I participate in hospital strategic planning retreats frequently. Routinely, the question is asked: what’s our future? Though the pace of change is quickening and markets vary, the destination seems clear….
Last Wednesday, 179 members of the House of Representatives sent notice to CMS Acting Administrator Andy Slavitt and Chief Medical Officer Patrick Conway that they’re not happy about Medicare’s decision…
The great debate is tonight. In 2012, 67 million tuned in to see how challenger Mitt Romney and would fare against the incumbent Barack Obama. Tonight, it’s the much anticipated…
Legendary radio commentator Paul Harvey ended his daily report with a final story introduced by the tease “Now for the rest of the story.” Last Tuesday, the U.S. Census Bureau…
Today is my birthday: I am 67. That means I am an old fart with all the rights and privileges bestowed. I get a pass for untrimmed nose hair, occasional…
When I was 11, a sixth grader at Henry L. Barger Elementary in Chattanooga, Tennessee, my life changed. It was 1960. Jerry Myrick, my best buddy, asked me to play…
News about soaring drug prices rival health insurance premium increases for media attention to healthcare these days. Mylan Pharmaceuticals’ 461% price increase (2007-2014) for its EpiPens is the latest call-out…
Coverage of devastating flooding in Louisiana, the Olympics in Rio and the daily Trump-Clinton political jousting were last week’s news but a healthcare item grabbed front page headlines as well:…
Would you pay out-of-pocket for primary care services completely separate from insurance, specialists, hospitals and everything else? Would you pay $80 to $100 per month to have a one-on-one relationship…
Last week, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced higher penalties for avoidable readmissions to hospitals. The week prior, it announced it was doubling down on the mandated…