Steve Syre raises questions about the proposed Chryslerish takeover of the non-profit Caritas Christi hospitals by Cerberus Capital Management:
The most important question of all: How do for-profit hospitals that serve the poor do justice to their investors and their patients at the same time?
CommonWealth interviews John McDonough, who has been fighting for universal health care for years, first as a state rep from JP, then as director of a statewide advocacy group and most recently as an aide to Ted Kennedy. He talks about the challenges for the new law and says the Senate election in Massachusetts wasn't really about health care, the Republicans blew it and Mitt Romney should be proud of his role in the whole thing, rather than just running away, again, from Massachusetts.
The Globe reports Caritas Christi, which runs a string of hospitals in the Boston area, is selling itself to Cerberus Capital Management, which took over the sick car company a couple years ago and watched to plunge into bankruptcy. The company will, of course, turn the chain of Catholic hospitals into a health-care company, but promises not to try to take it public for at least three years.
The Globe summarizes, seems to mainly benefit people who don't buy health insurance (lower penalties); increase the number of people eligible for government insurance subsidies and let children stay on their parents' plans longer. Also: 10% tax on tanning beds!
Rachel Zimmerman reports that during intermission at a play at a Cambridge school last night, the director announced the results of a procedural vote in the House on health care (not the actual, final vote):
The audience stood up and cheered.
Teddy can rest easy tonight.
As expected, Stephen Lynch, D-9th, voted no on the measure (Times map showing all the votes). State Rep. Jeff Perry, R-Sandwich, running to replace Bill Delahunt in the 10th district, wasted no time issuing a press release calling the measure unconstitutional.
Capuano explains:
Although I am not happy with every aspect of this bill, I have come to the conclusion that the benefits for Massachusetts and the country outweigh the problems.
Dr. Michael Bailin demonstrates an awake endotracheal intubation at Mass. General - on himself:
Via Dr. T, herself an anesthesiologist, who watched the video admiringly.
They tend to see the worst cases. Kristen, a nurse who lives in Randolph, is blogging about her life after gastric bypass surgery - and how hard it was at first for her to even think about it:
Beth Israel Deaconess CIO John Halamka explains how the hospital spends $1 million a year protecting its network and records.
The Boston Business Journal reports on dismal financial news from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, Fallon Community Health Plan and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care. Tufts Health Plan lost money on operations, but ended the year in the black thanks to investments.
The Boston Public Health Commission reports a double-digit decline in salmonella cases among Bostonians of Asian and Pacific Islander descent, which it credits to a public-awarness campaign aimed at Chinatown residents.
According to the commission:
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