Latest Morning Briefing Stories
Analysis: App-Happy Health Care Full of Optimism, Money
Welcome to the world of Internet-enabled health apps. The question, however, is whether these new tools will bring about fundamental health system change.
Group Health Teams With Hospital System In Pacific Northwest
The joint venture seeks to coordinate patient care and cut costs for employers and health plans.
Hospital Debt Collector Settles Minnesota Case For $2.5 Million
Accretive Health has agreed to pay a $2.5 million fine and leave the state for years as part of a settlement of a federal lawsuit brought by state Attorney General Lori Swanson.
‘Child Life Specialists’ Help Sick Kids Be Kids
Child life specialists help sick children and their families navigate difficult medical situations emotionally and psychologically while in the hospital.
Hospitals’ Readmissions Rates Not Budging
Medicare data show little improvement in curbing the number of beneficiaries who are readmitted despite threats of financial penalties to hospitals.
Hospitals Finding Patients On Google, Facebook
Officials say the strategy helps patients, as well as providers. But critics complain it’s about revenue generation, not about improving health.
Rating Doctors Is Tricky, But Consumer Reports Does It In Mass.
Physicians are often nervous about patient reviews but they supported this effort.
Health Law Deadlines Under Pressure
The Supreme Court ruling shifts the focus to states. But between 20 and 40 may be unable to set up new online insurance markets by fall 2013.
Hospitals Celebrate Decision, But Threats Remain
The decision to let states opt out of the Medicaid expansion means hospitals serving the poor could still be stuck with unpaid care.
KHN periodically shares readers’ comments on recent original stories.
New Rules Will Ban ER Debt Collections At Charitable Hospitals
On Friday, the U.S. Treasury Department released new proposed rules to protect patients from abusive debt collection practices at nonprofit hospitals.
Top Paid Medical Apps for iPhones (from the iTunes store)
There are 40,000 medical applications available for download on smartphones and tablets. Here’s a list of the most popular medical apps for iPhones in the iTunes store.
FDA Seeks To Tame Exploding Medical App Market
The market has been something of an unregulated Wild West; for doctors and patients alike, it is difficult to know which apps actually live up to their health claims or provide accurate information.
Retail Health Clinics Expanding
President of MinuteClinic, the nation’s largest chain, says his facilities help fill the void caused by a shortage of primary care doctors. But they also help patients find physicians and coordinate care.
Could Kaiser Permanente’s Low-Cost Health Care Be Even Cheaper?
Critics say the price gap between Kaiser Permanente and other companies has narrowed for unclear reasons.
Catholic Hospital Leader Defends Split With Obama Administration On Contraceptives
Catholic Health Association chief Sister Carol Keehan, a key ally of President Obama on the health law, said last week that the organization could not support a compromise on the free birth control provision of the law.
Workplace Clinics Are Expanding Focus Beyond Injuries, Preventive Care
Some big employers are beefing up their clinic offerings with a host of new services, including physical therapy, dental and vision exams, mental health counseling and even acupuncture and massage.
Uncertainty Over Law Casts Shadow Over Health Care Innovations
Under the 2010 health law, the government has invested in a decade’s worth of ideas on how to improve patient care and change the ways doctors and hospitals function — changes could be halted if the Supreme Court throws out all or part of the law.
For the first time, the U.S. Olympic Committee is digitizing health records for the athletes who will be competing in London. Some say this step is a sign that electronic medical records are finally catching up to the demands of specialized health care.
Biggest Mass. Insurer Tightens Rules On Some Painkillers
Blue Cross Blue Shield will require a review after 30 days to reduce addiction risks and keep the drugs from teenagers and others for whom they weren’t prescribed.
