News From Around the Web:
> The Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan, scheduled to close Jan, 1, will last until March 31, to give people more time to shop for coverage on state and federal exchanges while they continue to receive needed care and treatment, the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services told Kaiser Health News Tuesday in an email. Article
> A new survey shows 72 percent of public companies, including healthcare organizations and insurers, require employees to report whether they've received a gift, and many companies categorize some gifts as always or never acceptable. Survey
> The Obama administration is partnering with Enroll America and some state exchanges to live-stream a reform-themed variety show Thursday to promote the reform law to young adults, reported The Hill's Healthwatch. Article
Health Provider News:
> Partners HealthCare System is planning to create a new medical model that will integrate hospitals and their medical services with insurance products. Article
> Reduced Medicare reimbursements and failure to expand Medicaid in both North and South Carolina could cost Carolinas HealthCare System $500 million over the next 10 years. Article
Health IT News:
> Kaiser Permanente plans to use $7 million to build a data network aimed at improving cancer, obesity and heart diseases outcomes this year. Article
> Venture capital funding for healthcare IT doubled last year from $1.2 billion to $2.2 billion and the number of venture capital health IT deals more than tripled from 163 in 2012 to 571 in 2013. Article
And Finally... The tortoise isn't always slow. Article