Pennsylvania Hospitals

ALSO NOTED: Revenue growth slows for PA hospitals, but they remain profitable; JAMA rips journal use for off-label pharma marke

Thu, 24 Apr 2008 06:59:50 -0400

> Revenue growth has slowed for Pennsylvania hospitals, but still continues, and they continue to enjoy relatively healthy margins. FierceHealthFinance

> The Journal of the American Medical Association has ripped into an FDA proposal that would allow drug makers to hand out journal articles supporting off-label uses of their products. FiercePharma

> A new article appearing in the New England Journal of Medicine suggests that the ongoing use of electronic medical records could lead professionals to reproduce charting errors. FierceHealthIT

> Despite a rash of smoking bans on hospital campuses, it appears patients and visitors aren't always obeying the rules--and that could have serious consequences. Article

And Finally... Hey, you can't get too much beauty sleep. Article

ALSO NOTED: FL medical records sold in Utah surplus store; Another retail clinic operator closes its doors; and much more...

Thu, 13 Mar 2008 07:59:50 -0400

> Big "oops!"...Somehow, a box of medical records from Florida got sold in a Utah surplus store this week. Article

> It looks like another retail clinic operator has hit the skids. Medical Marts, which operated three clinics in the Chicago metro, has closed its doors. Article

> So how did an aging, memory problem-ridden Miami surgeon linked to multiple patient deaths keep his license? Critics want to know. Article

> Not surprisingly, Pennsylvania hospitals targeted by a proposed revenue tax aren't exactly thrilled with the idea. Article

And Finally... Archaeologists have found evidence of brain surgery performed on a young woman almost 2,000 years ago. Article

PA proposes hospital tax to boost indigent care funds

Mon, 10 Mar 2008 07:59:55 -0400

The state of Pennsylvania is proposing to tax hospitals in two counties where the highest number of patients on its Medical Assistance program live. The state Department of Public Welfare wants to boost payments to providers serving low-income, elderly and disabled people by placing an "assessment on net patient revenues" on general hospitals. While the tax would only apply to Allegheny and Philadelphia county, the income would boost payments for Medical Assistance providers in all 67 counties. The tax can only go forward if the state legislature approves it, as the counties don't have the authority to assess such a tax--nor to assess non-profits--unless it does. However, it doesn't look as though state legislators support the idea.

To learn more about the state's plans:
- read this Pittsburgh Post-Gazette article

Related Articles:
Wisconsin moving ahead with hospital tax plans. Report
CA reform bill backs off doctor tax. Report