[NRSKarenRN]

Highest-cost facilities list ignites new nurses union, hospitals fight

The Tennessean
By BILL LEWIS
Staff Writer
The latest skirmish between the nation's hospitals and a nurses union won't help consumers understand their medical bills, but it might help them understand the feud between the union and the industry.

The union, the California Nurses Association, has released its annual report identifying what it says are the 100 most expensive hospitals in the country. The report, released yesterday, also identifies what it says are the 10 most expensive hospitals in Tennessee and in every other state.

It proves that hospitals are overcharging sick people, union spokesman Charles Idleson said. Representatives of the industry, however, say the report is meaningless.
http://tennessean.com/business/archi...nt_ID=57217133


Phila. Inquirer slant:
Pa., N.J. hospitals leaders in markups


Five of them are among the top 10 nationwide for high charges relative to the cost of care, a nursing association's report says.

By Josh Goldstein

Inquirer Staff Writer


New Jersey and Pennsylvania hospitals have some of the nation's highest markups on the care they provide, a new report shows.

Five area hospitals, including Temple University Hospital in North Philadelphia and Warminster Hospital in Bucks County, are among the top 10 nationwide for high charges relative to the cost of care.

The report, commissioned by the California Nurses Association, finds that hospital markups, as well as those by other parts of the health-care sector such as pharmaceutical companies, are a major factor in the skyrocketing cost of health care.
http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/business/9613637.htm



CNA's Full Report:
The Second Annual IHSP Hospital 200: Hospitals, Big Pharma, HMOs
& the Healthcare War Economy
IHSP - September 2004