Jenny Gold

Hospitals take their ratings seriously, despite hospital industry experts' skepticism about their scientific methodology and studies showing that scores may not have a huge influence on patient behavior. In a highly competitive market, no one wants to be a "C"-rated safety hospital any more than a "C"-rated restaurant for cleanliness.

A routine survey found a lack of timeliness was in violation of state law and Kaiser may face an additional fine.

Changing eligibility standards could purge a million or more beneficiaries from Medicaid rolls in California. A lawsuit seeks to stop the state from canceling coverage for Medi-Cal recipients who haven't been properly notified.

Accountable Care Organizations have given little attention to surgery in the early years of the Medicare program, choosing to focus instead on managing chronic conditions and reducing hospital readmissions. But ACOs will likely shift their focus to surgery as programs mature.

While ACOs are touted as a way to help fix an inefficient payment system that rewards more, not better, care, some economists warn they could lead to greater consolidation in the healthcare industry. Here are some answers to common questions about them.

The Mayo Clinic, the Cleveland Clinic, Geisinger Health System and Intermountain Healthcare have repeatedly been touted as models for a new healthcare delivery system. Yet all four have declined to apply for the “Pioneer” program tailor-made by the Obama administration to reward such organizations.

According to a 2009 report by the American Medical Association, one in six doctors works for a hospital, and the number is quickly growing.