Here are 10 recent news updates on health IT companies.
1. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is reportedly in talks with multiple EHR vendors, including Allscripts.
2. Apple is taking its health goals beyond wellness apps and devices in an attempt to make a "significant contribution" in the healthcare field, CEO Tim Cook told shareholders at Apple's annual meeting Feb. 13.
3. The athenahealth board of directors unanimously appointed Jeff Immelt chairman of the company, effective Feb. 7.
4. HHS's Office of the CIO awarded its third Next Generation IT Services blanket purchase agreement to four vendors, CSRA, Leidos, ManTech, and Salient CRGT, the agency announced Feb. 7.
5. Fitbit plans to acquire Twine Health, a health coaching platform provider, the companies confirmed Feb. 13.
6. Google's strategic lobbying focus has shifted in recent years to encompass increased spending on healthcare, aviation and transportation initiatives.
7. Amsterdam-based Royal Philips plans to cease diagnostic imaging manufacturing operations at its Ohio facility during the second half of 2018, the company announced Feb. 9.
8. Royal Philips released its full-year earnings results for 2017 on Jan. 30, posting €3.16 billion (an estimated $3.88 billion) in sales for its connected care and health informatics business segment.
9. Virta Health, a San Francisco-based startup that brands itself as an online clinic to "reverse Type 2 diabetes," released one-year results of a study into its treatment model Feb. 7.
10. The Joint Commission renewed Specialists On Call's Gold Seal of Approval for Ambulatory Health Care Accreditation, the telemedicine provider announced Feb. 8.