Healthgrades: Hospital mortality better in Western states; NQF endorses 21 population health, cancer measures;

> The American Hospital Association is fighting a Medicare rule that gives hospitals a limit of 180 days to appeal Provider Reimbursement Review Board decisions. The hospital group says the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services should consider extraordinary cases. Amicus Brief (.pdf)

> Healthgrades released its state-by-state hospital mortality rates. Western states generally fared better on this metric than Southern or Northeastern states. The report did not speculate on why some hospitals did better than others, HealthLeaders Media reported. Article

> As the industry braces for a provider shortage, first-time enrollments at U.S. medical schools grew 1.5 percent in 2012 to a record 19,517 students, the Association of American Medical Colleges announced yesterday. Statement

> The National Quality Forum yesterday endorsed 21 new measures related to population health and cancer. The new measures aim to ensure patients receive appropriate, high-quality treatment.

And Finally… Summer babies less likely to be CEOs. Study