Member News

The Herald-Standard reports that Brownsville Tri-County Hospital could open as early as May 21.

Quality and Patient Safety

The Associated Press reports that the proposed use of unoccupied TV airwaves for high-speed Internet service across the country could affect the signal that monitors critically-ill hospital patients.

HealthDay News reports that the quality of care at “safety-net” hospitals that treat poor and underserved patients is lagging well behind hospitals that do not serve these patients.

State News

A Patriot-News letter to the editor from Carolyn Scanlan, President and CEO of The Hospital & Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania states, “It is important to assure that Pennsylvania hospitals are sustained through appropriate public policy that supports these important and vital state resources.”

National News

The New York Times reports that Senate and House Democrats have reached a tentative agreement on a budget blueprint that embodies their priorities and sets spending levels somewhat higher than President Bush had requested.

The Washington Post also reports on the story.

HealthDay News reports that giving doctors cash rewards to reduce hospital spending helps control costs and does not affect quality or patients’ access to care.

The Associated Press reports that legislation requiring prescription drug makers to disclose payments to doctors got a boost when Eli Lilly and Co. broke ranks with the industry and endorsed the bill.

The New York Times reports that New York’s public and private hospitals stand to lose more than $1 billion in state and federal funds for the training of doctors because of changes to the Medicaid program.

Insurance & Managed Care

A Times Leader letter to the editor cautions others patients: "Your medical doctor might be treating you not on the basis of your medical needs but on...what an insurance company will allow or what the doctor’s reputation will be in the eyes of an insurance company.”

Medical News

The Wall Street Journal reports on a number of new programs stepping up efforts to match patients with clinical trials, and educating patients and their physicians on the benefits of medical research.

The Associated Press reports that, for the first time, more than half of all insured Americans are taking prescription medications regularly for chronic health problems.

The Washington Post reports that the difference in death rates between highly educated and poorly educated people in the United States is very wide and growing wider.

Miscellaneous

The New York Times reports that some patients’ noisy artificial hips are interrupting daily life and raising questions about more serious problems.

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that the Wii video game is helping seniors retain mobility, assisting wounded soldiers toward recovery, fighting obesity in children, plus may prove helpful in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease.

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