Massachusetts Congressman Edward Markey applauded the Obama administration’s announcement this morning that it would pledge $156 million for Alzheimer’s research and care, a progressive, irreversible brain disorder afflicting approximately 5.1 million Americans.

The gridlock is over how to pay for the fix and could threaten the broader legislative package, which includes the payroll tax break extension. Meanwhile, lawmakers examine familiar offset possibilities, as well as some ideas from the private sector.

ASHEVILLE — Mission Hospital will pay the federal government $1.5 million to settle Medicare fraud allegations that it performed certain medical procedures on an inpatient basis when they could have been done as less costly outpatient procedures.

Competition in the diabetic supply business led AmMed Direct LLC to give layoff notices to its 223 employees on Tuesday as it prepares to sell assets to a Florida-based competitor and then stop operating.