Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Connection Found Between Low-Income Communities And Fewer Hospital Stars
Modern Healthcare: CMS' Star Ratings For Hospitals Linked To Social, Economic Factors
The CMS' hospital quality star ratings have been strongly criticized by industry stakeholders and Congress as unfairly tarnishing the reputations of hospitals in low-income communities. A new study reinforces the concerns, concluding that a hospital's rating is heavily influenced by its location's socio-economic conditions. Hospitals with relatively low star ratings from the CMS were located in cities with high “stress” levels, according to the study, published Monday in JAMA. The stress levels of cities were determined using a 2016 analysis from WalletHub, a finance website that measured socio-economic conditions like unemployment and poverty rates in 150 cities across the country. (Castellucci, 11/28)
Crain's Detroit Business: Study: Medicare Hospital Star Rating Skewed By Stress Level Of Cities
A new study of 150 cities shows that Medicare's hospital star rating system to illustrate quality is skewed against cities that are also on "America's Most Stressed Cities" list, according to researchers at Henry Ford Health System in Detroit. The Henry Ford report is the second study in as many weeks that shows an inherent bias for hospitals located in low-income areas and the ability to score well in Medicare's new hospital quality rating system. (Greene, 11/28)
The Wall Street Journal: Beware Medicare Advantage Plans
An increasing number of seniors are choosing to get their Medicare benefits through Medicare Advantage plans. But do they understand what they’re signing up for? A recent report suggests they may not, especially when it comes to which hospitals are included in the plans’ networks. (Ward, 11/27)
