Lown Institute

10/10/2025

Spinal fusion/laminectomy and vertebroplasty are some the most common and low value surgeries in the U.S. Check out our new report at lowninstitute.org/overuse to see how your hospital and state ranked in avoiding this form of .

10/06/2025

There's still time to register for tomorrow's discussion (10/7 at 1pm) with expert panelists about our latest report on spinal fusion and vertebroplasty overuse and what to do about it. Get your virtual seat at lowninstitute.org/backsurgery

10/03/2025

Ever wondered if the back surgery that your mom/dad/grandparent/you received to address back pain was actually the best medicine or the default answer from a broken health care system? Join the Lown Institute and expert panelists on 10/7 @ 1pm (ET) for a discussion about our latest report on spinal fusion and vertebroplasty overuse and what to do about it.

Register at lowninstitute.org/backsurgery

09/30/2025

Have you gotten your seat?

One week from today, on October 7 at 1pm (ET), the Lown Institute unveils a new report that sheds light on unnecessary backsurgery—one of the most overused procedures in American hospitals that costs the health system billions while putting thousands at risk of harm.

Don't miss the conversation! Register at lowninstitute.org/backsurgery

09/29/2025

CMS’s new WISeR project aims to reduce low-value care and improve back pain management but some policymakers and advocacy groups are criticizing “prior authorization” requirements. Is this "good medicine" or just "good business?" Attend the Lown Institute's discussion about unnecessary back surgeries at U.S. hospitals on October 7 at 1pm (ET) and find out.

Register at lowninstitute.org/backsurgery

09/29/2025

'“There’s nothing wrong with device manufacturers or the pharma industry wanting to get its products into commerce.” The real problem, he argues, is the lack of oversight: it’s unclear whether the additional prescriptions reflect genuine patient need—and no entity is tracking that appropriateness.' - Lown Institute President Vikas Saini

Several recent studies show that conflicts of interest are deeply entrenched in modern medicine and existing regulations are doing little to rein in the problem.

09/26/2025

Back surgery is one of the most overused procedures in the U.S., wasting billions of dollars and placing thousands of patients at risk of serious harm. Join the Lown Institute and featured experts for a discussion on October 7 at 1 pm (ET) and find out how your hospital did at avoiding back surgery overuse.

Register @ bit.ly/LownBackSurgeryOveruseReg

09/25/2025

Nominations are open for the 2025 Shkreli Awards!

The Shkreli Awards, our annual top 10 countdown of the worst examples of greed, profiteering, and dysfunction in healthcare, are coming up! What do you think are the most egregious examples from this year? Let us know by submitting your nomination at lowninstitute.org/projects/shkreli-awards/

09/24/2025

Back surgeries are one of the most overused procedures in U.S. hospitals, costing our health system billions while putting tens of thousands of Americans at risk of harm. David Auerbach, Senior Director for Research and Cost Trends at the Massachusetts Health Policy Commission, joins the Lown Institute on 10/7 @ 1pm (ET) to talk about spinal surgery overuse and what the Bay State is doing about it.

Don't miss out! Claim your virtual seat today at bit.ly/LownBackSurgeryOveruseReg

09/23/2025

Back surgeries are one of the most overused procedures in U.S. hospitals, costing our health system billions while putting tens of thousands of Americans at risk of harm. Two weeks from today - on Tuesday, October 7 at 1:00 PM - join the Lown Institute for a discussion about our latest report on spinal fusion and vertebroplasty overuse.

Reserve your virutal seat at bit.ly/LownBackSurgeryOveruseReg

09/22/2025

How many unnecessary back surgeries are being done at US hospitals and at what cost? On October 7 at 1:00pm (ET) join the Lown Institute and featured panelists for a discussion about our latest report on spinal fusion and vertebroplasty overuse and what to do about it.

Get your virtual seat at bit.ly/LownBackSurgeryOveruseReg

09/19/2025

Are there ways to reduce the number of unnecessary back surgeries done at U.S. hospitals? Join the Lown Institute on 10/7 @ 1pm (ET) for an interactive discussion with policymakers and overuse experts where we'll address this and other key questions.

Grab your virtual seat at bit.ly/LownBackSurgeryOveruseReg