Rural hospitals are in dire need of help. Will a new government plan help?
Rural hospitals have been struggling financially for years, with many forced to close down. Will a new CMS plan help them keep their doors open? More
Hospitals were making progress on antibiotic stewardship…then COVID-19 arrived
Deaths from antibiotic-resistant infections were decreasing, until COVID-19 happened. How does this reflect our pill-for-every-ill culture? More
The C-Suite Swindle: How are so many healthcare workers struggling?
Between staffing shortages, long hours, and low-pay, essential hospital employees are struggling. How did it get this way? More
Should Medicare cover blood tests for cancer screening?
Congress is considering having Medicare fund blood screening tests, also known as liquid biopsies. Could this lead to cascade events and medical overuse? More
Implications for racial inequities in maternal health if Roe v Wade is lost
A Supreme Court draft decision was leaked recently that indicates that Roe v. Wade is to be overturned sometime this month. It is well established that racial inequities plague maternal health, killing Black women at three times the rate of white women. How is the impending reversal of Roe v. Wade going to impact maternal health across the nation? More
Surprise billing — another potential risk of overuse
After getting spinal fusion surgery, Lisa French was charged $300,000 after the hospital had quoted her $1,300 for the surgery. When she was unable to pay, the nonprofit hospital sued. As the spinal fusion industry booms, this case shows another risk of unnecessary surgeries -- getting overcharged and potentially sued by hospitals. More
The Cerebral scandal brings ADHD overprescription into the spotlight
A telehealth company's downfall sheds light on the overprescription of stimulants to ADHD patients More
INTERVIEW: Holding hospitals accountable to communities
How can we ensure that nonprofit hospitals are paying their fair share? What policy avenues or partnerships have worked in the past? More
Black mothers matter. How can we better protect their lives?
The United States has the worst maternal mortality rate amongst high-income nations - and it’s getting worse. More
When it comes to life expectancy, we don’t get what we pay for
The life expectancy of the average American dropped by 2 years in 2020, but by only a few months in peer countries. This discrepancy gets worse when you adjust for sex, race, and ethnicity. This is despite the fact that the US spends the most money on healthcare in the world. How do we get such poor health outcomes with such high spending? More
VIDEO: Hospital price transparency
On January 1, a new CMS rule on hospital price transparency went into effect. What does the new regulation do? How could it affect the cost of care? And are hospitals complying? Shannon and Vikas answer these questions on this week’s Lown Hospitals Q&A. More
New guidelines validate push back on thyroid surgery: Patient story update
Eleven years ago, Julie Martinez decided not to have her thyroid removed after a small nodule was discovered. In an update to her story, Julie shares what has happened since then. More
Few patients access their EHRs, but it’s not for lack of interest
Why do so few patients access their medical records electronically? It's not because they don't want to do so, write patient advocates in Health Affairs. More
How many of the “best” hospitals provide low-value cardiovascular screening?
A new study finds that even the "best" hospitals in the nation commonly offer unnecessary cardiovascular screening tests to wealthy patients. More
One in ten children receive low-value care, new study shows
Pediatric professional groups have known for years that certain tests and procedures are unnecessary and potentially harmful. Yet one in ten children receive low-value care, according to a recent study. More
Boston Globe features Lown medication overload project
The Boston Globe highlights the problem of medication overload and provides a sneak peek of the upcoming Lown action plan. More
The risks of rushing to incorporate AI into health care
As AI becomes more popular in health care, clinicians and patients should take the opportunity to learn about how the potential risks of these products. More
2019 Shkreli Awards “Dishonorable Mentions”
These health care actors didn't win a Shkreli Award, but they deserve a "dishonorable mention" for their profiteering and unethical behavior. More
Top ten recommendations for right care in emergency medicine
In a recent article in The BMJ, members of the Right Care Alliance Emergency Medicine council outline ways in which clinicians can bring "value, balance and humanity to the emergency department." More
International hospital expansions: A health or profit imperative?
Are hospitals expanding to the United Arab Emirates as part of their humanitarian mission? Or are they "looking for mission where the money is"? More