> A federal judge in Mississippi has blocked a lawsuit that challenged the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, the Hattiesburg American reported. An attorney for the plaintiffs, which include Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant and 10 other Mississippians, said the suit be revived. Article
> Republicans in the House of Representatives are questioning salaries at the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services exceeding $250,000, according to a statement from Rep. Joe Barton (R-Texas). Barton has introduced legislation to cap pay and strengthen congressional oversight of HHS hiring. Statement
> Fletcher Allen Health Care in Burlington, Vt., and the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center of Lebanon, N.H., want to join forces to manage Medicare patients in Vermont through an accountable care organization, Vermont Public Radio noted. With federal approval, the two academic medical centers could launch OneCare by Jan. 1, 2013. Article
> United Memorial Medical Center in Batavia, Ill., is converting to a teaching hospital to recruit primary care doctors, according to The Daily News. The hospital hopes its new residency program will entice doctors to stay in Batavia and open a practice. Article
And Finally… Stealing 1.5 tons of hay in the name of love. Article