Top Stories

HealthLeaders Media editors research more than 100 reputable news outlets daily and share the latest healthcare headlines with our readers. You may submit inquiries or suggestions to our online editor.

April 30, 2009
Cooking Activities are Top Hospital Fire Threat
Peer Review Protection Statutes Take on New Meaning
Senate Finance Committee Considers Reform Options in Closed Sessions
Medicare system overhaul proposed by two senators
Congress approves Obama's $3.4 trillion spending blueprint
WHO warns of likely pandemic
An affordable fix for modernizing medical records
Louisiana committee OKs bill giving board hospital control
States, hospitals roll out emergency plans
Recession leaves health agencies weakened in swine flu defense

April 29, 2009
Fraud Recovery Bill Has Healthcare Implications
Virtual Patient Advocate Could Enhance Health Literacy
Two senators offer bipartisan healthcare proposal
Hospitals see fewer uninsured patients
Florida House passes bill targeting healthcare fraud
Sebelius Faces Public Health Challenges
CIGNA cost estimator available to providers
Connecticut hospitals brace for swine flu patients
Senate committee offers a peek at healthcare overhaul
Just inside 100 days, Sebelius completes the Cabinet

April 28, 2009
Report Advises Ethics Overhaul to Curb Conflicts of Interest
Senate set to confirm Sebelius as health secretary
Healthcare choices in Minnesota: Cut a lot or cut a lot more
HCA profit jumps 92%; controls, growth cited
Swine flu exposes HHS vacancies
Evidence-Based Hospital Design Improves Patient Safety

April 27, 2009
Hospital Job Growth Flat-Lines in 2009
Swine Flu: Hospitals Should Get Proactive
Treat Life Safety PFIs as Contracts with Joint Commission
Concerns Raised Over Health System Offering DNA Tests
New Hollywood, FL, center 'a one-stop shop' for women's medical imaging
ERs face a new urgency
Many nursing jobs, but only the strong need apply
California counties cut healthcare to illegal immigrants
AHA: Hospitals in Critical Condition
32% of University of Chicago redirected patients are poor, uninsured
Hospital sweetens offer to Framingham, MA
Obama tactic shields healthcare bill from a filibuster
Shortage of doctors proves obstacle to Obama goals
Pension and health benefits may suffer for auto retirees under bankruptcy
Johns Hopkins acquires suburban hospital
Commentary: Five myths on healthcare's electronic fix-it

April 24, 2009
GOP wants nomination of Sebelius withdrawn
Larger Type Proposed for CA Med Board Posting Notice
General Hospitals Adapt to Specialty Competition
Congress Gearing Up to Tackle Healthcare Reform
Malpractice suits fall in Pennsylvania, easing insurance crisis
Washington hospitals seek higher Medicaid payments
U.S. launching $1.1 billion study of which medical therapies work
ER visits, costs in Massachusetts climb

April 23, 2009
Economic Disaster Diverts Attention from Emergency Preparedness
Sebelius Vote Expected on Tuesday
Provider Tax Stalls in California
Pennsylvania health system feud now a federal case
Advocate looking at hospital partnership outside Chicago
Democrats consider bypassing GOP on healthcare plan

April 22, 2009
FAA Intends to Publish New Medical Flight Regulation
OIG Official: Fighting Fraud is Critical to Healthcare Reform
AHA Issues Member Advisory on RAC Program
Americans Are Delaying, Postponing Care, New Survey Shows
Hospital's Eco Agenda Saves Money
Commentary: Malpractice damage caps not a cure for high healthcare costs
Grady Memorial Hospital private consultant makes big bucks
Ruling calls review of Seattle Children's Hospital expansion impacts inadequate
Health system trades land with Chicago Housing Authority for ambulatory care unit

April 21, 2009
Mayo opens private medical-data Web site
Minnesota-based Park Nicollet cuts 233 jobs, 1.8% of workforce
Iowa House OKs modified health reform bill
Lawmakers debate tax on health benefits
Big challenges await health records transition
Senators set timetable for healthcare bills
Medical providers struggle to communicate with immigrant patients
Healthcare dialogue alarms Obama's allies

April 20, 2009
CA Hospital Shooting Shows the Need for Gun-Themed Training
Fewer Bad Doctors Get Disciplined
Safety Issues: Similarities, Differences Exist Among Small and Large Hospitals
Recession Is Taking Toll on Large Hospital Bottom Lines
Hospitals mine data to identify those likely to pay
Senate committee to vote Tuesday on HHS secretary
New life for healthcare tax referendum in Washington state
Americans' medical files go digital, by way of Asia
Virtual colonoscopy at center of policy debate
Congress inclined to act first on health
A hard-charging doctor on Obama's team
In North Carolina, recession breeds a healthcare crisis

April 17, 2009
FTC Unveils EHR Security Rule
Industry May Have to Wait for Unsecured PHI Definition
Making the Switch: Washington Hospital Turns to DNV
CMS Urged to Withdraw Physician Supervision Policy
Wide Pay Gap Between Medical Directors in Hospital-Owned v Nonhospital-Owned Facilities
Business leader promises Grady Memorial Hospital $20 million
Connecticut lawmakers try to keep hospital merger idea alive
FHA: Medicaid cuts will cost hospital jobs
White House wants to use RBMs to control Medicare spending on imaging
Kaiser Permanente to settle kidney transplant claims for $1 million

April 16, 2009
FTC Chairman Appoints Senior Staff
CMS Clarifies Oversight of HCAHPS in 2009, Releases Updated Scores
Many Hospitals Still Falling Short in Reaching Patient Safety Goals
Hospital CIOs: EHR Carrot Too Small, Stick Too Big
DeParle: Healthcare Reform Moving Steadily Forward
Move toward single payer health plan for Colorado dies in Legislature
VA's New Orleans hospital plans going before public
Interim LSU hospital to cut jobs
Nancy-Ann DeParle's definition of 'public' health insurance
Vermont doctors get $2.9 million cash, gifts from drugmakers

April 15, 2009
Beyond Patients, the Public Will Flock to Hospitals During Disasters
Dueling Reports Show Benefits, Problems with Public Insurance Option
Lawsuit Demands Geographic Parity in Medicare Physician Pay
TriState Clears Antitrust Hurdle
Federal Panel Hears Advice, Concerns about Comparative Effectiveness Research Efforts
ACEP: Health Reform for EDs, Too
Conflict-of-Interest Policies Aim to Strengthen Pharma Ties
Program seeks to cut New Jersey hospital readmissions
CA-based Brotman Medical Center emerges from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection
West Virginia healthcare bills now in governor's hands
Allina Hospitals and Clinics to refund $1.1 million to patients
Drug makers, hospitals raise prices
HCA expects stronger revenue
Hospitals merge design and building to cut costs

April 14, 2009
Study Finds Multicolored Scrubs Brighten Pediatric Care
OIG Open Letter Leaves Providers with Self-Disclosure Questions
NY Hospital Targets Zero MRSA Cases in Unit
Rehospitalization Rate Provides Glimpse into Bigger Concerns
Under pressure, Illinois pays overdue Medicaid bills
Push to compare treatments worries drug, device makers

April 13, 2009
CMS Names 14 Communities for Hospital Readmissions Project
Surveyors Can Hold CEOs Accountable for Fire Protection Vendors' Poor Work
Cook Children's may manage hospital in Waco, TX
Marietta, GA, hospital officials say they're not to blame in sex assaults
Plan to close Philadelphia hospital stirs anger
Medical helicopter service faces big Connecticut budget cuts
Electronic health records raise doubt
Joint Commission Releases New Scoring Information
California Hospitals Fight for Right to Hire Doctors
Fewer openings in nursing field
Recession now hits jobs in healthcare
Could ACOs Appear on the Medicare Payment Horizon?
EHR Incentives Available. Will Hospitals Take the Bait?
HITECH Panic? Not Now, At Least

April 10, 2009
Critical questions boards should asking
IL case questions how much charity care is needed to land millions in subsidies
Boston's Beth Israel faulted for staph outbreak in mothers, babies
$3 million settlement for family in King-Harbor death
Baltimore-based Bon Secours seeks aid to avoid shutdown
Indianapolis-based St. Vincent Health revamps its payment policy
Facing hard times, Shriners may close six hospitals
Hope for deficit-crippled Philadelphia hospital hangs on 30-day reprieve
Stroger Hospital in IL pays for transfers from non-profit hospitals getting tax breaks
Massachusetts-based Partners Healthcare curbs doctors' drug industry ties

April 9, 2009
Obama makes health reform office official
Nashville General Hospital asks mayor to preserve services
Patient mishaps in Massachusetts hospitals top 300
Jindal tells New Orleans officials he backs hospital
Healthcare forum focuses on chronic illness
Jackson Health System names CEO finalists
Former critic of TX-based JPS Health Network named VP of medical affairs
Christian doctors' group protests rolling back conscience rule
California hospital to pay $1.6 million in homeless dumping settlement
Ambulatory Services buys New Mexico dialysis centers
Medical home approach brings back managed care
Boston-based Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital to move
Johns Hopkins bans free drug samples, gifts from industry

April 8, 2009
Consolidation of insurers a concern for medical providers
$23 million won't keep Georgia trauma system healthy, advocates say
Nurses at Independence, MO-based Centerpoint await election on bargaining unit
Oregon Senate committee passes healthcare bills
More Southern California residents forgo preventive care, providers say
Commentary: Why 'quality' care is dangerous

April 7, 2009
Report: Massachusetts mandate not driving health coverage costs
World Health Organization calls for disaster-proof hospitals
No room for patience: Hospitals seeking payments up front
Community rallies to save Greenville (SC) Shriners Hospital for Children
Trinity Medical Center and Irondale, AL, set mediation date in relocation dispute
Long Island hospitals scramble to close budget gaps
Broward, FL, hospital commissioner a no-show
Universal health coverage in spotlight at Los Angeles forum
Massachusetts hospital gets subpoena tied to doctor's studies

April 6, 2009
Jobs scarce, even for nurses
New York-Presbyterian Hospital offering digital records
Waukesha (WI) Memorial taps eco-friendly ideas in laboratory addition
Planners OK Encinitas, CA, hospital expansion
Obama healthcare road show coming to California
New Hampshire senator to meet with healthcare providers
Health group volunteers Tennessee as test site for universal coverage
663,000 jobs lost in March; total tops 5 million

April 3, 2009
Strategies to capture market share
Fast vote is unlikely on HHS pick
$3.5 trillion spending plan paves way for Obama goals
Grady Memorial costs to rise for people outside of Fulton, DeKalb counties
FL-based Helen Ellis Memorial Hospital seeks partner for cardiac care services
TN-based Community Health makes two acquisitions

April 2, 2009
Grady Memorial Hospital cuts were about 'culture' as well as costs
Nurses file lawsuit against Mercy Pittsburgh Health System
Subsidized care costs Massachusetts $794 million
Health critic brings a past and a wallet
Jefferson Parish, LA, hospitals try to cut costs
Hospital of Central Connecticut seeks affiliation with Hartford Hospital
Critics: CT governor's proposed Medicaid cuts go against spirit of stimulus
More concerns expressed regarding UConn Health Center, Hartford Hospital merger
Clergy seek federal money to rescue Nashville General Hospital

April 1, 2009
Divisive legislative tool gaining favor, healthcare reconciliation may be an option
Massachusetts hospital ratings complicate care of sickest
Kaiser's vital signs defy ailing economy
Emory Healthcare employees help hospital cut costs
Mednax buys neonatal practices in Texas, Virginia
Commentary: Seven strategies to capture market share
Healthcare unions may make push in Nashville
IL-based Advocate drops deal for Rockford Memorial Hospital
HHS nominee Sebelius amends tax returns
Sebelius confirmation hearings start
Democrats agree on a health plan; now comes the hard part