The Pulse

Rhode Island's Health Dashboard

Kristin Gourlay — Fri, 03 May 2013 18:42:44 +0000

Want a quick read on how we're feeling here in the Ocean State? Check the gauges on rihealthcarematters.org. It's a new web site from the Hospital Association of Rhode Island, with collaboration from local hospitals and the RI Dept. of Health. The site taps a range of federal and local data sources (like the US census) calculate residents' health, as measured by a variety of indicators - 100 in all. Those indicators include things like the number of premature deaths, flu vaccination rates, cancer incidence rates, injury rates, employment, and lots more.

AS220 Spotlights Health Care in Rhode Island

Kristin Gourlay — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 20:15:22 +0000

AS220, the downtown arts organization, and the Roots Cafe are hosting three public panel discussions about health care in Rhode Island. And one of them features someone you might know from such illustrious places as... this blog! My predecessor here at RIPR, the delightful Megan Hall, is one of the panelists! Events take place at 5:30 pm on April 24, May 1, and May 8 at AS220 Cafe, 115 Empire Street, in Providence.

Details on the first two events:

To NICS or Not to NICS? Mental Health, Guns, and Background Checks

Kristin Gourlay — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 19:51:32 +0000

Here's one piece of legislation proposed by Attorney General Peter Kilmartin today as part of a package of gun safety bills:

Fatima, Roger Williams Ink Deal with For-Profit Firm

Kristin Gourlay — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 17:31:12 +0000

CharterCARE, the umbrella organization for Our Lady of Fatima and Roger Williams hospitals, has announced its intent to partner with Prospect Medical Holdings, a for-profit health care firm based in California. The deal is in its infancy. But it's the fourth proposed hospital merger/acquisition under Rhode Islands Hospital Conversions Act. And it's yet another sign of the shaky financial ground on which many of the state's hospitals now find themselves.

Is Your Hospital Safe?

Kristin Gourlay — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 17:00:00 +0000

Here's a new online tool to help you decide: www.hospitalinspections.org.

Should Smokers Pay More for Health Insurance?

Kristin Gourlay — Wed, 06 Mar 2013 22:48:35 +0000

Under the Affordable Care Act, health insurers will be able to charge smokers up to 50% more than non-smokers for health insurance. Fair or not, a Politico article points out how difficult that policy might be to enforce - and not simply because smokers could lie. For instance:

Landmark Appoints Medical Director; Still Waiting on Prime

Kristin Gourlay — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 18:36:09 +0000

Woonsocket’s Landmark Medical Center has appointed a new medical director.

Dr. Glenn Fort has been a member of Landmark’s staff for nearly 25 years, most recently as the head of medical staff. Now, he’ll oversee and coordinate medical care and be the link between medical staff and the hospital’s senior management, including the Special Master. Fort specializes in infectious disease and has additional training in public health.

How the Affordable Care Act could affect RI insurance rates

Kristin Gourlay — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 10:00:00 +0000

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) is one of the biggest things to hit health care in decades. And you might already have started to feel its effects on your own health care - from no-cost preventative services to the ability to keep kids on your health insurance plan longer.

What it meant: health care in the State of the Union

Kristin Gourlay — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 16:10:57 +0000

In last night's State of the Union address, President Barack Obama mentioned health care five times (by my count). One, later in the address, referred to making sure military veterans get the mental health care they need. The other mentions had to do with Medicare: as the nation ages, it's the biggest contributor to our nation's deficit.

Here's what he said:

Gallup poll: healthy habits take a hit after the storm

Kristin Gourlay — Fri, 08 Feb 2013 17:19:04 +0000

News from the Gallup Wellbeing poll: healthy behaviors declined after Superstorm Sandy in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut, the hardest hit states.

The survey found residents less likely to be getting 30 minutes of regular exercise, and less likely to be eating healthy food. Why?