Daily roundup: Jan. 27, 2012

Bite-sized hospital and health industry news

January 27, 2012

Florida: Jackson Health System and University of Miami (UM) officials last week outlined a plan that would create a clearer division between the two institutions by allowing Jackson to "lease" UM faculty physicians and pay their salaries to the medical school. Currently, Jackson pays UM $115 million per year for UM physicians that treat uninsured patients and UM collects insurance money for treating insured Jackson patients. According to Jackson's board chairman, the new plan would avoid "conflict of interest or divided loyalties" (Dorschner, Miami Herald, 1/23).  

Massachusetts: The state health reform law passed in 2006 has extended health insurance to most of the state's residents, reduced ED visits, and helped residents become healthier, according to a study in Health Affairs. However, the study also finds that health costs are increasing and residents who once considered themselves neutral on the law now oppose it (Fox, National Journal, 1/25).

Ohio: A Cleveland Clinic women's health expert recently helped implant a contraceptive in an orangutan named Kitra at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. The implant--called Implanon--is used in both humans and primates, but Kitra is the first orangutan in the country to receive it. Zoo officials say Kitra was back on her feet within hours of the procedure (AP/News Net 5, 1/25).

Pennsylvania and Tennessee: Franklin, Tenn.-based Community Health Systems (CHS) this week announced a definitive agreement to acquire 100-bed Memorial Hospital in York, Pa., and its parent system. If the deal is approved, Memorial will become CHS's 17th Pennsylvania hospital (Blesch, Modern Healthcare, 1/24).

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