HHS to launch star rating system for exchange plans; White House says ACA slowing health costs;

News From Around the Web

> The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services is working on a star rating system for plans sold on health insurance exchanges that have more than 500 enrollees, LifeHealthPro reported. Article

> The White House says the Affordable Care Act is contributing to a slower rise in healthcare costs, which is benefiting both consumers and businesses, The Hill's Healthwatch reported. Article

> California-based Kaiser Permanente is facing a lawsuit from Keck Hospital of University of Southern California for not paying one of its member's $544,000 open-heart surgery bill, reported the Daily Trojan. Article

Health Provider News

> The Obama administration will allow veterans to seek care at private hospitals to alleviate the backlog of patients awaiting treatment through the Department of Veterans Affairs. Article

> Since Sylvia Mathews Burwell was nominated to become the next secretary of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, she has had an "unusually smooth" confirmation process, for several reasons. Article

Health IT News

> As healthcare network security grows trickier with networked medical devices and personal mobile devices, some organizations are going beyond merely trying to control access to patient data, better tracking how information flows. Article

> Although health technology can streamline and improve patient care, providers must proceed with caution when using the latest clinical innovations. Article

And Finally... Let's not hold our breath while driving. Article