Author's posts
Thinking small: Pediatric facilities built with behavioral health in mind
As often-overlooked mental illnesses become more commonly treated, pediatric-care providers are hiring more behavioral health specialists, building more private rooms, integrating more play areas, and weaving in more soothing, nature-related…
Better data needed to tackle maternal mortality
As public outrage about the nation’s high maternal mortality rate grows, so do efforts by hospitals, states and the federal government to improve data collection and work toward solutions.
5 Kavanaugh rulings that will loom large this week
President Donald Trump’s second SCOTUS pick Brett Kavanaugh begins his confirmation hearings September 4. While abortion and Roe v. Wade are in the spotlight, his positions on other key healthcare issues will come into play, including Obamacare.
Week Ahead: ACA heads back to court; Kavanaugh to the Hill
The Senate Judiciary Committee kicks off confirmation hearings for Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh. In Texas, a hearing on the future of the Affordable Care Act takes place.
As consumers’ out-of-pocket costs grow, will the patient bill of rights movement rise again?
Patients’ Kafkaesque experiences with out-of-network bills and opaque healthcare bureaucracies are common. But there’s no sign yet that help is on the way from federal policymakers.
Racial disparities in maternal health outcomes difficult to erase
Maternal mortality rate increases over the last decade were largely driven by health disparities for racial and ethnic populations, with black women at much higher risk of dying from childbirth than any other group.
Data Points: Surprise! It’s your out-of-network bill
Surprise billing continues to be one of the most vexing problems facing the industry. Patients often don’t know that the anesthesiologist or another provider are out-of-network when they go in for care. Then the surprise — usually…
Calif. hospitals may soon have to offer plant-based meal options
California’s State Assembly passed a bill requiring hospitals to give patients a plant-based meal option for every meal. While provider groups have recommended similar menu changes, most hospitals have yet to offer vegan meals.
Providers worry CMS rule will limit infusion drug use at home
Providers are urging the CMS not to finalize a rule that could prevent patients from taking infusion drugs at home. If the agency moves forward with the plan, it could lead to higher Medicare costs as more patients may need to seek treatment at…
Cleveland Clinic reports operating margin, income were down for first half of the year
Cleveland Clinic is having to take a look at its revenues and expenses following a tight first half of the year. Although patient revenue was up in the second quarter of 2018 from 2017, expenses in virtually every category grew.
