Medicare Reducing Payments To Hospitals With High Rates Of Infections.

reports CMS is penalizing 758 hospitals for high rates of infections “and other potentially avoidable complications, including blood clots after surgery, bed sores, hip fractures and sepsis,” by reducing their Medicare payments. One hospital said its payments for the year have been cut by about $1.6 million. The Times points out that the cuts were mandated by the Affordable Care Act, and they “have incited a vehement debate about quality at many academic medical centers often revered for cutting-edge treatments and top specialists.” http://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/21/health/how-medicare-penalizes-hospitals-for-being-too-careful.html?_r=0