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Editorial: It’s time to clear up what is—and isn’t—a community benefit

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In the most recent legal battle pitting healthcare providers against their hometown governments, two Pennsylvania municipal agencies last month sued two not-for-profit hospital systems. The goal was to regain property taxes by proving the not-for-profits operate very much like for-profits.

It’s played out in state after state. Cash-strapped local officials eye the behemoths taking up blocks of valuable land while paying zero taxes year after year, despite turning a profit. They start questioning what those hospital systems have done for them lately. Health fairs usually don’t cut it.

Report Provides Educational Solutions, Regional Forecasts for California RN Workforce

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A new report identifies the clinical capacity of and training needs for the state’s nursing workforce, particularly RN surpluses and shortages by region. The report is the culmination of a landmark initiative to identify innovative solutions for the most challenging nursing education issues facing California.

Hospitals Should Review Policies on Reporting Time Pay

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Earlier this week, a California appellate court issued a published decision interpreting California’s reporting time pay requirement. While the decision in Ward v. Tilly’s Inc. was not unanimous and could be appealed to the California Supreme Court, employers should take note of the case’s reasoning.

CMS Proposes Updates to CLIA Proficiency Testing Regulations

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The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have issued a proposed rule that would update proficiency testing and referral requirements under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments.

Changes Proposed for Drug Discount Safe Harbor Protections

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The Department of Health & Human Services’ Office of Inspector General (OIG) has issued a proposed rule that would remove the Anti-Kickback Statute safe harbor protection for drug rebates paid by drug makers to pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), Part D plans and Medicaid managed care organizations.

CHA Helps Reduce Behavioral Health Stigma With Powerful New Video

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In an effort to help reduce the stigma around behavioral health issues, CHA has released a new video featuring five accomplished health care executives who have faced mental health challenges. The powerful “truth telling” video is the product of the keynote session at CHA’s recent Behavioral Health Symposium. 

CHA Board Approves 2019 Advocacy Priorities

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In its first meeting of the year on Jan. 31, the CHA Board of Trustees discussed and approved CHA’s 2019 advocacy priorities, which include leading efforts to improve coverage and access to health care; exploring new approaches to making health care more affordable; ensuring adequate state and federal funding for hospitals; reducing stigma and improving access to behavioral health care; strengthening the health care workforce and increasing funding for graduate medical education; and easing statutory and regulatory burdens for providers. 

Commentary: Lessons from Davos on how to transform healthcare

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My latest trip to Davos to participate in the World Economic Forum last month was a productive and exciting gaze into the future of healthcare delivery: a world of healthcare with no address, greater immersion in population health strategies and a global push to advance mental health treatment.It’s a sizable agenda for four days and many of us emerged with a renewed commitment to partner to improve outcomes and reduce costs, to continue our investments in technology that’s radically changing care delivery, and to expand the march to value.

We’ve Lost Touch with Our Bodies

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The widespread availability of medicines has made it possible for us to avoid suffering in a way that no previous generation from any era could. But in many cases, drugs just mask the symptoms of our illnesses, discomforts and disorders without addressing the underlying disorder that cause them. This is not to denigrate pharmacological psychiatry and its many successes and advances, or clinical psychology, or molecular medicine. The alleviation of suffering is a natural and worthy aim, and often the only thing we can do.

But drugs can cause their own problems consequences: getting rid of heartburn with omeprazole and other proton-pump inhibitors, for example, can hide serious gastrointestinal issues, and might allow us to continue eating foods that are ultimately harmful. Benzodiazepines such as Valium dull anxiety but also create profound dependence, and they also can sidetrack investigation and treatment of underlying causes. Antidepressants, though often necessary and life-saving, have side effects including weight gain, constipation, drowsiness, nausea, blurred vision and sexual dysfunction; more worryingly, many appear to double the risk of suicidal ideation. And so on.