Topic: Hospital Incentives

The methodology for counting COVID-19 deaths is criticized for being overly broad, often including any death occurring within 28 days of a positive test regardless of the actual cause. Financial incentives for hospitals to label patients as COVID-positive are cited as a reason for potential overcounting. Independent reviews in Canada have reportedly found significant portions of recorded COVID deaths to be miscategorized.

President Barack Obama suggested that Medicare should provide financial bonuses to hospitals that successfully reduce infection rates through simple protocols like employee hand washing. This incentive-based approach is compared to the "Race to the Top" education initiative. Skeptics questioned the efficacy of paying for basic hygiene and the potential for hospitals to falsify compliance forms for reimbursement.