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What’s in a name: Health exchanges … or marketplaces?

Rebranding? — The health reform law requires the establishment of insurance exchanges, where consumers will be able to shop for insurance plans that fit basic criteria. But federal officials think it might be clearer for consumers if they called the exchanges “marketplaces” instead.

How oncologists think – free Gilda’s Club talk, May 24th

Eric Feldman, M.D., former Chief of Cancer Care Services at Group Health, has been a practicing Medical Oncologist for over 30 years. He’ll share an insider’s perspective on how your doctor thinks, to help you best work with your Oncologist for optimal treatment outcomes.

Washington state disciplines health-care providers

Washington State Department of Health takes disciplinary actions against health care providers, including suspensions and revocations of licenses, certifications, or registrations of providers in the state — May 9th Update

Patients bearing more of the cost of expensive specialty drugs

Many plans have placed specialty drugs in a tier where, instead of a flat co-payment — $20, $50 or some other amount — patients must pay a percentage of the medications’ cost. For people who need specialty drugs, that can amount to tens of thousands of dollars annually.

Seattle Children’s music video goes viral

A music video of patients and staff on the Seattle Children’s Hospital hematology-oncology floor rocking out to Kelly Clarkson’s song “Stronger” is a big on the Internet.

Park improvements lead to more vigorous exercise, not just more use

Investing in attractive and functional park features could pay off significantly in terms of increasing exercise, leading to positive health consequences for low-income communities, researchers say.

Health care increasingly out of reach for millions of Americans

Tens of millions of adults under 65 — both those with insurance and those without — saw their access to health care dramatically worsen over the past decade, a new study finds. The findings suggest more privately insured Americans are delaying treatment due to rising out-of-pocket costs, while safety net programs for the poor and uninsured are failing to keep up with demand for care.

Even a small reduction in U.S. obesity rate would generate major savings, report

Cut the growth in rates of obesity by just 1 percent a year over the next two decades, and you’ll slice health costs by $85 billion. Keep obesity rates at their current levels – which is well below a 33 percent increase being projected — save nearly $550 billion.

Premiere: HBO’s “The Weight of the Nation”

To help address the threat of obesity to our communities’ health, Group Health and Public Health – Seattle & King County will host the King County premiere of HBO’s documentary “The Weight of the Nation” — a comprehensive look at America’s obesity epidemic in — Wednesday, May 9th at the Pacific Science Center.

Nurses going, going, gone? — Viewpoint

National Nurses Week is a good time to recognize nurses for the work that they do. It’s also a good time talk about how nurses are treated, says columnist Debi Quirk, RN