News From Around The Web
> The state of California mistakenly sent out letters to 264,000 Medicaid enrollees saying they may have to change their physician next year due to changes in the program connected to the Affordable Care Act, according to Kaiser Health News. The mixup has patient advocates concerned that some enrollees might drop out of the program based on the misinformation. Article
> The health insurance sector has expressed some misgivings about honoring President Barack Obama's administrative fix to extend coverage for canceled policies by one more year, with lobbyist America's Health Insurance Plans saying it could cause market destabilization and premiums to rise, NPR reports. Article
> A federal court has let stand an Alabama law that bars registered sex offenders from receiving Medicaid funds, according to Arkansas News. The ruling may bar some physicians in rural areas from continuing their practices, despite expressions of support from their patients. Article
Provider News
> In an era of healthcare reform, the industry can achieve higher quality care and better outcomes for patients by closing and consolidating low-volume hospitals, according to an article by Robert Pearl, M.D., CEO of The Permanente Medical Group in California and a contributor to Forbes. Article
Healthcare IT News
> There's never a shortage of companies and healthcare providers claiming to have invented the next big thing in patient treatment. From new surgical tools to multi-million dollar cancer centers and implantable heart devices, healthcare technology has the power to transform treatment. But how can consumers, hospital executives and physicians clear the hype--and tell what's really worth the money? With that in mind, FierceHealthIT examined five overrated and overpriced healthcare technologies. Article
And finally... The art of the pizza box. Article