Category: Modern Healthcare

Commentary: Building a talent pipeline for healthier minority communities

Meharry Medical College President Dr. James E.K. Hildreth says healthcare stakeholders should help disadvantaged students find a path in the industry to improve the system and the communities where they come from.

CHI-Dignity merger cleared by Vatican

The Vatican has given the ecclesiastical green light to the proposed merger between Catholic Health Initiatives and Dignity Health, a deal that would create the nation’s largest not-for-profit hospital company by revenue.

Mass. curbs academic medical center use as healthcare spending dips

More lower-acuity patients were treated in Massachusetts community hospitals in 2017 as the state’s overall healthcare spending growth dropped to 1.6%.

Hospital bed linens could be source of C. difficile outbreaks

A new study suggests hospital bed linens could be a source of infection even after being washed.

Anthem’s $16M breach settlement reminds others to assess their cyber risks

Anthem will pay the federal government $16 million for a data breach that affected almost 79 million people. It’s the largest data-breach settlement to date, and it signals the importance of conducting deep risk assessments.

Hospital execs fail to reduce costs where needed, report says

A new Kaufman Hall report finds hospitals and health systems are making only limited progress when it comes to cutting costs, and aren’t prioritizing areas like service rationalization or clinical variation.

Direct-contracting won’t hurt Advantage business, CMMI director says

The Trump administration is looking at new risk structures, including direct provider contracting, to drive cost-saving behavior in the healthcare industry. But CMMI Director Adam Boehler said that won’t dent the Medicare Advantage business.

Verma argues ‘Medicare for all’ would cause physician shortage

In a speech to insurers, CMS Administrator Seema Verma claimed patients would struggle to find a doctor if the U.S. implements “Medicare for all.”

Leapfrog to grade outpatient surgery, ambulatory care centers’ safety

Leapfrog Group is expanding its safety and quality performance ratings to hospital outpatient surgery departments and ambulatory care centers. Quality performance is opaque in outpatient settings, which have exploded in popularity.

Sicker members drive UnitedHealth revenue, profit higher

UnitedHealth Group recorded higher revenue and profit in the third quarter of 2018, as it served more people with higher acuity health conditions.