The changes come on the heels of scrutiny from medical experts for alleged imprecise methodology and bias.
July 5, 2023 – Jeff Lagasse, Associate Editor
Following backlash, U.S. News and World Report has made a number of changes to its methodology for its upcoming Best Hospitals rankings, which are due for release on August 1.
Officials from U.S. News, including Managing Editor and Chief of Health Analysis Ben Harder and senior health data scientist Dr. Min Hee Seo, released 18 “refinements” to the methodology for the upcoming rankings. A handful of others that are under consideration.
The changes come on the heels of scrutiny from medical experts for alleged imprecise methodology and bias, as well as an inquiry from San Francisco City Attorney David Chiu into the legality of the rankings.
Last month, Chiu sent a letter to U.S. News and World Report seeking information on the rankings, and demanding that the publication disclose the payments it receives from the hospitals it endorses, as required by federal regulations.
“Consumers use these rankings to make consequential healthcare decisions, and yet there is little understanding that the rankings are fraught and that U.S. News has financial relationships with the hospitals it ranks,” said Chiu.
