Do nonprofit hospital CEOs make too much? (Morning Read)

Highlights of the important and the interesting from the world of healthcare:

Do nonprofit hospital CEOs make too much? A survey of 118 nonprofit hospital CEOs in California (which certainly has a higher cost of living that most of the U.S.) revealed average compensation to be $732,000. “You’re looking at close to $390 million that could be used on uncompensated patient care,” says one critic of the big paydays. The new numbers may further motivate Iowa Sen. Charles Grassley, who’s already threatened to take action on what he views as excessive salaries by nonprofit hospital CEOs.

Consumers confused by stem cell claims: Stem cell clinics offer cures for practically everything that ails humans, but therapy using stem cells is effective for only a few blood disorders, such as leukemias and thalassemia. These clinics, often based in foreign countries, run stem cell scams that are “preying on desperate people.”

2010′s most active venture firms: peHUB has the list, which is topped by Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers and the firm’s 54 deals. Following closely behind at 51 deals is New Enterprise Associates.

Cheap alternative to the iPad in India: The Indian government has unveiled the prototype of an iPad-like touch-screen device, with a price tag of $35, which it hopes to roll out next year. Sounds like a winner but the BBC warns that a similar Indian government plan to sell cheap laptops “came to nothing.”

Docs love smartphones: A new survey showed that 94 percent of doctors say they’re using smartphones to communicate, manage personal and business workflows, and access medical information, up from 59 percent four years ago.

Photo from flickr user Luke & Courtney Barrett