ALSO NOTED: Economically, hospitals are a big deal in Calif.; Qwest in big win at Allina; and much more...

> The Los Angeles Economic Development Corp was surprised to find that hospitals make up 12 percent of economic activity in Southern California, and that they don't always get paid for what they do. Report

> The Cleveland Clinic is being sued because a doctor there accused parents of faking their child's illness and recommended removing the child into foster care. The doctor never examined the child who was later found to be genuinely sick. Article

> Healthcare staffing company Cross Country Staffing has selected ShiftWise to provide automated staffing management services technology. Release

> Qwest Communications said that it will supply Allina Health Systems in Minnesota with voice and data services in a $7.5 million contract. Release

> A program run by Dr. Mayda Melendez at St. Francis hospital in Delaware is having great success in "bullying" high risk new mothers into doing what's best for their babies. Article

> Fiserv continues to move into healthcare transactions. IT announced that Remettra's payment and remittance advice services for the healthcare industry will be integrated with Fiserv's Personix unit's Health Information Processing System. Release

> Perot Systems says it has signed a new seven-year health information management outsourcing agreement with Northern Arizona Healthcare. Release

And Finally... In Japan, there's consternation about a plan to do away with nursing home beds. Will patients be thrown out onto the streets? Article