Even as employers push a greater share of rising medical costs on to workers, a growing number of companies also are providing services like free check-ups, screening exams, and prescription drugs that potentially can save employees hundreds of dollars a year. The trend is gathering steam as more companies expect to reduce their overall healthcare spending by focusing more attention on preventing illness.
A Food and Drug Administration advisory panel will consider three proposed antibiotics designed to treat serious skin infections, including some caused by MRSA. The bacterium has sparked concern as the super bug has moved into community settings like schools and locker rooms in recent years after once being largely confined to hospital settings. But it's not clear if any of the three drugs will reach the bar for FDA approval because of safety concerns or questions about how well the drugs work compared with other available medications.
A Bush administration plan to grant new protections to healthcare providers who oppose abortion and other procedures on religious or moral grounds has provoked a torrent of objections. The proposed rule would prohibit recipients of federal money from discriminating against doctors, nurses, and other healthcare workers who refuse to perform or to assist in the performance of abortions or sterilization procedures because of their "religious beliefs or moral convictions." It would also prevent hospitals, clinics, doctors' offices, and drugstores from requiring employees with religious or moral objections to "assist in the performance of any part of a health service program or research activity" financed by the Department of Health and Human Services.
Massachusetts General Hospital fared poorly in its last inspection by the Joint Commission, and is getting ready for the group's next visit that could come at any time within the next 13 months. The hospital recently hired consultants to perform a mock accreditation survey and is implementing new training and educational procedures. In a recent e-mail to staff, Mass. General's president said the survey showed some areas still need improvement and must be addressed "immediately."
Massachusetts Sen. Edward M. Kennedy has told reporters that he would advance a bill in early 2009 calling for universal healthcare. Kennedy made the announcement during his second appearance on Capitol Hill since he began treatment for a malignant brain tumor in June. Some Democrats, including members of President-elect Barack Obama's circle, have begun to view expanded health coverage as a longer-term goal.
According to data from the Boston Globe, Massachusetts health insurance companies pay a handful of hospitals far more for the same work even when there is no evidence that the higher-priced care produces healthier patients. In fact, sometimes the opposite is true: Massachusetts General Hospital, for example, earns 15% more than Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center for treating heart-failure patients even though government figures show that Beth Israel has for years reported lower patient death rates, the investigation found.