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Award-winning GWTG hospitals have lower mortality rates for heart attack and heart failure patients: Study

Hospitals receiving performance awards from the American Heart Association's Get With The Guidelines (GWTG) quality improvement initiative have lower mortality rates for heart attack and heart failure patients than all other hospitals, according to a new study.

7 Oct 2009

'Facility fees' are a surprise cost for many patients

This Kaiser Health News and Washington Post story reported by Sandra Boodman, explores the idea of provider-based billing. This approach "allows hospitals that own physician practices and outpatient clinics that meet certain federal requirements to bill separately for the facility as well as for physician services.

7 Oct 2009

Magazine compiles rankings of U.S. nursing homes

U.S. News & World Report examines government data from more than 15,500 nursing homes to determine which are the nation's best: "At the core of the rankings is the data and ratings found on Nursing Home Compare, a federal website created by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

7 Oct 2009

Minorities support reform ad campaign, although immigrants may get little relief from legislation

Analysts suggest that health reform legislation may do little to help Hispanics -- many of whom could remain uninsured due to immigration restrictions and costs -- as well as other immigrants. Meanwhile, African-American and Hispanic groups unite with an advertising campaign to push for health care reform.

7 Oct 2009

$16 million federal stimulus funds establish Seattle as national hub for cancer research

Researchers at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Group Health Research Institute and the University of Washington schools of Public Health and Pharmacy have been selected to lead four projects backed by approximately $16 million in federal stimulus funding for comparative-effectiveness research in cancer.

7 Oct 2009

Examining the recent winners and losers in the health reform debate

"Pfizer Inc., the world's largest drugmaker, and hospital companies including Community Health Systems Inc. are benefiting from agreements with President Barack Obama that will limit any threat to their profits."

6 Oct 2009

New four-year accreditation for SCAN Health Plan's medical education program

SCAN Health Plan announced today that its continuing medical education program for physicians has received a new four-year accreditation from the Institute of Medical Quality.

6 Oct 2009

Next generation remote monitoring platform to improve healthcare access

UPMC Health Plan today announced a joint initiative with BL Healthcare to address the issues of access to quality healthcare and rising healthcare costs by using technology to provide remote care over broadband. UPMC Health Plan will leverage BL Healthcare's next generation remote monitoring platform to provide unique and innovative services to their members.

6 Oct 2009

Comprehensive Medicare coverage from Priority Health

Priority Health announced today it is expanding both its Medicare Advantage service area and the Medicare Advantage products it will offer effective Jan. 1, 2010. Residents in 31 Michigan counties will be able to choose Priority Health Medicare Advantage coverage in 2010, up from 23 counties in 2009.

6 Oct 2009

AAOS to participate in "Get Connected" electronic prescribing program

The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) today announced their participation in "Get Connected," a program designed to help more of the nation's physicians and other prescribers use electronic prescribing.

6 Oct 2009

Former HHS Secretary to be the featured speaker of the health care reform Webinar event

TogetherMD announced today Donna Shalala, President of the University of Miami and former Health and Human Services Secretary from 1993 - 2001, is the featured speaker for a candid discussion on health care reform in the United States. Ms. Shalala is well connected in Washington and with other critical stakeholders around the country. She will provide viewers with a unique view on health care reform in the United States.

6 Oct 2009

Top Republicans receive campaign contributions from UnitedHealth

Top Republicans, such as John Boehner and Eric Cantor, who are using Lewin Group findings to scare voters about a "government takeover" of health care, are recipients of campaign contributions from UnitedHealth, one of the largest U.S. providers of Medicare plans and the company that owns Lewin Group.

6 Oct 2009

Patients should ask questions to reduce health care costs

Medical bills can be very complicated and, in some cases, they can also be inaccurate or incomplete. California's Office of the Patient Advocate is encouraging all Californians to ask for clarification if they do not understand their medical bill.

6 Oct 2009

Reducing costs without affecting the quality of patient care

When it comes to the ongoing healthcare discussion, one overriding question is "Is it possible to reduce costs without sacrificing the quality of patient care?"

6 Oct 2009

Priority Health announces the opening of Medicare Information Centers

Priority Health announced today the opening of Medicare Information Centers in Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Royal Oak and Traverse City.

6 Oct 2009

Reform effort could expand drug coverage, affordability

One impact of health insurance exchanges, proposed by Democrats as part of the health care overhaul, could be better prescription drug coverage for some consumers, the Los Angeles Times explains. The exchanges would require drug coverage as part of a minimum benefits package. The flip side is that some people may be forced to buy drug coverage they don't want.

6 Oct 2009

Shore Memorial Hospital to implement MRO’S Audit Tracker Online software

MRO Corp., the market leader of shared-service, release-of-information (ROI) and audit tracking solutions for healthcare providers, today announced Shore Memorial Hospital (Somers Point, N.J.) has contracted to implement Audit Tracker Online.

6 Oct 2009

Group Health Research Institute to receive federal stimulus funds from ARRA

Group Health Research Institute, formerly Group Health Center for Health Studies, will receive more than $15 million in federal stimulus funding from ARRA, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

6 Oct 2009

Ending insurance discrimination, closing coverage gaps proving difficult in reform efforts

Current health reform efforts seek to prevent insurers from rejecting individuals or charging people higher rates based on their medical history. However, a simple ban would not take away the economic pressure that encourages such practices, The Washington Post reports: "Cognizant of the threat, lawmakers are trying to neutralize it.

6 Oct 2009