Don’t “Stay In Your Lane”: Why Clinicians Should Be Activists For Social Change
The medical community is facing challenges that have pushed clinicians outside their usual lane. Here's why that's a good thing. More
The rising danger of private equity in healthcare
Emerging evidence shows that the influence of private equity in healthcare demands attention. Here’s what’s in the latest research. More
2023 Shkreli Awards: Dishonorable Mentions
Last Tuesday, we revealed the winners of the 7th Annual Shkreli Awards. As shocking as that list is, what's even worse is that it's only the short list of all our nominees... More
One third of hospitals take legal action against patients with outstanding medical bills, study finds
Hospital watchdogs have started collecting valuable data on hospital billing practices. Here are the results from one such study. More
When health records don’t capture patient deaths
A new analysis finds that electronic health records don't always know when patients have died. Why does this happen and how can we reduce these EHR inconsistencies? More
Policymakers and media put pressure on hospitals to give more free care
A crucial part of hospitals’ social mission is providing care to all who need it, regardless of their ability to pay. But is that actually happening? More
WATCH: Hospitals reveal key challenges to achieving equity, and how they’re overcoming them
Bringing together Dr. Vikas Saini (the Lown Institute), Dr. Katherine Peeler (Boston Children’s Hospital), Dr. Omar Lateef (RUSH University Medical Center), and Dr. Thea James (Boston Medical Center), the discussion focused on the role of hospitals in addressing problems like moral stress and burnout and how a commitment to equity fits into their resolution. Watch the video of the event and read some of the highlights from the discussion. More
How can we fix physician shortages in rural America?
The nation is facing a physician shortage, particularly in rural areas. What can we do about it? More
A win for high-value care: CMS approves new measure of CT radiation quality
This new measure of radiation quality sheds light on an important potential harm of imaging overuse. Here’s what it means for the future of provider accountability and patient safety. More
Study finds racial disparities in low-value care, even within the same health systems
Are Black patients at higher or lower risk of overuse? A new study reveals how patterns of low-value differ by race in the Medicare population. More
Meet Imari, the Lown Institute’s new Health Communications Specialist
Meet our new Health Communications Specialist, Imari Daniels! More
LISTEN: The “biggest moonshot” is fixing American healthcare
On the The Commonwealth Fund's podcast, "The Dose," Dr. Vikas Saini talked with host Joel Bervell about all things healthcare, from price transparency at hospitals to the epidemic of unnecessary coronary stents. More
What makes hospitals comply with price transparency rules (or not)?
Since 2021, CMS has required hospitals to publish pricing information online. What are the latest updates on these rules, and what drives hospitals to comply? More
Healthcare’s “pink tax” is more complicated than it seems
The “pink tax” is the concept that women’s products and services tend to be priced higher than men’s. Is there a “pink tax” in healthcare as well? More
WATCH: The data we need for more equitable care
Last week, the American Medical Association (AMA) brought together experts to discuss issues of data and measurement in the latest edition of their National Health Equity Grand Rounds series. More
The rising debate about hospital community benefits: Sanders vs AHA
Two new reports — one from Bernie Sanders' Senate committee and one from the American Hospitals Association — provide very different views on hospital community benefit spending. Here’s what you need to know. More
An ethical imperative: How nurses can be leaders in reducing overuse
Nurses are among the most trusted profession in the US and have a lot to gain from reducing unnecessary care, yet this potential for nurses to lead the charge has gone largely untapped. Experts share their insights on value-informed nursing and their visions for the future. More
REGISTER: How unnecessary stents harm patients and waste billions of dollars
How often are these procedures happening, and where? How much are we wasting on these low-value services? And what can we do to prevent unnecessary care? More
The estimated benefits of reducing lead exposure: cost-effective preventative care
A new cost-benefit analysis on the societal benefits of replacing lead service lines was published. What are the findings and what do we do about them? More
How AI-powered cancer screening could impact overuse
AI-supported cancer screenings have the potential to reduce false positives ...but they could also exacerbate overdiagnosis. More