The Latest

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  BJC HealthCare, Saint Luke’s Health System plan to merge, forming $10B system

  The organizations signed a non-binding agreement to form a 28-hospital system serving patients in Missouri, Kansas and Illinois.

  Hospitals

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  Sponsored by Vituity

  Hospitals in 2035: digital investments that will stick

  Equipping hospitals with strategies to use technological advancements in healthcare.

  Health IT

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  Bayer launches precision health unit in latest digital health venture

  The pharma company said it will work with startups and other digital health companies as well as add to its own capabilities as it builds out the consumer-focused business unit.

  Health IT

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  Q&A

  Serial biotech founder Tim Springer on investing in startups and democratizing antibody research

  Springer, who became a billionaire after investing in Moderna, spoke after gifting $210 million to his nonprofit institute in Boston.

  Health IT

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  FDA hits iRhythm with warning letter over problems at heart monitor facility

  IRhythm can continue to manufacture and sell its products and does not expect the warning letter to materially affect its financial results.

  Health IT

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  Biden admin officially ends COVID vaccine mandate for health workers

  The CMS on Wednesday issued a final rule lifting the controversial vaccine mandate in early August, though regulators said they wouldn’t enforce the mandate between now and then.

  Updated June 1, 2023

  Hospitals

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  Oak Street, post CVS acquisition, plans to enter 4 new states

  Oak Street Health, which was acquired by CVS in May, plans to enter Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas and Virginia this summer.

  Medical Groups

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  Healthcare costs top $31,000 for family of 4 in 2023

  After declining briefly in 2020, family healthcare costs are rising as the industry faces an uncertain macroeconomic environment.

  Payer

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  Tracker // Overturning of Roe v. Wade

  Tracking state abortion bans in the US

  The Oklahoma Supreme Court on Wednesday ruled that two abortion bans enacted last year were unconstitutional. However, a 1910 near-total abortion ban remains in effect in the state.

  Updated June 1, 2023

  Government

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  Medicaid redeterminations

  Medicaid changes, end of COVID emergency hampered hospital margins in April

  Inflation and high expenses are placing a burden on hospitals as they recover from COVID-19 challenges. Hospital labor expenses rose 3% in April from March, according to Kaufman Hall.

  Hospitals

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  Advocate Health reports 0.1% operating margin in inaugural Q1 earnings

  The nonprofit giant formed in December barely made it into the black, after revenue of $7.54 billion squeaked past expenses of $7.53 billion.

  Hospitals

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  Members’ satisfaction with commercial health plans declines

  A J.D. Power study found overall satisfaction with commercial health plans fell, with sicker members less likely to receive outreach and care coordination.

  Payer

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  Kaiser pledges $10M to safety-net hospital to stem ‘unprecedented financial challenges’

  Denver Health — the largest provider of care for uninsured people in the city — has struggled with rising costs and a surge in sicker patients.

  Hospitals

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  Tracker

  Tracking healthcare worker strikes

  Nurses at Ascension Seton Medical Center Austin in Texas voted May 31 and June 1 to authorize a one-day strike, according to the National Nurses Organizing Committee within National Nurses United.

  Updated 14 hours ago

  Hospitals

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  Healthcare provisions of the debt limit deal: COVID-19 funding clawbacks, no Medicaid work requirements

  Congressional Republicans and the White House reached a deal over the weekend to raise the debt ceiling that includes healthcare policy wins for both sides of the aisle.

  Payer

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  Physician compensation rose but was eclipsed by inflation, MGMA survey finds

  Although hampered by a 7% increase in inflation, advanced practice providers saw the biggest change in median total pay compared to pre-pandemic levels.

  Medical Groups

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  Postpartum people could lose coverage amid Medicaid redeterminations

  People in some states could lose postpartum coverage 60 days after giving birth, even though health risks from pregnancy can continue for months, according to a new report from KFF.

  Payer

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  Persistent expenses drove Ascension to $1.8B operating loss

  Improving volumes, especially outpatient surgeries and emergency room visits, failed to outpace growing expenses in the nine-month period.

  Hospitals

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  CVS could lose up to $1B next year from MA star ratings drop

  Just 21% of CVS’ MA members are currently in plans with a star rating of at least four, down from 87% at the end of 2021, the payer disclosed.

  Payer

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  Walgreens laying off 10% of corporate workforce

  The cuts, affecting more than 500 employees, come as the pharmacy chain expands in consumer-focused care delivery.

  Finances

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  Medicaid redeterminations

  Two-thirds of Medicaid enrollees unaware of redeterminations, survey finds

  The KFF survey found many enrollees weren’t sure whether states are now allowed to remove people from the program, and 27% wouldn’t know where to look for coverage if they were ineligible for Medicaid.

  Payer

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  Opinion

  Securing mergers and acquisitions in healthcare

  Netskope’s Damian Chung outlines how healthcare organizations can avoid cyber risks when executing acquisitions or partnerships.

  Finances

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  EHR purchasing in 2022 led by small organizations, migrations, Klas says

  Epic continues to be the EHR market leader, covering 36% of acute care hospitals in the U.S. and 48% of beds, according to a new report.

  Health IT

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  Cleveland Clinic outpaced expense growth to return to profitability in Q1

  The health system noted that growing expenses are still a concern, with labor costs like overtime increasing.

  Hospitals

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  US projected to hit record-low uninsurance rate this year

  But as federal aid expires, lower-income Americans — who saw the largest insurance gains during the pandemic — will likely be affected the most, according to experts.

  Payer

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  AHIP chief executive to step down in October

  Matt Eyles will depart after serving nearly five years as CEO of AHIP. The organization is launching a nationwide search for his replacement.

  Payer

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