HHS to develop quicker Ebola test; Aledade raises $30 million in funding;

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> The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response will create a new Ebola virus test to help doctors diagnose the disease more quickly. The test, called the OraQuick rapid Ebola antigen test, will provide results in about 20 minutes using blood or saliva on a test strip. Announcement

> Wegmans is the latest company to give retail telemedicine a go, partnering with Doctor On Demand to install kiosks at four of its stores in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, according to an article at MedCity News. The company will set up tablet-based kiosks near the grocery stores' pharmacies and allow customers to consult with remote clinicians. Article

> Aledade, the accountable care organization company launched last year by former National Coordinator for Health IT Farzad Mostashari, has raised $30 million in a funding round led by ARCH Venture Partners, which includes Series A funding partners at Venrock. "This investment is a testament to the growing demand for our technology-enabled services, and to the rapid progress we have made in creating a platform for doctors to manage the new value-based healthcare economy," Mostashari said in a blog post announcing the funding. "But most importantly, it's a commitment to long-term thinking." Blog post

Health Finance News

> Aligning the work and interests of state agencies with private payers and employer groups is critical for shaping the future healthcare financial landscape, according to a Health Affairs blog post. Article

Health Insurance News

> Health insurance is so important to employees that one in three would leave their jobs if their employers stopped fully sponsoring their health benefits, according to an Accenture survey. Article

And Finally... Alligators, the next Uber. Article