A doctor’s eye view of health care consolidation: Part 1, 1-30-12, Triangle Business Journal

A doctor’s eye view of health care consolidation: Part 2, 1-30-12, Triangle Business Journal

Writer Jason deBruyn examines the recent trend of Triangle physician practices joining with larger networks in a 2-part article.

Unhealthy cuts in medical research, 1-31-12, The News and Observer

An op-ed by NCMS member Nancy C. Andrews, MD, Dean of the Duke University School of Medicine and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, on the impact of mandatory budget cuts on medical research.

Health Costs, Regardless of Your Politics, 1-29-12, The New York Times

Five letters to the editor from physicians and other health care professionals responding to an op-ed by former White House advisor Ezekiel J. Emanuel, MD, What We Give Up for Health Care, 1-21-12, The New York Times.

Blues plans form subsidiary to handle expected boost in insurance claims, 1-26-12, American Medical News

Writer Emily Berry reports on Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina partnering with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas to create a new company to meet an expected increase in insured patients once health care reform is in place in 2014.

Health system weighs offers, 2-1-12, Smithfield Herald

Writer Colin Campbell reports that seven health-care companies are seeking to partner with Johnston County’s hospital system.

Talking about hospitals, 1-31-12, The News and Observer

An editorial about the ongoing debate over whether the state should sell Raleigh’s Rex Hospital to competitor WakeMed.

Medicare makes changes for 2012, 1-30-12, The News and Observer

A reprint of an article first published by the Burlington Times-News.