Daily news & Analysis
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By: Janice Simmons, for HealthLeaders Media, February 25, 2010
For the past few weeks, the national conversation on healthcare reform has been getting louder and is expected to reach a crescendo today as select Democratic and GOP congressional members meet with President Obama for the healthcare summit at 10 a.m. EST at Blair House in Washington. Millions of viewers are expected to watch on the White House Web site and C-SPAN to see whether the summit can achieve a bipartisan agreement that moves a final bill through Congress.
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By: John Commins and Joe Cantlupe, February 24, 2010
The U.S. House of Representatives stripped health insurance companies of antitrust exemptions by a 406-19 vote. The Health Insurance Industry Fair Competition Act removes the health insurance industry's antitrust protections under the McCarran-Ferguson Act of 1945.
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By: Joe Cantlupe, for HealthLeaders Media, February 25, 2010
A Cabinet secretary and two congressional committees are increasing pressure on health plan leaders to justify premium rate hikes as the Obama administration steps up its fight for health reform proposals. HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius has invited leaders of insurance companies she has criticized for proposed rate hikes to a meeting March 3 at HHS, saying she is "eager to hear the justifications for these increases."
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By: Joe Cantlupe, February 24, 2010
A few insurance carriers dominate markets across the country, resulting in a "near total collapse" of competition, according to the American Medical Association. Two insurers controlled 70% of the markets in 24 states in 2007, and the lack of dynamic insurance markets resulted in rocketing insurance premiums, said AMA President J. James Rohack, MD.
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By: Scott Wallask, for HealthLeaders Media, February 24, 2010
One thing is clear when it comes to Joint Commission surveyors reviewing your disaster plans: If people from various departments can speak to their roles in emergency management, you'll be in better graces. Surveyors often look to various department managers to participate in these discussions, rather than the lead emergency management planner, as a way to test how many people are familiar with the facility's disaster plan.
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By: John Commins, for HealthLeaders Media, February 24, 2010
The American College of Emergency Physicians expressed concern over the recent closure of an emergency department in Cincinnati and reports that EDs could soon close in New York and Washington, DC. Angela Gardner, MD, president of ACEP, says the closures are especially troubling because healthcare reform has stalled and President Obama's new proposal does not address any of the critical problems facing emergency patients.
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By: Matt Phillion, for HealthLeaders Media, February 25, 2010
The term "observed but corrected on-site" has been cropping up in survey terminology in recent site visits, and has left some in the field confused. But what, exactly, is an "observed but corrected on-site" deficiency and how will it impact your survey?
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By: Joe Cantlupe, for HealthLeaders Media, February 24, 2010
Amid the controversy of insurance plans seeking large rate hikes, one company stands out, and that's Michigan Blue Cross Blue Shield.
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By: Cheryl Clark, for HealthLeaders Media, February 24, 2010
In California, institutional hiring of doctors is limited to teaching and county hospitals and prisons. The hiring situation is causing concern for rural areas in the state, which are already in dire need of physicians.
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By: Marianne Aiello, for HealthLeaders Media, February 24, 2010
A new marketing initiative is more likely to be successful if you have a solid plan in place than if you throw one together haphazardly. You need a steadfast approach to social media, and you should start with hive marketing.
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