> Medical tourism is a hot--but controversial--topic. Patients who find they can't afford high deductibles for expensive surgeries are looking abroad for their healthcare. But health officials worry about the safety of going abroad for unregulated care. Article
> Walgreens is jumping on the in-store health clinic bandwagon by opening clinics in Atlanta, Chicago and Las Vegas stores later this year. The clinics will be staffed by nurse practitioners who are available without an appointment. Article
> Health Management Associates of Naples, FL is selling three hospitals--the 25-bed Southwest Regional Medical Center in Little Rock, AR; the 103-bed Summit Medical Center in Van Buren, AR; and the 76-bed Williamson Memorial Hospital in Williamson, WV--to Shiloh Health Services. After the sell-off, HMA will still own 59 hospitals. Report
> HealthSouth has acquired seven outpatient rehab facilities in Indiana from Hurrle Orthopaedic Physical Therapy. Release
> In the U.K., an outbreak of deadly bacteria Clostridium difficile killed 41 people. Critics say hospital execs focused too much on a government policy of reducing patient wait times instead of addressing the outbreak. Article
And Finally... A physician struggles with the idea of becoming a Botox doctor in order to make his primary care practice profitable. Article (WSJ sub. req.)