CMS to test star ratings for hospital quality; CDC calls for increased ACA awareness;

News from around the web

> For better usability and interpretability of information posted on Hospital Compare for patients, the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services will test out a star-rating system to assess overall hospital-level quality, according to QualityNet. Article

> To mitigate health and emergency management between officials and communities, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has launched a web-based HHS Response Recovery Resources Compendium, containing detailed information on 24 categories of HHS products, services and availabilities, HHS reported. Announcement

> After a survey analysis showed that persons with private health insurance are significantly more likely to receive clinical preventive services, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention calls for greater public awareness of the Affordable Care Act. Report

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> About 6.6 million people paid the "individual responsibility payment" fee rather than sign up for individual insurance as mandated by the Affordable Care Act, an Internal Revenue Service report shows. Article

 > Alaska Gov. Bill Walker (I) made moves Thursday to expand Medicaid to his state's low-income residents, reports the Wall Street Journal. Article

And Finally… Zumba away. Article