2020-1-HW (Link to Article): Amid disgrace of U.S. nursing homes lurks epidemic of drug-resistant bacteria. A recent study in California found that over 50 percent of nursing home residents harbor dangerous antibiotic resistant bacteria. Unfortunately, there are few regulations which safeguard the health and well-being of either the facility's residents or the nursing home's staff. It needs to be remembered that these resistant bacteria do not care about policy and politics, they are out to win. And unless we decisively act, the prophetic tragedy predicted by several commentators in a La Times OpEd may come true. The epidemic of antibiotic resistant organisms may be the final solution to global warming.  Lexington Herald Leader.   Jan. 16, 2020.

2019-10-HW (Link to Article): A Conversation With Kevin Kavanagh, MD: Infection Preventionists Are Underutilized and Underappreciated. The CDC estimates (at a minimum) that 35,000 individuals die each year from resistant organisms with another 12,800 patients dying from C. difficile. This does not count the long-term disability many of the survivors will endure. The United Kingdom's Wellcome Trust report estimated that by 2050 antibiotic resistance will have a cumulative cost to the world of $100 trillion dollars and 10 million lives will be lost each year.  Infection Control Today.   Dec. 15, 2019.

2019-9-HW (Link to Article): Healthcare may not be a right but it is a necessity for society. Almost everyone is worried about healthcare. Kentuckians are pushing for reforms on a state level, but state administrations have limited ability to transform our system, since so much of the framework is mandated and fixed in stone by either federal law or federal dollars. Thus, lets promote a healthy Kentucky. If universal healthcare is not a right, it is a necessity, not just for the individual but for Kentucky's society as a whole.  Lexington Herald Leader.  Nov. 15, 2019.

2019-8-HW (Link to Article): Data for Action, Not Complacency, is Needed to Stop Dangerous Pathogens.  Economic and political forces in the United States are impeding the adoption of these important infection control tenets. But, as the toll of drug resistance on American citizens mounts, denials will become harder to make, and political policy may well merge with science. Hopefully, not too late..   The Center For Disease Dynamics, Economics & Policy  July 22, 2019.

2019-7-HW (Link to Article): From plague to parrot fever, history shows inequity of medical care. Don’t let it continue.  In the 1980s many of us witnessed the near lack of concern and urgency in the AIDs epidemic because it was initially perceived that it affected only a small minority group whom many disliked and who were easy to discriminate against.  Lexington Herald Leader July 8, 2019.

2019-6-HW (Link to Article): The changing narrative of MRSA infection control in the United States.  But of utmost importance, we need to protect our healthcare workers who may well be acting as reservoirs to spread these pathogens to patients and their families. Biomed Central.  June 19, 2019.

2019-5-HW (Link to Article): Collective ignorance and government timidity are public health threats.  I am a firm believer that we must learn from history or be doomed to repeat it. Unfortunately, the United States and many other nations appear not to have learned this lesson with regard to public health and are heading down a dangerous path.  Los Angeles Times.  May 16, 2019.

Kaiser Healthcare News

2019-4-HW (Link to Letter): Bevin's misery for his nine children is not necessarily over.  They are now at risk for shingles in later life. Shingles results from reactivation of the chickenpox virus. The misery can last from weeks to even years in people who develop complications.  Lexington Herald Leader.  Publication Online Mar. 29, 2019.

2019-3-HW (Link to Article):  News on hospital infections in Kentucky, nationally is not good. What needs to change?
"Instead of mathematically massaging the numbers lets institute additional interventions which other institutions have used successfully."  Lexington Herald Leader.  Publication Online Mar. 8, 2019.

2019-2-HW (Link to Article):  Patients now have more information about hospital prices, but will need patience to sort it out
"Posting of the hospital's sticker prices in an accessible understandable format is a social responsibility that all hospitals should willingly undertake."  Lexington Herald Leader.  Publication Online Feb. 25, 2019.

2019-1-HW (Link to Article):  Arguments for medical review panels unjustified
"We the people -- we the patients -- deserve health policy shaped by facts, not rhetoric reflecting fears and fantasies. Let's work together to solve real problems within health care in Kentucky. Melissa Clarkson is a member of Health Watch USA^sm and an assistant professor of biomedical informatics at the University of Kentucky."  Lexington Herald Leader.  Publication Online Jan. 4, 2019.   Print Jan. 7, 2019.

2018-5-HW (Link to Article):  Patients have few remedies for spiraling health-care costs, but here are a few tips.  "It is fair to say that all of us have had experience with skyrocketing health-care costs and are astonished that this situation is allowed to continue. Policymakers seem to have an insurmountable inertia. The conclusion: the United States spends almost twice as much on health-care than other developed nations but has similar health-care utilization. Although, commonly blamed, this is not the patient's fault."  Lexington Herald Leader.  Publication Online Nov. 27, 2018.   Print Dec. 3, 2018.

2018-4-HW (Link to Article):  Politics is Protecting Pathogens, Not Patients.  "The current United States government is still relying on the widely held misconception that the health-care industry is in a competitive market and will improve its quality because of market pressures.  At the same time, access to health-care quality information -- essential to consumers' choice -- is under attack."  Lexington Herald Leader.  Sept. 21, 2018.  

2018-3-HW (Link to Article):  How to choose a hospital (spoiler: it's not getting any easier).  "Even in Kentucky's leading hospitals, infections rates are alarming, which makes it even harder for patients to be smart consumers."  Lexington Herald Leader.  June. 1, 2018.  

2018-2-HW (Link to Article):  'Roseanne' reflects how much opioid use is now engrained.  "I know from studying the science and personal experience that prescription narcotics are not an effective treatment for chronic pain.  Yet, narcotic usage has become rampant and even trivialized as a laugh line on the "Roseanne" reboot .."  Lexington Herald Leader.  April. 13, 2018.

2018-1-HW (Link to Article):  Survival tips in the age of drug-resistant bacteria.  "There is a war going on, reminiscent of a zombie apocalypse. The insidious agent is spread easily between people, a bite is not required. It does not turn its captors into mindless killing drones but instead, when they least expect it, they are slowly eaten from the inside out. The apocalypse is called drug-resistant bacteria and, so far, modern medicine is failing miserably at stopping it."  Lexington Herald Leader.  Dec. 29, 2017. (Print Publication: Jan. 13, 2018)

2017-5-HW (Link to Article):   Kentucky doctor says Medicare-style plan could curb costs, empower consumers (Print Title:  "The fix: Revive competition to cut health costs").  "The answer to healthcare reform is simple, you must lower health care costs. Either instill true provider competition or give more power to the purchasers with a variation of a single-payer system. In our present political climate, a pragmatic solution may be Medicare-Advantage-For-All."  Lexington Herald Leader.  Oct. 20, 2017.

2017-4-HW (Link to Article):   Shoddy research, deadly results.  "(The problem of Conflicts of interest) is of paramount importance. Research is the foundation for treatment protocols and health policy. A murky fog has descended over what works and what does not."  Lexington Herald Leader.  July. 30, 2017.    

2017-3-HW (Link to Article):   The incidence of MRSA infections in the United States: is a more comprehensive tracking system needed?  "If MRSA is being spread by the hands of healthcare workers, then their hands must at one time have become contaminated with MRSA and there must have been a failure of containment and control, which should be viewed as our frontline intervention. "  BioMed Central.  On Health.  Mar. 10, 2017.    

2017-2-HW (Link to Article):   Hospitals, doctors must come clean when patients are harmed.  "There is room for improvement in patient safety in every facility, even in higher-functioning ones. As stated by Jim Conway, past senior vice president of Institute for Healthcare Improvement, 'In the gap between excellence and perfection, there is suffering, harm, tragedy and death.' "  Lexington Herald Leader.  Mar. 5, 2017.   References 

2017-1-HW (Link to Article):   Choosing a hospital? Read this first.  So how did the hospitals do? In the Lexington region, they overall have improved.  Lexington Herald Leader.  Feb. 2, 2017.  References

Coverage by Kentucky Health News  http://kyhealthnews.blogspot.com/2017/02/comparing-rankings-that-compare-ky.html

2016-4-HW (Link to Article):   Drug industry's quest for profits yields superbugs.  The next bailout: Big Pharma  now asking for tax dollars to fund new antibiotics.  Lexington Herald Leader.  Sep. 24, 2016.   References

2016-3-HW (Link to Article):    US Health Reform Now Needs Reforming   We spent $24,691 for each family on healthcare--almost half of the average family income of $54,000.  Lexington Herald Leader.  Aug. 20, 2016.   References

2016-2-HW (Link to Article):    Non-profit hospitals an oxymoron (Healthcare Rendition)   Kentucky Hospital Charges and Those In the Nation are Far Too High.  Lexington Herald Leader.  May 20, 2016.   References

2016-1-HW (Link to Article):    Buyer beware: no return, redo in hospital care   Kentucky Hospital Rankings by Major Hospital Ranking Organizations, Including CMS (Medicare)  Lexington Herald Leader.  Jan. 16, 2016.   
Download Expanded Ranking Table        References

2015-6-HW (Link to Article):    Needed: Greater Surveillance, New Norms in the Fight Against Antibiotic Resistance  The 21st Century Cures Act needs to assure effective antibiotic stewardship and Antibiotic Resistant Organism Surveillance  Center for Disease Dynamics, Economics and Policy.  Oct. 8, 2015.     

2015-5-HW (Link to Article):    Without more monitoring, medical devices will keep harming patients  We all need to encourage Congress to amend the 21st Century Cures Act to assure effective pre-market testing and post-market monitoring of medical devices.
 Lexington Herald Leader.  Aug. 14, 2015.     

2015-4-HW (Link to Article):  hospitals should act as Ky. falls on key infection ranking. One of the most prevalent superbugs is MRSA which causes the deadly staph infection. Until recently, Kentucky had one of the highest rates of staph bloodstream infections in the nation. New data from the Centers for Disease Control's National Healthcare Safety Network show that our MRSA bloodstream infection rate has worsened; Kentucky is now dead last among the 50 states in controlling this deadly disease.  Lexington Herald Leader.  June 18, 2015.     

2015-3-HW (Link to Article):  Single-payer health care may emerge as best option. Returning to a free-market system will be more difficult than just saying "repeal Obamacare." Six difficult changes would have to be made to create a free market.  Lexington Herald Leader.  May 16, 2015.     

2015-2-HW (Link to Article):  Health-care non-profits may not be what they seem. Profits soar Yet cost is the often repeated excuse for not doing more to control infections.  Lexington Herald Leader.  Mar. 27, 2015.     

2015-1-HW (Link to Article):  Legislative panel must support more hospital reporting of infection outbreaks.  Lexington Herald Leader.  Jan. 13, 2015.    

2014-7-HW (Link to Article):  How Ebola reveals scary gaps in U.S. health care.  Lexington Herald Leader.  Oct. 12, 2014.   

2014-6-HW (Link to Article):  Beshear moving to protect Kentuckians from health-care associated infections.  Lexington Herald Leader.  Sept. 15, 2014.   

2014-5-HW (Link to Article):  Use Hospital Rankings to Help Stay Out of Harm's Way.  Lexington Herald Leader.  Aug. 10, 2014.    Download Complete Expanded Table

2014-4-HW (Link to Article):  VA lesson: defend and deny bad health policy.  Lexington Herald Leader.  Jun. 22, 2014.  View Op-Ed References   More on Full Disclosure - Steve Kraman

2014-3-HW (Link to Article):  Overuse of antibiotics aids attacks of deadly bacteria.  Lexington Herald Leader.  Mar. 13, 2014.

2014-2-HW (Link to Article):  Book Review - The American Health Paradox.  Louisville Courier Journal.  Mar. 13, 2014.

2014-1-HW (Link to Article):  Mandate reporting of Ky. health-care related infections.  Lexington Herald Leader.  Mar. 13, 2014.

2013-8-HW (Link to Article):  Surcharge on smokers under Ky. health reform is unfair, shortsighted.  Lexington Herald Leader.  Sep. 5, 2013.

Lexington Herald Leader Editorial Board:  Pricing smokers out of health care is bad policy. Kentucky's 40 percent surcharge is short-term gain for long-term pain  Sep. 8, 2013. http://www.kentucky.com/opinion/editorials/article44443032.html   

Burchett M.  The Lazer.  State health-insurance exchange plans to make smokers pay 40 percent more for coverage; varied interests object...   Sep. 9, 2013.
 http://www.thelevisalazer.com/news/local-news/8110-many-smokers-could-not-afford-health-insurance-at-all-

2013-7-HW (Link to Article):  Disclosure key to curbing medical errors; UK board should demand it.  Lexington Herald Leader.  Aug 11, 2013.  UK board responsible for hospital safety.

2013-6-HW (Link to Article):   Better monitoring needed in a post-antibiotic era.  Lexington Herald Leader.  July 11, 2013.  The case is made for public reporting of Healthcare Associated Infections and for Engagement of the Health Department.

2013-5-HW (Link to Article):   Tough Diagnosis: Hospital Rankings.  Lexington Herald Leader.  May 12, 2013.  An Op-Ed which describes the various hospital rating systems and give Kentucky Hospital Ratings.  Download PDF of how Kentucky Hospitals do on these rating systems. 

2013-4-HW (Link to Article):  Costs soar when doctors work for hospitals.  Lexington Herald Leader.  April 22, 2013.  The case is made to reduce hospital facility fees.  View Op Ed      View Op-Ed References   

See Shortened Version of the Published in Op-Ed in US News & World Report  
View Op Ed

2013-3-HW (Link to Article):  'Book Review - Bad Pharma'  Courier Journal, Louisville, Ky.   Feb 23, 2013.   Details of Drug Company Tactics.    
View Book Review References
    

2013-2-HW (Link to Article):   More scrutiny on spread of infections; health care industry resists surveillance.  Lexington Herald Leader.  Feb. 11, 2013.   Healthcare Industry Resists Surveillance.   View Op-Ed References

2013-1-HW (Link to Article):  Hospital Facility Fees Raise Out-of-Pocket Costs for Medicare Patients.  US News & World Report.  Jan 11, 2013.  The case is made to reduce hospital facility fees.  View Op Ed    View Op-Ed References  

Opposing Op-Ed from American Hospital Association:  View Op-Ed 

2012-11-HW (Link to Article)  Consumers must scrutinize details of hospital rankings.  Herald Leader Lexington, Ky,  Nov. 7, 2012.  The Quality Measures used in different hospital ranking systems.   View Op-Ed References   

2012-10-HW (Link to Article)  The Changing Role of the Physician.  American College of Surgeons Surgical News,  Oct. 23, 2012.   Changing healthcare governance, fiduciary responsibility and the driving forces behind integration.   View Op-Ed References 

2012-9- HW (Link to Article)  Assessing Changes in Reform.   Courier Journal,  Aug 27, 2012.   Healthcare Consolidation, Integration and Oligopolies are increasing healthcare costs.     View Op-Ed References   View Op-Ed Text

2012-8- HW (Link to Article)  'Book Review:  Rooted in the Mountains, Reaching to the World'.   Courier Journal,  Aug 17, 2012.   The book is more about adventures involving horses shod with ice nails and the forging of swollen streams; about the power and courage of humanity to overcome obstacles, to instill hope.  

2012-7- HW (Link to Article)  'Book Review:  Appalachian Health and Well-Being'.   Courier Journal,  July 14, 2012.   Healthy living challenge for Appalachia.  
  

2012-6-HW (Link to Article)  'Patients dissatisfied with unnecessary, expensive care'.  Herald Leader, Lexington, Ky,  June 25, 2012.  There is a wide variation in the recommended medical care which is received by patients.    View Op-Ed References

2012-5-HW (Link to Article)    'Book Review:  My Father'.   Courier Journal, Louisville,   Jun. 16, 2012.  "One of the most disturbing chapters details the legislative hearings and ill-motivated national politics that have prevented an effective national response, spurring the birth of the consumer advocacy movement to combat hospital-acquired infections."  
 

2012-4-HW (Link to Article)   'Book Review:  The Battle Over Healthcare'.   Courier Journal, Louisville,   May. 19, 2012.    As stated by the Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu, “If you do not change direction, you may end up where you are heading.” Unless we change, we are headed for a health care system that few can afford and few will want.

2012-3-HW (Link to Article)  'A tale of two cows: Why we have a cow map and not a healthcare acquired infection map.   Center for Disease Dynamics, Economics and Policy,   Mar. 13, 2012.  A parody comparing the availability of data between agriculture and healthcare.  View Op-Ed References

Coverage by William Heisel's Antidote: Spotting MRSA & Other Superbugs

Coverage by William Heisel's Antidote: Better Definitions and Better Data

2012-2-HW (Link to Article)  'More doctors controlled by hospitals mean restricted care.   Herald Leader, Lexington, KY,   Mar. 1, 2012.  Healthcare Integration, Medicare Expenditures and the Shrinking Role of Physicians in Healthcare.  View Op-Ed References

See Letter to Editor by Cameron S. Schaeffer, M.D.    http://www.kentucky.com/2012/03/16/2112586/letters-to-editor-march-16.html

2012-1-HW (Link to Article Text)  'Hospital Infections are Underreported.  Courier Journal, Louisville, KY,  Jan. 31, 2012.  The case is made for Public Reporting and Full Disclosure of Adverse Events and Not to Charge Patients for These Events.   View Op-Ed References    Link to Archived Abstract    Link to Article Text

2011-9-HW (Link to Article)  'Don't Tell' Culture a Plague Health Care.  Herald Leader, Lexington, KY,  Dec. 5, 2011.  The case is made for Full Disclosure of Medical Errors.   View Op-Ed References

2011-8-HW (Link to Article)  One in Seven Hospitalizations Results in Harm:  Hospital performance tied to Board Engagement.  Medical News,  Nov. 2011.  View Op-Ed References

2011-7-HW (Link to Article)   Outpatient Antibiotic Utilization Highest in West Virginia and Kentucky  The Center for Disease Dynamics, Economics & Policy.  Washington, DC,  Nov. 17, 2011.  Quoted by Charleston Daily Mail 

2011-6-HW (Link to Article)   Investigate staffing, infection rates at UK hospital  Herald Leader.  Lexington, KY,  Sep. 4, 2011.   

2011-5-HW (Link to Article)   Public, patients have right to know hospitals' infection rates  Herald leader. Lexington, KY,   July 11, 2011.   The case is presented for patients right to know hospital infection rates.

2011-4-HW (Link to Article Text)   Tracking of Hospital Acquired Infections   Courier Journal, Louisville, KY,  Apr. 20, 2011   Norton Healthcare System's Award from the NQF is Outstanding.  Other Kentucky hospitals should follow its example.   Link to Archived Abstract    Link to Article Text

2011-3-HW (Link to Article)  UK Wrong To Downplay Loss of Nursing Honor  Herald Leader, Lexington, KY,  Mar. 21, 2011   It is important for hospitals to achieve the Magnet Recognition and to participate in the Leapfrog Group Survey.

2011-2-HW (Link to Article Text)  Revising Health Care Reform  Courier Journal, Louisville, KY,  Jan. 21, 2011   The healthcare system still has significant problems with increasing insurance premiums.   
 View Op-Ed References    Link to Archived Abstract   Link to Article Text