catholic healthcare west news from FierceHealthcare

The California HealthCare Foundation has contributed $10 million to a low-interest loan pool that helps clinics for the poor and uninsured provide care during the state's budget impasse. This follows Read more...

It's somewhat ironic that a Governor as well known for his commitment to physical fitness as he is for being an aging action adventure hero has proposed deep budget cuts that could leave more than Read more...

The state of Illinois is considering a bill that would set limits on what hospitals would be allowed to charge and collect from eligible uninsured patients. Under the terms of the bill, which was Read more...

St. Louis-based BJC Healthcare, a 13-hospital system that cares for about 30 percent of the hospital patients in the metro area, has agreed to give a 25 percent discount to all hospital patients Read more...

A high court in South Carolina has ruled that state law doesn't force hospitals to give uninsured patients the same discounts offered insured patients. A lower court had held that a loophole in Read more...

The South Carolina Supreme Court is considering a case which could result in discounts of 50 percent off of hospital bills for patients billed through 2004. The dispute arises from a state law, since Read more...

Things are humming along for the Palo Alto (CA) Medical Foundation (PAMF), which has just announced not only approval for its $375 million-odd dollar hospital project but also a merger with two area Read more...

A maverick California cardiologist continues to expand his burgeoning hospital empire, which now stands to challenge some of the biggest chains in the state. While the rapid pace of his acquisition is drawing attention--he's acquired six hospitals during the past year alone--what's really got the industry buzzing is the fact he's canceling all of the hospitals' contracts with health insurance plans.

Dr. Prem Reddy's Prime Healthcare Services now owns eight hospitals in California, …

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Catholic Healthcare West (CHW) has begun running a series of ads advocating healthcare reform in California. The health system, which operates 42 hospitals in California, Arizona and Nevada, plans to run print ads in several national and regional publications, including the Wall Street Journal, New York Times and Newsweek. The ads don't detail a specific reform scheme, but rather, agitate for broad healthcare accessibility. CHW also belongs to a pro-reform …

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In an effort to stay in the good graces of the state's Attorney General, Minnesota hospitals have agreed to extend existing pricing discounts for uninsured patients for the next five years. The hospitals will also continue to meet debt-collection requirements, including the establishment of payment plans and riding herd on collection agency tactics. Hospitals must also take several steps prior to pursuing patients legally, including verifying their debt and confirming that any relevant …

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