Frequency of medical liability lawsuits is declining, but risk remains for doctors: AMA

The Latest

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  Medicare AI prior authorization pilot delaying care in Washington: report

  The report compiled by Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., found procedures in the state that were previously approved in two weeks now take four to eight weeks to be authorized.

  Updated April 27, 2026

  Payer

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  Sponsored by Huron

  As coordination grows more complex, intelligent care is reshaping the response

  Better coordination starts with intelligent care across teams, systems and settings.

  Hospitals

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  FTC, US Anesthesia Partners reach settlement in Texas price collusion case

  The private equity-backed anesthesia provider bought and bullied its way to market dominance in Texas, driving up prices for patients, the FTC alleged. The parties have now reached a deal, though USAP will not admit liability.

  Government

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  Molina controls costs in Q1 but future Medicaid spending in doubt

  The insurer beat analyst expectations for adjusted earnings in the first quarter. But steeper Medicaid membership losses than expected could saddle Molina with higher costs down the line.

  Payer

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  CMS, FDA unveil speedier Medicare coverage pathway for breakthrough devices

  The pathway is designed to reduce the delay between FDA authorization and Medicare coverage for certain Class II and Class III breakthrough medical devices.

  Payer

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  AMA urges lawmakers to implement safeguards on AI chatbots

  Though chatbots could have some benefits for mental health access, the physician lobby argued “immediate attention is required” to avoid harming patients looking for support.

  Health IT

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  Flagging first-quarter volumes dragged CHS’ earnings

  Executives said consumer fears and aggressive denials from payers fueled declining volumes in the quarter, leading CHS to a $58 million loss. Still, the hospital operator expects volumes to pick up in the back half of the year.

  Hospitals

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  Elevance perks up in 2026 though Medicare Advantage payout could ding profits

  The Indianapolis-based insurer raised its 2026 earnings guidance after posting a better first quarter than Wall Street expected. Still, Elevance lodged a $935 million expense to cover what it might owe the CMS over faulty data reporting.

  Updated April 22, 2026

  Payer

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  Prices rose after No Surprises arbitration for some care: analysis

  The data compiled by the Brookings Center on Health Policy shows that average arbitration prices for some services like imaging were seven times higher than Medicare prices.

  Payer

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  Amazon One Medical launches weight management program including GLP-1 drugs

  The company argues the offering is a more comprehensive approach to weight management, allowing patients to receive ongoing support care and transparent pricing on prescriptions.

  Health IT

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  Moderna, after losing US funding, rebounds to start mRNA bird flu vaccine trial

  A program that got caught up in HHS’ decision to abandon mRNA research was revived by a public-private coalition and is now beginning a large, late-stage test that could support a future approval.

  Government

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  UnitedHealth hikes profit outlook after better-than-expected first quarter

  Premium hikes, plan redesigns and other efforts from the Minnesota-based company to wrangle medical spending bore fruit in the first quarter. UnitedHealth’s stock jumped accordingly.

  Payer

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  Providers push back on 340B rebate model

  Hospitals and clinics told regulators that switching to rebates in the 340B drug discount program would impose costs that would outweigh the program’s benefits.

  Hospitals

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  Blue Shield of California taps chief pharmacy officer

  Hayley Park will oversee BSCA’s prescription drug programs. The insurer has worked to overhaul its pharmacy management model in a bid to lower drug costs.

  Payer

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  QuikTrip to sell urgent care clinics after 6 years in business

  The retailer, which at one point had 14 MedWise sites, is divesting its nine-location network to Saint Francis Health System.

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  RFK Jr. defends HHS tenure, 12% proposed budget cut

  Republicans largely praised the HHS secretary’s track record during a marathon of House hearings last week, but some GOP lawmakers raised concerns about proposed budget cuts to the National Institutes of Health.

  Government

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  Physician burnout is improving but some specialties lag, the AMA finds

  The influential physician association surveyed thousands of doctors and found that burnout last year was lower than in 2024 or 2023. Still, certain specialties, especially those on the front lines of care, face an elevated risk of burning out.

  Hospitals

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  Judge dismisses Aetna’s No Surprises fraud suit against Radiology Partners

  The insurer accused the radiology group of gaming the No Surprises Act to reap higher reimbursement. A judge tossed the case last week, saying Aetna needed to raise its complaints during the dispute resolution process.

  Payer

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  Stakeholders urge Labor Department to finalize PBM transparency rule

  Employers, lawmakers and more said regulators should hustle to get disclosure mandates for the controversial drug middlemen across the finish line, while PBMs slammed the rule as illegal, unnecessary and anticompetitive.

  Payer

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  GE HealthCare, RadNet expand AI mammography collaboration

  The partnership adds access to a workflow for second reads of complex cases and other software features made by RadNet subsidiary DeepHealth.

  Health IT

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  CMS proposes repeal of add-on payment path for breakthrough devices

  The agency said it developed concerns about the limited evaluation process for the devices after gaining experience with the alternative pathway.

  Government

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  ACA exchanges will continue to shrink as fewer enrollees pay premiums, analysis suggests

  About 14% of ACA enrollees didn’t pay premiums in January, a higher rate than usual and one that suggests ACA enrollment will continue to decline, according to Wakely.

  Payer

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  Erica Schwartz, ex-deputy surgeon general, picked to be next CDC director

  If confirmed by the Senate, Schwartz could finally fill a void for an agency that’s cycled through multiple leaders over the last year.

  Government

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  Abridge partners with medical journals to expand AI clinical decision support

  The AI scribe company said information from the New England Journal of Medicine and the JAMA Network will allow providers to more easily access the latest medical research.

  Health IT

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  More employers considering medical, pharmacy vendor switch amid rising healthcare costs, survey finds

  Healthcare affordability continues to keep employers up at night. More businesses are shopping for new healthcare vendors as a result, according to the Purchaser Business Group on Health.

  Payer

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  Walmart expands digital health platform’s weight loss offerings, including GLP-1 prescribing

  Customers can now connect to third-party providers for weight management services through Walmart’s digital health platform, then turn around and fill GLP-1 prescriptions at its retail pharmacy.

  Updated April 17, 2026

  Telehealth

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