Health Care

Gardner-based Precision Optics Corp. saw a 37-percent decline in sales for a net loss in the second quarter ending Dec. 31.

The Massachusetts Health Policy Commission (HPC) released its Annual Health Care Cost Trends Report on Wednesday, making more than a dozen recommendations for advancing state healthcare reform.

Webster Square Dental Care, a Worcester dental office, improperly billed patients for about $247,000, the state auditor's office said.

The Legislature may restore some, but not all, of the $98 million in spending Gov. Charlie Baker cut from the budget in December, but House Speaker Robert DeLeo said Wednesday he wants at least one more month's revenue report before taking any action.

Massachusetts employers agree that the federal health care system needs to change, but there is no consensus around what changes to make or how to make them, an Associated Industries of Massachusetts survey found.

The merger of UMass Memorial - HealthAlliance Hospital in Leominster and UMass Memorial - Clinton and a proposed emergency department expansion were both approved yesterday by the Massachusetts Public Health Council, the healthcare system announced Thursday.

Milford Regional Medical Center will open a new blood donation center on Feb. 22, increasing blood drive capacity at the hospital.

Walden Behavioral Care, an eating disorder treatment provider with operations in Central Massachusetts, has acquired an Atlanta company specializing in the same area of medicine.

The Massachusetts Health Policy Commission will not conduct a formal review of a proposed joint venture between UMass Memorial Health Care and ATI Physical Therapy Services.

The use of community hospitals, setting targets for reducing hospital readmissions and monitoring drug prescribing patterns are among Health Policy Commission recommendations.