Shopko Optical opens Waunakee center
Green Bay-based Shopko Optical has opened a new center in Waunakee.
Health Care
StartingBlock Madison to offer health insurance to members
StartingBlock Madison, a coworking space and entrepreneurial hub at 821 E. Washington Ave. in Madison, is now offering health insurance through a new pilot project and partnership with M3 Insurance and Quartz.
UW team working on universal vaccine
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin–Madison are working on developing a universal vaccine to combat some of the most harmful pathogens, including the virus family responsible for COVID-19.
High court blocks COVID-19 vaccine rule for businesses, not health care providers
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that OSHA exceeded its authority by requiring large employers to adopt mandatory vaccination policies, but ruled that health care providers can require the vaccinations.
American Red Cross facing dire blood shortage
Amid the omicron surge, the American Red Cross says is facing a national blood crisis — its worst blood shortage in over a decade.
Wisconsin health care spending was $674 per person in 2020
A recent study from Health Affairs reported Wisconsin state government spending on health care was $674 per person in 2020, totaling 7% of total government spending but below the U.S. average.
Exact Sciences makes $190 million acquisition, enters licensing agreement
Exact Sciences Corp. announced it has acquired Marshfield-based PreventionGenetics for $190 million.
Area hospitals hit pandemic high occupancy
The number of patients reported Jan. 11 was 197 compared to the previous high number of 184 recorded just the previous day and 179 cases recorded in November 2020.
At-home tests to be covered by insurers
Beginning Jan. 15, 2022, private health insurers will be required to cover up to eight home COVID-19 tests per month for plan members.
Tennessee company acquires area psychiatric hospital
Summit BHC, a provider of behavioral health and addiction treatment services based in Franklin, Tennessee, has acquired seven psychiatric hospitals from Strategic Behavioral Health, including Miramont Behavioral Health in Middleton.
Car dealership plans blood drive
Wilde East Towne Honda, at 5555 High Crossing Blvd. in Madison, will host a community blood drive with the American Red Cross on Friday, Jan. 21, from 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
WMC, businesses oppose elimination of direct delivery of drugs to providers
In a letter to legislators, Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce (WMC) and a coalition of 53 business groups and employers opposed legislation that would eliminate a process that delivers clinically administered drugs directly to providers.
2022 Executive of the Year: To your health — Vaccine champion Mohammad ‘Mo’ Kharbat
When COVID-19 vaccines became available, Mohammad “Mo” Kharbat, regional vice president of pharmacy services for SSM Health of Wisconsin, was instrumental in deciding that the vaccines distributed to the organization should be for the entire community.
Exact Sciences to conduct hospital-setting cancer testing
Exact Sciences Corp. has entered into an agreement with Jefferson Health, which serves southeastern Pennsylvania and southern New Jersey, to research a new blood-based, multicancer earlier detection (MCED) test.
Madison hospitals reported being ‘dangerously full’
As reported by the Dane County Department of Human Services, the seven-day average of COVID patients hospitalized was 282 in the south-central region of the state as of Dec. 21, over 100 more patients per day than in September.
Health officials await approval to reopen Alliant Energy Center testing clinic
Officials at Public Health Madison and Dane County are looking to reopen its community testing clinic at the Alliant Energy Center with a revised format, once it’s approved by the state.
Madison execs wish big for 2022
2021 was in many ways just 2020 Part 2, and like most sequels that meant it left a lot to be desired. But not everything about this year was bad.
Dane County mask mandate extended again
Public health officials have issued Face Covering Emergency Order No. 6 that will again extend the countywide mask mandate until Feb. 3, 2022.
Pivotal Health closes on $1.3 investment round
Middleton-based Pivotal Health will close on a $1.3 investment round with plans to expand to the Milwaukee market.
Local remote nurse startup receives $700,000 investment
Madison-based startup Nurse Disrupted, which provides telehealth services with a turn-key video station that connects clinics with remote providers, has received a $700,000 investment.
