Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Grassley Presses For Public Disclosure Of Hospital Inspections
The Wall Street Journal: Senator Pushes For Hospital Inspections To Be Made Public
The chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee is pressing for the public disclosure of hospital inspection reports, amid complaints that the nation’s largest hospital accreditation group doesn’t rigorously enforce health and safety standards. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R., Iowa) asked federal regulators in a letter Monday to outline specific statutory changes that would be needed to end the confidentiality of inspection reports done by accreditors, including the Joint Commission, a nonprofit organization based in Oakbrook Terrace, Ill. (Armour, 9/19)
In other hospital news from Capitol Hill —
The Wall Street Journal: The Hidden Obamacare Detail That Could Cost Hospitals Billions
Investors should get ready for more belt-tightening in the hospital industry. Maybe a lot more. Some aspects of the Affordable Care Act, commonly known as Obamacare, were a blessing for hospitals. Expanded access to insurance has meant more customers who can pay for services they consume. That limits bad debt generated from bills that uninsured patients can’t afford to pay. (Grant, 9/19)
