Broker Regulation

A national coalition of consumers, businesses and community-based pharmacists says the merger of pharmacy benefit management giants Express Scripts and Medco Health Solutions would put too much power into the hands of a consolidated PBM, and could threaten patient access to equal and affordable access to health care.

The federal government has laid out final rules for a new program that aims to improve patient care by getting doctors, hospitals and other care providers to work together more.

A plan to cut about half a billion dollars from Wisconsin's Medicaid costs put forward by Gov. Scott Walker's administration drew an overwhelmingly negative response at the first of two public hearings Wednesday.

A gauge of future economic activity edged up at a slower pace in September, signaling only modest economic growth in coming months.

The Obama administration and challengers of the president's health care overhaul are pushing for Supreme Court consideration of the law in late March, judging by the speed with which they are filing legal papers.

The number of people applying for unemployment benefits declined slightly last week, leaving applications above levels consistent with a healthy economy.