December 31: Health Care Reform News
Top stories
How to Get $20 Billion for Using Electronic Medical Records
The Wall Street Journal
Dec. 30, 2009
February, the stimulus bill that Congress passed announced that doctors and hospitals that make "meaningful use" of electronic medical records would get big bonus payments from Medicare and Medicaid. Now, HHS has released a 556-page proposed rule that lays out what doctors and hospitals will have to do to qualify for the money. Click here to link to the interim final regulation.
Transparency/Safety
High-Tech Hospital Gowns Are Hot
The Philadelphia Inquirer
Dec. 31, 2009
It's not just a matter of staying warm, as hospitals must report on how they maintain patients' body temps.
Targeting Trouble Areas With Six Sigma Tactics Shows Major Results
HealthLeaders Media
Dec. 31, 2009
Since introducing Six Sigma in its Southern California medical centers, Providence California has seen across-the-board improvements in clinical outcomes, care, customer relations, and finance.
Virtual Nurse Helps Patients Understand Discharge Information
HealthLeaders Media
Dec. 31, 2009
A virtual nurse named "Elizabeth" is helping nurses and patients during the discharge process. Elizabeth tries to help patients understand discharge information. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention latest statistics, 40 million patients are discharged from hospitals every year without fully understanding the follow-up care needed to prevent readmission. Other national studies show that 20% of patients are readmitted to the hospital 30 days after discharge, with a third of those readmissions preventable.
State news
Senator Nelson Defends His Health Care Vote
The New York Times
Dec. 30, 2009
Senator Ben Nelson, Democrat of Nebraska, took to the airwaves in his home state on Wednesday, trying to defend his role as the decisive 60th vote in favor of broad health care legislation.
TN Says 13 States' Challenge to Health Bill is Premature
The Tennessean
Dec. 31, 2009
A Republican effort to force changes to the health-care reform bill appears to be gathering steam, but Tennessee's attorney general said Wednesday that his office will sit out for now.
Reform efforts
Common Ground Seen in Gulf Between Health Care Bills
USA Today
Dec. 31, 2009
As they begin to marry competing health care bills passed by the House and Senate, lawmakers face profound differences on key issues — from taxes to abortion — but that doesn't mean there isn't room for compromise.
New England Journal of Medicine
December 2009
Recent health-care reform related articles in NEJM include:
“Play-or-Pay” Insurance Reforms for Employers — Confusion and Inequity, Bradley Herring, Ph.D., and Mark V. Pauly, Ph.D.
Implementation and Enforcement of Health Care Reform — Federal versus State Government, Timothy S. Jost, J.D.
Carrots, Sticks, and Health Care Reform — Problems with Wellness Incentives, Harald Schmidt, M.A., Kristin Voigt, D.Phil., and Daniel Wikler, Ph.D.
Senate’s Reform Package Wrapped Up in Time for Christmas, John K. Iglehart
Abortion Politics and Health Insurance Reform, George J. Annas, J.D., M.P.H.
Industry Influence on Comparative-Effectiveness Research Funded through Health Care Reform, Harry P. Selker, M.D., M.S.P.H., and Alastair J.J. Wood, M.D.
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