News From Around the Web
> The Patient Privacy Rights Foundation--a non-profit organization geared toward ensuring patients maintain control over the collection, use and disclosure of personal health information in electronic systems--has named Adrian Gropper, M.D., its first chief technology officer. Gropper helped to create the Direct Project's secure email system, as well as the Blue Button+ system for patient-mediated health information exchange. Announcement
> A new device created by engineers at the University of Washington and Bellevue, Wash.-based company NanoFacture claims to be able to extract DNA from human fluids "within minutes," the school announced this week. Announcement
> Citing new restrictions on the use of protected health information in the updated HIPAA omnibus rule, CVS is ending its refill reminder program, Pharmalot reports. Article
Provider News
> Roseville, Calif.-based Adventist Health and its affiliated White Memorial Medical Center have agreed to pay the United States and the state of California $14.1 million to settle claims that they violated the False Claims Act, the U.S. Department of Justice announced Friday. The settlement resolves allegations that the hospital compensated physicians who had referred patients to the White Memorial facility by transferring assets, which included supplies and inventory, at unfair, less-than-market value. Article
Health Insurance News
> Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island blocked a deal between Steward Health Care System and Landmark Medical Center by not negotiating reasonable payments, Steward alleged in a lawsuit against the insurer. The complaint filed in state Superior Court in Providence said Blue Cross engaged in anticompetitive practices and interfered with prospective contractual relations, thereby obstructing Steward's attempt to buy the Rhode Island-based hospital. Article
And Finally… I'm not so sure this is a matter that requires the president's intervention. Article