Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Business Ties Can Conflict With Work Of Board Members, Administrators At Nonprofit Hospitals
The Wall Street Journal: Nonprofit Hospitals’ Business Relationships Can Present Conflicts
Nonprofit hospitals have extensive business ties that can pose conflicts of interests for their administrators and board members, a Wall Street Journal analysis of newly released Internal Revenue Service data shows. While having relationships with companies doing business with a nonprofit hospital isn’t necessarily improper—as long as the deals are disclosed and at market rate—administrators and board members sometimes may be forced to choose between what’s best for the hospital and what’s best for their private interests. (Fuller and Evans, 8/21)
The Associated Press: As The Number Of Freestanding ERs Grows, So Does Scrutiny
Freestanding emergency centers have sprouted in recent years across the suburban landscape, taking root in affluent neighborhoods and directly challenging nearby medical clinics and hospitals. ... As these centers offer another choice for people tired of deflating wait times at hospital emergency rooms, their escalating numbers are sending ripples across the health-care field. Critics say they do little to help those in rural America with dire medical needs, siphon away skilled emergency physicians and too often stick patients with overinflated bills. (Warren, 8/21)
Kaiser Health News: Doctors, Hospitals Prepare For Difficult Talks Surrounding Medical Mistakes
Hospitals have traditionally been reticent to disclose to patients or their family members the specifics of how a medical procedure didn’t go as planned for fear of malpractice lawsuits. In recent years, though, many are beginning to consider a change. Instead of the usual “deny-and-defend” approach, they are revamping their policies to be more open. To help them move in this direction, the federal Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality released in May an online toolkit designed to expand the use of the agency’s “Communication and Optimal Resolution” process, which establishes guidelines for adopting more transparency in communicating adverse events. (Tan, 8/22)
And in news from several states --
The Star Tribune: Minn. Hospitals See Drop In Charity Care Costs
As health insurance coverage has expanded under the federal health law, hospitals in Minnesota have seen a significant decline in costs to cover free and discounted care. The 10 largest hospital systems in the state last year spent about $236 million on what the industry calls charity care — a decline of $43 million, or 15 percent, from 2013, according to a Star Tribune analysis. (Snowbeck, 8/21)
Orlando Sentinel/Tampa Bay Tribune: UCF Academic Health Files Intent Letter For Establishing 100-Bed Hospital
A week after UCF officials announced that they were looking for a partner to build a teaching hospital in Lake Nona, they filed documents with the state showing their intent to build a 100-bed hospital, newly posted state documents show. The letter of intent, filed on behalf of UCF Academic Health Center and signed by UCF medical school dean Dr. Deborah German, is the first steps in the state's Certificate of Need process. (Miller, 8/19)
