Pennsylvania healthcare innovation shows results

After a year, the first 32 medical practices to sign up for a chronic-care initiative in Pennsylvania reported that their diabetic patients were doing better. Forty-four percent of the 15,000 diabetic patients in the program gained ideal control of their blood sugar, up from 33% a year ago. Participants say the program works because it gives incentives for caregivers to track patients better and to hire more staff. Over time, proponents hope to see broad health improvements and big savings from fewer hospitalizations and ER visits.