News From Around the Web
> The Department of Health and Human Services announced 193 grant awards totaling nearly $212 million to states to support programs aimed at preventing chronic disease. Announcement
> CVS Health announced it entered into a clinical affiliation with three academic medical centers: University of Maryland Medical System, University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, and the University of Alabama at Birmingham Health System. Statement
> Some experts say bundled payments will hold back innovation efforts, Rebecca Paradis, a senior health policy associate at the Network for Excellence in Health Innovation, wrote in Health Affairs. Article
Health Finance News
> It's generally accepted that the rates of surgery patients vary across small and large geographical regions across the county. But the reasons for such huge variations are complicated, Stateline reported. Article
> Prodding physicians to follow recommended care guidelines can help reduce utilization and reduce costs, the Wall Street Journal reported. Article
And Finally ... Hostage chicken. Article