> Healthcare groups continue to debate healthcare form, but the American Hospital Association has put its money where its mouth is. The AHA spent $4.1 million lobbying the healthcare overhaul and several related bills in the first quarter of this year, reports the Associated Press. Article
> As other hospitals are looking to trim costs, Health Management Associates (NYSE: HMA) will spend about $525 million to acquire seven Tennessee hospitals, according to the Dow Jones Newswires. Article
> The nation's largest retailer Wal-Mart is partnering with the Arkansas Children's Hospital to provide legal support for Medicaid patients and their families, free of charge, reports CNNMoney. Through the medical-legal partnership, Wal-Mart lawyers will help sick patients get access to programs, services and equipment that they have been denied. Article
> Swedish Issaquah hospital officials are stressing the connections between greener hospital design and patient comfort, notes SustainableIndustries. Its new 550,000-square-foot facility, opening next month and located 18 miles east of Seattle, will not only save money and carbon emissions but also provide a more comfortable treatment environment. Article
> During a time when access to care is vital, South Carolina legislators have agreed to continue funding a state program that decides how and where hospitals can expand in order to avoid duplication of services, reports the Associated Press. Article
And Finally... A picture-perfect smile can be good for your overall health. Article