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
PRESS RELEASE: Top ten healthcare profiteers named in 2021 Shkreli Awards
A top ten list of the worst examples of profiteering and dysfunction in health care, named for Martin Shkreli, the price-hiking "pharma bro" that everyone loves to hate. More
PRESS RELEASE: Unnecessary hospital tests and procedures put hundreds of thousands at risk, new analysis reveals
Every 80 seconds, a hospital in the U.S. delivers a low-value test or procedure to an older adult, putting hundreds of thousands at risk of harm, according to a new analysis from the Lown Institute, a health care think tank. The Institute today released a ranking of over 3,100 U.S. hospitals that examines success at avoiding the use of tests and procedures that offer little to no clinical benefit. More
PRESS RELEASE: Shannon Brownlee steps down from Lown Institute, helped guide health care think tank into new era
Shannon Brownlee will be stepping down from her leadership role as senior vice president effective April 1 in order to pursue writing and artistic endeavors. “Being a part of the Lown Institute leadership has truly been one of the most rewarding times of my professional career,” said Brownlee. 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
Advocacy from independent experts reflected in new ob-gyn guideline
A group of independent doctors spoke out in 2019 against what they saw as a potentially harmful recommendation that was influenced by financial conflicts of interest. Now it appears that the independent doctors' advocacy has helped to change that recommendation. More
PRESS RELEASE: Lown Institute welcomes Bassett, Kryder to board; Gabow named chair
The Lown Institute announces the election of Mary T. Bassett and Chris Kryder to its Board of Directors. Patricia Gabow, an existing board member, has been elected chair. More
PRESS RELEASE: Top-ten pandemic profiteers, health system malfunctions take spotlight in 2020 Shkreli Awards
The crisis of Covid-19 created new opportunities for exploitation by this year’s greedy and misguided “winners.” 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
PRESS RELEASE: Millions of Older Americans Harmed by Too Many Medications
Lown Institute just released Eliminating Medication Overload: A National Action Plan. More