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	<title><![CDATA[a.m. best co. and health care Resources | BNET]]></title>
	<link><![CDATA[http://resources.bnet.com/topic/a.m.+best+co.+and+health+care.html]]></link>
	<description><![CDATA[White papers, case studies, business articles, and blog posts relating to a.m. best co. and health care]]></description>
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		<title><![CDATA[A.M. Best to Sponsor HFMA's Annual National Institute 2008 &#151; The Healthcare Finance Conference]]></title>
		<link><![CDATA[http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0EIN/is_2008_June_9/ai_n25491993]]></link>
		<description><![CDATA[OLDWICK, N.J. -- A.M. Best Co. will sponsor the Healthcare Financial Management Association's Annual National Institute 2008--The Healthcare Finance Conference, June 23-26 at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. Representatives will be on hand to discuss A.M. Best's interactive credit ratings for insurers at booth #1065.]]></description>
		<s:doctype><![CDATA[Research articles]]></s:doctype>
		<pubDate>Mon, 09 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate>
		<category domain="http://resources.bnet.com/topic/a.m.+best+co..html"><![CDATA[A.M. Best Co.]]></category>
		<category domain="http://resources.bnet.com/topic/health+care.html"><![CDATA[health care]]></category>
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		<title><![CDATA[Webcast Explains A.M. Best's Ratings and the Provider Owned Health Plan Market]]></title>
		<link><![CDATA[http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0EIN/is_2008_April_22/ai_n25340635]]></link>
		<description><![CDATA[OLDWICK, N.J. -- A.M. Best Co. has just released a Webcast entitled, "Brokers: Why Health Care System Ratings Matter." Created in response to feedback gathered from the Health Plan Alliance, this Webcast is part of A.M. Best's ongoing effort to keep the health insurance broker community informed.]]></description>
		<s:doctype><![CDATA[Research articles]]></s:doctype>
		<pubDate>Tue, 22 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate>
		<category domain="http://resources.bnet.com/topic/a.m.+best+co..html"><![CDATA[A.M. Best Co.]]></category>
		<category domain="http://resources.bnet.com/topic/health+care.html"><![CDATA[health care]]></category>
		<category domain="http://resources.bnet.com/topic/webcast.html"><![CDATA[Webcast]]></category>
		<category domain="http://resources.bnet.com/topic/.html"><![CDATA[]]></category>
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		<title><![CDATA[BestWeek: A.M. Best Study Benchmarks Provider Owned Health Plans]]></title>
		<link><![CDATA[http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0EIN/is_2008_April_4/ai_n25125309]]></link>
		<description><![CDATA[OLDWICK, N.J. -- A.M. Best Co.'s benchmarking study of 102 provider owned health plans found a strong correlation between the most profitable companies and those with strong risk-based capital RBC scores, according to a new special report featured in BestWeek U.S./Canada. Two-thirds of those in the top quartile for profitability...]]></description>
		<s:doctype><![CDATA[Research articles]]></s:doctype>
		<pubDate>Fri, 04 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate>
		<category domain="http://resources.bnet.com/topic/a.m.+best+co..html"><![CDATA[A.M. Best Co.]]></category>
		<category domain="http://resources.bnet.com/topic/health+care.html"><![CDATA[health care]]></category>
		<category domain="http://resources.bnet.com/topic/.html"><![CDATA[]]></category>
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		<title><![CDATA[A.M. Best Special Report: Health Insurers' Financial Results Will Be Tested As Markets Evolve]]></title>
		<link><![CDATA[http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0EIN/is_2008_Jan_21/ai_n24236884]]></link>
		<description><![CDATA[OLDWICK, N.J. -- Despite competitive pressures, health insurers and managed care companies have maintained strong earnings in recent years because of stable medical cost trends, improved case management and technology efficiencies. Insurers, though, will have to navigate a challenging operating landscape in 2008, according to a special report by A.M....]]></description>
		<s:doctype><![CDATA[Research articles]]></s:doctype>
		<pubDate>Mon, 21 Jan 2008 00:00:00 -0800</pubDate>
		<category domain="http://resources.bnet.com/topic/a.m.+best+co..html"><![CDATA[A.M. Best Co.]]></category>
		<category domain="http://resources.bnet.com/topic/financial.html"><![CDATA[financial]]></category>
		<category domain="http://resources.bnet.com/topic/health+care.html"><![CDATA[health care]]></category>
		<category domain="http://resources.bnet.com/topic/insurance+company.html"><![CDATA[insurance company]]></category>
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		<title><![CDATA[A.M. Best Downgrades Ratings of Great-West's Healthcare Subsidiaries]]></title>
		<link><![CDATA[http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0EIN/is_2007_Nov_27/ai_n27456464]]></link>
		<description><![CDATA[OLDWICK, N.J. -- A.M. Best Co. has downgraded the financial strength rating FSR to A- Excellent from A Excellent and the issuer credit rating ICR to "a-" from "a+" of Great-West Healthcare of California, Inc., Great-West Healthcare of Colorado, Inc., Great-West Healthcare of Illinois, Inc. and Great-West Healthcare of Texas,...]]></description>
		<s:doctype><![CDATA[Research articles]]></s:doctype>
		<pubDate>Tue, 27 Nov 2007 00:00:00 -0800</pubDate>
		<category domain="http://resources.bnet.com/topic/a.m.+best+co..html"><![CDATA[A.M. Best Co.]]></category>
		<category domain="http://resources.bnet.com/topic/health+care.html"><![CDATA[health care]]></category>
		<category domain="http://resources.bnet.com/topic/.html"><![CDATA[]]></category>
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		<title><![CDATA[A.M. Best Completes Review of Non-Interactive Health Insurer Ratings; Reports More Upgrades Than Downgrades]]></title>
		<link><![CDATA[http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0EIN/is_2007_Oct_22/ai_n21055455]]></link>
		<description><![CDATA[OLDWICK, N.J. -- A.M. Best Co. recently completed its annual review of financial strength ratings FSR for health maintenance organizations HMO. A.M. Best has upgraded the FSRs of 33 HMOs, downgraded the FSRs of 18 HMOs, affirmed the FSRs of 110 HMOs and assigned FSRs to nine HMOs.]]></description>
		<s:doctype><![CDATA[Research articles]]></s:doctype>
		<pubDate>Mon, 22 Oct 2007 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate>
		<category domain="http://resources.bnet.com/topic/a.m.+best+co..html"><![CDATA[A.M. Best Co.]]></category>
		<category domain="http://resources.bnet.com/topic/financial.html"><![CDATA[financial]]></category>
		<category domain="http://resources.bnet.com/topic/health+care.html"><![CDATA[health care]]></category>
		<category domain="http://resources.bnet.com/topic/hmo.html"><![CDATA[HMO]]></category>
		<category domain="http://resources.bnet.com/topic/.html"><![CDATA[]]></category>
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		<title><![CDATA[A.M. Best Special Report: Consolidation Squeezes Growth in Commercial Health Market]]></title>
		<link><![CDATA[http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0EIN/is_2007_Oct_16/ai_n27408801]]></link>
		<description><![CDATA[OLDWICK, N.J. -- Stiff competition in the commercial health insurance market has continued to stifle growth in the sector, as employer groups consolidate through mergers and acquisitions and reduce the number of health plans offered. Meanwhile, Medicaid managed care and Medicare Advantage products have experienced very strong growth, according to...]]></description>
		<s:doctype><![CDATA[Research articles]]></s:doctype>
		<pubDate>Tue, 16 Oct 2007 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate>
		<category domain="http://resources.bnet.com/topic/a.m.+best+co..html"><![CDATA[A.M. Best Co.]]></category>
		<category domain="http://resources.bnet.com/topic/health+care.html"><![CDATA[health care]]></category>
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		<title><![CDATA[A.M. Best Special Report: Notching Model Uncovers Fruits Of Integration for Health-Care Systems]]></title>
		<link><![CDATA[http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0EIN/is_2007_Oct_15/ai_n21042106]]></link>
		<description><![CDATA[OLDWICK, N.J. -- Total capital and surplus increased 31% between 2004 and 2006 for a group of provider-owned health plans studied by A.M. Best Co. Each year since 2004, 61% of the plans in the study have experienced an increase in capital and surplus.]]></description>
		<s:doctype><![CDATA[Research articles]]></s:doctype>
		<pubDate>Mon, 15 Oct 2007 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate>
		<category domain="http://resources.bnet.com/topic/a.m.+best+co..html"><![CDATA[A.M. Best Co.]]></category>
		<category domain="http://resources.bnet.com/topic/health+care.html"><![CDATA[health care]]></category>
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		<title><![CDATA[A.M. Best Special Report: Provider-Owned Health Plans Maintain Stable Underwriting Results]]></title>
		<link><![CDATA[http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0EIN/is_2007_Sept_18/ai_n27377772]]></link>
		<description><![CDATA[OLDWICK, N.J. -- Provider-owned and affiliated health plans took advantage of their unique position to post relatively stable underwriting results in 2006, weathering competitive pricing pressures from national insurers and Blue Cross Blue Shield Plans, according to a special report by the A.M. Best Co.]]></description>
		<s:doctype><![CDATA[Research articles]]></s:doctype>
		<pubDate>Tue, 18 Sep 2007 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate>
		<category domain="http://resources.bnet.com/topic/a.m.+best+co..html"><![CDATA[A.M. Best Co.]]></category>
		<category domain="http://resources.bnet.com/topic/health+care.html"><![CDATA[health care]]></category>
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		<title><![CDATA[A.M. Best Introduces Credit Rating Services for Hospitals and Health-Care Systems]]></title>
		<link><![CDATA[http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0EIN/is_2007_August_9/ai_n27338621]]></link>
		<description><![CDATA[OLDWICK, N.J. -- A.M. Best Co. has today announced plans to expand its analytical coverage of the U.S. hospital and health-care system industry by introducing credit rating services on hospitals and health-care systems. A.M. Best's recently published methodology on rating hospitals and health-care systems titled "Evaluating Health-Care Systems" can be...]]></description>
		<s:doctype><![CDATA[Research articles]]></s:doctype>
		<pubDate>Thu, 09 Aug 2007 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate>
		<category domain="http://resources.bnet.com/topic/a.m.+best+co..html"><![CDATA[A.M. Best Co.]]></category>
		<category domain="http://resources.bnet.com/topic/health+care.html"><![CDATA[health care]]></category>
		<category domain="http://resources.bnet.com/topic/hospital.html"><![CDATA[hospital]]></category>
		<category domain="http://resources.bnet.com/topic/.html"><![CDATA[]]></category>
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		<title><![CDATA[A.M. Best Takes Various Rating Actions on Health Maintenance Organizations]]></title>
		<link><![CDATA[http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0EIN/is_2007_August_9/ai_n27339153]]></link>
		<description><![CDATA[OLDWICK, N.J. -- A.M. Best Co. has affirmed the financial strength ratings FSR of 34 health maintenance organizations HMO, downgraded 11 HMO FSRs, upgraded 11 HMO FSRs, assigned one HMO FSR and withdrew two HMO FSRs. In addition, A.M. Best has assigned each company an issuer credit rating ICR. (See...]]></description>
		<s:doctype><![CDATA[Research articles]]></s:doctype>
		<pubDate>Thu, 09 Aug 2007 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate>
		<category domain="http://resources.bnet.com/topic/a.m.+best+co..html"><![CDATA[A.M. Best Co.]]></category>
		<category domain="http://resources.bnet.com/topic/financial.html"><![CDATA[financial]]></category>
		<category domain="http://resources.bnet.com/topic/health+care.html"><![CDATA[health care]]></category>
		<category domain="http://resources.bnet.com/topic/hmo.html"><![CDATA[HMO]]></category>
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		<title><![CDATA[A.M. Best Downgrades and Assigns Ratings to Health First Health Plans]]></title>
		<link><![CDATA[http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0EIN/is_2007_June_27/ai_n27291921]]></link>
		<description><![CDATA[OLDWICK, N.J. -- A.M. Best Co. has downgraded the financial strength rating FSR to B Fair from B+ Good and assigned an issuer credit rating ICR of "bb" to Health First Health Plans HFHP (Rockledge, FL). The outlook for the FSR remains negative, and the outlook assigned to the ICR...]]></description>
		<s:doctype><![CDATA[Research articles]]></s:doctype>
		<pubDate>Wed, 27 Jun 2007 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate>
		<category domain="http://resources.bnet.com/topic/a.m.+best+co..html"><![CDATA[A.M. Best Co.]]></category>
		<category domain="http://resources.bnet.com/topic/health+care.html"><![CDATA[health care]]></category>
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		<title><![CDATA[A.M. Best Upgrades and Assigns Ratings to Eastern Life and Health Insurance Company]]></title>
		<link><![CDATA[http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0EIN/is_2007_June_18/ai_n27277252]]></link>
		<description><![CDATA[OLDWICK, N.J. -- A.M. Best Co. has upgraded the financial strength rating FSR to A- Excellent from B++ Good and assigned an issuer credit rating ICR of "a-" to Eastern Life and Health Insurance Company Eastern Life and Health (Lancaster, PA). The outlook for the both ratings is stable. Eastern...]]></description>
		<s:doctype><![CDATA[Research articles]]></s:doctype>
		<pubDate>Mon, 18 Jun 2007 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate>
		<category domain="http://resources.bnet.com/topic/a.m.+best+co..html"><![CDATA[A.M. Best Co.]]></category>
		<category domain="http://resources.bnet.com/topic/health+care.html"><![CDATA[health care]]></category>
		<category domain="http://resources.bnet.com/topic/health+insurance.html"><![CDATA[health insurance]]></category>
		<category domain="http://resources.bnet.com/topic/.html"><![CDATA[]]></category>
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		<title><![CDATA[A.M. Best Affirms Ratings of Sun Life; Upgrades Ratings of Acquired Genworth Life & Health Companies]]></title>
		<link><![CDATA[http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0EIN/is_2007_June_12/ai_n27271532]]></link>
		<description><![CDATA[OLDWICK, N.J. -- A.M. Best Co. has affirmed the financial strength rating FSR of A++ Superior and the issuer credit ratings ICR of "aa+" of Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada Sun Life (Toronto, Canada), Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada (U.S.) (Wilmington, DE) and Sun Life Insurance and Annuity...]]></description>
		<s:doctype><![CDATA[Research articles]]></s:doctype>
		<pubDate>Tue, 12 Jun 2007 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate>
		<category domain="http://resources.bnet.com/topic/a.m.+best+co..html"><![CDATA[A.M. Best Co.]]></category>
		<category domain="http://resources.bnet.com/topic/health+care.html"><![CDATA[health care]]></category>
		<category domain="http://resources.bnet.com/topic/sun+microsystems+inc..html"><![CDATA[Sun Microsystems Inc.]]></category>
		<category domain="http://resources.bnet.com/topic/.html"><![CDATA[]]></category>
		<category domain="http://rss.financialcontent.com/stocksymbol">JAVA</category>
		<category domain="tickers">JAVA</category>
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		<title><![CDATA[A.M. Best Special Report: Massachusetts Health Regulatory Market Review - Will Massachusetts Universal Plan See Its Reflection in Future of U.S. Health Care?]]></title>
		<link><![CDATA[http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0EIN/is_2007_May_14/ai_n19096383]]></link>
		<description><![CDATA[OLDWICK, N.J. -- The Massachusetts universal health care mandate, enacted a year ago this past April, may have energized the movement for state level reform, but will the plan be a template for the future of health care in the United States? Certainly the direct way in which the state's...]]></description>
		<s:doctype><![CDATA[Research articles]]></s:doctype>
		<pubDate>Mon, 14 May 2007 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate>
		<category domain="http://resources.bnet.com/topic/a.m.+best+co..html"><![CDATA[A.M. Best Co.]]></category>
		<category domain="http://resources.bnet.com/topic/health+care.html"><![CDATA[health care]]></category>
		<category domain="http://resources.bnet.com/topic/.html"><![CDATA[]]></category>
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		<title><![CDATA[A.M. Best Special Report: Medicare Drove Health Plans' Growth as M&A Climate Cooled in 2006]]></title>
		<link><![CDATA[http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0EIN/is_2007_May_14/ai_n19096386]]></link>
		<description><![CDATA[OLDWICK, N.J. -- Medicare was the big event for health insurers in 2006. The implementation of Medicare Part D and the new Medicare Advantage products created significant growth in membership and revenue at many of the plans, according to a new special report from A.M. Best Co.]]></description>
		<s:doctype><![CDATA[Research articles]]></s:doctype>
		<pubDate>Mon, 14 May 2007 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate>
		<category domain="http://resources.bnet.com/topic/a.m.+best+co..html"><![CDATA[A.M. Best Co.]]></category>
		<category domain="http://resources.bnet.com/topic/health+care.html"><![CDATA[health care]]></category>
		<category domain="http://resources.bnet.com/topic/m%2526a.html"><![CDATA[M&A]]></category>
		<category domain="http://resources.bnet.com/topic/medicare.html"><![CDATA[Medicare]]></category>
		<category domain="http://resources.bnet.com/topic/.html"><![CDATA[]]></category>
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		<title><![CDATA[A.M. Best Affirms and Assigns Ratings to Health Insurance Plan of Greater New York and ConnectiCare]]></title>
		<link><![CDATA[http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0EIN/is_2007_May_10/ai_n27234342]]></link>
		<description><![CDATA[OLDWICK, N.J. -- A.M. Best Co. has affirmed the financial strength rating FSR of B+ Good and assigned issuer credit ratings ICR of "bbb-" to Health Insurance Plan of Greater New York HIP (New York, NY) and its subsidiaries, HIP Insurance Company of New York and ConnectiCare, Inc. (Farmington, CT)....]]></description>
		<s:doctype><![CDATA[Research articles]]></s:doctype>
		<pubDate>Thu, 10 May 2007 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate>
		<category domain="http://resources.bnet.com/topic/a.m.+best+co..html"><![CDATA[A.M. Best Co.]]></category>
		<category domain="http://resources.bnet.com/topic/financial.html"><![CDATA[financial]]></category>
		<category domain="http://resources.bnet.com/topic/health+care.html"><![CDATA[health care]]></category>
		<category domain="http://resources.bnet.com/topic/health+insurance.html"><![CDATA[health insurance]]></category>
		<category domain="http://resources.bnet.com/topic/.html"><![CDATA[]]></category>
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		<title><![CDATA[A.M. Best Affirms Ratings of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida, Inc.; Revises Outlook to Positive for Capital Health Plan]]></title>
		<link><![CDATA[http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0EIN/is_2007_May_4/ai_n27227143]]></link>
		<description><![CDATA[OLDWICK, N.J. -- A.M. Best Co. has affirmed the financial strength ratings FSR of A Excellent and the issuer credit ratings ICR of "a+" of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida, Inc. BCBSF and its wholly owned subsidiary, Health Options, Inc. HOI (both of Jacksonville, FL). A.M. Best has...]]></description>
		<s:doctype><![CDATA[Research articles]]></s:doctype>
		<pubDate>Fri, 04 May 2007 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate>
		<category domain="http://resources.bnet.com/topic/a.m.+best+co..html"><![CDATA[A.M. Best Co.]]></category>
		<category domain="http://resources.bnet.com/topic/blue+cross+blue+shield.html"><![CDATA[Blue Cross Blue Shield]]></category>
		<category domain="http://resources.bnet.com/topic/health+care.html"><![CDATA[health care]]></category>
		<category domain="http://resources.bnet.com/topic/.html"><![CDATA[]]></category>
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		<title><![CDATA[A.M. Best Initiates Public Comment Period on Draft Health-Care Systems Methodology]]></title>
		<link><![CDATA[http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0EIN/is_2007_April_30/ai_n19042035]]></link>
		<description><![CDATA[OLDWICK, N.J. -- A.M. Best Co. is initiating for 30 days a period for comments from market participants in the health-care system and health insurance industries and other interested parties on a draft for its "Evaluating Health-Care Systems" methodology. The draft document is currently available on the Methodology section of...]]></description>
		<s:doctype><![CDATA[Research articles]]></s:doctype>
		<pubDate>Mon, 30 Apr 2007 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate>
		<category domain="http://resources.bnet.com/topic/a.m.+best+co..html"><![CDATA[A.M. Best Co.]]></category>
		<category domain="http://resources.bnet.com/topic/health+care.html"><![CDATA[health care]]></category>
		<category domain="http://resources.bnet.com/topic/.html"><![CDATA[]]></category>
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		<title><![CDATA[A.M. Best Withdraws Ratings of Fort Wayne Health & Casualty Insurance Company]]></title>
		<link><![CDATA[http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0EIN/is_2007_Feb_12/ai_n17218550]]></link>
		<description><![CDATA[OLDWICK, N.J. -- A.M. Best Co. has withdrawn the financial strength rating FSR of A Excellent and the issuer credit rating ICR of "a" and assigned a category of NR-5 Not Formally Followed to Fort Wayne Health & Casualty Insurance Company (Ft. Wayne) (Fort Wayne, IN), a subsidiary of Swiss...]]></description>
		<s:doctype><![CDATA[Research articles]]></s:doctype>
		<pubDate>Mon, 12 Feb 2007 00:00:00 -0800</pubDate>
		<category domain="http://resources.bnet.com/topic/a.m.+best+co..html"><![CDATA[A.M. Best Co.]]></category>
		<category domain="http://resources.bnet.com/topic/casualty+insurance.html"><![CDATA[casualty insurance]]></category>
		<category domain="http://resources.bnet.com/topic/health+care.html"><![CDATA[health care]]></category>
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