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Reform Update: Ascension deals signal new economic reality in healthcare
Ascension Health, one of the nation’s largest hospital owners, is expanding rapidly with a string of announced deals that its CEO says will grow its reach beyond hospitals to keep pace with rapid Obamacare-induced changes in the marketplace. But notably, Ascension…
Ice Bucket Challenge offers great lessons in healthcare fundraising
While social media is deluged with videos of people dumping buckets of ice water on their heads in the name of ALS advocacy and philanthropy, other healthcare not-for-profits can find marketing lessons in the challenge that they can use for their own fundraising…
The Social Security solvency dodge
There is probably only one widely accepted fact in the debate about Social Security reform: The Social Security system will pay full benefits until 2033. Comically enough, that one fact is not true. The very bedrock of the debate about Social…
This Doctor Posts All His Prices. And His Business Is Booming.
About a year before the birth of Obamacare, Dr. Keith Smith, director of the Surgery Center of Oklahoma, posted all the prices for his center’s surgeries online. Today he’s expanding, looking to build two more operating rooms. His fastest-growing group of patients? Obamacare enrollees. Though…
Ringleader in massive Social Security disability scam case pleads guilty and agrees to testify against others
One of the ringleaders in a massive Social Security disability scam involving dozens of retired NYPD and FDNY members pleaded guilty Wednesday and has agreed to cooperate with authorities. Joseph Esposito, 70, is set to get as little as 1 ½…
Medicare ACOs can learn lessons from earlier demo project
The precursor to Medicare’s large and growing accountable care program ran five years and ended the month after the Affordable Care Act became law. The results, summarized in a new report, have proved prescient and may inform policy changes the CMS is expected to issue soon.…
Social Security Column: Get To Know The Faces And Facts Of Disability
Perhaps the most misunderstood Social Security program is disability insurance, often referred to as SSDI. Some people mistakenly think that beneficiaries are “on the dole” and getting easy money for minor impairments. That’s not the case. There are two ways…
This Movie Star’s Planned Parenthood T-Shirt Proves She Doesn’t Understand Hobby Lobby Decision
Planned Parenthood Action Fund released today a t-shirt designed by actress Scarlett Johansson that targets the Supreme Court’s Hobby Lobby decision. The front of the pink t-shirt reads “Hey Politicians! The 1950s called…” and the back reads, “They want their sexism…
156,000 Seniors Have Social Security Checks Reduced…to Pay Off Student Loans
At a time when thousands of Americans are trying to enjoy, if not just survive, their golden years, the federal government has been garnishing their Social Security checks to pay off old student loans. About 156,000 individuals have found themselves in this situation,…
Rule On Overtime Pay For Caregivers Prompts Pushback
Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback is seeking to enlist people with disabilities and their families to campaign against new federal labor rules that would require some care workers to get overtime pay and others to be paid by the hour instead…