In healthcare, the landscape is ever-changing. Here are the three biggest issues this week as reported by Becker's Hospital Review: Ebola, midterm elections and a rise in false claims legal action.
1. Ebola. While no new infections have been reported in the United States for some weeks, Ebola continues to steal the spotlight, though the issues have become more procedural and legal. This week, the battle over Kaci Hickox's quarantine continued when the nurse broke a voluntary quarantine at her Maine home by going for a bike ride with her boyfriend. Ms. Hickox had been confined to a quarantine tent in New Jersey after returning from working with Ebola patients in Sierra Leone, but she was released when she agreed to the voluntary quarantine in her home in Maine. Today, Maine health officials have obtained a 24-hour court order restricting Ms. Hickox's movements. The unusual scenario may have the potential to inform future quarantine policy for healthcare workers returning from providing treatment in countries experiencing an epidemic.
In clinical news, a new Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Prevention survey found only 6 percent of hospitals are "well prepared" to handle an Ebola patient.
2. The midterms in healthcare. While the midterm elections seemingly favor the Republican Party. Dissatisfaction with the executive branch and economic worries, in addition to a more socially moderate party face, may work in the Republicans' favor where the elections are concerned. Nonetheless, Republican legislative gains will be small, at best, should they gain control of the Senate — and thus Congress.
In any case, most of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act is likely here to stay, as it will be difficult for Republicans to bypass a presidential veto on any changes. In addition, any action on the PPACA may backfire come 2016. It is important for Republicans to stay in the American public's good graces this election cycle; despite the public's current frustration with the Democratic party, the presidential field for the Republicans is unclear. Few GOP candidates, if any, display strong showings as front-runners.
3. The rise of False Claims Act cases. This past week, Denver-based dialysis company DaVita Healthcare Partners agreed
to pay $350 million and forfeit $39 million in a settlement for a False Claims Act case brought against the company, which alleged it had paid providers with large populations of renal disease patients to partner with it. According to the Department of Justice, DaVita allegedly targeted physicians and physician groups that were "young and in debt."
The Wall Street Journal released a report last week on 21st Century Oncology's self-referrals problem. The report also highlighted an interesting trend in the prosecution of potential kickbacks and false claims: More hospitals than physician practices have been under scrutiny for utilizing the Stark Law's loophole allowing medically necessary self-referrals. This may be about to change, according to the WSJ article, which highlighted a Medicare report from earlier this year that called attention to labs with disproportionate billing practices.
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