HealthSouth

In the past, HealthSouth may have gotten some of the industry's worst publicity, but execs are working to put that all behind them. A group of HealthSouth leaders are now making the rounds pitching their new expansion plans, which dictate opening five to eight new inpatient rehab facilities each year. The rehab and ambulatory surgery services provider expects to grow by acquiring facilities, consolidation in existing markets and partnerships. Most recently, it opened a 40-bed inpatient …

> HealthSouth's CEO explains why the company's future is so bright, he has to wear shades. Article

> CareFirst BlueCross Blue Shield has teamed up with a Baltimore health system to boost health care for minorities. Article

> A Pennsylvania hospital's CEO …

This could be the final chapter in the convoluted legal troubles of HealthSouth founder Richard Scrushy. Scrushy has settled with the Securities and Exchange Commission in a suit resulting from a investigation of his role in the firm's $2.7 billion accounting fraud. The SEC suit asserted that Scrushy ordered executives to cook the books at HealthSouth when earnings were shaky. The now-notorious …

HealthSouth has agreed to sell its diagnostic division for $47.5 million, part of a long-term shift in its strategy which will focus the company on "post acute" care. The company is still recovering from the massive $2.7 billion accounting scandal, under which 15 executives were convicted of misconduct. The diagnostic division, which includes 54 freestanding diagnostic imaging centers in 19 states, …

> HealthSouth has partnered with Birmingham, AL-based Wellmont Health System to own and operate 11 rehab facilities. Article

> A new hospital in Pennsylvania plans to focus exclusively on breast cancer. Article

> The FDA has approved the first U.S. vaccine …

Over at Hospital Impact, blogger Tony Chen has nailed something that I've been noticing for several months--that staggering volumes of investor money is being pumped into healthcare companies. (Among the most recent examples is the acquisition of HealthSouth's surgery division for $945 million.) Check out Chen's posting for an interesting list of private equity and investment deals. Blog

HealthSouth founder Richard Scrushy (photo) has lost his bid for a new trial on political corruption charges unrelated to the $2.7 billion accounting fraud problem. Both Scrushy and former Alabama Governor Don Siegelman had been found guilty in June of taking part in a bribery scandal, on charges, including conspiracy and mail fraud, …

> HealthSouth pays $4 million to settle a Medicare fraud case. Article

> Carilion Health System of Roanoke, VA is holding community meetings defending the huge changes it plans to make in coming years. Carilion doctors have already reach a "no confidence" vote on the plan. …

> Back in the saddle again! HealthSouth begins trading on the NYSE once more. Article

> The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality is distributing new clinical preventative guidelines. …

Last year was a good year for federal healthcare fraud investigators, who expect to recover a total of $1.47 billion from fraud cases filed in fiscal 2005, according to a report in political newspaper The Hill. Working under the auspices of the federal Health Care Fraud and Abuse Control Program, which began in 1997, the Office of the Inspector General, Department of Justice and Department of Health and Human Services have recovered a total of $8.85 billion to date, according to …