Sort out where the state’s budget money is going this fiscal year
Check out exactly where this year’s $28.3 billion dollar budget is being allocated in the Governor’s Office of the Budget site’s easy to read chart. Or, for those of you that are having trouble falling asleep at night, the full text of the final budget bill (SB 1389) is available here.
Experiment will pay doctors to spend more time with patients
Experiments underway by state and federal government agencies, and many insurers around the country, are trying find out if paying doctors more will cut health costs, reports the New York Times.
Popular sunscreens may not be effective
A study on nearly 1,000 sunscreen products conducted by an environmental group is calling into question the effectiveness of many types and brands of sunscreen, reports a column in the New York Times today.
Patriot-News: PHC4 suffers from use as political football during negotiations
The Patriot-News reported yesterday that although Gov. Rendell correctly reauthorized the Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council (PHC4) until November, the council should never have been in this precarious position in the first place.
Philly Inquirer: What would happen if the merger is allowed?
The Philadelphia Inquirer relates some snippets from the testimonies of those who spoke at last week’s merger hearings in Philadelphia.
Improvements to come for community mental health services
The state plans to make changes to the way mental health patients receive care.
Pennsylvanians weigh more than the national average
The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review’s headline says it the best: “Plump Pennsylvania outweights national average.”
Erie County’s healthcare industry could soon replace manufacturing as top employer
A recent Wall Street Journal article reported that Erie County has the sixth-highest percentage of healthcare workers in the country, reports the Erie Times-News, meaning the thriving healthcare industry may soon outpace manufacturing as the county’s main employer.
Harrisburg-based health system among best in nation for orthopedics
PinnacleHealth System is reported as one of the nation’s top 50 hospitals for providing orthopedic care.
Advocates want hospital sale proceeds to go toward community mental health services
Mental health advocates in the Pittsburgh area are calling on state legislators to use the proceeds from the sale of the Mayview State Hospital to benefit area community mental health programs; instead of putting the money into the state’s general fund.