Author Archive
First-stop docs could get a pay raise
August 24, 2009
Despite bitter disputes over the best ways to overhaul the health care system, there’s consistent agreement about the need to expand the role of primary care doctors. Those physicians are in short supply, and experts are predicting a pay raise for these doctors whose speciality is keeping patients healthy.
http://whyy.org/cms/news/health-science/2009/08/24/first-stop-docs-could-get-a-pay-raise/15621
- Categories: Uncategorized
The “Red Flags” Rule
August 11, 2009
The Red Flags Rule, a law the FTC will begin to enforce on August 1, 2009, requires certain businesses and organizations — including many doctors’ offices, hospitals, and other health care providers — to develop a written program to spot the warning signs — or “red flags” — of identity theft. Is your practice covered by the Red Flags Rule? If so, have you developed your Identity Theft Prevention Program to detect, prevent, and minimize the damage that could result from identity theft?
- Categories: Legislative Strategy
A Doctor by Choice, a Businessman by Necessity
July 7, 2009
When looking to recruit for doctors, one of the best ways to convince them to join is to work the stress-reduction angle. Most doctors joined medicine to help people, not to worry about the bottom line. The prospect of a position where they don’t have to worry about reimbursements, can be a powerful bargaining chip.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/07/health/07essa.html?_r=1&ref=science
- Categories: Uncategorized
Hospital workers say yes to union
June 16, 2009
Unionization of hospital workers seems to be a trend lately. President Obama has endorsed the idea in some form or another with the Employee Free Choice Act.
http://www.boston.com/business/healthcare/articles/2009/06/11/hospital_workers_say_yes_to_union/
- Categories: Uncategorized
Health Care Spending Disparities Stir a Fight
June 10, 2009
This article fortells regional disparities as becoming a forefront in the battle to reduce overall healthcare spending.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/09/us/politics/09health.html?_r=1&nl=health&emc=a7
- Categories: Uncategorized
Recession is making nursing shortage worse
June 4, 2009
This is surprising because some health experts warn that a nursing shortage, with dire consequences, is upon us. Others say the nursing shortage has been averted, and that the supply of nurses is meeting demand. The truth is both, and neither.
In fact, the recession has given us a temporary reprieve, due to lower demand for elective health services and lower production of nurses. But that short-term bandage is about to be yanked off, and, unless we act quickly, what lies ahead will be painful for patients and the entire health-care system.
- Categories: Uncategorized
Hurdles remain in Obama’s push to revamp health care
June 3, 2009
This year’s fast-track timetable on health care calls for leaders of key congressional committees to unveil legislation this month, debate it next month and pass it before leaving for the summer recess in August. Final passage would follow in September or October, before next year’s elections start to complicate things.
http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2009-05-31-hurdles_N.htm
- Categories: Legislative Strategy, Uncategorized
Hunting for physicians in rural areas
May 28, 2009
Relocating people to rural areas can be tricky. In areas where there isn’t enough locally grown talent, however, relocation has to be an integral part of the equation. When trying to convince someone to relocate, one must advertise for the city every bit as much as the position itself. Job ads that highlight the low- cost of living, the proximity to nature, and the short commute generally get a better response, but the process of recruiting doesn’t stop there. Here is what Maine is doing to confront the shortage of physicians.
http://www.downeast.com/node/10550
- Categories: Employee Attraction, Uncategorized