Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, a downtown Boston hospital aggressively courting health providers in the suburbs, has formed a partnership with Cambridge Health Alliance, the two hospital systems announced Thursday.The collaboration gives doctors with the Cambridge health system greater bargaining power with health insurance companies and a formal relationship with a major teaching hospital that provides many services they do not, such as advanced cancer care and neurosurgery.It also means that nearly 100 primary care physicians will join Beth Israel Deaconess’s network next year, ending their affiliation with Partners HealthCare’s physician organization.Beth Israel Deaconess and the Cambridge Health Alliance would remain financially independent. The Cambridge system, which includes Somerville Hospital, Whidden Hospital in Everett, and the city-owned Cambridge Hospital, lost money last year. Read full story

The announcement by the two hospitals comes amid a swell of consolidation in the health care market, in Massachusetts and nationally.  Read full story

A new analysis of Oregon Medicaid recipients found that, while coverage lowered depression, it did not improve key health measures, such as blood pressure or blood sugar levels. Read full story

Dr. Emil “Tom” Frei III, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute doctor who developed treatment that cured childhood leukemia, died on April 30 at age 89.  Read full story

The hospital chain alleged in a lawsuit that Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island blocked its plan to purchase a Woonsocket hospital.  Read full story

An analysis of Massachusetts data published Wednesday by the New England Journal of Medicine found that specialists were more likely than primary care doctors to receive payments from device makers and drug companies. More than half of urologists, gastroenterologists, and rheumatologists received a payment over two and a half years.  Read full story

After successful surgery, face transplant recipient Carmen Blandin Tarleton said she is ready for the next chapter in her life. Read full story

Jarrod Clowery, a 35-year-old carpenter injured in the Marathon bombings, said he is drawing strength from his friends, also victims, who are “tough as nails.” Read full story

Three people died at the scene, after the bombing of the Boston Marathon. But every person transferred to a hospital survived, the chief of emergency services at Mass. General writes in a perspective piece.  Read full story

Partners HealthCare’s top physician, Dr. Thomas Lee, is leaving that job to become chief medical officer for consulting group Press Ganey Associates. Read full story