Pediatric docs argue against retail health care clinics

In the meantime, a big push for greater price transparency in what health care costs is readied, and the prominence of palliative care grows. 

The Wall Street Journal: Pediatrics Group Balks At Rise Of Retail Health Clinics
Retail health clinics that are popping up in drugstores and other outlets shouldn't be used for children's primary-care needs, the American Academy of Pediatrics said, arguing that such facilities don't provide the continuity of care that pediatricians do. While retail clinics may be more convenient and less costly, the AAP said they are detrimental to the concept of a "medical home," where patients have a personal physician who knows them well and coordinates all their care (Beck and Martin, 2/24). 

The Wall Street Journal: How To Bring The Price Of Health Care Into The Open
With outrage growing over incomprehensible medical bills and patients facing a higher share of the costs, momentum is building for efforts to do just that. Price transparency, as it is known, is common in most industries but rare in health care, where "charges," "prices," "rates" and "payments" all have different meanings and bear little relation to actual costs (Beck, 2/23). 

The Wall Street Journal: Palliative Care Gains Favor As It Lowers Costs
Insurers are establishing programs that give the sickest patients the chance to receive extra care for their pain, suffering and emotional needs, in a move that turns out to cut spending substantially (Rockoff, 2/23).