Earlier in 2007, the state of Oklahoma used its limited authority to fine Humana almost as much as the federal government has fined all Medicare Advantage players combined. The state felt that it had uncovered serious abuses that deserved far harsher punishment from the federal government, and now frustrated state commissioners are increasingly calling for reforms.
University of Iowa Hospitals CEO Donna Katen-Bahensky will become the president and CEO of the University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics. Katen-Bahensky, 54, has been CEO of U of I Hospitals since 2002.
Hundreds of thousands of Iowans with health insurance are shouldering heavy additional out-of-pocket costs for their healthcare, according to a report from Families USA. The extra money has to be paid out for premiums, co-pays, deductibles, prescription drugs, medical supplies and other expenses not covered by insurance.
Airports in such cities as Atlanta, Chicago, Denver, and San Francisco are setting up "airside" health stations close to the gates where airline passengers can receive flu shots. Airport health officials said eventually they may offer other vaccinations, too, as well as cholesterol tests and screening for high blood pressure.
After the Naperville (IL) City Council approved the creation of a health services district, Edward Hospital is now a step closer to building an addition with 175 to 200 new inpatient beds. The expansion is needed to keep up with projected population increases in the region, and to maintain the high level of care, say hospital officials.
Nearly 300,000 Massachusetts residents have obtained health insurance through the state's initiative that mandates all residents to get insurance unless the state determines it is unaffordable for them. The state's initiative is being watched across the nation as other states consider how to move forward in the absence of any federal solution to the growing number of uninsured.
Despite the state's reputation for top medical care, hospital patients in Massachusetts die at a higher rate than the national average, according to an analysis. A consumer advocacy group plans to send a letter to state health officialsdemanding that they take immediate action to improve care at hospitals with significantly high mortality rates.
A consortium of nine companies in the healthcare industry, including hospital-chain HCA Inc., are banding together to create a set of security practices to better protect the information in electronic medical records. The security standards are expected to be finalized by the end of 2008.
New York lawmaker Richard N. Gottfried has proposed that the state create a $59 billion health insurance program that would cover everyone in the state and would probably be paid for through a tax increase.
