Patient advocacy organizations and FDA drug approval: lessons from Aduhelm
Patient advocacy organizations need to shift their paradigm from "any drug at any cost" to "the best drug at the right cost." More
Speaking Out Against Aggressive Medical Debt Collection Practices
Medical debt and collection actions further perpetuate racial inequities by limiting economic opportunities and further contributing to the wealth divide. More
A Curious Union: Clorox, Cleveland Clinic, and the CDC Foundation
Disinfecting surfaces does little to curb Covid's spread. So why are two big health nonprofits working with Clorox? More
Fulfilling the Mandate of the US Food and Drug Administration’s Accelerated Approval Pathway
This Viewpoint discusses the US Food and Drug Administration’s accelerated approval pathway and proposes the need for reforms as well as the timely completion of postapproval trials. More
Local hospitals’ community-benefits spending falls millions short of their tax benefits, report finds
"There's been an assumption that these hospitals that don't pay taxes are spared the taxes because they provide a community benefit," said Dr. Vikas Saini, president of the Lown Institute.
The institute's analysis shows that is not necessarily the case, Saini said. Nearly three-quarters of private nonprofit hospitals nationwide spent less on community benefits than they received in tax breaks. That translated into a total deficit of $17 billion.
The rate was even higher in New York City, where 33 of 40 private hospitals spent less than they got in tax breaks, the institute's analysis found.
More
VIDEO: Community Benefit launch
The value of the nonprofit tax exemption is worth tens of billions to hospitals. But what are we getting back in exchange for this hefty tax break? Watch the launch video for a discussion of community benefit standards, hospital billing practices, and fair share spending with health policy experts. More
Big-name hospitals have biggest community spending shortfalls, report shows
PRESS RELEASE: Most U.S. nonprofit hospitals neglect community investment obligation, analysis reveals
Though all nonprofit hospitals enjoy big tax breaks, many fail to make commensurate investments in community health, according to a new analysis from the Lown Institute. The Institute today released Community Benefit findings from its 2021 Hospitals Index, that show nonprofit hospitals collectively failed to invest nearly $17 billion in their communities. More
Characterization of US Hospital Advertising and Association With Hospital Performance, 2008-2016
This cross-sectional study uses data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to assess whether higher-performing hospitals are more likely to advertise their services directly to consumers. More
Hospitals Have Started Posting Their Prices Online. Here’s What They Reveal
Since January, hospitals were supposed to be disclosing true prices for their services, as a way to empower patients to shop around. Turns out, compliance is spotty and the data can be hard to find. More
Biden admin releases first rule banning surprise medical bills
The Biden administration released the first part of regulations to implement a law that bans surprise medical bills, outlining what types of charges will be outlawed starting in 2022. More
The Hidden Hand: Big Pharma’s Influence on Patient Advocacy Groups
Although most well-known patient organizations have important missions and provide invaluable services to patients, many appear unable or unwilling to take positions on consumer issues such as lowering prescription drug prices that might anger their drug corporation funders.
Health insurers are threatening not to cover some patients’ ER bills
Plans like United Healthcare say it’s necessary to contain health care costs. Experts say it’s the wrong approach. More
(PDF) The Spread in Hospital Chargemaster Prices for Common Drugs
How New Hospital Transparency Regulations Fall Short More
Prohibited, unlisted, even dangerous ingredients turn up in dietary supplements
Consumers may think they’re safer or more “natural” than pharmaceuticals, but multiple studies show they are sometimes adulterated with medicines and unknown additives. More
Inside ‘Project Onyx’: How Biogen used an FDA back channel to win approval of its polarizing Alzheimer’s drug
When Aduhelm’s prospects appeared dead, Biogen mounted a secret campaign to resurrect the drug and convince the FDA to approve it. More
Doctor acquisitions spiked amid the pandemic
Nearly 70% of all U.S. physicians are now employed by hospitals or corporations. More
Despite new regulation, few hospitals are transparent about their prices
Two new studies analyzing hospital price transparency find that fewer than 25% of hospitals are complying with the new CMS rule. More
Is the FDA’s Drug Approval Process Broken?
A Q&A with physician and former FDA advisor Aaron Kesselheim on why he resigned to protest the approval of a new Alzheimer’s drug — and the reforms necessary to prevent it from happening again. More
The Covid-19 relief bill created 1,000 more residency slots for new doctors. Wealthy hospitals should be last in line to get them
The 1,000 new residency slots funded by the American Rescue Plan should go first to hospitals in rural, underserved, and tribal areas. More