The Secret Lives of Docs-In-Training
Ever wonder what hospital doctors do during their short breaks? Or how they manage to make it through a 28-hour shift? Look no further than hospital call rooms. During a recent trip to the Washington Hospital Center, Dr. Emil S. Oweis, a second-year resident, took me to a place where patients are not invited: resident […]
New Rules Provide Relief For Sleep-Deprived Medical Residents
New rules limiting the shifts first-year medical residents can work in hospitals take effect today, but they won’t end the debate over the pros and cons of 24-hour workdays.
Enthusiasm Rises Among Med Students For Primary Care-The KHN Interview
Dr. Andy Bindman says educators at the University of California, San Francisco, are seeing a “pretty significant uptick” in applicants for primary care residencies.
Administration Offers New Path For ACOs
Facing strong criticism of the proposed regulation for accountable care organizations, the Obama administration announced new options to lure hesitant hospitals and doctors.
A Success Story: Expanding Health Care Options For Detroit’s Poor-The KHN Interview
Dr. Herbert Smitherman talks about the Voices of Detroit Initiative that tracked 33,000 uninsured people and helped get more than half of them into coordinated care systems.
Emergency Rooms Provide Care Of Last Resort For Mentally Ill
With states reducing the number of psychiatric beds, mentally ill patients often languish in hospital emergency rooms for several days, sometimes longer. At most, they get drugs but little counseling, and the environment is often harsh.
States’ Mental Health Budgets Fall In Recession
Analysis by advocacy group NAMI finds cuts of $1.8 billion, or about 8 percent of the states’ total budgets, from 2009 through 2011.
Pennsylvania Closing State Health Plan For Low-Income Adults
Few options are available for the 42,000 people losing coverage.
Psst, Mr. President, A Little Advice On Your SOTU Remarks
Nine health policy experts explain what they would like to hear from the president Tuesday.
Democrats And Republicans Angle For Public Support In Health Law Debate
The House vote to repeal the health law marks the beginning of a new phase of the debate over an issue that both parties hope to turn to their advantage in elections next year.
Emergency Rooms Predict More Patient Visits As Law Expands Insurance Coverage
A new survey of emergency department administrators shows most believe the new health law will drive more patients to their facilities.
Health Insurance Brokers Fight For Their Future
The new health law appears to threaten the future of many health insurance brokers, but they say the service they provide is worth the money.
Hospitals Lure Doctors Away From Private Practice
One in six doctors works for a hospital, and the number is quickly growing. Both sides benefit: hospitals get a steady stream of patients and doctors say they can practice medicine without worrying about the hassles of running a private practice.
Health Care Interests Push To Make ACOs Pay Off For Them
From medical device makers to pharmacists to labor unions, a host of organizations want to ensure that accountable care organizations expand their business and influence.
Health Care Providers, Insurers: Accountable Care Organizations Bring Legal Worries
The Obama administration has touted ACOs as a key way that the new health law will help providers work more closely together to lower health costs and improve patient care. But doctors and hospitals are worried about inadvertently violating antitrust and anti-fraud laws. Insurers fear the new doctor-hospital entities could boost health care prices. Industry and government officials are meeting Tuesday to deal with the concerns.
Hospitals Hope To Improve Outlook By Turning For-Profit
Deals in Detroit and Boston may be the leading edge of a trend, hospital analysts say.
Governors To Congress: Extend Extra Medicaid Funds
Kansas’ Mark Parkinson is one of a number of governors who are urging Congress to extend the additional Medicaid funds that are now scheduled to expire in December. The governors say without the extra help, state budgets could be devastated.
Most Elite Medical Schools Rank Low On ‘Social Mission’
When it comes to “social mission,” traditionally high-ranked private medical schools are not as successful as public universities and historically black colleges.
Hospital Tries ‘Speed Dating’ To Attract Doctors, Patients
Although some critics say marketing drives up costs, many in the hospital industry say it’s crucial in the face of increasing competition. One Dallas area hospital is trying a version of “speed dating” to bring in patients and doctors.
‘Cadillac’ Insurance Plans Explained
The Democrats final health bill negotiated by the House, Senate and White House and released today contains a scaled-back tax on high-cost insurance policies. Here is a brief guide to these types of insurance plans.
