Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick has proposed asking businesses, insurers, and hospitals to kick in about $100 million to close a gap in funding for the state's health insurance law. Consumer groups praised the proposal, saying patients were asked to pay more when copayments and deductibles for subsidized health plans were increased earlier this year, and now it is time for others to step up and pay their share. But business and insurance industry leaders are opposed to Patrick's plan, saying it is unfair to ask them to pay more, especially during an economic downturn.
University of Iowa officials have named Kenneth Kates, a healthcare consultant with Alvarez & Marsal in Chicago, CEO of U of I Hospitals. Kates will take the U of I post Sept. 15 and be paid an annual salary of $540,000. Kates succeeds Donna Katen-Bahensky, who resigned Dec. 5 after leading the hospital since 2002. University officials said they did not renew Katen-Bahensky's contract because she did not support a reorganization of the hospital and the U of I Carver College of Medicine.
American Health Network, a large physician practice with offices in Ohio and Indiana, and Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield have settled a longstanding dispute over reimbursement for care. The disagreement between the two organizations intensified in 2007 when American Health Network stopped accepting new Anthem patients at two of its offices due to declining reimbursement rates. Ben Park, MD, chief executive of American Health Network, said his practice is satisfied with the agreement that keeps it part of the Anthem network of providers. American Health Network has about 50 locations with approximately 160 physicians in areas including primary care, general surgery, pediatrics, and obstetrics and gynecology.
About 33% of Americans agree that the U.S. healthcare system needs to be completely revamped, prompting its ranking as the least popular healthcare system out of 10 developed countries in a recent survey. The Dutch healthcare system was cited as the most popular, with only 9% of people there calling for an overhaul.
A Canadian man suffering from degenerative disc disease has found some pain relief after seeking care in India after finding little assistance from doctors in his own country. This is an increasingly popular move, as research shows that more and more Canadians are reporting finding such quality healthcare overseas at more affordable costs.
A Louisiana teen plans to travel abroad this year for a second time in hopes that stem cell surgery will ultimately reverse paralysis resulting from a 2006 car accident. Kayla Spano, 18, last year traveled to China for the surgery—while it didn't help her walk again, it did help her to regain some feeling and control in her lower abdomen. Remaining hopeful, she is now planning a trip to Costa Rica, where she will undergo a series of stem cell implants.