Efforts centered in Nashville are attempting to shine a spotlight on what some see as the biggest financial uncertainty facing the nation: healthcare. The latest effort in the city involves plans by healthcare entrepreneur Clayton McWhorter to launch SHOUTAmerica, a nonprofit group that aims to raise a younger generation's awareness about the need for healthcare reform. Nashville has much riding on the winning candidate's approach to tackling the nation's healthcare problems because hospitals are one of the city's key industries. The hospitals could benefit from more Americans getting health coverage under Obama's plan, while disease management and wellness companies in the city could benefit from McCain's focus on consumer choice, experts say.
A major OB/GYN group in Chicago is splitting up, as three senior partners form a new, all-gynecology practice. Obstetric and Gynecologic Specialists of Northwestern has seven female doctors who currently serve more than 25,000 patients. Its founder, Lauren Streicher, MD, initiated the shift to a gynecology-only practice. The four remaining physicians are forming a new OB/GYN group in a new location.
The Massachusetts House of Representatives has voted to seek another $89 million from the state, insurance companies and healthcare providers to support the Massachusetts universal healthcare law. Business leaders targeted by Gov. Deval Patrick for another $33 million in contributions were spared, however. House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi said in a statement that "modest changes" would allow universal healthcare to continue in Massachusetts while striking the right balance between state and private-sector involvement.
Surgeons in Massachusetts have operated in the wrong location on patients 38 times since 2006, with botched spine surgeries accounting for more of the mistakes than any other type of operation, according to a review of state documents. New England Baptist accounted for four of the 11 bungled spine surgeries in the state. In three of the cases at the Baptist, surgeons discovered the error in the operating room and performed the correct procedure while the patient's spine was still exposed.
A review of West Penn Allegheny Health System finances has found that it overstated payments from vendors and patients by $73 million over the past two years. The move is expected to result in substantial operating losses for the system. President and Chief Executive Officer Christopher Olivia, MD, has sent a system-wide e-mail assuring staff that the reductions "have no direct implications on the System's pension plan" and that WPAHS has "now adopted an industry 'best practice' accounting methodology to help ensure a mistake of this nature does not reoccur."
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia, the state's largest health insurer, sent an estimated 202,000 benefits letters containing personal and health information to the wrong addresses in a privacy breach that also raised concerns about potential identity theft. The insurer said that the erroneous mailings were primarily Explanation of Benefits letters, which include the patient's name and ID number, the name of the medical provider delivering the service, and the amounts charged and owed. The security breach may be a violation of the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996.
The Nashville-based Frist family, which helped start the for-profit hospital chain HCA Inc., are launching a company to take the U.S. system of managing and operating hospitals to China. China Healthcare Corp. said it has an initial agreement with a city southeast of Shanghai to build and operate a hospital that would replace an existing location. The startup would own a 70% stake in the joint venture, while the government of Ningbo would own the remaining 30%. The agreement requires approval from the Chinese ministries of health and commerce, a process that takes up to nine months on average.
Insurers are increasingly rejecting imaging procedures recommended by U.S. doctors as the companies work to trim $30 billion a year they say is wasted on the tests. With U.S. health costs projected to grow to 25% of the economy in 2025 from 16% now, insurers are turning to so-called radiology benefit managers who can reject scans determined to be unneeded, said representatives from a Washington-based consultant to hospitals. In addition to requiring advance approval, screeners are negotiating discounted fees for scans, requiring imaging facilities to win accreditation, and guiding consumers to cheaper test centers.
Democrats and Republicans are entering a political debate over a $700 million health plan offered by Jay Nixon, a Democrat running for governor of Missouri. Nixon wants to reinstate Medicaid for about 100,000 low-income adults, restore services such as dental care, and expand children's coverage. He says the state can absorb its share of the cost, while the federal government would pay the rest. Republican budget leaders are calling Nixon's plan an expansion of welfare, and estimate it would cost the state as much as $400 million a year.
Bob Allen, vice president for public relations and government affairs at Crouse Hospital in Syracuse, NY, shares how his hospital's Expect the Best campaign helped the hospital grow its OB market share by 15%.
