> Michigan's McLaren Health Care still is considering buying Cheboygan Memorial Hospital, reported the Cheboygan Daily Tribune. Although a bankruptcy judge last month approved the sale of Cheboygan Memorial to McLaren, the health system was unable to come to a resolution with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services by April 2 to keep the facility open. Article
> UPMC Hamot and affiliated cardiologists are asking a federal judge to dismiss a whistleblower lawsuit that said providers overbilled Medicare and performed unnecessary heart procedures, according to the Erie Times-News. According to the hospital and doctors, the suit lacks specific information to support the allegations. Article
> Health Management Associates CEO Gary Newsome made $7.11 million in total compensation in 2011, up 11.3 percent from $6.38 million in 2010, according to information filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Analysis
> With healthcare reform increasing Medicare fees for primary care ambulatory visits 10 percent for five years starting in 2011, primary care visits would rise by 8.8 percent and the overall cost of primary care visits by 17 percent, according to a Commonwealth Fund study. According the report, the 10 percent fee increase would lower Medicare costs by 2 percent. Study (.pdf)
And Finally... The most deplorable award goes to the woman who faked cancer to win a wedding. Article