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What We're Reading: Pfizer and Allergan Considering a Merger Deal
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What we're reading, October 29, 2015: Pfizer and Allergan in talks to merge; the House passes a budget deal with implications for Medicare beneficiaries; and autism in children is being overdiagnosed.
Pfizer and Allergan in Talks to Merge, Insiders Say
Following on the heels of the recently announced Walgreens-Rite Aid merger, and a summer of health insurance deals, The Wall Street Journal is reporting that Pfizer and Allergan are considering combining their companies. The process is still in early stages and might not come to fruition, but if a deal was made, it could be the biggest takeover announced this year.
House Passes Budget Deal that Prevents Medicare Premium Spike
The House passed a budget plan to raise the federal borrowing limit and avert a spending shutdown. The bipartisan deal would cut funding for Medicare and prevent premium spikes for nearly one-third of Medicare beneficiaries. The bill now goes to the Senate, which is expected to vote Tuesday, according to Modern Healthcare.
Researchers Say Autism Is Overdiagnosed
A comparison of children currently diagnosed with autism and children previously diagnosed reveals that as many as 9% of children diagnosed with the disorder may not actually have it, according to CDC researchers. Overall, 13% of children ever diagnosed with autism lost the diagnosis with research suggesting the reason for moving off the spectrum may be due to maturation, intervention, or overdiagnosis. The researchers wrote in Autism that the high percentage of children who lost their diagnosis suggests overdiagnosis may be a more common problem than expected.
