News From Around the Web:
> Seventy-five percent of U.S. companies say the healthcare reform law will have no effect on their businesses or hiring plans, according to a poll by the National Association for Business Economics. And 21 percent say the law would negatively impact business, reported Bloomberg. Article
> Although the public's perception of the healthcare reform law rollout has improved, a new Associated Press-GfK poll shows two-thirds of consumers believe things still aren't going well, according to the Associated Press. Article
> State lawmakers in Oregon will soon consider bills that will help more state residents enroll in the beleaguered exchange and help the state better track contractors, The Oregonian reported. Article
Health Provider News:
> A spike in flu activity has led to a shortage of IV saline solutions, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced. Article
> A federal judge ruled that St. Luke's Health System in Idaho violated antitrust laws when it purchased the state's largest independent physician's practice. Article
Health IT News:
> Although interoperability is paramount to boosting the use of patient engagement tools and personal health records, providers are scared of innovation, says Ryan Bosch, chief medical information officer at Falls Church, Va.-based Inova Health System. Article
> The House Veterans Affairs Committee is continuing to press the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs over its struggles with securing the data of millions of veterans. Article
And Finally... We didn't start the fire. The cows did. Article