Providence lays off more workers in Washington, Oregon

Executives blamed Medicaid cuts, commercial insurance denial rates and declining volumes for the staff reduction.

Health tech venture capital investment rebounds in 2025: report

Funding through the third quarter surpassed last year’s total, according to PitchBook. Meanwhile, average deal sizes are skyrocketing as high valuations — especially for AI startups — drive larger rounds.

Philips, Edwards team on AI-based guide for mitral valve repair

Artificial intelligence combines ultrasound and X-ray images to give physicians a real-time 3D view of the repair device during transcatheter heart procedures.

UnitedHealth adds former FDA commissioner Scott Gottlieb to board

UnitedHealth declined to comment on Gottlieb’s appointment, which comes as the company works to improve its relationship with federal regulators.

Employers, workers to face healthcare ‘affordability crunch,’ Mercer warns

A “sharp growth” in prescription drug spending, including pricey GLP-1 weight-loss medications, helped fuel the increase, the consulting firm said.

Urban safety-net hospitals vulnerable to Medicaid cuts: analysis

Though the impact on rural facilities has received more focus from lawmakers, the majority of hospitals that are most susceptible to the funding cuts operate in urban communities, according to the report.

Cleveland Clinic sees profits jump in Q3

The academic medical system cited strong patient volumes and new Medicare Advantage agreements as driving increased revenue.

CommonSpirit continues to operate at a loss

The health system blamed its performance for the quarter ended Sept. 30 on continued payer denials and cost challenges.

Epic, Humana partner to speed patient check-in and coverage verification

The new features automatically share insurance details from more than 800,000 Medicare Advantage enrollees with providers to streamline check-in and verification.

States project flat Medicaid enrollment, increased spending as cuts loom: KFF

Total spending in the safety-net insurance program is expected to grow 7.9% in fiscal year 2026, according to the survey. Meanwhile, states are facing significant federal cuts in the wake of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

Jury orders Apple to pay Masimo $634M in patent fight

A federal jury in California has found that Apple infringed on a Masimo patent for its pulse oximetry technology.

CMS issues guidance on Medicaid provider tax overhaul

The agency has started to lay out how it’ll implement restrictions on the arrangements, which are used by states to finance their share of Medicaid funding, enacted in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

Medicare premiums set to rise 10% next year, CMS says

The Part B premium hike could have been worse, the Trump administration said. Still, it’s likely to pressure the pocketbooks of millions of seniors, and could drive more into Medicare Advantage plans.

Optum Health names new CEO

Krista Nelson replaces Dr. Patrick Conway, who was appointed as CEO of UnitedHealth’s healthcare delivery unit in June. Conway will stay on as CEO of the company’s broader health services division.

Ascension invests over $530M into Tennessee

The projects, which include technology upgrades and expanded capacity initiatives, are designed to meet growing demand for services in the region.

Providence’s financial turnaround plan delivers results in Q3

The nonprofit health system was in the black during the third quarter, boosted by higher patient volumes and improved labor efficiency.

Telehealth flexibilities reinstated as government shutdown ends

The pandemic-era virtual care policies are back in place through Jan. 30. But short-term deals aren’t sustainable, telehealth advocates and providers say.

Historic government shutdown ends, leaving ACA subsidies in limbo

The House passed a stopgap funding bill and President Donald Trump signed it late Wednesday, reopening the government without a clear path forward on preserving enhanced subsidies for ACA plans — Democrats’ chief demand.

More rural hospitals shutter labor and delivery units in 2025: report

Only 41% of rural hospitals in the U.S. deliver babies, according to a report by the Center for Healthcare Quality and Payment Reform. In some states, fewer than one-third of these facilities offer labor and delivery services.

Health insurers in government programs can’t seem to turn a profit

Major payers with a presence in the ACA, Medicare or Medicaid posted an average operating margin of -1.4% in the third quarter. The market “continues to be challenging,” complicating margin recovery plans, one expert said.

Healthcare cost hikes in 2026 may be only slightly lower than 2025, WTW says

The increase remains “significantly higher” than the 7.6% seen in 2024.

Indiana approves controversial hospital merger despite FTC protests

Union Hospital and Terre Haute Regional are set to merge after getting the green light from Indiana’s health department over the objections of federal regulators in two administrations and the state’s own attorney general.

Richard Pazdur, longtime FDA oncology leader, to head agency’s main drug office

The appointment of Pazdur as CDER head comes shortly after the surprise ousting of George Tidmarsh and should quiet many of the “lingering uncertainties” surrounding the FDA, wrote one industry analyst.

Health system leaders need to evolve in the face of AI: report

C-suite executives surveyed said they think new technology leadership roles will become more important in the next three years, according to a report from the Healthcare Financial Management Association.

FDA to remove safety warnings on hormonal menopause therapy

The decision, issued without the input of an official advisory committee, revises long-held labeling on the drugs cautioning the risk of cancer and heart disease.