Latest Morning Briefing Stories
Ohio: Children’s Hospitals Expanded Even As Number Of Kids In State Declined
Nationally, there is one bed for every 2,500 children, but Ohio has one for every 1,400 kids.
Pittsburgh: Price Of New Hospital Soared to $625 Million Amid Dispute Over How Much To Spend
Children’s hospitals are a growing business in Pennsylvania, with two large ones in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh and a third costing $207 million under construction near Harrisburg.
Arizona: Hospitals Expand Even As Medicaid Cuts Take A Toll
Trying to keep up with the rapidly rising number of children, two hospitals in the Phoenix area have bucked the recession and spent heavily on new facilities.
Denver: Dueling Hospitals Compete For Patients And Prestige
Just a few years ago, Denver had one aging children’s hospital, but today there are two new ones
Chicago: New Children’s Memorial Hospital Will Rank Among The Most Expensive
From its modest beginning as an eight-bed cottage hospital founded in 1882, Chicago Memorial has evolved into a huge institution with nearly $2 billion in assets.
Nonprofit Children’s Hospitals Get Valuable Tax Exemptions But Many Provide Little Free Care
Hospital executives say spending on charity care is only one of many community benefits they provide as nonprofits.
Growing Size And Wealth Of Children’s Hospitals Fueling Questions About Spending
Many of the largest children’s hospitals have grown into big businesses with substantial assets and millionaire CEOs.
Talking Building Ambitions: The Big Money World Of Kids’ Care
Jackie Judd talks with Gil Gaul about his series, Building Ambitions, which looks at the big money world of children’s hospitals in the United States. Gaul discusses his series and says big costs, amassed wealth and children’s hospitals’ unique place in health care in America make it a growing power player in providing health care in America.
Parents Fear Health Law Could Derail Autism Coverage
As federal officials draw up their list of requirements for essential health benefits under the overhaul, it’s not clear whether they will include treatment mandates passed by many states.
Clinical Nuance Essential To Essential Benefits Package
Current “one-size-fits-all” health plans, in which beneficiaries face the same out-of-pocket payment for every doctor visit, test and prescription drug, should be be replaced by plans based on the health benefit gained in the particular clinical circumstance. By using this nuance, health plans can offer more comprehensive and effective coverage while addressing the affordability of health insurance.
‘Poster Boys’ Take A Pass On Pioneer ACO Program
Leading hospital systems didn’t apply for Medicare reform tailor-made by the Obama administration to reward such organizations.
Rate Of Uninsured Stays Flat In 2010, Census Reports
Young adults, Hispanics fare better but Asians worse.
Ex-Cons Part Of California Health Care Expansion To Childless Adults
With an early expansion of health coverage this summer, former inmates in California will be covered for preventive care, prescription drugs, specialty visits and mental health and substance abuse, including at clinics like Healthy Oakland.
Concern Is Growing That The Elderly Get Too Many Medical Tests
Critics say there is little evidence of benefit — and considerable risk — from common screening tests for colon, breast and prostate cancer, particularly in people older than 70, especially those with other serious health problems.
VA Experience Shows Patient ‘Rebound’ Hard To Counter
The Veterans Health Administration has long used approaches Medicare is pushing on all hospitals to cut unnecessary readmissions. But new data show VA hospital patients are just as likely to end up back in a hospital bed.
A new study investigates why American physicians are high earners.
Readers Face Multiple Dilemmas About Insurance Coverage, Costs
“Insuring Your Health” columnist Michelle Andrews answers questions from readers, including someone wondering about coverage if you’ve been drinking, talking with your insurer about a family member’s bill and preventive colonscopies.
As Hospitals Push ERs, States’ Medicaid Budgets Pressured
With their budgets squeezed, states are trying to reduce unnecessary ER visits by patients in Medicaid. But officials complain that their efforts are sometimes hampered by hospitals’ aggressive marketing of ERs to increase admissions and profits.
Hospitals Promoting Bargain CT Scans For Smokers
Landmark study shows annual scans reduce lung cancer deaths by 20 percent, but expert groups are not yet recommending such discounted testing because of concerns over complications and overall health costs.
A Need For Health Care Reform: Cancer Care Costs And The Patient Perspective
The health reform discussion has been focusing on the systemic impact of health care costs, but somewhere in the bar graphs detailing trillions of dollars in projected spending, the daily experience of the cancer patient has been lost.
