EXECUTIVE-POST–TODAY’SNEWSLETTERBRIEFING
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Essays, Opinions and Curated News in Health Economics, Investing, Business, Management and Financial Planning for Physician Entrepreneurs and their Savvy Advisors and Consultants
“Serving Almost One Million Doctors, Financial Advisors and Medical Management Consultants Daily“
A Partner of the Institute of Medical Business Advisors , Inc.
Private equity gets a big accounting firm yet. The March story about private equity firm New Market Capital buying a $2.8 billion stake in accounting firm Grant Thorton was a big story. Private equity is gobbling up accounting firms, signaling a potential sea change in how accounting firms will operate in the future, with “more than half” of the top 20 accounting firms in talks with private equity.
The S&P 500® index (SPX) rose 14.61 points (0.27%) to 5,475.09; the Dow Jones Industrial Average® ($DJI) climbed 50.66 points (0.13%) to 39,169.52; the NASDAQ Composite® ($COMP) added 146.70 points (0.83%) to 17,879.30.
The 10-year Treasury note yield (TNX) rose 12 basis points to 4.47%, the highest level since May 30 and back above its 50-day moving average, a technically important move.
The CBOE Volatility Index® (VIX) slipped to 12.19.
Crude oil is up sharply over the last month amid rising Middle East tensions.
Spirit AeroSystems Holdings rose 3.35% on the news that Boeing plans to acquire the airplane parts supplier. Boeing shares rose a tepid 2.58%.
Birkenstock climbed 1.78% after UBS analysts rated the stock a “buy” and increased their price target 63% due to the company’s expansion plans.
French stocks rose on snap election results that showed the far-right National Rally may be unable to form a majority after the next round of elections on July 7.
What’s down
Chewy stock popped then dropped 6.63% after Roaring Kitty revealed a 6.6% stake in the pet products company.
GameStop shares fell 5.35% after CEO Ryan Cohen posted on Twitter/X for the first time in months to advertise a job opening.
Uber fell 2.17% and Lyft fell 0.92% on the news that Massachusetts now requires both companies to pay rideshare drivers $32.50 an hour, plus benefits.
Cruise stocks sank on the news that Hurricane Beryl is stronger than expected and will disrupt service throughout the Caribbean. Norwegian Cruise Line fell 5.86%, Carnival fell 5.40%, and Royal Caribbean fell 1.86%.
The largest nursing union in the US, National Nurses United (NNU), is sounding the alarm about the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare. In April, the union’s affiliate California Nurses Association (CNA) protested an AI conference helmed by managed care consortium Kaiser Permanente. Like workers in other sectors who are worried about AI encroachment, the nurses fear that the tech is contributing to the devaluation of their skills amid what they say is already a “chronic” understaffing crisis, nurses reported in an NNU survey of 2,300 registered nurses and members in early 2024.
Posted on July 1, 2024 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™
MEDICAL EXECUTIVE-POST–TODAY’SNEWSLETTERBRIEFING
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Essays, Opinions and Curated News in Health Economics, Investing, Business, Management and Financial Planning for Physician Entrepreneurs and their Savvy Advisors and Consultants
“Serving Almost One Million Doctors, Financial Advisors and Medical Management Consultants Daily“
A Partner of the Institute of Medical Business Advisors , Inc.
If you can believe it, Friday was the final trading day of the first half of 2024. It might be a good time to reflect on your New Year’s resolutions to see how you’re measuring up halfway through the year.
Dogs of the Dow: The 139-year-old index has never looked more its age, with components Nike, Intel, and Boeing all down more than 30% in 2024. The Dow has gained less than 4% this year.
But, the S&P 500 gained a sublime 15% in H1, and Nvidia alone was responsible for more than a third of that gain. The maker of AI chips surged ~150% since Jan. 1st to become the most valuable company in the USA at one point.
Going into 2024, investors were expecting the Fed to cut interest rates six times. There hasn’t been a single rate cut yet, but that hasn’t stopped the S&P from notching 31 all-time closing highs, good for the second-best tally of records this century. Stocks have overcome the Fed’s delay thanks to strong earnings, a sturdy economy, and AI fever.
Commodities soar and a currency plummets. Cocoa boomed nearly 85% over shortage concerns. Gold hit a record high last month. The Japanese yen has slumped to a 38-year low against the US dollar.
Bitcoin got a boost from new ETFs, but it’s getting boring.
Posted on June 29, 2024 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™
MEDICAL EXECUTIVE-POST–TODAY’SNEWSLETTERBRIEFING
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Essays, Opinions and Curated News in Health Economics, Investing, Business, Management and Financial Planning for Physician Entrepreneurs and their Savvy Advisors and Consultants
“Serving Almost One Million Doctors, Financial Advisors and Medical Management Consultants Daily“
A Partner of the Institute of Medical Business Advisors , Inc.
In an interview with the Wall Street Journal, CEO Tim Wentworth said the pharmacy chain Walgreens will shutter a significant share of its 8,600 locations in the US. The closures are part of a broader attempt to boost the ailing company, which also includes reducing its stake in the primary care business VillageMD. Wentworth said the company can reassign most employees instead of conducting layoffs. Shares cratered yesterday after Walgreens whiffed on Wall Street’s earnings projections due to weak consumer spending.
And, read how some counties reduced opioid overdose deaths during the pandemic. (Politico)
Oliveda International, which makes beauty products from olive oil, rose 38.33% for no apparent reason. Maybe people just really like the feel of extra virgin olive oil on their skin?
Infinera popped 16.38% after Nokia announced it would acquire the telecommunications hardware manufacturer for $2.3 billion.
Synchrony Financial rose 6.17% after a Baird analyst initiated coverage of the financial services company with an outperform rating.
Regional banking stocks rose on the hopes that a good PCE reading means a better chance of the Fed cutting rates soon. RegionsFinancial rose 3.83%, while CitizensFinancialGroup rose 3.16%.
What’s down
Trump Media & Technology Group fell 18.09%, despite initially popping this morning after the first presidential debate.
Accolade bombed 44.29% after the health tech company reported decent earnings but revealed lower guidance for the year ahead than Wall Street expected.
Kura Sushi USA, which is in fact a publicly traded sushi company, plummeted 24.04% due to worse-than-expected earnings, as well as poor full-year guidance.
A late round of selling in the Treasury market sent yields to fresh highs as the day ended so here’s where the major benchmarks ended:
The S&P 500® index (SPX) dipped 22.39 points (0.41%) to 5,460.48; the Dow Jones Industrial Average® ($DJI) fell 45.20 points (0.12%) to 39,118.86; the NASDAQ Composite® ($COMP) lost 126.08 points (0.71%) to 17,732.6.
The 10-year Treasury note yield climbed nine basis points to 4.38%.
The CBOE Volatility Index® (VIX) moved up slightly to 12.43.
Nearly 200 people have been charged for their roles in various health care fraud schemes across the U.S. that federal authorities say amounted to over $2.7 billion in intended losses, the Justice Department announced. Attorney General Merrick Garland said charges against 193 people, including 76 doctors, nurse practitioners, and other licensed medical professionals in 32 different federal districts. The defendants were charged over a two-week sweep involving numerous law enforcement agencies nationwide, resulting in the seizure of more than “$231 million in cash, luxury vehicles, gold, and other assets,” according to Garland.
“The informed voice of a new generation of fiduciary advisors for healthcare”
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Like market research analysts, financial analysts, personal financial advisors, and other jobs in personal finance that require manipulating significant amounts of numerical data can be affected by Artificial Intelligence, Mark Muro, a researcher at The Brookings Institute, said recently.
“AI can identify trends in the market, highlight what investments in a portfolio are doing better and worse, communicate all that, and then use various other forms of data by, say, a financial company to forecast a better investment mix.”
These analysts make a lot of money, he said, but parts of their jobs are auto-matable.
Several years ago a group of highly trusted and deeply experienced financial services professionals and estate planners noted that far too many of their physician clients, using traditional stock brokers, management consultants and financial advisors, seemed to be less successful than those who went it alone. These Do-it-Yourselfers [DIYs] had setbacks and made mistakes, for sure. But, the ME Inc. doctors seemed to learn from their mistakes and did not incur the high management and service fees demanded from general or retail one-size-fits-all “advisors.“
”In fact, an informal inverse relationship was noted, and dubbed the “Doctor Effect.” In others words, the more consultants an individual doctor retained; the less well they did in all disciplines of the financial planning and medical practice management, continuum.
Of course, the reason for this discrepancy eluded many of them as Wall Street brokerages and wire-houses flooded the media with messages, infomercials, print, radio, TV, texts, tweets, and internet ads to the contrary. Rather than self-learn the basics, the prevailing sentiment seemed to purse the holy grail of finding the “perfect financial advisor.” This realization was a confirmation of the industry culture which seemed to be: Bread for the advisor – Crumbs for the client!
And so, at D.E. Marcinko & Associates, our informed cadre’ of technology focused and highly educated doctors, nurses, financial advisors, attorneys, accountants, psychologists and educational visionaries decided there must be a better way for their healthcare colleagues to receive financial planning advice and related management services within a culture of fiduciary responsibility.
Posted on June 25, 2024 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™
By Staff Reporters
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Casey McIntyre, a 38-year-old book publisher and mother of one, helped wipe out more than $30 million in unpaid medical bills for other people…without being alive to see it. McIntyre’s husband posted a message on her behalf after she died of ovarian cancer last year, asking people to participate in a “debt jubilee” that pays off the medical bills of others. The response has been overwhelming:
As of recently, the nonprofit RIP Medical Debt has received more than $300,000 in donations through McIntyre’s campaign. The organization relieves $10,000 of medical debt for every $100
Posted on June 24, 2024 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™
Fake savings bond scheme leads to $50M in losses and issues for legitimate savers
By Staff Reporters
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Authorities claimed that $1 million in counterfeit savings bonds showed up at South Texas banks as part of one crackdown on a scheme to steal money by cashing phony savings bonds, including inflation-indexed or I Bonds, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas.
Posted on June 23, 2024 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™
By Staff Reporters
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President Joe Biden is cracking down on what the White House calls “junk” health insurance plans – namely, less-robust and short-term coverage that the Trump administration expanded as a cheaper alternative to Obamacare AHA plans.
Biden announced a draft regulation which, once finalized, would limit temporary plans to four months instead of the current three-year maximum. It would also require more disclosure on coverage limits.
“This rule would help make these plans fairer and help ensure that consumers know what they’re getting when they sign up for insurance,” said White House domestic policy advisor Neera Tanden. “When they don’t know what they’re getting and get these gigantic bills, they can feel like it’s a scam.”
The president also announced new guidance on medical billing stemming from 2020’s No Surprises Act. The guidance would limit the ability of insurers that contract with hospitals to claim provided care was not in network and have customers pay more money. Health plans also would need to disclose facility fees that are increasingly charged to patients and can surface as an unexpected cost in a medical bill.
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