News From Around the Web
> Former Harvard Pilgrim CEO Charlie Baker, Massachusetts' governor-elect (R), hopes to simplify the state's insurance exchange and subsidized individual market. Article
> Excellus BlueCross BlueShield and Wegmans announced a new partnership Wednesday that offers members who have Excellus BCBS prescription drug coverage the option to have those prescriptions refilled at Wegmans, with free home delivery. Annoucement
> President Barack Obama said he would be open to "responsible changes" to the Affordable Care Act but won't back a repeal the Affordable Care Act if Republicans propose one, reports The Hill. Article
Health IT News
> The financial impact on the medical device industry from the 2.3 percent medical device excise tax that went into effect in January 2013 as part of the 2010 Affordable Care Act should be "relatively small," according to a new report published this week by Congressional Research Service. Article
> Despite the security risks, we all have a responsibility to help advance medicine by sharing our health data, Beth Seidenberg, M.D., writes at Wired. Article
And finally … Quote o' the day: "I repeat: We featured him for his hair, not terrorism." Article