New Hampshire hospital merger could face antitrust challenge; Beth Israel shakes up executive team;

News From Around the Web

> A merger between New Hampshire's two largest health systems, Dartmouth-Hitchcock and Elliot Health System of Manchester, could face an antitrust challenge, reports the New Hampshire Union Leader. Article

>  Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston has shuffled around its executive team by creating two new positions that are designed to advance long-term planning, according to the Boston Business Journal. Article

> A federal grand jury returned a 47-count indictment Tuesday against the former CFO of a Medicaid-funded behavioral health system in North Carolina, according to the Department of Justice. Announcement

Health Finance News

> Medicare's plans to reduce the cost of drugs dispensed in hospitals, doctors' offices and clinics is drawing significant opposition from the pharmacy sector, Kaiser Health News reported. Article

> Freestanding emergency rooms are touted as an alternative to more expensive forms of care, such as the sunken costs of a full hospital. However, they may also drive up total healthcare costs as well. Article

And Finally… Big if true. Article