News From Around The Web
> Maine, which has a Tea Party governor in Paul LePage, has hired the firm of Gary Alexander, a political conservative, for nearly $1 million to study Medicaid expansion, the New Jersey Herald reports. Alexander's views regarding cutting Medicaid and welfare benefits have come under fire from Democrats. Article
> The Michigan Senate has agreed to adjourn for the year on Dec.12--weeks earlier than planned, according to Crain's Detroit Business. The Senate approved Medicaid expansion this year but did not give the bill immediate effect. As a result, the law can't take effect until 90 days after the legislature's last day of session. The early break will allow Medicaid expansion in the state to begin on Jan. 1 as opposed to the end of March, saving Michigan at least $100 million. Article
> The Republican party has planned a wave of attacks against Democrats centered around the rollout of the Affordable Care Act, The New York Times reports, with the hope of gaining the upperhand in the midterm elections that will occur less than a year from now. Article
Provider News
> TriHealth Evendale Hospital in Cincinnati doesn't have an emergency room or any doctors on its staff. Normal business hours are 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Yet month after month, the 29-bed hospital consistently scores high marks for patient satisfaction, according to the Cincinnati Business Courier. Article
Healthcare IT News
> A consortium of universities and hospital systems in South Carolina have started using a database containing the medical information of millions of patients across the state with the intent of developing better, more cost-effective treatment plans. Article
And finally... Extreme shoppers already in line for Black Friday deals. Article