In a landmark development, Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) has reached a $2.8 billion settlement to resolve antitrust claims brought by health care providers, including chiropractors. The lawsuit accused BCBS of dividing the nation into exclusive regions and limiting competition, which resulted in lower reimbursements for providers. Although BCBS denies any wrongdoing, the company agreed to the settlement to avoid lengthy litigation – and you can get a piece of the pie.
IQ -- Interesting Quote
Managed care is affecting all the health professions. The nursing profession is finding that the demands on experienced and highly trained nurses in the managed care setting is too great. That translates into too few nurses responsible for too many patients.
Some nurses and nursing advocates have begun to speak out about their plight. Barry Adams is a nursing activist who was fired after complaining about working conditions at a hospital-based nursing home.
"There's the old common-sense adage, 'You don't run with the scissors.' When a nurse has 10 patients, 15 patients, it is not conducive to safe nursing practices. When you're ... just pouring pills, just one wrong pill can be the end."1
Reference
- Marquis J. Nurses stretched too thin, many say. Los Angeles Times August 27, 1998.