HIT companies make up 61 of 153 VC funding deals; Exec gives HIT startups guidance;

News From Around the Web

> How many HIT startups benefited from VC funding last year? Of the 153 deals raising $1 billion from venture capitalists, 61 were healthcare IT companies and health and wellness businesses, according to CB Insights. Chart

> An executive from Merck recently told HIT startup leaders, "Don't confuse activity with achievement," Boston Business Journal reported. He added that the health IT community desperately needs two things: "The first is to apply more scientific rigor to the vast array of new health information technology and health services innovations." Article

Health Payer News

> The Medicare Advantage debate heats up as the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) and insurers' corporate filings dispute claims AHIP made in recent ads about proposed payment cuts, according to USA TODAY. Article

> Health industry officials say premiums related to the Affordable Care Act soon will increase, and in some cases double, The Hill's Healthwatch reported. Last week, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said during a testimony before the House Ways and Means Committee that premiums won't likely rise after 2015; however, insurance executives contradicted her comments. Article

EMR News

> For providers transitioning from Stage 1 to Stage 2 of Meaningful Use, 2014 will be a challenging year. Many must assess the costs and benefits of the federal incentive program, and whether they should even continue to participate. Article

And Finally... And you thought your cat was sneaky? Article