MUSTACHES: From UCare via Facebook, VERBATIM: “These UCare gentlemen put down their razors in November & grew a mo to save a bro. There's more to the story - they have a friendly competition for the best design before they shave it off. Who will win the Movember chain prize this year? Give us your vote!” PHOTOS: http://bit.ly/2YdnzJj SPONSORED: UCare)
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
SNOW: Via WDIO-TV, VERBATIM: “Some people still had to work on Sunday, the day after a November blizzard dumped close to two feet of snow in areas across the Northland. One nurse walked two and a half hours in snowshoes to get to St. Luke's because of the road conditions. Rather than getting a taxi or an Uber, Emily Ceglar snowshoed. Ceglar said it was important for her to make it to work not only on time, but early enough to relieve her coworkers of 16-hour long shifts.” CEGLAR: "I just kind of took it all in, meditated in the quiet, and the trees look really pretty at least. I only wiped out one time. Otherwise I was fine." WATCH: http://bit.ly/383TVuA
POLL: From Julie Rovner via Kaiser Health News, VERBATIM: “The one thing we know about health care in the 2020 Democratic presidential primary race is that it’s a top issue for voters. The latest Tracking Poll from the Kaiser Family Foundation found 24% of Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents said they want to hear the candidates discuss health care. That’s twice the total for the next top issue, climate change; and four times the total for immigration, the No. 3 issue . . . On the one hand, Democrats and Democratic-leaning respondents in the KFF poll say when it comes to health care, the candidate they trust most is Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont (who initially pushed a Medicare for All plan). Yet those same people say they prefer a public option (of the sort supported by former Vice President Joe Biden) to Sanders’ Medicare for All plan. That bears out in a separate Quinnipiac poll released last week, in which 36% of respondents say Medicare for All is a good idea while 52% say it is a bad idea.” READ: http://bit.ly/2OIvds5
LOBBYISTS: From Zack Budryk via The Hill, VERBATIM: “Lobbyists were heavily involved in the writing of opinion columns critical of ‘Medicare for All’ by state lawmakers, according to The Washington Post, which cited emails obtained by the newspaper. Montana state Rep. Kathy Kelker (D) and state Sen. Jen Gross (D) both acknowledged in interviews that lobbyist and consultant John MacDonald provided proposed language for their respective columns, according to the Post.” READ: http://bit.ly/2OLMUXW
UNITEDHEALTH: From Berkeley Lovelace Jr. via CNBC, VERBATIM: “UnitedHealth’s stock has ‘caught fire’ due in part to Sen. Elizabeth Warren appearing to ‘back away’ from her ‘Medicare for All’ proposal, CNBC’s Jim Cramer said Monday. Shares of the managed-care company got hammered in September when Warren became the new frontrunner in the crowded 2020 Democratic presidential race. Warren’s platform has called for the elimination of private health insurance, like UnitedHealth, and replacing it with a universal Medicare plan for all Americans. However, Warren said last month that she wouldn’t immediately transfer to a single-payer system. Instead, she would push to pass a bill to allow all Americans to either buy into Medicare or get covered for free through special budget rules. She wouldn’t move to eliminate private insurance until her third year.” READ: https://cnb.cx/2PazrYp
BIAS: From Tom Simonite via Wired, VERBATIM: “In October, a bombshell academic study questioned whether widely used software could cause racial bias in US health care. It found that an algorithm some providers use to prioritize access to extra help with conditions such as diabetes systematically favors white patients’ needs over those of black patients. Democratic presidential candidate and senator Cory Booker (D-New Jersey) and Senate colleague Ron Wyden (D-Oregon) are now demanding answers. On Tuesday, Booker and Wyden released letters to the Federal Trade Commission and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services asking the agencies how they look for and prevent bias in health care algorithms. They asked the FTC to investigate whether decision-making algorithms discriminate against marginalized communities. The lawmakers also wrote to five of the largest health care companies asking about their internal safeguards against bias in their technology . . . The letters were sent to health companies Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Corporation, Humana, Aetna, and UnitedHealth Group.” READ: http://bit.ly/362Q27B
ENROLLMENT: From Susan Morse via Healthcare Finance, VERBATIM: “The number of people signing up for Affordable Care Act plans since November 1 this year compared to 2018 has narrowed to a 2% drop, thanks to a big jump in enrollment during Week 4. During Week 4, from November 17-23, 703,556 people selected plans using Healthcare.gov, compared to 500,437 consumers the year before. The additional 203,119 consumers this week has helped narrow the enrollment gap year-over-year. In total, from November 1-23, 2,372,957 have enrolled, compared to 2,424,913 from November 1-24, 2018, a difference of 51,956 people.” READ: http://bit.ly/2OIJepN
MAYO: From Dana Sparks via Mayo Clinic News Network, VERBATIM: “Early research published in Mayo Clinic Proceedings examines the first case at Mayo Clinic of stem cell therapy tested in humans for spinal cord injury. The case study found stem cell intervention, which took place after standard surgery, and physical and occupational therapy, restored some function in a patient with spinal cord injury.” READ: https://mayocl.in/2OKNdCb
HOUSLEY: Another Beers with Blois, Sen. Karin Housley talks about liquor laws, elder care reform, the decision not to run for the U.S. Senate, and hockey over a beer and a local seltzer from Lift Bridge Brewery in Stillwater. LISTEN: http://bit.ly/323bneK (SPONSORED: MN Corn Growers and North Central Carpenters Union)
MEDMAR: Via Minnesota Department of Health, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) today announced it will add chronic pain and age-related macular degeneration as new qualifying conditions for the state’s medical cannabis program. Under state law, the new conditions will take effect in August 2020. MDH also approved two new delivery methods to give patients more options. The new methods being added are water-soluble cannabinoid multi-particulates (for example, granules, powders and sprinkles) and orally dissolvable products such as lozenges, gums, mints, buccal tablets and sublingual tablets. The program’s two medical cannabis manufacturers will double the number of patient cannabis treatment centers in accordance with legislation passed during the 2019 Minnesota Legislative Session.” READ: http://bit.ly/34PSz4I
REACTION: From Minnesota Medical Solutions via PRNewswire, VERBATIM: “Minnesota Medical Solutions, one of two licensed medical cannabis companies in the State of Minnesota, welcomed the new regulations unveiled by the Minnesota Department of Health Office of Medical Cannabis expanding the State's medical cannabis program. In 2015, MinnMed opened its first four Cannabis Patients Centers located in Bloomington, Minneapolis, Moorhead and Rochester. Next year, thanks to the new regulations, the Company will open four new locations, currently planned for Blaine, Burnsville, Duluth, and Woodbury.” READ: https://prn.to/2sC1LLK
VIREO: Via Minnesota Medical Solutions’ parent company Vireo Health, VERBATIM: “The Company generated operating revenue in seven states during the third quarter of 2019: Arizona, Maryland, Minnesota, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. Total revenue for Q3 2019 increased 62 percent to $8.0 million versus Q3 2018.” READ: http://bit.ly/35Xoznv
QUARTZ: From Nell Greenfieldboyce via National Public Radio, VERBATIM: “Every day, 20 to 30 trucks roll into a factory in Minnesota. They're filled with quartz — some of it like a powder, and some of it like sparkling little pebbles, in big white sacks. ‘It's about 30 million pounds of quartz a month,’ says Marty Davis, the CEO of Cambria, a company that manufactures material for kitchen and bathroom countertops. ‘About a million pounds a day’ . . . If countertop-making businesses don't follow worker protection rules, cutting these slabs to fit customers' kitchens can release lung-damaging silica dust. Natural granite contains silica too, but all of the quartz that goes into engineered stone means that it contains about twice as much. So far, 19 countertop workers in the U.S. are known to have developed severe lung disease after cutting engineered stone along with other stone; two of them died of their illness, and others have been told they will eventually require lung transplants. Manufacturers such as Cambria say that their slabs of composite stone are completely safe when cut and polished with the proper precautions.” LISTEN: https://n.pr/2Rh7qB6
OPIOIDS: From Casey Ross via Stat, VERBATIM: “In the early days of OxyContin, Dr. Richard Sackler, a member of the billionaire family that founded and controls Purdue Pharma, learned about concerns that the potent opioid could lead to abuse in chronic pain patients, and he then proposed executives aggressively push back, according to newly unsealed documents obtained by STAT after a four-year court battle . . . Sackler urged a robust response, writing that the ‘addiction’ objection could be ‘obliterated.’ Specifically, he said executives should consider giving a ‘convincing presentation’ that controlled-release products like OxyContin are ‘less prone to addiction potential, abuse or diversion’ than other opioid pain pills.” READ: http://bit.ly/2YfguI9
VAPING: From Erin Hinrichs via MinnPost, VERBATIM: “As teen vaping rates continue to rise, Minnesota educators are monitoring their classrooms and hallways for well-disguised vaping devices. Some are shaped like USB flash drives that students can charge by plugging them in to their laptop. Others double as pens and highlighters. Some are even less conspicuous: shaped like a smart watch, an ID badge attachment and even a replacement hoodie string . . . In the Forest Lake Area Schools district, J.P. Jacobson, a middle-school principal, says the anti-vaping push has continued to focus on arming students with ‘good information, so they can make a good choice when there’s not an adult right there.’ That means talking about the health implications with students during advisory periods, reaching students in health classes and putting up anti-vaping posters . . . But putting information about the health risks associated with vaping out there isn’t enough. So Jacobson and his colleagues are focusing on strategies they hope will change how students perceive vaping, socially.” READ: http://bit.ly/34JUh7C
LIFEINSURANCE: From Carolyn Cohn, Suzanne Barlyn, and Noor Zainab Hussain via Reuters, VERBATIM: “Global reinsurers are stepping up their warnings to life insurer clients about the potential risks of vaping, putting pressure on underwriters to charge certain vapers higher rates than smokers, or even exclude them altogether . . . Reinsurers insure the insurers, and often have large research arms which help their clients by modeling risk. They give broad advice to insurers, rather than specific policy or pricing recommendations, but can potentially refuse to provide reinsurance or can raise premiums if their guidance is ignored. Most insurers have long treated smokers and vapers the same, meaning they can pay close to double the premiums of non-smokers or non-vapers. But three major reinsurers have provided updated advice on vaping in the past three months, with new warnings, while others are considering their approach.” READ: https://reut.rs/2OJCbgC
HIV: From Jeff Lagasse via Healthcare Finance, VERBATIM: “The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has made it a goal to end the HIV epidemic by 2030, and on Tuesday it announced a new initiative to help to meet that end: The Ready, Set, PrEP program, which will make pre-exposure prophylaxis (or PrEP) medications available at no cost for qualifying patients. PrEP medications, such as Truvada and Descovy, are prescription drugs people take daily to reduce their risk of acquiring HIV through sex, and they work by preventing the HIV virus from taking hold and spreading throughout the body. HHS will initially be covering the costs of dispensing medication, but after March 30, 2020, CVS Health, Walgreens and Rite Aid will be donating their pharmacy dispensing services to the government agency, allowing consumers access to free PrEP medications either in person or via no-cost delivery by mail.” READ: http://bit.ly/2OM5ChY
FAT: Via University of Minnesota, VERBATIM: “Aging is associated with increased inflammation and metabolic disease, including the accumulation of visceral fat — fat stored in the abdominal cavity — which is thought to contribute to inflammation. New research from University of Minnesota faculty member Christina Camell has helped uncover why visceral fat increases with age and points to new treatment possibilities for improving metabolic health.” READ: http://bit.ly/2LiCWLr
PREDIABETES: From Michael Nedelman via CNN, VERBATIM: “Nearly a quarter of young adults and a fifth of adolescents in the United States have prediabetes, according to a study published Monday in the journal JAMA Pediatrics. Prediabetes -- a condition wherein blood sugar levels are elevated, but not high enough to warrant a diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes -- was estimated at 18% among adolescents ages 12 to 18, and 24% among young adults ages 19 to 34. Experts say these numbers have risen over the past decade, putting young people at risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, heart disease and other conditions down the line.” READ: https://cnn.it/33MluW7
MAYO: From Tyler Jensen via Austin Herald, VERBATIM: “As part of ongoing renovations at Mayo Clinic Health System–Austin, a new caesarian section operating room is opening this morning. The new room is larger than the older one, allowing two children to be kept there after their mother has the procedure. This means doctors and nurses can care for twins in the same room, said Dr. Heidi Gaston, Chair of OBGYN services at Austin.” READ/PHOTOS: http://bit.ly/34ObBIS
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)
CHILDREN’S: From Children’s Minnesota via PRNewswire, VERBATIM: “Children's Minnesota Foundation announced today the appointment of Monique DeWolf to its board of directors . . . DeWolf brings extensive health care experience to the board after serving in several high-level positions as a consultant for CentriMag at Abbott Medical, St. Jude Medical and Thoratec Corporation.” READ: https://prn.to/2PccC6D
FLUSHOT: From Jason Howland via Mayo Clinic News Network, VERBATIM: “Every year, millions of people in the U.S. contract the flu. Many people recover from the illness, but some require hospitalizations. And, unfortunately, every year some people die of flu-related complications. Dec. 1-7 is National Influenza Vaccination Week, which highlights the importance of continuing flu vaccination through the holiday season and beyond. Dr. Tina Ardon, a Mayo Clinic family physician, says the flu vaccine is the best defense against seasonal flu, and everyone who is able to get one should do so.” WATCH: https://mayocl.in/34LAmoZ
GUM: From Annie Gasparro and Saabira Chaudhuri via The Wall Street Journal, VERBATIM: “Chewing gum has lost sales to mints, and customers have gravitated to other means of burning nervous energy, like fidget spinners and smartphones, executives and market-research firms say . . . Trying to turn things around, Mondelez and other gum makers are coming up with formulas that they say convey additional benefits. Trouble sleeping? There is a gum for that. Other new chewing gums purport to boost energy, alleviate headaches and stimulate weight loss.” READ: https://on.wsj.com/2DIXEzW
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
SKATING: From Adam Uren via Bring Me the News, VERBATIM: “For the second year in a row, the Mall of America will play host to a large outdoor ice rink this holiday season and winter. The Skate the Star rink debuted outside the megamall's North Entrance in 2018, with money from skate rentals donated to the Boys &Girls Clubs of the Twin Cities . . . The rink's first year was sponsored by UCare, this year it's being sponsored by Medica and TCF Bank.” READ: http://bit.ly/36363KJ
If you like podcasts, listen to Beers with Blois...http://bit.ly/BWBLISTEN
TABKE: Episode #23 of Beers with Blois, from Badger Hill Brewing in Shakopee first-term Rep. Brad Tabke discusses politics in a swing district, surprises in his first term, and transportation. LISTEN: http://bit.ly/beerswBlois23 (SPONSORED: MN Corn Growers and North Central Carpenters Union)
COHEN: From Dual Citizen brewery Sen. Dick Cohen talks about major legislation he's helped pass and current dynamics within the Senate including his challenge from fmr. Rep. Erin Murphy. LISTEN: http://bit.ly/beerswblois22 (SPONSORED: MN Corn Growers and North Central Carpenters Union)
BEERS: Beers with Blois at Utepils with Rep. Jeremy Munson. Munson talks health care, starting a new caucus and his idea for a new bill for elections and open legislative seats. LISTEN: http://bit.ly/BeerswBlois21 (SPONSORED: MN Corn Growers and North Central Carpenters Union)
GAROFALO: State Representative Pat Garofalo talks about a bipartisan idea for legalizing marijuana, a new outline for structuring bonding, and of course, sports betting in Minnesota. LISTEN: http://bit.ly/BeersWBlois20
PRATT: State Sen. Eric Pratt while rumored to be considering a candidacy for Congress against Rep. Angie Craig, Pratt announces he’ll run for re-election to the State Senate. Over a Pacifico, he discusses his leadership on passing bi-partisan wage theft legislation and pushback he received from people in his own party. Pratt discusses how he has approached trying to find a solution on the emergency insulin issue with DFLers. LISTEN: http://bit.ly/BeerswBlois19 (SPONSORED: Minnesota Corn Growers and North Central Carpenters Union )
SMITH: From Wild Minds Ales in South Minneapolis, Sen. Tina Smith talks about the culture of the U.S. Senate and who sits with who at lunch, how her marketing background changes the way she views traveling the state and meeting with people. She also shares early thoughts on her 2020 re-election campaign and what’s she’s learning about new currency on the Financial Services Committee. LISTEN: http://bit.ly/BeerswBlois16 (Sponsored by Minnesota Corn Growers and the North Central States Carpenters Union)
CARNAHAN: At the Republican Party booth, over a “Beer-garita”, from Tejas at the Minnesota State Fair, State GOP Chair Jennifer Carnahan talks about how President Trump’s campaign has invested unprecedented resources in Minnesota for a Presidential race. Carnahan also discusses the what’s at stake in the Minnesota Senate and how she grew into her role as a political outsider. LISTEN: http://bit.ly/BeerswBlois17 (Sponsored by Minnesota Corn Growers and the North Central States Carpenters Union)
MCCOLLUM: From Burning Brothers brewery in St. Paul, Rep. Betty McCollum brings us to our first gluten-free brewery and discusses the dynamics of being back in the majority and the Minnesota delegation. She shares her views on copper-nickel mining in Northern Minnesota, her role as the chair of an appropriations committee. LISTEN: http://bit.ly/BeerswBlois15 (Sponsored by Minnesota Corn Growers and the North Central States Carpenters Union)
CRAIG: 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: 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)
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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DHS: via WCCO, VERBATIM: “The new head of the Department of Human Services apologized to taxpayers Monday for more than $100-million in spending mistakes… One Republican legislator, Representative Barb Haley of Red Wing even said the new Commissioner should act like Gopher Head Coach PJ Fleck, who this weekend accepted full responsibility for that crushing loss to Wisconsin. HALEY: “I am looking for that PJ Fleck moment where somebody says the buck stops with me, ” Rep. Haley said…Commissioner Harpstead replied, HARPSTEAD: “Let me say it now, the buck stops right here.”…Commissioner Harpstead delivered her report on her first 90 days in office to a House Committee. She says she is putting in place procedures and personnel to make sure 106 million in mistaken billing doesn’t happen again.” READ: https://cbsloc.al/37Zdc0m
INVESTIGATION: via Dave Orrick at the Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “The investigation into a state anti-fraud investigator has concluded with no discipline and no public findings, officials revealed Monday…The Minnesota Department of Human Services recently concluded a months-long internal investigation into former Inspector General Carolyn Ham, Commissioner Jodi Harpstead told lawmakers Monday. Harpstead and other DHS officials added little more information, other than that Ham was not disciplined, remains reassigned to another area of the agency, and will not return to her old post, which includes overseeing investigators who probe social service agencies for fraud, among other things…It’s never been clear exactly what Ham was officially being investigated for, but she was at the center of a highly charged controversy surrounding taxpayer-subsidized child care fraud that began more than a year ago...In a statement Monday evening, Ham said the investigation “cleared me of any wrongdoing.” READ: http://bit.ly/2OIkSMI
REPORT: Here’s a link to the 90-day report. READ: http://bit.ly/2OJ1LlO
NOTES: Governor Walz to make an announcement in the coming days on the potential restricting of DHS. Fmr. Medtronic CEO Bill George is co-chairing Commissioner Harpstead’s Commissioners task force.
MARIJUANA: via Bill Salisbury of the Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “Minnesotans suffering from chronic pain and age-related macular degeneration will qualify for the state’s medical marijuana program starting in August 2020, the state Health Department announced Monday…To give patients more options, the department also approved two new delivery methods: “water-soluble cannabinoid multi-particles,” such as granules, powders and sprinkles, and orally dissolvable products, including lozenges, gums, mints, buccal tablets and sublingual tablets…The program’s two medical cannabis manufacturers will double the number of patient marijuana treatment centers as permitted a law passed by the Legislature earlier this year. The eight sites will provide easier access for patients.”…One manufacturer, Leafline Labs, has proposed centers in Willmar, Mankato, Golden Valley and Rogers, while Minnesota Medical Solutions has recommended centers in Woodbury, Blaine, Duluth and Burnsville. READ: http://bit.ly/2P5o8AW
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UNITEDHEALTH: Via Forbes, VERBATIM: “The company is heavily dependent on OptumRx segment – a subdivision of Optum – as it contributes more than 30% of its revenues. This makes the number of retail prescriptions a key operating metrics for the company, with small fluctuations in this metrics leading to noticeable changes on the top line. In the third quarter of 2019, UnitedHealth reported a 2%y-o-y decrease in the number of retail prescriptions filled for the quarter, while OptumRx revenues recorded a growth of 6% y-o-y . . . Per Trefis, UnitedHealth’s Revenues (shows key revenue components) are expected to cross $306.6 billion in 2019 – leading to an EPS of $14.94 for the year.” READ: http://bit.ly/2DADgRh
CHILDREN’S: Via Children’s Minnesota, VERBATIM: “Children’s Minnesota announced today the appointment of five new members to its Hospital Board of Directors, as well as the full slate of officers and board members for 2020. Joining the Hospital Board of Directors are Matt Bilunas, Linda Hall, Jim Leslie, Jill Schurtz and Carolyn Smallwood.” READ: http://bit.ly/2XQlCCu
UNITEDHEALTH: From Josh Nathan-Kazis via Barron’s, VERBATIM: “An analyst at Mizuho raised her price target on the managed-care company UnitedHealth Group in advance of the company’s investor day next week, saying that the stock is an ‘attractive long-term investment.’ Mizuho analyst Ann Hynes raised her price target on UnitedHealth Group (ticker: UNH) to $300 from $270, and maintained her Buy rating on the stock.” READ: http://bit.ly/2DiKgCq
OPTUM: From Laura Dyrda via Becker’s Hospital Review, VERBATIM: “Optum revenues surpassed $100 billion for the first time in 2018, and the company spent the past year making key acquisitions and investments. In addition to its $4.3 million DaVita Medical Group acquisition, which was finalized earlier this year, and its partnership with John Muir Health to manage nonclinical functions including IT and revenue cycle, Optum has made six other key investments and acquisitions in technology companies this year.” READ: http://bit.ly/2pUroGE
STARKEY: From Eden Prairie-based Starkey via Globe Newswire, VERBATIM: “Starkey Canada is pleased to announce that Brian Archambault, a long-time leader in the hearing aid industry, has accepted the role of Managing Director. In his new position, Brian will oversee Starkey operations across Canada.” READ: https://yhoo.it/34uJ8re
UNITEDHEALTH: From Bruce Japsen via Forbes, VERBATIM: “UnitedHealth Group said its 2020 revenues will surpass $260 billion next year as the company prepares to unveil its business strategy Tuesday. Already the nation’s largest health insurance company, UnitedHealth is poised to grow its top line by about 9% . . . On Tuesday, the company’s array of business unit heads and management team will unveil a much-anticipated outlook given UnitedHealth and Optum operations are often looked at as an industry bellwether.” READ: http://bit.ly/2P6QcE8
MORE: Via Reuters, VERBATIM: “Health insurer UnitedHealth Group (UNH.N) on Monday issued its adjusted earnings forecast for 2020, the midpoint of which was below analysts’ estimates. The company said it expects 2020 earnings between $16.25 and $16.55 per share, compared with analysts’ estimates of $16.46 per share, according to Refinitiv data.” READ: https://reut.rs/2Pf1lCW
PRIME: Via Eagan-based Prime Therapeutics, VERBATIM: “Prime Therapeutics LLC (Prime), a pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) serving more than 28 million members nationally, has named Christine Bent as its chief operating officer . . . Bent comes to Prime after serving as senior vice president of operations at Allina Hospital and Clinics, one of Minnesota’s leading not-for-profit health care systems.” READ: http://bit.ly/2r02TbT
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