Why a new payment model for rural hospitals could hurt them
Rural hospitals are struggling in the pandemic. But will a new payment model help or hurt? More
Is there an “equitable” way to sue patients for medical bills?
A recent set of best practices on billing from a hospital industry group was hailed as promoting racial equity-- but does it go far enough for patients? More
Nonprofit and for-profit hospitals provide similar levels of charity care, study finds
A new study finds that for-profit hospitals are spending the same amount proportionally on charity care as nonprofits. More
“We set the bar high”: LIHI creators and hospital leaders on what makes a great hospital
What are the top hospitals in the country doing to excel in all three categories on the Lown Hospitals Index? At a recent event hosted by the Lown Institute, Washington Monthly, and Open Markets Institute, the creators of the Lown Index and leaders of some of the winning hospitals discussed how hospitals can go from good to great. More
VIDEO: Are hospitals collaborating during Covid-19?
During this unprecedented health crisis, what will it take for hospitals to put aside their rivalries and work together? Shannon Brownlee and Vikas Saini discuss in the latest edition of "Lown Hospitals Q&A." More
VIDEO: Health Disparities and Hospitals
What can hospitals do to address health disparities in their communities? Vikas Saini and Shannon Brownlee answer questions about health disparities in this edition of our new video series, "Lown Hospitals Q&A." More
VIDEO: Elective surgeries Q&A
What are elective surgeries and why are they so important to hospitals? Vikas Saini and Shannon Brownlee answer questions about elective surgeries in this edition of our new video series, "Lown Hospitals Q&A." More
VIDEO: Hospital bailouts Q&A
In the first edition of "Lown Hospitals Q&A," a recurring video series, Vikas Saini and Shannon Brownlee answer questions about hospital bailouts. More
Richer hospitals aren’t pulling their weight in charity care, study finds
Are rich hospitals spending as much as they should on charity care? A new analysis suggests they could be doing much more. More
Should hospitals be judged by their billing practices?
Affordability is one of the most important considerations for hospital patients. So why isn't billing taken into account in hospital evaluations? 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
News story or advertisement? Advertorials obscure hospital sponsor
A new series of articles in the Boston Globe touts the generosity and quality of Boston Children’s hospital. But who is funding these articles…? More
Virginia’s “best” hospital sues 6,000 patients each year
The University of Virginia Medical Center is ranked as the "best" hospital in Virginia by U.S. News & World Report, but the hospital is among the worst when it comes to suing patients for unpaid medical bills. More
The life cycle of medical debt
Two stories in the recent news demonstrate how hospitals and debt collection agencies will go to extreme lengths to get the money they believe they are owed. More
Is high-tech always worth the high cost? Experts question Kansas City’s new proton beam machine
As the University of Kansas Hospital prepares to proudly unveil their new proton beam machine, they should also be preparing to answer some tough questions about the cost and effectiveness of this therapy. More
Which hospitals sue patients for unpaid medical bills?
It's not the hospitals you might expect... More
Misrepresenting midwifery: CBS story distorts picture of maternity care
A recent CBS "Whistleblower" segment misses the big picture on midwives and maternity care. More
The monopolization of health care goes beyond hospitals
We know that consolidation among hospitals and insurance companies leads to higher prices. But what about consolidation in other areas of health care? More
Preventing harm from unnecessary antihypertensives in the hospital
When a patient in the hospital has elevated blood pressure, but no other symptoms related to a hypertensive emergency, what should be the course of action? More
Hope, Hype, and Hospitals
What do advanced cancer patients expect from their clinicians and how does this affect their treatment? More