|
| Hot Issues |
| Publications |
| Advocacy Center |
| Research & Data |
| Education |
| News Media Center |
| Find a Hospital Job |
| Membership |
| Corporate Partners |
| Home |
Search:
 |
Monday,
June 9, 2003
Hospitals Receive Grants to Control
Tobacco Use
The Tobacco Use Prevention and Control Foundation (TUPCF) board, which
oversees the national tobacco settlement funds, last week approved 21
high-risk population and 23 community-based three-year grants for a
total of $21 million. This brings the number of grants TUPCF has awarded
since last year to 72 grants of $42 million.
Three hospitals will act as lead agencies for the three-year grants approved:
- Kettering Medical Center Foundation for a community grant of $300,000 annually
- Bucyrus Community Hospital for a community grant of $250,000
- Selby General Hospital, Marietta, for a high-risk grant of $185,000
Check TUPCF’s Web site at www.standohio.org for information on the grant awards or contact Foundation for Healthy Communities Director Lynne Ayres at lynnea@ohanet.org.
June 10, 2003
OHA Names Health Care Worker of the Year
During a recognition dinner last night, OHA presented the Albert E. Dyckes Health Care Worker of the Year Award to Shirley Evans, RN, IBCLC, a certified lactation consultant in the maternity center at Doctors Hospital in Columbus. OHA also recognized four finalists during the dinner, in conjunction with the association’s annual meeting at the Greater Columbus Convention Center. OHA also honored all 46 nominees for the award, not just the ultimate recipient, for being their hospital’s choice for this distinction.
Several other leaders in Ohio health care were also honored as part of the dinner. A complete list of award recipients and the 46 nominees is available in an OHA new release online at www.ohanet.org/media/news_release/2003/awards061003.htm. (Tiffany Himmelreich, tiffanyh@ohanet.org)
June 11, 2003
Bill Establishes Review Board for Med Mal Claims
A new bill was introduced that would require all medical claims against health care providers to be reviewed by a medical review panel prior to the claim proceeding to trial. House Bill 215 (Schmidt-Loveland) provides that the medical opinion of this review board, made up of three providers and one non-voting attorney, would be admissible in court should a trial follow regarding the claim. The plaintiff and defendant each choose one provider and these two parties would then select the third member.
OHA is currently reviewing the bill but similar medical review panels have been effective in screening meritless claims in some other states. Ongoing updates will be provided by OHA. (Rick Sites, ricks@ohanet.org)
Thursday, June
12, 2003
EDITOR'S NOTE: Due to technical difficulties, HEALTH e-NEWS
Plus was not sent. Friday's edition includes both Thursday’s and
Friday’s stories, in addition to the link to StateHealthClips.com for
both days. We are sorry for any inconvenience.
Friday,
June 6, 2003
EDITOR’S NOTE: Due to technical difficulties,
HEALTH e-NEWS Plus was not sent yesterday. Today’s edition includes
both Thursday’s and Friday’s stories, in addition to the link to
StateHealthClips.com for both days. We are sorry for any inconvenience.
OHIC Downgraded; Hospitals Advised Against Overreacting
Due to problems with its parent, the OHIC
Insurance Company was downgraded by A.M. Best on Thursday from B++ to B.
Despite the rating reduction, OHA believes OHIC is financially strong
and remains viable. Based on diligent efforts to examine various medical
malpractice insurance options for Ohio hospitals and physicians, OHA
recommends caution in responding to OHIC’s downgrade.
“If OHIC was operating as an independent company, I feel confident that we would have a higher rating,” said OHIC President and CEO Raymond R. Mazzotta. “Right now our financial numbers are stronger than they were in 1998, when we carried an A- rating,” he added. “We are actively seeking additional capital and investors to secure an independent OHIC,” Mazzotta said.
OHIC’s parent, New York-based Medical Liability Mutual Insurance Company (MLMIC), was downgraded due to additional loss reserves posted at the end of 2002 to cover potential losses from previous years. OHIC is asking Ohio hospitals to allow physicians to remain insured with OHIC as long as it maintains a B rating. (Rick Sites, ricks@ohanet.org)
Board Approves Sustained Participation in Lawsuit; Hears Advocacy
Updates
At its latest meeting, the OHA Board of
Trustees approved continued involvement in a 1999 lawsuit in which OHA
pursued its right and the right of Ohio hospitals to bring suit against
the state of Ohio for not providing oversight of a Medicaid managed care
plan. The Board directed OHA to make modest continuing contributions to
the lawsuit from the OHA special litigation fund, and will look to the
hospitals directly involved to fund the bulk of the remaining costs.
The Board was updated on the continuing state operating budget saga, which was this week being discussed in a joint House/Senate conference committee. This fiscal year’s budget, which ends June 30, is facing a $200 million shortfall. Hospitals are likely to see delayed Medicaid payments because of the current budget hole. The upcoming biennial budget is facing a $1 billion shortfall. A $770 million bailout for Ohio’s Medicaid program from the federal government has not been taken into account in the shortfall figure for 2004-05.
In other state advocacy news, the Board was informed that new life has been given to House Bill 71, legislation that would clarify public policy in Ohio to prohibit self-referral by physician investors in inpatient hospital services. The bill will receive a hearing in the House Health and Family Services Committee June 25. Hospitals are encouraged to ask lawmakers to support this bill for Ohio’s community hospitals. (Jim Castle, jimc@ohanet.org)
Medicare Reform in the Works
The U.S. House of Representatives and Senate
are this week refining their respective versions of Medicare reform
legislation. The Senate version, which is supported by OHA, would
provide some relief in Medicaid Disproportionate Share Hospital falloff.
It also proposes funding for rural hospitals to permanently bring all
base rates up to large urban rates, adjust the wage index and bolster
the critical access hospital program. Over ten years, Ohio hospitals
would gain $526 million through the proposal. A late amendment also
would prohibit physician-investors from referring patients to specialty
hospitals they own.
On the other hand, the House version would cost Ohio $1 billion over 10 years. That proposal would decrease the inpatient update and expand the transfer provision to an additional 13 diagnostic related groups.
Both the Senate and House versions create a prescription drug benefit, but the Senate version does not put the benefit on the backs of providers. After both chambers have passed legislation, it goes to conference committee to hash out the differences.
Some members of the Ohio delegation have indicated their support of hospital payment improvements and their opposition to inpatient reductions, including Rep. David Hobson (R-Springfield). OHA encourages hospitals to contact federal their federal legislators and urge provider improvements, not reductions. (Jonathan Archey, jonathana@ohanet.org)