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Monthly Archives: July 2014
Study: Hospitals Not Bilking Medicare Using Electronic Medical Records
In 2012, Medicare was rocked by allegations hospitals were systematically overcharging the government program by misusing electronic medical records. A study published Tuesday disputes that.
Ruling supports safe patient standards
A recent arbitrator’s ruling makes the case for minimum safe patient standards in every Minnesota hospital.
Nurses at Sleepy Eye Medical Center in western Minnesota made a seemingly simple request during negotiations for their first contract: agree to a staffing plan that clearly sets out base staffing standards.
The hospital refused, so nurses took the case to arbitration – and won.
“We asked that the existing grid be put into writing in order to improve staffing,” said Sleepy Eye MNA Chair Katie Grams. “It worked well by laying out base staffing standards of four patients to one nurse, detailing how those standards worked by shift, census, patient acuity and staff skill level.”
The arbitrator not only approved putting the staffing plan into the contract, he added language that specifies staffing for OB, ER and charge nurses.
“This case shows that hospitals can – and do – have reasonable minimum standards of care,” said Grams. “If Sleepy Eye can do it, hospitals throughout Minnesota of any size should do the same.”
Conflicting Views Of Supreme Court’s Contraception Decision Cloud Other Cases
If the justices thought they were creating a clear path for others to follow, they were wrong.
Membership Assembly Photo Review
Photo Story: Nurses in Action
In Unhealthy Eastern Tennessee, Limited Patient Options Bring Some Of The Country’s Cheapest Premiums
Chattanooga’s success in achieving bargain-priced policies offers valuable lessons for other parts of the country as they seek to satisfy consumers with insurance networks that limit their choices of doctors and hospitals.
Some Plans Skew Drug Benefits To Drive Away Patients, Advocates Warn
Groups file complaint with federal officials saying four Florida insurers discriminated against people with HIV in setting up pricing structure for drugs, and another analysis finds that many silver plans place medications for costly diseases in highest formulary tier.
DOJ and HHS call for action to address abuse of older Americans
DOJ and HHS call for action to address abuse of older Americans
HHS announces the availability of $100 million in Affordable Care Act funding to expand access to primary care through new community health centers
HHS announces the availability of $100 million in Affordable Care Act funding to expand access to primary care through new community health centers