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Tuesday, May 28, 2002
House Medicare Bill Rejects New Cuts
The U.S. House of Representatives is expected to introduce a Medicare bill next month that will likely avert cuts in payments to hospitals, according to the American Hospital Association (AHA). The bill would improve previously set changes to the Medicare inpatient update and Medicare indirect medical education adjustment. Also, the legislation would standardize rural and urban hospital payment rates and raise the rural Medicare disproportionate share hospital cap. In addition, the bill will include a prescription drug benefit for seniors.

AHA estimated hospitals were set to lose $17 billion over the next 10 years under Medicare reforms touted earlier this month by House leaders. If the above changes are made, hospitals stand to see Medicare payments increased by $11.5 billion over the same period. Though the legislation represents a positive first step, the bill must still work its way through the Senate and receive approval from President George W. Bush before becoming law. OHA will be working with AHA and Congress on the legislation in the coming weeks. (Jonathan Archey, jonathana@ohanet.org)

DAILY NEWS CLIPS

For your daily health care news digest, go to the Hannah News Service's StateHealthClips.com at http://www.statehealthclips.com/2002/OHA/20020528_ultra56.htm.

(Editor’s note: StateHealthClips.com has gone to a subscription service. Please note that the link to access clips will change daily. If you visit www.statehealthclips.com, you will be required to enter a subscriber password. No password is required for the link published in HEALTH e-NEWS Plus.)

Hospital adding surgical suites
Cincinnati Post
Tuesday, May 28, 2002
Bethesda North Hospital in Montgomery is launching a $29 million, two-year expansion boosting its operating room capacity by 30 percent and adding 62,000 square feet to the medical center.

Hospice and palliative care a growing movement
Hamilton Journal-News
Tuesday, May 28, 2002
It isn't easy to die. And if the process takes a long time, the pain and difficulty for patient, as well as loved ones, gathers intensity with the passage of time.

OPINION: For-profit hospitals harm health care
Columbus Dispatch
Tuesday, May 28, 2002
Earlier this month, owners of a for-profit, limited-service orthopedic hospital broke ground in New Albany. As the latest trend in health care, hospitals like theirs are undeniably appealing in this era of consumer choice.

Wednesday, May 29, 2002
Nurse Symposium Fights Workforce Shortage
Nurses and health care leaders from across the county, including representatives from OHA, last week attended the first in a series of national leadership symposiums addressing key public policy initiatives. “Solving the Nursing Shortage: Strategies for the Workplace and the Profession” focused on solving the nursing shortage, mainly through creating a positive working environment.

Convened by the Joint Commission Resources, a subsidiary of the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, and held in Washington D.C. May 20-22, the symposium also supported the magnet hospital concept and evaluated hospitals’ relationships with nurses. Other topics included technology, diversity, efficient workplace design, and training and recruitment. More information about Ohio’s workforce is available at www.ohanet.org/workforce/, where you can find best practices for recruitment and retention, inspirational essays from Ohio nurses, a list of scholarships and more. (Jean Scholz, jeans@ohanet.org)

DAILY NEWS CLIPS

For your daily health care news digest, go to the Hannah News Service's StateHealthClips.com at http://www.statehealthclips.com/2002/OHA/20020529_lock44.htm.

Some states dropping nurse anesthetist oversight rule
Dayton Daily News
Wednesday, May 29, 2002
As an Ohio judge weighs what to do with a nurse anesthetist suspected of stealing drugs from hospitals in four states, governors across the country are pondering whether to allow nurse anesthetists to work without oversight from doctors.

Heart surgery sets milestone
Middletown Journal
Wednesday, May 29, 2002
A pacemaker installation last week at Middletown Regional Hospital’s Mae & Elliott Levey Catheterization Laboratory was more than successful. It was a milestone.

Cleveland to be site of MSNBC medical broadcast
Cleveland Plain Dealer
Wednesday, May 29, 2002
America will open its mouth and say "ahhh" when MSNBC comes to Cleveland next month to broadcast what the cable network is billing as a national summit on health care.

Thursday, May 30, 2002
Budget Bill Heads to Governor
Legislation to balance the state’s budget shortfall yesterday passed the House and today passed the Senate and is on its way to Gov. Bob Taft, who has indicated that he will sign the bill.

Of interest to hospitals is the proposed increase in the state’s cigarette tax by 31 cents per pack. Senate Bill 261, sponsored by Sen. Jim Carnes (R-St. Clairsville), will also require the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) to report on the establishment and implementation of Medicaid cost containment proposals to the General Assembly every three months. It additionally requires ODJFS to study a Medicaid co-payment program in order to reduce inappropriate and excessive use of medical goods and services, and to authorize ODJFS to seek a federal waiver if the study determines co-pays are feasible.

Due to spiraling costs in Medicaid for long-term care and pharmaceuticals, legislators increased the nursing home bed tax and implemented a supplemental rebate program for pharmaceuticals. Hospital reimbursement rates were not addressed in the bill. OHA will continue to work with legislators to preserve future Medicaid funding. (Bridget Gargan, bridgetg@ohanet.org)

DAILY NEWS CLIPS

For your daily health care news digest, go to the Hannah News Service's StateHealthClips.com at http://www.statehealthclips.com/2002/OHA/20020530_captain78.htm.

Talks on hospital could take until next year
Middletown Journal
Thursday, May 30, 2002
Local government talks tied to Middletown Regional Hospital’s plans could take until next year, Monroe’s development director said Wednesday.

Children's Hospital to open pediatric heart center in Columbus
Akron Beacon Journal
Thursday, May 30, 2002
COLUMBUS, Ohio - Children's Hospital has hired two doctors from out of state as co-directors of a pediatric heart center it plans to open.

Friday, May 31, 2002
Regional Meetings on Health Topics Coming Up
Mark your calendars now for a series of regional meetings planned by OHA for this summer to discuss the Hospital Care Assurance Program, medical malpractice issues and health planning (post-certificate of need).

The meetings are:

· July 10, 1 - 4 p.m., St. Luke’s Hospital, Maumee
· July 11, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m., Brookside Golf and Country Club, Columbus
· July 17, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m., Miami Valley Hospital, Dayton
· July 19, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m., Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland
· July 22, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m., Bethesda Oak Hospital, Cincinnati
· July 23, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m., Bethesda Hospital, Zanesville

Registration information will be mailed to hospitals shortly. Those unable to attend the meeting held in their region can register to attend the July 11 meeting in Columbus. (Debbie Wolfe, debbie@ohanet.org)

ODJFS Says Medicaid Payments Should be Back to Normal Soon
Hospitals and physicians are getting mixed messages as to why Medicaid payments were cut in mid-May, but officials from the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) are stating the slowdown was inadvertent, and hospital payments should be back to normal well before the end of the state fiscal year.

Various sources have pegged the problem at everything from a deliberate attempt by ODJFS to manage cash flow through the end of the fiscal year, to a mix up in the processing of computer tapes.

Regardless of the cause, however, hospitals across the state are complaining they are struggling to make ends meet in the interim, especially since they had no advance warning that their Medicaid checks were going to be cut.

ODJFS is reporting to OHA that the department made a concerted effort to process backlogged bills the weekend of May 25, which should mean larger than normal remittances the week of June 1. Hospitals are advised to check their anticipated remittance with ODJFS online and advise OHA if their payments continue to fall below expectations. (Charles Cataline, charlesc@ohanet.org)

DAILY NEWS CLIPS

For your daily health care news digest, go to the Hannah News Service's StateHealthClips.com at http://www.statehealthclips.com/2002/oha/20020531_coaster66.htm.

Blood drive fails to fix donor shortage
Cincinnati Enquirer
Friday, May 31, 2002
Tristate residents have been slow to roll up their sleeves for an emergency blood drive called by Hoxworth Blood Center.

Home health-care program gets shot in the arm from the state
Cleveland Plain Dealer
Friday, May 31, 2002
For Elbert Lee, a retired Cleveland steelworker, and hundreds of other elderly Ohioans, the long wait for the state's home health care assistance is almost over.

Groups call proposed prescription drug plan inadequate and weak
Columbus Business First
Friday, May 31, 2002
A discount prescription drug plan for Ohio's 2 million seniors would be ineffective, vague and weak, according to groups advocating a Democratic initiative that would extend discount drug benefits to all of Ohio's uninsured.

Opinion
Legislative Rx
Columbus Dispatch
Friday, May 31, 2002
No one should have to choose between his next dose of medication and his next meal. But, sadly, that is a choice many people face.