MedPAC released its report (288-page document) to congress on reform.  Several of the document's recommendations continue the trend of the government reducing or eliminating payment for performance deemed subpar.

The San Francisco Chronicle's Lindsey Tanner offers an eye-opening look into the realm of medical mystery shoppers.  One health care provider interviewed about the use of mystery shoppers in health care offered a striking statement questioning the practice: 

"In some instances sham patients have presented to overcrowded emergency rooms with chest pain.  …How could the hospital administration defend this exercise to someone who suffers an adverse outcome while waiting his turn behind the person who is only pretending to be sick?"

The American Medical Association is currently having meetings where they will possibly vote to endorse the practice.

Lastly, USA Today's Janet Kornblum offered up a look at online health records, including Microsoft's HealthVault and GoogleHealth.  As might be expected, the usability and convenience of the systems are contrasted against privacy and HIPAA concerns.


Sources: MedPAC, The San Francisco Chronicle, USA Today.