Kristin Gourlay

RI Insurers Must Disclose Prices to Doctors

Kristin Gourlay — Thu, 23 May 2013 16:17:54 +0000

For the first time, Rhode Island’s insurance commissioner has directed health insurers to disclose what they pay for health care services. But that information won’t necessarily be directly available to patients.

More Layoffs As Lifespan Tries to Trim $150M

Kristin Gourlay — Wed, 22 May 2013 18:32:36 +0000

The state’s largest hospital network is making another attempt to trim nearly $150 million in expenses over the next two and a half years. Lifespan has announced another round of layoffs.

Tracking This Session's Health Legislation

Kristin Gourlay — Wed, 22 May 2013 17:03:38 +0000

Dozens of bills have been introduced in the General Assembly this session that, if passed, could affect your health, your family's health, or the state's health care system.

RI's Latest Health Care Merger: Good for You and Your Bottom Line?

Kristin Gourlay — Tue, 21 May 2013 19:24:22 +0000

The Lifespan hospital system’s recent acquisition of Gateway, a mental health care network, may be a sign of more to come. But it could be too soon to tell what it means for a patient’s pocketbook.

RI Health Dept. Encourages Hep C Testing for Boomers

Kristin Gourlay — Mon, 20 May 2013 20:53:24 +0000

The Rhode Island Dept. of Health estimates nearly 11,000 Rhode Islanders are infected with the Hepatitis C virus but don’t know it. That’s why the department is encouraging testing.

A Year of Future Docs, In One Documentary

Kristin Gourlay — Mon, 20 May 2013 19:28:27 +0000

Throughout the school year, we've been following two bright, young, future doctors. Now, we're wrapping up the journey with a one-hour documentary about the crucible of medical school, set against the backdrop of some of the most dramatic changes in health care in a generation. Listen to the full hour or individual segments online, below, or download and listen on the go.

Online Health Insurance Marketplace to Offer 28 Plans

Kristin Gourlay — Fri, 17 May 2013 15:44:46 +0000

Rhode Island’s online marketplace for health insurance is taking shape in preparation for October 1^st. That's the date the exchange is scheduled to be up and running with a variety of new health plans to choose from.

Drug Overdose Deaths; Tracking Opioid Prescribers

Kristin Gourlay — Mon, 13 May 2013 20:03:36 +0000

Opioids are narcotic painkillers, and they include popular drugs with brand names like OxyContin, Vicodin, and Demerol. Heroin is another. And while the former have eased the pain of many, all of these drugs are potential killers. They're incredibly addictive. And prescription drug overdose deaths, according to what many health care providers and experts tell me, have reached epidemic status in Rhode Island.

Women & Infants Researcher Counters Critics of Premature Baby Study

Kristin Gourlay — Fri, 10 May 2013 19:13:35 +0000

Women and Infants Hospital is responding to allegations that a research study of premature babies in which it participated didn’t properly inform parents of the risks.

Future Docs 10: Good Luck, Sarah and Peter

Kristin Gourlay — Fri, 10 May 2013 09:00:00 +0000

Throughout the school year, we’ve been documenting the experiences of two Brown University medical students. They’ve begun their careers at a time when health care is changing dramatically – from where we get care to who provides it and how we pay for it. But our Future Docs Sarah and Peter are ready to dive in. They’re about to begin their third year in medical school, leaving behind the familiarity of the classroom for the new world of the hospital wards.