MACPAC calls for increased transparency in Medicaid AI prior authorization

The Latest

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  Hospital at home linked to lower ED visits, in-hospital mortality: study

  The findings suggest hospital at home could serve as a safe alternative to inpatient care, researchers wrote. However, adoption is uneven, with most programs located in urban areas.

  Hospitals

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  CVS hikes outlook as Aetna insurance profit rises

  The healthcare giant increased its adjusted earnings guidance for 2026 by more than 4% as CVS saw “substantial improvement” in its health benefits segment, CFO Brian Newman said on an earnings call.

  Payer

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  FDA warns of neurosurgical supply disruptions

  Interruptions in the supply of neurosurgical patties, sponges and strips are expected to continue through 2026.

  Government

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  Highmark Health names ex-UnitedHealth exec as COO

  Heather Cianfrocco is joining the Pittsburgh-based healthcare company as its chief operating officer effective immediately.

  Hospitals

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  GLP-1s driving healthcare cost hikes, employers say

  Nearly 8 in 10 reported the expensive weight loss medications are increasing their company’s healthcare costs, according to a survey by the Business Group on Health.

  Payer

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  Atrium Health, WakeMed propose to merge

  WakeMed would become part of Advocate Health, Atrium’s parent company. The deal has sparked concern from local lawmakers, who worry it could raise healthcare prices in North Carolina’s most populous county.

  Hospitals

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  UPMC reaches deal with CommonSpirit to acquire Ohio health system

  UPMC and CommonSpirit have signed a definitive agreement to transfer ownership of Trinity Health to UPMC, expanding the nonprofit into Ohio for the first time.

  Hospitals

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  Stryker cyberattack ‘meaningfully’ impacted Q1

  CEO Kevin Lobo said the attack had a “big impact” on first-quarter results. However, the company maintained its full-year guidance.

  Health IT

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  Healthcare bankruptcies rise in Q1: report

  The sector recorded 12 bankruptcy filings in the first quarter, up 33% from the fourth quarter of 2025, according to analysis by Gibbins Advisors.

  Finances

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  Supreme Court temporarily restores mail-order access to abortion drug

  On Monday morning, the Supreme Court paused a lower court’s decision that effectively banned the mailing of mifepristone, after makers of the abortion drug asked the nation’s highest court to intervene.

  Updated May 4, 2026

  Government

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  DOJ launches strike force targeting West Coast healthcare fraud

  The strike force allows the department's healthcare fraud unit to coordinate with U.S. attorney’s offices in Arizona, Nevada and the Northern District of California, where the DOJ says fraud schemes are increasing.

  Payer

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  How states are planning to implement Medicaid work requirements: survey

  Most states are planning to adopt less restrictive policies to verify compliance with work requirements mandated by the “Big Beautiful Bill,” but some are implementing the policies early or checking eligibility more frequently.

  Payer

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  Nebraska rolls out Medicaid work requirements, putting tens of thousands at risk of coverage losses

  The Cornhusker State is the first to roll out work requirements under the GOP’s “Big Beautiful Bill,” well in advance of the law’s 2027 deadline. Between 20,000 and 40,000 people are expected to lose Medicaid as a result.

  Payer

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  Education Department caps graduate student loans, hitting health workforce

  The agency kept a contested definition of “professional” student that excludes fields like graduate nursing and physical therapy from higher loan caps. Healthcare groups say the regulation could worsen workforce shortages.

  Government

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  Cost management, outpatient unit helped Tenet weather volume headwinds in Q1

  Executives said Tenet’s focus on managing expenses and growing high-acuity service lines helped it withstand poor volumes that battered some of its peers in the first quarter.

  Hospitals

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  Cigna exits ACA exchanges despite dramatic profit growth in Q1

  The insurer plans to say goodbye to the ACA exchanges after this year, and is exploring a potential sale of its controversial claims review subsidiary. Both businesses were more trouble than they were worth, executives said.

  Payer

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  Consumer health data’s regulatory patchwork is growing. Relief isn’t coming.

  Healthcare organizations are struggling to navigate the compliance landscape amid a pullback in federal enforcement, a wave of state legislation and emerging voluntary initiatives, experts say.

  Health IT

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  Health system CEOs in hot seat over their role in raising healthcare prices

  During a high-profile congressional hearing on Tuesday, one lawmaker said hospitals charge "an insane amount" for care. Still, the CEOs largely passed the buck, arguing their prices are justified.

  Hospitals

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  Profile

  Surgeries are moving to ASCs. Distalmotion wants its robot to drive the shift.

  CEO Greg Roche says ambulatory surgery centers have largely lacked access to robots for performing soft tissue procedures, until now.

  Medical Groups

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  Health disparities persist across states and may widen further with federal cuts: report

  Native, Hispanic and Black communities experienced worse health access and affordability issues than white people in most states, according to a new report from the Commonwealth Fund.

  Payer

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  Profit recovery is ‘priority No. 1,’ Humana promises

  Humana’s foremost priority is returning to 3% Medicare Advantage margins in 2028, CEO Jim Rechtin repeatedly promised investors on Wednesday morning. Still, the insurer’s profits dipped in the first quarter.

  Payer

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  UHS reaffirms 2026 volume targets, despite seasonal hits in Q1

  A weaker-than-expected respiratory season paired with winter storms caused UHS’ volumes to decline in the first quarter. Executives said they expect growth in the second half will help the operator meet earnings targets this year.

  Hospitals

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

  The risk of being sued is higher among certain specialties like surgeons, and increases the longer doctors practice medicine, according to the medical association's new report.

  Updated April 29, 2026

  Hospitals

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  Centene hikes 2026 profit guidance after buoyant Q1

  The insurer, a mainstay in government programs like Medicaid and the ACA exchanges that have been wracked by higher spending, successfully controlled costs in the quarter, leading to $1.5 billion in profit.

  Payer

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  Profile

  With ultrasound on a chip, Butterfly Network aims for global reach

  Butterfly, which makes handheld imaging machines, hopes to make the technology accessible to more patients with its pricing and AI features.

  Health IT

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