The government is poised to extend health coverage to 4 million more lower-income children, a first step in President Barack Obama's promise to shrink the ranks of the uninsured. The House was expected to approve the expansion of a children's health insurance program and deliver it to Obama for his quick signature. The bill has already passed the Senate. Over the next four years, up to 13 million children could be covered under the program.
Seattle-based Swedish Medical Center said it will lay off 200 of its roughly 7,000 employees in a bid to cut operating costs.
"Given a tough fourth quarter and the economic head winds we've had, we recognized we needed to do a thorough restructuring," said Chief Executive Rod Hochman. "We are tax-exempt, but we need to remain competitive, with a margin to build buildings." Positions being eliminated include four vice presidents, 22 directors, and an unspecified number of managers and support staff, including nonpracticing medical managers.
UnitedHealthcare announced it has signed a long-term agreement with Connecticut-based MidState Medical Center that will enable all members to get care at MidState facilities in Meriden and ancillary care centers in Cheshire, Southington and Wallingford. Before the agreement, MidState's facilities were part of UnitedHealthcare's network for members of commercial health plans. As of March 1, members of the company's Oxford commercial and Medicare Solutions plans can also get in-network care at MidState's locations.
LifePoint Hospitals completed its acquisition of a hospital in Conyers, GA, while Community Health Systems announced a new deal in Arkansas. The transactions reflect how more community-owned and not-for-profit hospitals are considering options such as partnering with national hospital chains as they face a worsening national economy. Under the agreements, chains often commit money for hospital upgrades or agree to replace existing buildings.
Access Carroll is a medical nonprofit organization that offers free healthcare to residents in Carroll County, MD, with low incomes and no health insurance. The number of patients treated by Access Carroll more than doubled between 2006 and 2008, when more than 2,300 patients were seen in 5,700 visits. And with the economy projected to continue its downward spiral this year, organizations such as Access Carroll will be in greater demand, said Tammy Black, executive director of Access Carroll.
Largely under the guise of economic stimulus, Congress and the president are moving quickly to infuse—perhaps not large and perhaps not permanent—but significant temporary cash into healthcare. Is this good news for hospitals and health systems?