ALSO NOTED: MD Anderson treating Richards for cancer; Grassley and Baucus want specialty hospital investigation; and much more.

> Senate Finance Committee Chairman Charles Grassley (R-IA) and ranking member Max Baucus (D-MT) asked the HHS Inspector General and the GAO to conduct an investigation on physician-owned specialty hospitals. Release (.pdf)

> The MD Anderson Cancer Center will treat former Texas Gov. Anne Richards. Richards has been diagnosed with cancer of the esophagus. Article

> A new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association examines the link between air pollution levels and hospital admissions. Article

> Hospitals in New York may get a boost in payments from the state for emergency room services for the first time in years. Rates have been frozen since 1991. Article

> A team at Beth Israel Deconess has developed an open-source tool that allows de-identification of patient reports. Release

> San Diego-based Cardium Therapeutics said it has acquired InnerCool, a company focused on therapeutic hypothermia. Article

> Tiny Medical Management Resources, a Sonoma Valley software company, is involved with a project that provides electronic medical records to migrant workers. Article

> Healthcare staffing specialist AMN Healthcare reported a 54 percent jump in Q4 profit. Article

> Community Medical Centers of Fresno will use InnerWireless. Release

> Massachusetts residents think their doctors are "good communicators" but do not rate them as highly in other areas. Quality reports for 400 multi-physician practices have been posted on a state Web site. Article

> The GE Centricity EMR has been linked with the SureScripts electronic prescribing network. Release

And Finally... How can physicians arrive at a realistic estimate for what their practice is worth? Medical Economics has a few good tips. Article