> Critics continue to accuse the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force of rationing care, reinforcing accusations in May that followed task force recommendations that healthy men skip PSA tests for prostate cancer, according to USA Today. To ease concerns, legislation introduced last month would require the task force to work more closely with patients and specialists in relevant medical fields. Article
> North Pine Area Hospital District in Minnesota will soon vote on Essentia Health's proposal for purchasing the Sandstone hospital, using a buyout clause in the lease, the Duluth News Tribune reported. Article
> New Jersey's Hunterdon HealthCare Partners and aetna joined the coordinated care movement, forming an accountable care organization, the latter announced yesterday. To ensure ACO success, Aetna will implement integrated IT capabilities, such as health information exchange technology, for Hunterdon HealthCare Partners. Announcement
> The Wyoming Medical Center whistleblower case reached settlement, although as of Friday it had not been finalized with a signature, reported the Casper Star-Tribune. In March, the hospital denied accusations that its clerks altered patient records and submitted false claims to Medicare and Medicaid. In the 2007 whistleblower lawsuit, an ex-employee also claimed the hospital fired her for informing federal officials of the alleged billing fraud. Article
> St. Vincent's Medical Center in Bridgeport, Conn., has launched a new physician-hospital organization, The Bridgeport News reported. Physicians own 50 percent of St. Vincent's Health Partners; the medical center owns the other 50 percent. Article
And Finally… After a plane crash, where should the survivors be buried? Statement