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Research Roundup: The cost of medical errors; 'Unreasonable rate increases'

Health Affairs: The $17.1 Billion Problem: The Annual Cost Of Measurable Medical Errors - "The estimated total cost of measurable medical errors in the United States was $17.1 billion in 2008, which was 0.72 percent of the $2.391 trillion spent on health care," write the authors of this study that used an "an actuarial approach to measure the frequency and costs of measurable U.S. medical errors, identified through medical claims data."

8 Apr 2011

AP: New gov't plan designed to reduce health disparities unveiled

From cradle to grave, minority populations tend to suffer poorer health and get poorer health care than white Americans. In a first-of-its-kind report, the government is recommending steps to reduce those disparities.

8 Apr 2011

2011 budget deal elusive as GOP policy riders threaten progress

With the high-stakes negotiations currently at an impasse, the differences among the GOP, Democrats and the White House involve more than just the total dollar figure attached to spending cuts. It also involves controversial "policy riders." Meanwhile, without resolution, a government shutdown is just hours away.

8 Apr 2011

Despite economic challenges, Henry Ford Health System made $60 million last year

The Henry Ford Health System — the largest provider of hospital care in the region — made $60 million last calendar year in spite of a stubborn economy and increasing costs to care for poor and uninsured people, officials announced Thursday. The system's continued success — its eighth consecutive year of financial growth — has made it the largest system in southeast Michigan in revenue and in-patient volume, said Robert Riney, president and chief operating officer for the system.

8 Apr 2011

Some consumers left out of Anthem's delay to planned rate hikes

Although the insurer announced last month that it would delay a planned premium rate increase for about 600,000 policy holders, reports indicate that as many as 120,000 people will still experience the increases.

8 Apr 2011

State News: N.Y. billing for disabled patients questioned

While the nation's attention has been focused on state worker battles in union strongholds such as Ohio and Wisconsin, quiet but consequential labor battles are breaking out in Kansas, Texas and other states where collective bargaining rights for public workers were weak or non-existent to begin with. The outcome of these confrontations will have a big impact.

8 Apr 2011

The MED Group creates National Orthotics and Prosthetics Network

The MED Group, a Managed Health Care Associates, Inc. (MHA) company, and a leading group purchasing and business solutions company focused on Home Medical Equipment providers is pleased to announce the creation of The MED Group National Orthotics and Prosthetics Network. Tim Pederson (formerly of WestMed Rehab) has joined The MED Group and will be leading the development of The MED Group's National Orthotics & Prosthetics Network.

8 Apr 2011

Viewpoints abound on impact of Ryan plan, government showdown

If the federal government shuts down at midnight on Friday — which seems likely unless negotiations take a sudden turn toward rationality — it will not be because of disagreements over spending. It will be because Republicans are refusing to budge on these ideological demands: No federal financing for Planned Parenthood. ... No local financing for abortion services in the District of Columbia. ... No funds for health care reform.

8 Apr 2011

States mull Medicaid grants

Republicans talk a lot about how Medicaid block grants could help governors bring down their costs, but they don't talk as much about what, exactly, the states would do with them. It's not that they have no answers. Gov. Haley Barbour of Mississippi has said he'd like to provide home-based care for children with special medical needs, rather than resort to more expensive hospital care, but federal rules get in the way.

8 Apr 2011

HCP closes acquisition of HCR ManorCare facilities for $6.1 billion

HCP announced that it closed the acquisition of 334 post-acute, skilled nursing and assisted living facilities of HCR ManorCare for a total consideration of $6.1 billion in cash. In connection with the closing, HCP entered into a long-term triple-net master lease under which HCR ManorCare will continue to operate the facilities.

8 Apr 2011

Vascular Disease Foundation invites applicants for ambassador program

If you or someone you love have been affected by vascular disease and have a willingness to help others, the Vascular Disease Foundation (VDF) is calling for applications to join its ambassador program to help promote vascular disease awareness.

8 Apr 2011

Current 'metrics' don't paint clear picture of health care quality

With a push to make hospitals and doctors more accountable for health care quality, more attention must be paid to the accuracy and reliability of measures used to evaluate caregivers, says a prominent Johns Hopkins patient safety expert.

8 Apr 2011

First Edition: April 8, 2011

Today's headlines include stories tracking the partisan negotiations surrounding a current-year spending bill. Currently at an impasse, the differences between the GOP and Democrats as well as the White House surrounds more than just the total dollar figure attached to spending cuts. It also involves controversial "policy riders." Meanwhile, without resolution, a government shutdown is just hours away.

8 Apr 2011

Doctor files whistleblower retaliation lawsuit against Catholic Charities of Washington

Dr. Charles C. Briggs filed a whistleblower retaliation lawsuit today in D.C. Superior Court against Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington in connection with the organization's failure to rectify serious medical violations committed against patients at its clinics in Washington, D.C. and Langley Park, MD.

8 Apr 2011

VHS Group sponsors 2011 International Health Risk Management Forum

Sponsored by Valurise Health Solutions International, and guided/supported by the Chinese workers' mutual Insurance Association All-China Federation of Trade Unions, the China Insurance Association and the International Disease Management Alliance, the 2011 International Health Risk Management Forum, Opportunity and Challenge of Health Risk Management in the Transition Period in China is going to be held on 20th April, 2011 in the National Convention Centre in Beijing, China.

8 Apr 2011

Delivery of quality health care rather than sustainability is key issue for Canada's election

Delivering quality health care rather than health care sustainability is a key issue for Canada's federal election, and Canadians need a vision from federal leaders to radically transform our health care system, states an editorial in Canadian Medical Association Journal.

8 Apr 2011

MedAZ' EHR Plus achieves ONC-ATCB certification

EHR Plus, the electronic medical record component of MedAZ Complete, has received ONC-ATCB certification for its ambulatory and inpatient versions. Certification means that the product qualifies for Meaningful Use implementation, enabling the eligible hospital or medical professional to receive incentives provided by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

8 Apr 2011

Marking World Health Day, WHO warns misuse of antibiotics undermining global fight against infectious diseases

U.N. officials on Thursday marked World Health Day with a warning that "the misuse and irrational use of antibiotics has undermined the global fight against tuberculosis and malaria, warning of a possible return to the days before the drugs were developed," and called for urgent action to control the spread of drug resistance, Reuters reports.

8 Apr 2011

Small businesses can benefit from high-quality employee wellness programs

A new study published today supports the premise that high-quality employee wellness programs in small businesses improve employee health and well-being, which drives improvements in organizational outcomes such as absenteeism, healthcare costs and disability claims.

8 Apr 2011

German government, Gates Foundation sign agreement to provide funding for GAVI Alliance

The German government on Wednesday said it would provide an extra 14 million euros or about $19.9 million "for child immunization in the developing world as part of an agreement with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation," the Associated Press reports (4/6).

8 Apr 2011