New surgical centers open in Penn., faith-based clinic in Michigan

News outlets report on the health care marketplace.

"Stand-alone surgical centers in York County -- as well as the entire state -- have tripled in the past decade, according to a report released earlier this month by the Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council," The York Dispatch reports. "The outpatient facilities generally offer less costly medical procedures and can turn over cases at a faster rate while decreasing surgical complications, one hospital official said. As a result, the report showed a trend that more patients are opting to have surgeries in stand-alone facilities rather than hospital operating rooms, said Stephanie Suran, spokeswoman with the council" (Whetzel, 10/27).

Meanwhile, The Detroit Free Press reports: "With the number of poor people growing throughout Michigan, low-cost health care has expanded again -- this time with a new clinic in one of the state's wealthiest counties. Covenant Community Care, a faith-based nonprofit focused on primary medical care, has teamed up with Beaumont Hospital to open a health center at 27776 Woodward in Royal Oak. The goals are to provide care to those who don't have a doctor and reduce the burden on local emergency rooms." The clinic is the second federally qualified health center in Oakland County. "[A]ccording to the state, Oakland County hasn't been immune to the down economy. Its Medicaid recipients jumped an estimated 37% -- from 17,669 to 24,163 -- in a 24-month period ending in September, according to state numbers" (Erb, 10/28).