The American Hospital Association is right to raise concerns about proposed rule changes that could adversely affect payments for rural health clinics and federally qualified health centers. [Read More]
August 27, 2008
Editor's Picks
New Jersey doing more to keep hospitals alive Hoping to better regulate the financial outlook of its 74 hospitals, New Jersey is requiring its hospitals to file monthly—rather than quarterly—financial reports. But critics say the new "early warning system" ignores the reality that there are simply too many hospitals in the Garden State and that some of them need to close. [Read More] Turmoil at Miami Beach’s Mount Sinai Medical Center The Miami Herald provides a detailed portrait of a legendary hospital in crisis. Miami Beach's Mount Sinai Medical Center lost $11.5 million, and critics say CEO Steven Sonenreich and his executive staff are enjoying plush compensation, even as the hospital around them crumbles. [Read More] Uninsured to spend $30 billion, study says A new study by researches at George Mason University and the Urban Institutes estimates that Americans will spend $30 billion out of pocket on medical care this year, and that the government will pick up another $56 billion. [Read More] Hospital death rates unveiled Once a closely guarded secret, consumers now have access to hospital death rates under a new mortality index implemented by CMS. Advocates say giving consumers the data will allow them to make informed choices. Critics say a handful of fatalities could skew the results unfavorably for smaller hospitals. Want to know how your local hospital stacks up? Want to know how your local hospital stacks up? Type in your Zip Code. [Read More]
Leaders Forum
Innovative Strategies for Physician-Hospital Alignment The future of physician-hospital joint ventures is now uncertain thanks to today's struggling economy and pushes for healthcare reform. This is prompting many to seek innovative strategies that will ensure future success. [Read More]
The number of people who can't pay much—or anything—for their care just keeps rising. Some hospitals have found new ways to help them while still protecting the financial health of the hospital. [Read More]
Community CallDiscussion Board
There is a growing trend among hospitals nationwide to ask patients to pay upfront for non-emergency elective procedures. Do you support this trend? Is your hospital doing it?
