Hospital network emphasizes preventive care to cut costs; Lawsuit claims IU Health overbilled uninsured;

> Hospital competition is rife in Colorado as hospitals increasingly acquire, merge, build and affiliate, according to The Denver Post. However, the increased consolidation comes with rising healthcare costs. Article

> To cut healthcare costs and reduce hospital expenditures, Baptist Health South Florida is putting its focus on preventive medicine, reported The Miami Herald. The shift could be working as the hospital network posted almost $146 million in surplus over expenses in 2011. Article

> Vanderbilt University Medical Center and one of its brain surgeons have paid fines to the Office of Inspector General to settle patient dumping claims, reported The Tennessean. Although they denied wrongdoing, Vanderbilt paid $45,000 and Matthew Pearson paid $35,000. Article

> Next week, the Indiana Supreme Court will hear arguments in the lawsuit alleging IU Health overbilled uninsured patients, according to the Associated Press. Indianapolis trial lawyer Scott Weathers wants to go after other Indiana hospitals with similar suits seeking millions of dollars in damage claims. Article

And Finally... City dwellers 80% more prone to heart risk. Article