News From Around the Web
> An Allegheny County Court judge granted the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center an opportunity to respond to new case law citations introduced by Highmark Inc. in an ongoing legal battle between the hospital and insurer over payment for cancer treatment, the Pittsburgh Business Times reported. Article
> Former Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said she was questioned by federal investigators as part of a years-long ethics probe into Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) after Menendez urged her to intervene in a Medicare billing dispute with his friend and political bankroller Dr. Salomon Melgen, reported The Hill. Article
> Nearly 11.7 million people enrolled in an Obamacare plan through Feb. 22, with 87 percent qualified for an average tax credit of $263 per month, according to Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Mathews Burwell. That number will keep going up with extended enrollment periods through April, USA Today reported. Article
Healthcare Provider News
> Despite recent questions about the reliability of major hospital ranking systems, the report cards remain relevant in the wake of healthcare industry changes. Article
> Nebraska has become the latest state to expand the practice scope of nurse practitioners, a move hailed by a leading industry group and backed by other states' push to do the same. Article
And Finally… Hands up. And give us the cheese! Article