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Editor's Picks
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Thailand achieves near-universal coverage
In 2001, Thailand extended government-financed coverage to all uninsured people with little or no cost sharing, and a new study published by Health Affairs found "the country has added nearly 14 million people to the system and achieved near-universal coverage without compromising access for those with prior coverage." The "30 baht" program is named for the goal of ensuring that no individual is charged more than 30 baht (about 84 cents) for any inpatient or outpatient visit. By 2005, almost 96% of Thailand's population had health insurance under 30 baht and other insurance programs, the study found. Another study, also published today by Health Affairs, found the 30 baht program reduced "catastrophic" levels of out of pocket healthcare spending by Thai households, particularly among the poor. Researchers defined catastrophic spending as exceeding 40% of a household's non-subsistence spending. [Read More]
Officials: New U.K. health checks could save 650 lives per year
Under a new program by the National Health Service, everyone aged between 40 and 74 in England will be invited for tests every five years to identify their risk of coronary heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and kidney disease. More than two million people will be assessed each year and officials believe the checks have the potential to prevent 1,600 heart attacks and strokes annually. "The national program of Health Checks could save 650 lives a year and reduce the health inequalities that blight the lives of the country's most deprived families," Health Secretary Alan Johnson told the Daily Mail. [Read More]
Jamaica begins medical travel investment
With the Jamaican economy suffering several recent setbacks, the director of the country's Chamber of Commerce is calling for significant investments in health tourism to replace lost earnings. According Keith Collister, purpose-built hospitals to attract foreign clients would more than make up for the earnings lost from ailing sectors. Collister told the Travel News Gazette that in 2008 one hospital in Thailand had revenues of over $600 million from 65,000 patients, over half of whom were Americans. "One such hospital based in Jamaica could replace the minimum likely damage to export earnings from the collapse of the bauxite industry, whilst two such hospitals could generate enough revenues to replace the entire bauxite industry," he said.
In other news that shows medical travel is inching closer to the U.S., the News Gazette also reported that the Medical Tourism Association has formed a partnership designating AeroMexico as the preferred airline for patients of its medical providers in Latin America. Through the partnership, customers will be eligible for special travel packages through AeroMexico's designated travel wholesalers, as well as the AeroMexico and Medical Tourism Association's Web sites. [Read More]
Minneapolis hospital tested by immigrant population
This article from the New York Times describes the plight of Minneapolis-based Hennepin County Medical Center, which spends $3 million a year on interpreters fluent in 50 languages to communicate effectively with its foreign-born patients. Since the late 1970s, Minneapolis has been taking in waves of legal refugees from countries all over the world. Hennepin, a 446-bed public hospital, has a tradition of turning no one away and has become the first stop for many immigrants who need a doctor, the article states. [Read More]
TLT Call For Entries
As we celebrate the fifth year of the Top Leadership Teams in Healthcare program, we are once again looking for the next story of great leadership. Last year, we opened up the competition to include a "Global Hospitals" category, with Bangkok Hospital Medical Center in Thailand named the winner. If you think your organization has an outstanding teamwork story to share, submit your entry to HealthLeaders Media today. The deadline for submissions is April 30.
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Global Health Headlines
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Study finds morale patchy among England's National Health Service staff
The Guardian - March 25, 2009
India-based Care Hospitals to invest in multi-specialty facilities
Business Standard - March 31, 2009
U.S. health czar has deep ties to the industry
Chicago Tribune - March 29, 2009
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From HealthLeaders Magazine |
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SOS: Public Hospitals
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On the brink even during good economic times, many public hospitals are operating in technical insolvency amid a painful recession. [Read More] |
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Service Lines Management |
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Beyond Obstetrics
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A changing female demographic has created new opportunities for hospitals to grow the women's health service line into much more than just labor and delivery. [Read More] |
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Audio Feature
CEO Survey: Cheryl Herbert, president of Dublin Methodist Hospital in central Ohio, offers insights on the HealthLeaders Media Industry Survey 2009, discussing CEOs' view of the quality of their organizations' information technology and how the federal stimulus package may affect healthcare IT. [Listen Now]
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