Health Care Stocks That Will Continue to Benefit From Obamacare

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NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- TheCovestor Healthcare Model predicted that the implementation of the Affordable Care Act would be good for health care stocks because Americans previously lacking health insurance would join the ranks of the insured. Contrary to some observers, who had predicted that Obamacare would be a disaster, the Covestor Healthcare Model anticipated that this would be a job-creator and a business stimulus badly needed in an economy still weak following the financial crisis of 2008.

Let's take a look at some of the companies that have benefited from Obamacare and are likely to continue to do well. The Affordable Care Act sets up prescription drug coverage and encourages generics in order to minimize costs. One of the successful holdings in the Healthcare Model is Actavis (ACT) , which recently outbid Valeant (VRX) for Allergan (AGN) . Actavis is the third largest generic pharmaceutical company in the U.S.

Must Read: 10 Stocks Billionaire John Paulson Loves in 2014

One of the foundations of the broadening of health care coverage under Obamacare was the expansion of Medicaid that was initially required under the ACA. It became a voluntary decision by the states after a ruling of the Supreme Court. As of November 2014, 28 states (including the District of Columbia) have accepted federal funds for Medicaid expansion. It is estimated that 6 million people have been added to Medicaid since Obamacare was initiated. This brings Medicaid enrollment to about 65 million Americans, and work of managing these patients also creates investment opportunities for the Healthcare Model.

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Health Care Stocks That Will Continue to Benefit From Obamacare

Masks soon required for health care facility visitors who havent had the flu shot

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VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) All visitors to provincial health care facilities will soon need to be vaccinated against the flu or wear a mask.

The rules kick in on Monday.

This is the third flu season the Ministry of Health has put the policy in place to help protect vulnerable patients and seniors from getting the virus.

Tiffany Akins with Vancouver Coastal Health says the honour system will be used to help enforce the new regulations and masks will be handed out to any visitors who havent been vaccinated.

The policy is applicable to any patient care area in any of our Vancouver Coastal health hospitals, our long-term care homes, community health care centres, anywhere you go that is a Vancouver Coastal Health facility, she explains.

The best way to protect your loved ones. is to get a flu shot even if you are normally a healthy person. The shot doesnt only protect you from getting the flu but it also protects everyone around you, including your grandma, your pregnant friends [or] your small child.

She adds if you do plan to visit someone or take family to outpatient appointments, you are eligible for a free flu shot.

Each year, about 3,500 Canadians die from the flu and flu-related complications.

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Masks soon required for health care facility visitors who havent had the flu shot

Health Care Sector Update for 11/28/2014: ALXN, NVS, DVAX

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Top Health-care stocks:

JNJ: +0.2%

PFE: flat

ABT: flat

MRK: +0.1%

AMGN: +0.4%

Health-care shares were generally mixed in pre-market trading Friday.

In health-care stocks news, Alexion Pharmaceuticals ( ALXN ) said the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence Highly Specialised Technologies Evaluation Committee has recommended that Soliris be commissioned for all patients in England suffering from atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome, a severe and life-threatening ultra-rare disorder. Shares were unchanged during Friday's pre-market trading session at $194.72. Over the past 52 weeks, the stock has traded between $120.14 and $197.64.

Novartis AG ( NVS ) won faster approval for a heart-failure drug in the European Union, shortening the review period to 60 days. NVS said it expected to ask EU regulators early next year for approval to sell the drug, which it expected to be a "multi-blockbuster" with sales between $2 billion and $5 billion. It also expected to submit the drug to U.S. health regulators by next month. Shares were 1% higher during Friday's pre-market trading session at $96.48. Over the past 52 weeks, the stock has traded between $76.36 and $96.02.

Dynavax Technologies ( DVAX ), a biopharmaceutical company, said it has regained full rights to DV1179, an investigational bifunctional inhibitor of toll-like receptors, following the expiration of a research and development collaboration and license agreement with GlaxoSmithKline ( GSK ). The company will now have global rights to continue the development of DV1179 and other TLR 7/9 inhibitors for all indications. Shares in were trading 4% lower at $14.50 during Friday's pre-market trading session. Over the past 52 weeks, the stock has traded between $12.50 and $21.40.

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Health Care Sector Update for 11/28/2014: ALXN, NVS, DVAX

Health care's big deal

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In a big year for deal-making, the health care industry is a standout.

Large drugmakers are buying and selling businesses to control costs and deploy surplus cash. A rising stock market, tax strategies and low interest rates also are fueling the mergers and acquisitions.

It's all combining to make 2014 the most active year for health care deals in at least two decades.

The industry has announced about $438 billion worth of mergers and acquisitions worldwide so far, about 14 percent of the $3.2 trillion total for all industries, according to data provider Dealogic.

Overall, the business of mergers and acquisitions M&A is on track for its best year since 2007, the year before the financial crisis intensified.

Health care has been a sleepy niche of M&A until recently, but the giant has been awakened, says Ken Menges, a senior partner handling M&A at law firm Akin Gump in New York.

To a large extent, says Ashtyn Evans, pharmaceutical and biotech analyst with investment firm Edward Jones in St. Louis, the deals are being driven by cost pressure on the entire health care system as insurers and government health plans increasingly hold down or even reduce reimbursements to drug, device and service providers.

Companies also want to expand market share and boost their portfolios in hot areas such as drugs for cancer and hepatitis C, she says.

Drugmaker Merck & Co., for example, agreed in June to pay nearly $4 billion for Idenix Pharmaceuticals Inc. to combine that company's hepatitis C medicines with its own.

Taxes are another reason behind the rush to the negotiating table.

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Health care's big deal

PARS & Turuki Health Care collaborate on health and services

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November 2014 Media release

PARS & Turuki Health Care collaborate on health and social services for those at risk

Auckland-based PARS (People at Risk Solutions) have partnered with the Turuki Health Care Trust, to offer improved healthcare services to those in need. PARS works closely with former prisoners, providing mentoring, housing, and social services to ensure they have the necessary support and skills to successfully reintegrate into society.

For many who have been incarcerated, returning to society is extremely challenging. Many are stigmatised or dont have adequate support in place to help them readjust to daily life, meaning the risk of reoffence is high.

Reconizing that they share both values and clients, PARS and charitable organisation Turuki Health Care are now developing a health and wellness service, focusing primarily on Maori and Pasifika clients who have recently been released from prison. Having signed a memorandum of understanding, the alliance between the two organisations will allow former prisoners to access a comprehensive range of primary health care and social services more effectively.

As an all-round care service, Turuki Health Care and PARS will address issues including physical health, mental health and substance abuse, and solutions offered will include use of whanau, community, employment and housing resources. Easily accessible health and social services to those at risk will provide an easier transition into life outside prison, improved whanau relationships and greater prospects of contributing positively to their communities.

Were excited about the prospect of this collaboration, says Tui Ah Loo, Executive Director of PARS. Targeted services and support, offered both prior to and following a prisoners release, will improve both the health and social outcomes for former prisoners and their whanau.

Both organisations are committed to a kaupapa Maori and whanau-centred approach, with a focus on hauora (holistic wellbeing). This ensures whanau can access multiple services from one central hub, the staff of whom are familiar and understanding of their needs and values. A single operational culture that provides easily accessible services will help to remove barriers to whanau engaging with and seeking support.

Both PARS and Turuki Health Care are currently offering peer support and training, and building opportunities for their staff to network together. The next developments will see PARS and Turuki Health Care expanding their scope. Currently based in South Auckland, Turuki will eventually extend their integrated services to the wider Auckland community, including those accessing PARS services in Mt Eden.

Collective impact approaches to dealing with social issues are becoming much more common in the not-for-profit sector, and many organisations are now teaming up to share resources, services and ideas. Recognising that a collaborative approach is often hugely beneficial for those in need of support, PARS are looking forward to building and maintaining high quality relationships with Turuki Health and other, similar organisations.

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PARS & Turuki Health Care collaborate on health and services

Spark Therapeutics adds regulatory insider to support gene therapy for retinal degeneration

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A gene therapy spinout from Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia has added a head of regulatory affairs as it continues Phase 3 clinical trials for its treatment to reverse the effects of inherited retinal degeneration caused by a mutation in the RPE65 gene. It is the latest in a series of additions to the company following a $72.8 million Series B fundraise earlier this year.

Daniel Takefman previously worked for eight years as chief of the gene therapy branch at the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, according to a company statement.

Spark Therapeutics, headed by CEO Jeffrey Marrazzo, has been bulking up its management muscle this year. Dr. Katherine High, the former founding director of the Center for Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics at CHOP and a pediatrician at the Perelman School of Medicine, became president and Chief Scientific Officer and has a board seat. It added Stephen Webster as CFO from Optimer Pharmaceuticals and Adolor Corp, whic Cubist Pharmaceuticals acquired in 2011. Steven Gelone joined as head of clinical research and development. Gelone had previously worked for ViroPharma in a similar role Shire acquired the company last year. Diane Blumenthal, another industry veteran, became head of technical operations. She had worked for Eli Lilly for 14 years.

Romuald Corbau, former research project leader for Pfizers gene therapy program for the hepatitis C virus, joined as Sparks translational research lead to help support the companys pipeline of gene therapies.

Earlier this month Spark received breakthrough therapy designation for its SPK-RPE65 treatment. The status speeds up the development and review of investigational therapies for serious or life-threatening conditions, particularly when theres an unmet need.

Marrazzo said earlier this year that the company expects to have data from the Phase 3 trial available in the first half of 2015. In addition to its lead indication, Spark is also working on a Hemophilia B gene therapy treatment to reduce the doses of clotting factor that hemophiliacs need to take to avoid excessive bleeding. The condition is estimated to affect 20,000 people, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

[Photo credit: BigStock Photos]

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Spark Therapeutics adds regulatory insider to support gene therapy for retinal degeneration

Presidential Medal of Freedom Recipient Robert Battle on Behalf of Alvin Ailey – Video

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Presidential Medal of Freedom Recipient Robert Battle on Behalf of Alvin Ailey
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Presidential Medal of Freedom Recipient Robert Battle on Behalf of Alvin Ailey - Video