> Senate Finance Committee Chairman Charles Grassley (R-IA) and ranking member Max Baucus (D-MT) asked the HHS Inspector General and the GAO to conduct an investigation on physician-owned specialty hospitals. Release (.pdf)
> The MD Anderson Cancer Center will treat former Texas Gov. Anne Richards. Richards has been diagnosed with cancer of the esophagus. Article
> A new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association examines the link between air pollution levels and hospital admissions. Article
> Hospitals in New York may get a boost in payments from the state for emergency room services for the first time in years. Rates have been frozen since 1991. Article
> A team at Beth Israel Deconess has developed an open-source tool that allows de-identification of patient reports. Release
> San Diego-based Cardium Therapeutics said it has acquired InnerCool, a company focused on therapeutic hypothermia. Article
> Tiny Medical Management Resources, a Sonoma Valley software company, is involved with a project that provides electronic medical records to migrant workers. Article
> Healthcare staffing specialist AMN Healthcare reported a 54 percent jump in Q4 profit. Article
> Community Medical Centers of Fresno will use InnerWireless. Release
> Massachusetts residents think their doctors are "good communicators" but do not rate them as highly in other areas. Quality reports for 400 multi-physician practices have been posted on a state Web site. Article
> The GE Centricity EMR has been linked with the SureScripts electronic prescribing network. Release
And Finally... How can physicians arrive at a realistic estimate for what their practice is worth? Medical Economics has a few good tips. Article