HealthLeaders Media Community and Rural Hospital Weekly - October 22, 2008 View as a Webpage | Subscribe for Free

The ER Myth vs. Reality
John Commins, Editor, Community Hospitals
There is a nagging myth out there that it is the approximately 47 million uninsured people in this nation who are clogging hospital emergency rooms for routine care better suited to a doctor's office or a walk-in clinic. A new study in the current issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association reaffirms what many already know?this is not the case. [Read More]
     
 
October 22, 2008
 
Editor's Picks
Obama, McCain health proposals big on numbers, short of reality
Are you confused about which of the two health plans floated by the two presidential candidates is right for America? Well, join the club. A review of the claims by both candidates finds their projections of coverage and estimates of savings to be all but meaningless. [Read More]
NC community hospital boosters urge state action
Dozens of supporters for a community hospital in Holly Springs, NC, a Winston-Salem suburb, are making a case for more hospital beds in Wake County. [Read More]
HCA's planned hospital in Virginia uncorks strong reactions
HCA's proposed 164-bed hospital in the Broadlands area of Loudoun County, VA, is prompting strong reactions. It doesn't appear that anyone is arguing against the need for the hospital. Instead, it's location, location, location. The strongest opposition is coming from neighborhoods near the proposed project, where residents are concerned about the increased noise and congestion. [Read More]
As hospitals warn of disaster, Alabama Medicaid cuts are put on hold
Alabama will continue to pay its hospitals its existing Medicaid rates, at least through the end of the year, avoiding cuts that were supposed to go in place on Oct. 1. The Alabama Hospital Association and others told Gov. Bob Riley that the cuts to the $4.3 billion state Medicaid program would devastate healthcare delivery and would likely put a lot of hospitals out of business. [Read More]
Georgia hospital says cuts likely if bonds unavailable
Southern Regional Hospital in Clayton County, GA, is asking the county government to back a $95 million bond. The county is balking and fearful that the bond request could lead to a tax hike for county residents at a time when the region is already hard-hit by the economic downfall. [Read More]
KY regulators approve converted in-patient hospital for Bullitt County
State regulators have approved a plan to convert Jewish Hospital's outpatient medical center in Bullitt County into an inpatient hospital with as many as 60 beds. [Read More]
 
Leaders Forum
Healthcare Crisis and Transformational Leadership
The healthcare system of this country, which has been described by most industry observers as in crisis, is poised for significant change, says contributor Larry Barnes. The effective application of information technology has been suggested as a potential mitigating factor for this crisis. Leadership competence in information technology is crucial and can be enhanced through the adoption and application of an appropriate leadership style, Barnes says. [Read More]
 
This Week's Headlines
Pilot program creates job to coordinate care
Minneapolis Star Tribune ? October 22, 2008
One big antibiotic dose fights MRSA, study says
Wall Street Journal (subscription required) ? October 22, 2008
Uninsured not main reason for ER crowding
Reuters/Yahoo News ? October 22, 2008
Competition, patient demand are fueling growth in after-hours clinics
Kansas City Star ? October 21, 2008
Death rate 70% lower at top U.S. hospitals
HealthDay/Washington Post ? October 16, 2008

Webcasts/Audio Conferences
Financial Meltdown: Managing Through The Crisis (Live)
5 Ways to Hospital-Physician Quality: Goals, Incentives, Dialogue, Staff, IT (Live)
Grow Outpatient Revenues Now: 3 Impact Strategies (Live)
 
 
From HealthLeaders Magazine
Model for Success
  Running a medical group has never been more complex. But many practices have found ways to not only survive?but thrive. [Read More]
    
 
Community Call
Discussion Board
What do you think is the major cause of emergency room overcrowding?
 
Audio Feature
Deep Impact: Scott Clay, a senior principal with the Noblis Center for Health Innovation, talks about the effect of the deepening financial crisis healthcare organizations. [Listen Now]