News From Around the Web
> Healthcare IT is transforming New Zealand's health system, according to Health Minister Tony Ryall. "More and more patients are benefiting from quicker and safer care by allowing health professionals to better share their medical information," says Ryall, who just launched two new projects that focus on improving the quality and safety of health care in New Zealand through better IT systems. Announcement
> Nanyang Polytechnic (NYP) of Singapore and the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) launched a center on healthcare IT. In a statement on Wednesday, NYP said the collaboration "will provide students with a seamless connection between classroom learning and the healthcare setting in hospitals and polyclinics." Announcement
EMR News
> Providing physicians with the price of lab tests via electronic health records can reduce their ordering rates, according to a new study in the Journal of General Internal Medicine. Article
Health Payer News
> Once the Obama administration fixes the glitch-ridden HealthCare.gov website, insurers plan to bombard the media, encouraging consumers to enroll in the exchanges and sign up for a plan. But they won't be selling "Obamacare" or even the reform law itself; they'll be highlighting the new availability of affordable insurance, reported Politico. Article
> State officials are fighting back against insurers offering health plans with narrow networks, in some cases taking regulatory action as well as introducing legislation and even lawsuits. Article
And Finally... Superheroes, post-Thanksgiving meal edition. Article