Richard Pizzi

The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) has released its June 2011 Data Book: Health Care Spending and the Medicare Program.

A new study in the August issue of Health Affairs found that increased public health investments at the local level can produce measurable health improvements.

Community Health Systems, a publicly traded 133-hospital management company in Franklin, Tenn., has executed a definitive agreement to acquire the assets of Moses Taylor Health Care System, in Scranton, Pa.

Overall U.S. healthcare prices in June 2011 mirrored last month's slow but steady increase, rising 0.1 percent, according to the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics.

While employment growth nationally was disappointing in June, hiring in the U.S. healthcare sector continued to trend upward. The industry added 13,500 positions in June.

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

After implementing a hand washing "action plan," four hospitals in southwestern Virginia and eastern Tennessee reduced healthcare-acquired infection rates (HAIs) a collective 41 percent within 90 days, resulting in savings of $1.2 million in costs.

Many predictions were made early in 2011 about the issues that would challenge healthcare finance leaders this year. Does your experience bear them out?

Overall U.S. healthcare prices continued to rise slowly, increasing 0.1 percent from April 2011 to May 2011, according to the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics.

A growing number of medical professionals are signing up to accept TRICARE, the healthcare plan for members of the uniformed services, retirees and their families, according to the Department of Defense.