P4P COULD HURT POOR, MINORITIES, STUDY SUGGESTS
While pay-for-performance (P4P) and public quality-reporting programs may contribute to the improvement of healthcare quality, a recent study suggests that such programs might also decrease quality of care for low-income and minority patients. The study said that physicians might avoid poor and minority patients if they perceive them to be less likely to have good outcomes from treatment, while literacy and cultural issues may deter patients from participating.
Date: 4/17/07
WAL-MART PLEDGES $1M TO ADVANCE HEALTHCARE IT
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. has announced that it will partner with the University of Arkansas and Blue Cross Blue Shield to conduct research on how to advance healthcare IT in the United States. Wal-Mart will pledge $1 million over five years to fund a new Center for Innovation in Health Care Logistics at the University of Arkansas. According to Carolyn Walton, vice president of the information systems division for Wal-Mart, the company became interested in investing in healthcare IT to help lower costs and increase efficiency for its employees and for the nation as a whole.
Date: 4/09/07
STATES COULD BE KEY IN HEALTHCARE TRANSPARENCY
States, in their roles as legislators, employers, payers and public policy forums, are in an ideal position to lead transformational change, according to a study on the current status of healthcare price transparency as seen through various stakeholder perspectives. The study, conducted by Deloitte & Touche and commissioned by the National Governors’ Association, was based on 34 interviews with providers, health plans and employers and 12 interviews with federal and state policymakers. Most industry and government stakeholders interviewed believe widespread adoption of price transparency is “a matter of when, not if.”
Date: 3/26/07
COMMUNITY HEALTH CASTS BID FOR TRIAD HOSPITALS
A new bidder apparently has won the war for Triad Hospitals Inc., announcing a bid that totals nearly $7 billion. Community Health Systems Inc., a Franklin, Tenn.-based company that owns or operates 77 hospitals in 22 states, bid $54 in cash per share for Triad, for a total of $5.1 billion. Community Health also would assume $1.7 billion in Triad debt, making the total value of the transaction $6.8 billion.
Date: 3/21/07