Latest news with #Prentiss
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Compromise reached over setting ambulance service rates
State Senate leaders declared Wednesday that a compromise was within reach to resolve a long battle over the setting of commercial insurance rates paid to ambulance companies for emergency transport of patients. Under the proposal, ambulance providers over the next two years will be paid 325% of the federal Medicare rate if they join commercial insurance networks. During that time, a newly-named commission will study and recommend a fair reimbursement rate for the future based on actual costs. 'We do in fact have a tentative agreement,' said state Sen. David Rochefort, R-Littleton, chairman of the Senate Health Care Committee. He credited Sen. Sue Prentiss, D-Lebanon, a licensed EMT, with helping to forge this agreement with House Commerce Committee Chairman John Hunt, R-Rindge, who had supported a rate set at 202% of Medicare reimbursement. 'This is a win-win for everybody,' Rochefort said. During the interim, Prentiss said the state will conduct a second actuarial study to assist the commission in coming up with the right rate schedule. 'We had the first study last year that admittedly had some flaws,' Prentiss said. Chris Stawasz, regional Director for American Medical Response, credited Gov. Kelly Ayotte with playing a key role in bringing about the agreement. 'Our system has been in financial crisis for some time and this bill will be a lifeline to many of my colleagues, especially those in rural areas of New Hampshire who are struggling the most,' Stawasz said. If approved, the compromise will get rid of balanced billing, the practice of an ambulance company seeking payment from the patient after insurance fails to come close to covering the costs. The legislation is sought since 80% of transport is for patients who are either low-income residents getting Medicaid coverage or seniors with Medicare. Studies confirm Medicare pays about 46% of the actual cost to transport by ambulance, Medicaid about 42%. Rochefort said this agreement will be added to one of the two competing bills (HB 316, SB 425) on the topic. What's Next: The House Commerce Committee is scheduled to vote next Tuesday on this compromise once final language is drafted. Prospects: Given Ayotte's direct involvement, this bill now stands an excellence chance of becoming law. klandrigan@
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Yahoo
Body of Missing U.S. College Student Found in Big Bear Lake
The body of missing UC Santa Barbara student Tanner Prentiss has been recovered from Big Bear Lake. Prentiss, 22, was in Big Bear Lake over the weekend spending time with a group of friends when he didn't return from a night out on Friday. According to a missing persons alert, the redheaded young man was last seen on Village Drive possibly heading toward Big Bear Boulevard. A search began for Prentiss over the weekend, with rescuers finding his body in the water near Pine Knot Marina at around 10:30 a.m. Monday. According to CBS News, deputies in a helicopter combing the area spotted Prentiss' body, which was later recovered by a dive team. The Big Bear Sheriff Station said in a statement Monday that no foul play is suspected, and the coroner's office has taken over the investigation. "Our thoughts and prayers go out to Tanner's family, friends and all those who are affected by his loss. The family is requesting privacy as they navigate through this tragic incident," the statement reads. Prentiss' grandmother Marilyn Taylor confirmed his passing in a Facebook post Monday afternoon. "It is with Great Sorrow that we let everyone know that Tanner has been found and is deceased," Taylor wrote. "Bless all of you who have supported this family during this time and the time we are about to share in the near future. Tanner was the funny guy, always smiling, tons of friends, charismatic, responsible and a really good person. This loss is more than we can bear at this time." UC Santa Barbara, where Prentiss was studying, also expressed its condolences in a statement. "We understand the impact and stress surrounding this tragedy and are committed to supporting our campus community who may be impacted," the school said. "Our campus offers resources to students, staff, and faculty who are in need of support."
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Final hearing fails to close rift over ambulance rate charges legislation
A final public hearing this week failed to close the wide gap between Senate and House leaders over how much ambulance service companies should be paid for emergency and non-scheduled transfers of patients with commercial health insurance coverage. State Sen. Sue Prentiss, D-Lebanon, a paramedic and executive director of the American Trauma Society, made a last pitch for her bill (SB 245) that would set that charge at 325% of the federal Medicare rate. 'This has become the nationally recognized rate; six states have it,' Prentiss told the House Commerce and Small Business Committee, adding that West Virginia recently adopted a 400%. Congress outlawed balanced billing which is the practice of a health care provider going after an individual insured for extra payment on charges an insurance company declined to cover. These also were called 'surprise medical bills.' 'I don't think people should be nervous when an ambulance shows up at the door that they are going to be financially bankrupt by the experience,' said Rep. Jerry Stringham, D-Woodstock, and a medical strategy consultant who said he could defend a 365% rate. The only medical service allowed by Congress to continue balanced billing was ambulance service because there was no national standard rate for the service. Prentiss served on a 15-person committee that traveled across the country to see how states were dealing with it. House Commerce Chairman John Hunt, R-Rindge, said Prentiss's bill wouldn't end the practice since balanced billing would still be allowed for non-emergency and scheduled transports by ambulance. In March, the House voted, 250-85, to approve Hunt's competing bill (HB 316) that would set the ambulance rate at 202% of the federal Medicare rate. The Senate endorsed Prentiss's bill with a higher rate by a voice vote. Ambulance companies staged protest caravan When Hunt's bill came before a Senate committee last month, ambulance service company owners staged a caravan outside the Legislative Office Building in protest. Several EMS executives and fire chiefs predicted some companies would go out of business if they had to survive on the rate allowed in Hunt's bill. In response, Hunt said the Senate rate would make commercial insurance customers 'suckers' who were asked to pay excessive rates because 80% of all ambulance transports come under Medicare or Medicaid that pay much lower rates. Studies confirm Medicare pays about 46% of the actual cost to transport by ambulance, Medicaid about 42%. Paula Rogers, a lobbyist with the American Association of Health Insurance Plans, said it's difficult to come up with a 'new' solution to a problem that has plagued the industry for 15 years. From 1999-2003, Rogers served as the state's insurance commissioner. 'We have heard this lament from the (ambulance) providers,' said Rogers, adding that her clients don't like leaving this to rate-setting. 'Where is it going to ever be sorted out?' Sen. David Rochefort, R-Littleton, is chairman of Senate Health Care and authored a separate, Senate-passed bill (SB 130) to name a 12-person commission to study delivery models for EMS and report back to lawmakers with recommendations by Nov. 1. But on Wednesday, Hunt's committee voted, 10-8, along party lines to recommend killing the bill, all Republicans wanting to kill it, all House Democrats wanting to pass it. Whatever happens in the coming weeks, the issue will stay before House lawmakers. Hunt convinced his committee to retain until next year a fourth bill (HB 725) from Stringham that would have set the same 325% rate as Prentiss has proposed. What's Next: The House Commerce and Small Business Committee in the coming week or so is expected to recommend the House reject Prentiss' bill. Prospects: Odds are heavily in favor that this issue will remain a stalemate. If that occurs, private talks between insurers and ambulance company supporters will continue this summer and fall with Stringham's bill as a placeholder should an agreement be reached. klandrigan@
Business Wire
28-04-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Qualthera Health Corporation Launches Qualthera Pharmaceuticals Ltd. Co., a New R&D Subsidiary Focused on Drug Repurposing and Innovative Delivery
DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Qualthera Health Corporation, dedicated to building a nationwide network of quality, patient-centered compounding pharmacies, has announced the official launch of Qualthera Pharmaceuticals Ltd. Co., a research-driven subsidiary dedicated to drug repurposing and innovative delivery systems. This expansion marks a significant step forward in accelerating pharmaceutical innovation, leveraging real-world patient insights to develop new therapies with streamlined development. This expansion marks a significant step forward in accelerating pharmaceutical innovation, leveraging real-world patient insights to develop new therapies with streamlined development. Share 'With Qualthera Pharmaceuticals, we are redefining how underutilized compounds can be developed, repurposed and delivered,' said Donald Prentiss, CEO of Qualthera Health Corporation. 'Our work doesn't start in a lab—it starts with real patients and real prescribing challenges. This ensures every compound we explore is grounded in clinical relevance and tangible patient need.' Revolutionizing Drug Repurposing Unlike traditional pharmaceutical R&D, Qualthera Pharmaceuticals focuses on identifying new therapeutic uses for active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) that are already approved and off-patent. By repurposing compounds with known pharmacology and safety profiles, the company aims to bring innovative therapies to market more efficiently, taking advantage of existing regulatory pathways and leveraging established safety data. 'In the past, drug repurposing relied heavily on academic research or abandoned R&D programs,' said Prentiss. 'At Qualthera Pharmaceuticals, we take a different approach. We analyze real-world prescribing trends, patient access challenges, and therapeutic gaps, then assess compound viability and delivery innovation. It's repurposing with intent, not just exploration.' Flagship Product: The Biodegradable CBD Implant Leading Qualthera Pharmaceuticals' portfolio is its patent-pending biodegradable CBD implant, designed to provide consistent, long-term therapeutic exposure to cannabidiol (CBD). This innovative technology addresses limitations in traditional CBD formats, including inconsistent absorption, which may lead to unpredictable therapeutic outcomes. 'We're not just repurposing CBD—we're re-engineering how it's delivered,' added Prentiss. 'By creating a long-acting implant, we aim to unlock its potential for treating chronic pain and neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, where steady exposure is critical, and treatment options remain limited.' Qualthera Pharmaceuticals intends to pursue FDA approval for its CBD implant, which could become the first implantable formulation of CBD and only the second FDA-approved CBD drug in the U.S. The company is also evaluating three additional drug candidates targeting ALS, weight loss, and opioid use disorder, reinforcing its commitment to tackling high-need, scalable therapeutic opportunities. A Bold New Chapter for Qualthera The launch of Qualthera Pharmaceuticals Ltd. Co. represents the next evolution of Qualthera Health Corporation, expanding from personalized compounding into scalable pharmaceutical development. 'Our guiding principle has always been 'quality therapy for life'—from individual patients to broader populations,' said Prentiss. 'This subsidiary allows us to build a pipeline of transformative therapies, all informed by real-world medical challenges and science-driven solutions.' For more information about Qualthera, visit About Qualthera Health Corporation Qualthera is a provider of quality-focused compounding pharmacy services. Founded by CEO, Donald Prentiss, the company is dedicated to delivering accessible, high-quality medications nationwide, a commitment reflected in the name 'Qualthera'—a blend of 'Quality' and 'Therapy.' With a focus on patient-centered care, they are building a trusted network of compounding pharmacies that prioritize excellence in personalized therapy. Learn more about Qualthera at About Qualthera Pharmaceuticals Qualthera Pharmaceuticals Ltd. Co. is a research-driven subsidiary of Qualthera Health Corporation, dedicated to drug repurposing and innovative delivery systems. Established to accelerate meaningful pharmaceutical innovation, Qualthera Pharmaceuticals identifies new therapeutic uses for active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) that are already approved and off-patent. As its flagship product, Qualthera Pharmaceuticals intends to pursue F DA approval for its patent-pending biodegradable CBD implant, designed to provide consistent, long-term therapeutic exposure to cannabidiol (CBD) for chronic pain and neurodegenerative disorders. In addition, the company is evaluating three additional drug candidates targeting ALS, weight loss, and opioid use disorder, reinforcing its commitment to tackling high-need, scalable therapeutic opportunities. By applying real-world patient insights, systematic compound assessment, and innovative drug delivery science, Qualthera Pharmaceuticals bridges the gap between personalized care and scalable pharmaceutical development, fulfilling its mission to deliver quality therapy for life. Learn more about Qualthera Pharmaceuticals at
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Raymond James Cuts Warner Bros. Discovery Price Target to $13 as Shares Tumble
Raymond James lowered its price target on Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD, Financials) to $13 from $14, while maintaining an Outperform rating, as shares of the media company continue to slide. The stock closed at $9.16 on Thursday following a nearly 13% single-day decline, contributing to an 11.67% drop over the past week. Warning! GuruFocus has detected 4 Warning Signs with WBD. The revised target was issued as Warner Bros. Discovery prepares to report earnings for the first quarter of 2025. In a note to clients, Raymond James analyst Ric Prentiss attributed the change to broader macroeconomic concerns, including trade tariffs and slowing industry momentum. Despite recent weakness, Prentiss maintained that the stock remains undervalued relative to peers, citing a current enterprise value-to-EBITDA ratio of 7.82. Warner Bros. Discovery is in the process of restructuring its business units to provide clearer segment reporting and increase strategic flexibility. The company has also been actively refreshing its board of directors, with the appointment of Anton Levy, a former co-president at General Atlantic, announced this week. His addition follows the appointment of two new members in January, moves that suggest an effort to preempt shareholder activism. Amid broader consolidation chatter in the media industry, Warner Bros. Discovery has been the subject of speculation around potential asset sales or structural changes. Analysts have drawn comparisons to recent or proposed spin-offs by peers including Comcast (CMCSA, Financials) and Lionsgate. Prentiss said vertical separation and horizontal integration trends are gaining traction across cable networks and streaming platforms. In addition to its corporate restructuring, Warner Bros. Discovery canceled the expansion of its hit video game Hogwarts Legacy. The company said the decision reflects concerns over content volume and pricing and is part of a larger overhaul of its gaming division. Warner Bros. Discovery has a market capitalization of $22.49 billion and reported annual revenue of $39.32 billion. The company maintains a moderate level of debt, according to public filings. This article first appeared on GuruFocus. Sign in to access your portfolio
