Richard Pizzi

The number of physician assistants practicing in the United States reached 83,466 in 2010, a 100 percent increase over the last 10 years.

While the U.S. economy experienced practically no job growth in August, the healthcare sector continued to buck the national trend, as the industry added 29,700 positions.

Overall U.S. healthcare prices increased in July 2011, rising 0.4 percent, according to the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The United States economy experienced very slight job growth in July. Hiring in the healthcare sector continued to trend upward with the industry adding 31,300 positions.

The June 2011 report to Congress by the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) called for a move away from fee-for-service reimbursement and toward a payment system that rewards quality and efficiency in the delivery of healthcare services.

Community Health Systems, Inc., one the largest publicly-traded hospital companies in the United States, has executed a definitive agreement to acquire the assets of Tomball Regional Medical Center, in Tomball, Texas.

Three northeast Ohio health systems have created a for-profit company to aid the success of joint ventures in a competitive healthcare market.

According to a report by the Association for Healthcare Philanthropy, U.S. nonprofit hospitals and health systems managed an 8 percent increase in philanthropic donations last year. However, the results of the study were not entirely positive, as fundraising costs climb and ROI dips.

A study by the Center for Studying Health System Change shows that despite the rough economy, the competition for patients continues.

A study released in July from the National Bureau for Economic Research reveals some surprising evidence surrounding coverage in Oregon; Medicaid may be more effective than many thought.