Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Government Pressed On Patient Data Access Problems
Stat: Pressure Builds On Government To Probe Claims Of Patient Data Blocking
Patients, lawyers, developers, and others across the country have lodged more than 250 federal complaints against health care providers they say have made it harder for patients to access their own electronic medical data. Now, pressure is mounting on the federal agencies investigating the claims to handle them faster — and to disclose far more details about what they find. Health technology leaders and former federal officials have started publicly pressing the Department of Health and Human Services to more aggressively approach instances of “information blocking,” or any interference with the exchange and sharing of patient data. (Ravindranath, 3/10)
In other health care industry news —
Modern Healthcare: Providence's Operating Losses Doubled In 2021
Providence health system endured much deeper operating losses in 2021 than during the previous year, the not-for-profit company reported Wednesday. Providence recorded a $714 million operating loss on operating revenue of $27.3 billion last year, down from $306 million and $25.7 billion in 2020. The 52-hospital chain accrued $1.2 billion from non-operating income and $313 million from COVID-19 relief grants that offset its losses. Providence collected $1 billion in non-operating income and $957 million in relief funding the previous year. (Kacik, 3/9)
The Baltimore Sun: UMMS Board Chairman, Who Saw The Hospital System Through COVID And Past ‘Healthy Holly,’ Steps Down
James “Chip” DiPaula Jr. has stepped down as chairman of the University of Maryland Medical System after nearly three years in the position that was punctuated by the coronavirus pandemic. DiPaula, however, may be best remembered as taking the helm of the 13-hospital system’s board in the wake of a major scandal involving lucrative contracts for board members. That included former Baltimore Mayor Catherine Pugh, who made hundreds of thousands of dollars selling her “Healthy Holly” children’s books in a sole-source deal with UMMS. (Cohn, 3/9)
Detroit Free Press: MyMichigan Health CEO, Spouse Dies In Florida Plane Crash
MyMichigan Health President and CEO Diane Postler-Slattery and her husband, Donald Slattery, died in a fatal plane crash in northwest Florida on Tuesday. Greg Rogers, executive vice president and chief operating officer, said it is a huge loss for the health system. “Diane was a strong, passionate and inspirational leader and was beloved by her family, friends and colleagues. We ask that you keep her family and friends in your thoughts and prayers and that you respect their privacy during this difficult time.” Rogers is serving as acting CEO for the health system until further action is taken. (Stein, 3/9)
