FLUSHOT: From UCare via Facebook, VERBATIM: “After you pick up your UCare bag, take your 5-seat bike #selfie, and learn about UCare health plans, get your #FluShot at the Health Fair 11 building, corner of Dan Patch and Cooper. Our SVP Ghitiann Worcester did!” SEE: http://bit.ly/349ikx1 (SPONSORED: UCare)
SCREENINGS: From St. Croix Hospice via PRNewswire, VERBATIM: “St. Croix Hospice is proud to be making our inaugural appearance at the Minnesota State Fair, partnering with Bluestone Physician Services to offer free memory loss screenings in the HealthFair11 building.” READ: https://prn.to/2UdnPpS
RX: “Having trouble affording your insulin or other medicines? Our Medicine Assistance Tool connects patients with over 900 resources that could help. Learn more at: www.MAT.org. (SPONSORED: PhRMA)
SIGNUP: Now signing up for Fluence tip sheets is easy and can be found at one site, www.fluence-newsletters.com - VISIT: http://bit.ly/2019FluenceTipSheets
MEDMAR: Via Minnesota Department of Health, VERBATIM: “The Commissioner of the Department of Health has authority to add qualifying medical conditions to the list of qualifying medical conditions and allowable delivery methods . . . If the commissioner approves adding the petitioned condition, the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative policy committees having jurisdiction over health and public safety must also receive proper notice. If the legislature does not provide otherwise by law, MDH will publish the addition in the State Register and on the department’s medical cannabis website, with an effective date of August 1st. For consideration in 2019, MDH has accepted two petitions, age-related macular degeneration and chronic pain. Written public comments will be accepted through October 20, 2019.” PETITIONS: http://bit.ly/2UdHAxo
HANDSFREE: The hands-free cell phone driving law is now in effect. “Lives will be saved, families kept whole and preventable tragedies will not happen,” said Mike Hanson, Office of Traffic Safety director. The "one touch" cell phone law has no grace period, and fines can be more than $120 for a first offense and more than $300 after that (includes fine and courts costs). Visit HandsFreeMN.org for more info DEEPER: http://strib.mn/33eCR2B (SPONSORED: Minnesota Department of Public Safety)
HEPATITISA: Via Minnesota Department of Health, the number of Hepatitis A cases in the state reached 26 Friday, with the largest number in Pine and St. Louis counties. MAP: http://bit.ly/2UgegGs
MEASLES: From Elizabeth Cohen via CNN, VERBATIM: “There's a ‘reasonable chance’ the United States will lose its measles elimination status in October because of ongoing measles outbreaks in New York, according to Dr. Nancy Messonnier, director of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases. ‘It certainly is incredibly frustrating and upsetting to the public health community that we may lose measles elimination status, because we do have a safe and effective vaccine,’ Messonnier said. When the World Health Organization declared in 2000 that the United States had eliminated measles, it was hailed as one of the biggest public health achievements in the nation's history. Losing that elimination status would be a black eye to the United States, public health experts said.” READ: https://cnn.it/34cAca2
PINTEREST: From Elizabeth Culliford via Reuters, VERBATIM: “Pinterest Inc users searching for vaccine-related information will be shown results from leading public health groups, in an effort to combat health misinformation on the site, the social media company said in a blog post on Wednesday. The move is an aggressive effort to moderate content by the newly public social media company. Social media platforms have been increasingly under fire for promoting misleading and incorrect content, including by opponents of vaccination.” READ: https://reut.rs/2Ud4jKb
C-SECTION: From Andrew Whitehouse via Newsweek, VERBATIM: “A new study that combines data from over 20 million births has found that a Cesarean section delivery is associated with autism spectrum disorder (autism) and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). However, the study does not indicate that Cesarean section deliveries cause autism or ADHD. The truth is much more difficult to decipher, and provides an excellent case study for the old adage that correlation doesn't equal causation . . . The associations were scientifically robust, but very small. Children delivered via Cesarean section were 1.33 times more likely to be diagnosed with autism and 1.17 times more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD. When the prevalence of these conditions is already relatively low (around 1 percent for autism, and 7 percent for ADHD), this increase in odds is not substantial.” READ: http://bit.ly/34ciwLJ
DRUGPRICES: From Matthew Perrone via Associated Press, VERBATIM: “It’s the No. 1 reason patients don’t fill their prescriptions: sticker shock. While the price of almost any good or service can be found online, most Americans don’t know what they’ll owe for a prescription medication until they get it. Unexpected costs contribute to the estimated 20 to 30 percent of prescriptions that are never filled, which can lead to health problems from untreated medical conditions . . . The fix sounds simple: Give doctors information on patients’ costs before they write prescriptions. But companies have yet to design a system that can quickly analyze all the factors that determine what someone will owe. The effort will soon get a push from the nation’s biggest health care customer: the federal government. Under a Medicare rule, companies with prescription drug plans for seniors must offer real-time pricing information by 2021.” READ: http://bit.ly/34cg48g
DOCPAY: From Jeff Lagasse via Healthcare Finance, VERBATIM: “Physician compensation increased in 2018, while changes in work relative value unit, or wRVU, productivity remained low, according to data from the American Medical Group Association's 2019 Medical Group Compensation and Productivity Survey. The survey, conducted by AMGA's subsidiary, AMGA Consulting, found that overall physician compensation increased by a median of 2.92%, compared to a 0.89% increase the previous year. Productivity increased by 0.29%, compared to a 1.63% decline in 2017. Compensation per wRVU ratio increased of 3.64%, compared to a 3.09% increase the previous year.” READ: http://bit.ly/2UgiSfK
GREATERMN: From Farmfest, the second Fluence Forum includes 9 commissioners from multiple state agencies discussing the intersection between agriculture and issues related to Greater Minnesota. The discussion will be broadcast at 6PM on Wednesday on WCCO Radio. This Fluence Forum is sponsored by Minnesota’s Corn Growers. LISTEN: http://bit.ly/FluenceForum2 (SPONSORED: MN Corn Growers)
CONTAMINATED: From Matthew Perrone via Associated Press, VERBATIM: “U.S. health officials on Wednesday tried to reassure patients that they face very low risks from ongoing contamination problems with widely prescribed blood pressure drugs. Drugmakers have issued more than 50 recalls since last July linked to low levels of a probable cancer-causing chemical found in generic drugs taken by millions of Americans. The contamination underscores the Food and Drug Administration's struggle to police an industry that increasingly relies on overseas manufacturing plants in China and India. On Wednesday, an FDA official said the actual risk to patients from the tainted medications is likely lower than originally stated.” READ: http://bit.ly/34cp9O8
SIDEEFFECTS: From Rebecca Spalding and Anna Edney via Bloomberg, VERBATIM: “Drugs that treat hepatitis C, whose high prices have previously sparked outrage, can in rare instances cause liver failure and other complications, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said. The FDA said it had received reports that drugs made by Gilead Sciences Inc., AbbVie Inc. and Merck & Co. can in some cases lead to worsening liver function in patients who already had moderate or severe liver damage, according to a statement Wednesday. The agency said the drugs remain safe for patients with mild liver disease.” READ: https://bloom.bg/34czfP0
ANTIDEPRESSANTS: From Andrea Petersen via The Wall Street Journal, VERBATIM: “How long is too long to be on antidepressants? More Americans are taking antidepressant medications like Prozac and Zoloft for extended periods of time: One-quarter of people on the drugs have used them for a decade or more, according to data from the National Center for Health Statistics. But even the longest rigorous studies of antidepressants’ safety and efficacy have followed patients for only a couple of years. Now, there’s a growing concern among health professionals that some people who are taking the drugs long-term shouldn’t be—needlessly subjecting themselves to side effects and potential health risks . . . People who used antidepressants had a 14% higher risk of heart attacks and strokes and a 33% greater risk of death, according to findings in a meta-analysis of 17 studies that was published in 2017 in the journal Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics.” READ: https://on.wsj.com/348fpVf
LE: From Minneapolis-based Life Epigenetics via PRNewswire, VERBATIM: “Life Epigenetics, LLC a subsidiary of GWG Holdings, Inc. today announced the release of two Python open source software packages to epigenetics researchers worldwide. This software will facilitate scientific breakthroughs by accelerating and simplifying the processing of complex epigenetic data that researchers use to advance their understanding of this rapidly evolving science. Essentially, the software enables automation of the analysis of epigenetic data from Illumina arrays that measure DNA modifications – specifically, adding or removing methyl groups – which are altered in response to human behavior and biological processes.” READ/INFOGRAPHIC: https://prn.to/34bKJCH
MEDICARE: From Jeff Lagasse via Healthcare Finance, VERBATIM: “For the first time in a decade, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has launched a modernized and redesigned Medicare Plan Finder. The Medicare Plan Finder, the most used tool on Medicare.gov, allows users to shop and compare Medicare Advantage and Part D plans . . . In 2019, CMS added nearly 600 Medicare Advantage plans, with average premiums declining to their lowest levels in 6 years. Over the past three years, average Part D basic premiums have decreased by 13.5 percent, from $34.70 in 2017 to a projected $30 in 2020, saving beneficiaries about $1.9 billion in premium costs over that time. The redesigned Medicare Plan Finder will make it easier for beneficiaries to see these changes, and to compare pricing between Original Medicare, Medicare prescription drug plans, Medicare Advantage plans, and Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) policies.” READ: http://bit.ly/2UdiIGd
MORE: Via Medicare.gov, the new Plan Finder. SEE: http://bit.ly/2UgCAbs
INTERPRETERS: Form Amr Alfiky via Associated Press, VERBATIM: “Without translation services, Zuroweste said, there are likely to be misunderstandings that result in medical mishaps, mistreatment and avoidable health care costs. Nevertheless, the Trump administration intends to relax an Obama-era federal rule requiring that medical providers let patients know about their right to language interpretation services — and for people with disabilities, communication assistance such as qualified sign language interpreters or written information in alternative formats for the visually impaired. The administration insists that the current requirements are onerous and costly for providers. The change could have far-reaching effects: More than 27 million U.S. residents speak English less than “very well” or not at all, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.” READ: http://bit.ly/2UdFihM
If you like podcasts, listen to Beers with Blois...http://bit.ly/BWBLISTEN
CRAIG: On the next Beers with Blois, Rep. Angie Craig drinks a local IPA with Blois and discusses what constituents are concerned about as she represents a district that President Donald Trump won in 2016, but Craig won in 2018. Talking about her plans for 2020, Craig shares how she’s approached meeting with lobbyists, what farmers have been telling her, and her work with Rep. Pete Stauber. LISTEN: http://bit.ly/beerswblois14
QUALLS: In the latest Beers with Blois, Republican challenger in Minnesota's Third Congressional District Kendall Qualls sits down at the Rock Elm Tavern in Plymouth for a cold one. Qualls discusses why he decided to run for Congress, issues he thinks he can make a difference on and where he thinks Rep. Dean Phillips hasn't delivered. LISTEN: http://bit.ly/BeerswBlois13 (Sponsored by Minnesota Corn Growers and the North Central States Carpenters Union)
CARTER: At the Allianz Field Beer Hall, Mayor Melvin Carter shares his priorities for St. Paul neighborhoods and residents. From major redevelopment opportunities on the riverfront, the Ford Plant and in Midway to what he’s learned during ride-alongs with police in the city. LISTEN: http://bit.ly/2Ytdprr
HAGEDORN: From Beers with Blois over some different Schell’s brewed beers at Crooked Pint in Fairbault, Rep. Jim Hagedorn joins Blois to discuss how Chinese trade has impacted the first district, his support of President Donald Trump, and what businesses and the agriculture community is concerned about as he travels the first district. LISTEN: http://bit.ly/BeerswBlois11 (Sponsored by Minnesota Corn Growers and the North Central States Carpenters Union)
DULUTH: In episode #10 of Beers with Blois, from Hoops Brewing in Canal Park, Duluth Mayor Emily Larson discusses how Duluth residents voted for higher taxes for infrastructure with over 70 percent of the vote, what the city is doing to address making housing more accessible, and why she’s taking the lead on pushing the EPA to study hydrogen fluoride after a refinery explosion in Superior, WI. LISTEN: http://bit.ly/BeerswBlois10 (Sponsored by Minnesota Corn Growers and the North Central States Carpenters Union)
BENSON: In episode #9 of Beers with Blois, from Invectis Brewery in Blaine, Beers with Blois catches up with State Sen. Michelle Benson on potential ways to split-up DHS and forthcoming prescription drug reform legislation. She shares the perspective on how physicians in the Senate influence legislation and what her plan is for re-election in 2020. LISTEN: http://bit.ly/BeerswBlois9
(Sponsored by Minnesota Corn Growers and the North Central States Carpenters Union)
VAPING: From Jayne O’Donnell and Ken Alltucker via USA Today, VERBATIM: “Federal health officials are under fire for their unclear public warnings after one death and nearly 200 cases of vaping-related lung illnesses, which some say are related to the far riskier practice of vaping marijuana oil rather than nicotine. Some state health department and news reports suggest many of the cases of lung problems involve tetrahydrocannabinol, known as THC, the chemical in marijuana that causes psychological effects. Boston University public health professor Michael Siegel said the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is being ‘unnecessarily vague’ about describing the injuries as simply vaping-related when many people might have been injured by vaping THC oil . . . The CDC, the Food and Drug Administration and state health agencies say they are completing the painstaking work of tracing common factors that may have triggered the spate of vaping-related lung illnesses mainly harming young adults.” READ: http://bit.ly/346pYYR
IDCHECK: From Jennifer Maloney via The Wall Street Journal, VERBATIM: “E-cigarette startup Juul Labs Inc., facing blame for a surge in teenage vaping, is offering more than $100 million in incentives to retailers to install a new electronic age-verification system intended to curb illegal sales to minors. The modification to point-of-sale software blocks each Juul purchase until the shopper’s driver’s license or other government identification has been scanned. It also limits each purchase to a maximum of one vaporizer and four refill packs. So far, Juul said, Cumberland Farms Inc., QuikTrip Corp. and other chains representing 40,000 outlets have agreed to adopt the system.” READ: https://on.wsj.com/2UfZqQD
ESSENTIA: From Kelly Busche via Duluth News Tribune, VERBATIM: “The first step in constructing Essentia Health's Vision Northland — an $800 million development in downtown Duluth — is slated to start Monday, Sept. 9. The three-year project will bring a new 14-story hospital bed tower, larger surgical suites and clinic space, as well as road closures and restricted access to building entrances when construction gets underway, according to a news release from Essentia.” READ/RENDERING: http://bit.ly/2UbMeMk
CHILDRENSMN: From Children’s Minnesota via PRNewswire, VERBATIM: “On Monday, Children's Minnesota celebrated the grand opening of a new primary care clinic in West Saint Paul, to give families in Dakota County better access to well-child exams, immunizations, and pediatric care for ongoing or chronic health conditions. The 7,000-square-foot facility, located at 963 South Robert Street, replaces the clinic on Livingston, which closed on August 23. The new West St. Paul clinic has 15 exam rooms, onsite diagnostic x-ray capabilities, behavioral health services and a full-time Spanish interpreter.” READ: https://prn.to/2UjcYea
STRETCH: From UCare via Facebook from the Minnesota State Fair, VERBATIM: “We’re stretching it out at today’s UCare Stretch & Stroll. Say hey to WCCO Radio’s Dave Lee and UCare President & CEO Mark Traynor.” WATCH: http://bit.ly/34azZo0 (SPONSORED: UCare)
MEDTRONIC: From Brad Perriello via Mass Device, VERBATIM: “Omar Ishrak used a series of M&A moves and focus on global markets and value-based care to transform Medtronic (NYSE:MDT) into the world’s largest medical device business in less than a decade. Ishrak is preparing to retire from the corner office next year ahead of the medtech giant’s mandatory retirement age, to be replaced my longtime lieutenant Geoff Martha. Hired in May 2011, Ishrak doubled annual revenues and added $100 billion to Medtronic’s market cap, according to lead director and Textron CEO Scott Donnelly.” READ: http://bit.ly/2UgApEO
STATINS: From Vivien Williams via Mayo Clinic News Network, VERBATIM: “Statins are medications designed to lower cholesterol to decrease your risk of cardiovascular issues, such as heart attacks. Recent research shows that people 75 and older who go off statins have an increased risk of hospitalization because of cardiovascular problems. Dr. Francisco Lopez-Jimenez, a Mayo Clinic cardiologist, says that many older people who take statins should stay on them.” WATCH: https://mayocl.in/348KnN1
6,000+: Over 6,000 people have downloaded the Fluence Forum, an hour-long deep dive a critical issue of our community. The topic of the first one was the Enbridge Line 3 Replacement. Joined by labor, business and Native community leaders we discussed the impact the $2.6 billion project will have on Minnesota. You can listen to the forum here. LISTEN: http://bit.ly/2PIjBUR
NEXT: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
CHS: Via Crookston Times, VERBATIM: “CHS Ag Services, based out of Warren, Minnesota, has announced a $2,000 grant to the Northwestern Mental Health Center. This money will be used to help with a mental health and suicide prevention awareness campaign through the H.O.P.E. Coalition. The H.O.P.E. Coalition is a group of community members including healthcare workers, Chamber of Commerce members, law enforcement, civic groups, faith-based groups and people with lived experience of suicide. This coalition is focused on Help, Outreach, Prevention and Education for suicide prevention . . . The Warren-based retail business delivers agronomy and energy products and services to Minnesota and North Dakota ag producers and other customers from 21 locations. It is part of CHS Inc., a leading global agribusiness owned by farmers, ranchers and cooperatives across the United States.” READ: http://bit.ly/2UcJwq9
CHEERS: Rep. Tom Emmer sits down with host Blois Olson and talks about his hobby of brewing beer and his beer tracking app, Rep. Ilhan Omar’s relationship with the Minnesota delegation and on Congress failure of doing its job since the 1990’s because of a lack of leadership. He also had a few things to say about hockey parents and what people are think about Trump in his district.” LISTEN: http://bit.ly/2WT4euR (Sponsored by Minnesota Corn Growers and the North Central States Carpenters Union)
iTunes: Beers with Blois is now on iTunes, SUBSCRIBE: https://apple.co/2Mi3q2o
WHITEHOUSE: via Beers with Blois, Rep. Dean Phillips VERBATIM: “That hour I spent in the White House Situation Room with the President was eye opening." In addition, Phillips shares insights on how they share thoughts this weekend in the Problem Solvers Caucus trip to the border, as well as his plans for 2020.” LISTEN: http://bit.ly/BeerswBlois8 (Sponsored by Minnesota Corn Growers and the North Central States Carpenters Union)
NEU: The Lindstrom Bakery and Deputy House Minority Leader Anne Neu joins Blois to discuss Gov. Tim Walz role in the budget negotiations, Trump’s influence in the 2020 elections and how Minnesota DFLers are starting to look like DC Democrats on “radical” proposals. LISTEN: http://bit.ly/BeerswBlois5 (Sponsored by Minnesota Corn Growers and the North Central States Carpenters Union)
FREY: Using some blue language Mayor Jacob Frey introduces Blois to actual beer at La Doña, a cervezaria near where the Minnesota United Soccer stadium was going to be. Frey on his relationship with Chief Medaria Arradondo and how often they talk on the phone. LISTEN: http://bit.ly/BeerswBlois4 (Sponsored by Minnesota Corn Growers and the North Central States Carpenters Union)
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POT: via news advisory, VERBATIM: “On Thursday, August 29, Majority Leader Ryan Winkler will host a statewide "Community Conversations on Cannabis" kickoff outside the Farmers Union at the State Fair. He will distribute “Be Heard on Cannabis” cowbells to fairgoers to encourage Minnesotans to join the conversation on how to legalize and regulate cannabis for adult use. Speakers include Rep. Ryan Winkler, Sen. Kari Dziedzic, Rep. Rena Moran, Minnesota Veterans for Cannabis founder Jeremy Sankey, and Policy Director for ACLU-MN Julia Decker.”
OPIOIDS: via Tom Hauser at KSTP, VERBATIM: “Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison says a ruling against an opioid manufacturer in Oklahoma doesn't guarantee a Minnesota lawsuit will have a similar result, but it does make him more optimistic. ELLISON: "I was quite pleased with that outcome because in many ways it's a test case for us," Ellison told 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS Tuesday afternoon. "You know Oklahoma filed a claim for nuisance. We have a claim against the Sackler family and Purdue Pharma also for nuisance, but other counts as well. But you know this is an example of a case going before a judge and both sides putting the facts in front of that same judge and that judge finding for the State of Oklahoma. So my view, it's good news." WATCH/READ: http://bit.ly/2Zsi4FS
POT: via Fox 9, VEBRATIM: “Public health officials who failed to slow teenage vaping shouldn’t make another mistake by allowing marijuana to be legalized, U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams said Tuesday during a speech in Minneapolis… Later, he veered into his concerns about marijuana. Adams compared claims of improved health outcomes to similar assertions about tobacco use before the 1960s. ADAMS: “I’m going to get in trouble over here, I really am,” Adams said. “People want to talk about social justice. I’ve got to tell you, we already have a liquor store and a smoke shop on every corner in every minority community. I don’t see how adding a marijuana dispensary to that is going to make it better.” READ: http://bit.ly/2HtXoHj
GAZELKA: via WCCO Radio with Dave Lee, on DHS, VERBATIM: “It’s been a never ending saga. You can point to the Governor, I don’t think that would be fair. DHS is a bigger problem. Everywhere you look they have another problem, My hope is that the Governor and I can put our heads together and figure it out. INSULIN: If we can agree to shared funding for the emergency insulin issue, I would be open to a special session.” LISTEN: http://bit.ly/2MHt8x0
WALZ: via WCCO Radio with Chad Hartman, starting at 15:00…TURNOVER: If people aren’t getting it right, we need to make changes. HARTMAN: Is it too big? WALZ: Yes…I think a $19 billion agency with 7,000 people delivering on complex medical rules that are coming from DC, I don’t know how we can expect one person in a very narrow and vertical chain of command can deliver it. At first blush I think it’s too big and too unruly. LISTEN: http://bit.ly/2HvQTDX
ZERWAS: via news release from Rep. Nick Zerwas, VERBATIM: “State Representative Nick Zerwas, R-Elk River, sent a letter to Governor Tim WalzTuesday requesting an independent forensic audit of current spending at the Department of Human Services. The request follows a Pioneer Press report Monday evening that the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) will need to reimburse the federal government $48 million as a result of improper payments to institutions for mental disease. The $48 million figure is in addition to $25 million in overpayments to two Minnesota tribal nations. Rep. Deb Kiel, R-Crookston, House Republican Lead on the Health and Human Services Policy Division, also signed onto the letter…Taken together, these two instances alone will cost Minnesota taxpayers $73 million. QUOTE: “The dysfunction at DHS has reached a fever-pitch with news coming almost daily about resignations, improper payments, or cultural problems within the agency,” said Zerwas. “With Speaker Hortman’s unwillingness to engage in any meaningful oversight efforts, and the Administration’s refusal to be forthcoming about the countless issues at DHS, it is clear that the only path forward is an independent audit of DHS spending.”..In the mold of the Independent Expert Review of MNLARS completed on behalf of the Governor’s Blue Ribbon Council on Information Technology, Zerwas is requesting that the Administration commission a full independent forensic audit of current DHS spending.” LETTER: http://bit.ly/2U7tHkx
AIRAMBULANCE: via the Rochester Post Bulletin, VERBATIM: “Minnesotans that break a leg while skiing, go into labor or get into a bad car crash can expect to see emergency air transport become a more central part of their health care experience in rural areas as hospitals consolidate or close…And state lawmakers are hoping to shed light on the prices for those rides, which can exceed $10,000 in some cases…Rep. John Huot, D-Rosemount, said he wants the air ambulance companies to be transparent about their prices to avoid price-gouging patients. On Tuesday, Aug. 27, he held a meeting with fellow lawmakers and air ambulance executives to assess what it would mean for them to make public some of their pricing information.” READ: http://bit.ly/2zrmnXu
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PATTERSON: Via Associated Press, VERBATIM: “(St. Paul-based) Patterson Cos. (PDCO) on Thursday reported fiscal first-quarter net income of $30 million, after reporting a loss in the same period a year earlier. On a per-share basis, the St Paul, Minnesota-based company said it had net income of 32 cents. Earnings, adjusted for one-time gains and costs, came to 27 cents per share. The results topped Wall Street expectations. The average estimate of seven analysts surveyed by Zacks Investment Research was for earnings of 25 cents per share.” READ: https://yhoo.it/2UgaVr8
VIREO: From Minneapolis-based Vireo Health via PRNewswire, VERBATIM: “Vireo Health International, Inc. (CNSX: VREO; OTCQX: VREOF), a leading science-focused, multi-state cannabis company with operations in 10 states and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, today reported financial results for its second quarter ended June 30, 2019 . . . The Company generated operating revenue in six states during the second quarter of 2019: Arizona, Maryland, Minnesota, New Mexico, New York, and Pennsylvania. Total revenue for Q2 2019 increased 70 percent to $7.2 million versus Q2 2018. Net loss for Q2 2019 was approximately $1.9 million, as compared to net income of $120,080 in the prior year quarter.” READ: https://prn.to/348Z16N
3M: Via Environmental Working Group, new documents the organization says highlight 3M’s previous knowledge of the danger of PFAS chemicals. VERBATIM: “As far back as 1950, studies conducted by 3M showed that the family of toxic fluorinated chemicals now known as PFAS could build up in our blood. By the 1960s, animal studies conducted by 3M and DuPont revealed that PFAS chemicals could pose health risks. But the companies kept the studies secret from their employees and the public for decades.” SEE: http://bit.ly/348g5Km
MORE: The Star Tribune’s Jim Spencer has a response from 3M arguing the documents “portray an incomplete and misleading story that distorts the full record.” READ: http://strib.mn/345EeRT
HURRICANE: From UnitedHealthcare via Business Wire, VERBATIM: “UnitedHealthcare and Optum, the health benefits and services companies of UnitedHealth Group (UNH), are taking action to help people who may be affected by Tropical Storm Dorian, which is expected to make landfall later this week. Support includes assisting health plan participants who may need to make alternate arrangements to access care and early prescription refills, as well as offering a free emotional-support line to help people who might be affected.” READ: https://yhoo.it/344mmGZ
MEDTRONIC: From Brad Perriello via Mass Device, VERBATIM: “Medtronic said today that executive vice president Geoff Martha is slated to succeed Omar Ishrak as CEO next year, ahead of the medtech giant’s mandatory retirement age. Ishrak is slated to assume the newly created executive chairman role April 27, 2020, the Fridley, Minn.-based company said, providing ‘counsel and guidance to Medtronic’s leadership, oversee CEO succession, and drive the ongoing successful execution of Medtronic’s long-term strategic plan.’ Martha, currently EVP for restorative therapies, was promoted to president and given a seat on the board, effective Nov. 1, with brain therapies president Brett Wall named to succeed him.” READ: http://bit.ly/340XNe1
MAYO: From Ayla Ellison via Becker’s Hospital Review, VERBATIM: “Rochester, Minn.-based Mayo Clinic reported higher revenue and operating income in the second quarter of 2019 than in the same period a year earlier, according to unaudited financial documents. Mayo Clinic's revenue totaled $3.4 billion in the second quarter of 2019, up 9.6 percent from the second quarter of 2018. The health system said its second quarter revenue was up year over year in several markets, including Rochester, Arizona and Florida.” READ: http://bit.ly/348nVn1
ELECTROMED: From New Prague-based Electromed via Business Wire, VERBATIM: “Electromed, Inc. (NYSE American: ELMD), a leader in innovative airway clearance technologies, today announced financial results for the three months ended June 30, 2019 (Q4 FY 2019) . . . Net revenue increased 9.3% to $8.6 million from $7.9 million during the three months ended June 30, 2018 (Q4 FY 2018). Operating income grew 17.5% to $1.5 million, from $1.3 million in Q4 FY 2018, notwithstanding the recognition of a refund of a medical device excise tax in the prior year quarter that increased Q4 FY 2018 operating income by $406,000 and higher current year depreciation and amortization expense of $117,000 due to our decision to terminate a lease of office space, requiring us to accelerate the leasehold amortization associated with the property.” READ: https://yhoo.it/343MSA8
NURSES: Via Minnesota Nurses Association, VERBATIM: “Essentia Health nurses have scheduled September 10 to vote to ratify the tentative agreement reached between the hospital company and the Minnesota Nurses Association. Nurses and hospital negotiators agreed on a new three-year contract on August 21 after three months of talks at the bargaining table. ‘The nurses' negotiating team is recommending our members vote to ratify the agreement,’ said Chris Rubesch, an Essentia nurse and negotiations team member.” READ: http://bit.ly/2U9CTEU (DISCLOSURE: The Minnesota Nurses Association has been a client of Fluence Media in the past)
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