Small Employers Weigh Impact of Providing Health Insurance, 11-29-12, New York Times
Writers Reed Abelson and Steve Greenhorn talk about how some small business owners are reacting to the new federal law that since enacted in 2010, opponents have argued that employers who were forced to offer health insurance would lay off workers or shift more people to part-time status to compensate for the additional cost. Those claims have drawn considerable attention — and considerable anger in response — in recent weeks.
Medicare Is Faulted on Shift to Electronic Records, 11-29-12, New York Times
Writer Reed Abelson reports on how the conversion to electronic medical records — a critical piece of the Obama administration’s plan for health care reform — is “vulnerable” to fraud and abuse because of the failure of Medicare officials to develop appropriate safeguards, according to a sharply critical report to be issued Thursday by federal investigators.
A Hospital War Reflects a Bind for Doctors in the U.S., 11-30-12, New York Times
Writers Julie Creswell and Reed Abelson report on the war between two Boise hospitals, including St. Luke’s Health System, the largest hospital in the city that has begun rapidly buying physician practices all over town, from general practitioners to cardiologists to orthopedic surgeons and how this reflects trouble for doctors across the county.
60 Minutes: HMA Pressures Doctors to Admit Patients, Defrauding Medicare, 12-3-12, Kaiser Health News
Physicians interviewed for a “60 Minutes” investigation into Health Management Associates’ admissions practices “grossly mischaracterized” what goes on at the for-profit hospital chain’s facilities, a top executive for the company said after the segment aired Sunday. Alan Levine, senior vice president at HMA and president of its Florida group, said some of the doctors who spoke to reporter Steve Croft had reasons for doing so, including ongoing litigation with the company.
Social Media Help Diabetes Patients (And Drugmakers) Connect, 12-3-12, NPR
Writer Lauren Silverman reports on how people living with diabetes have created a vibrant online community. Big drug companies are certainly taking notice — and some advocacy groups feel that the Food and Drug Administration should as well.
Duke Unveils New Nursing Program, 12-3-12, Triangle Business Journal
Writer Jason deBruyn reports that The Duke University School of Nursing will work to increase the number of minority nursing students who are prepared to transition to PhD programs in nursing and other related biomedical/behavioral science disciplines at Duke University.
Medical Practices Wary of Insurer Efforts on New Payment Programs, 12-13-12, America Medical News
Writer Victoria Stagg Elliott writes how medical practices have a low opinion of how insurers are operating emerging payment programs, such as accountable care organizations, patient-centered medical homes, shared savings and payment bundling, according to a survey of 800 practices released Nov. 14 by MGMA-ACMPE.
Blue Cross and UNC Look to Train More Physician Assistants, 12-3-12, Triangle Business Journal
Writer Jason deBruyn writes Health insurer Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina and the UNC School of Medicine have announced a joint physician assistant master’s degree program designed for returning military veterans.
