Publications
Op-Ed Sections of Newspapers & Major Websites:
   

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/2013/09/08/2810231/pricing-smokers-out-of-health.html  

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

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    Linked 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