News From Around the Web
> The Certification Commission for Health Information Technology will develop an IT framework for accountable care organizations, it announced this week. The framework will serve as a roadmap of sorts for providers in identifying which technologies will be necessary for providers to use as they shift into accountable care models. Announcement
> The American Telemedicine Association is teaming with the National Organization of Black Elected Legislative Women, the National Black Caucus of State Legislators and the National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators in a nationwide effort to spread the word about and introduce model legislation for telehealth. ATA calls the organizations "natural allies" in an announcement, stating that telemedicine has had "a significant positive impact on historically underserved groups." Announcement
Health Insurance News
> Healthcare costs rose more than 60 percent between 2003 and 2011 and will likely continue growing unless the health insurance market is completely overhauled, according to a new report from the Commonwealth Fund. These ever-rising costs, which have reached $15,022 in less than 10 years for an average family to obtain insurance coverage, have grown five times faster than family incomes that have risen only 11 percent. Article
Medical Imaging News
> The Internal Revenue Service recently released final regulations on the 2.3 percent medical device tax manufacturers and importers will pay on certain devices starting January 1, 2013. According to David Cooling of the Medical Imaging & Technology Alliance, the ruling is "pretty burdensome," due in large part to its Jan. 1 go-live date. Article
Provider News
> Health reform is here to stay, which might not good news for hospital employment. Several hospitals across the country are citing the legislation and its implementation as reasons for cutting jobs. Article
And Finally… Hello? I can't hear you, but the side of my head hurts! Article