Wyden urges FTC to investigate Microsoft over Ascension cyberattack

The influential senator argued the technology giant delivered “dangerous, insecure software” to the health system that contributed to a massive cyberattack last year.

Health benefit cost increases expected to hit 15-year high, Mercer warns

2026 will mark the fourth consecutive year of substantial health benefit cost growth, signaling “mounting pressure on employers’ healthcare budgets.”

CMS issues guidance on cuts to Medicaid state-directed payments

The guidance is meant to give states more time to meet requirements laid out in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. 

340B incentivizes hospital-clinic M&A, drives higher health spending: CBO

The nonpartisan scorekeeper’s new report reinforces longstanding concerns about the 340B drug discount program, including that it incentivizes behaviors that increase health costs for federal and private payers.

Pacs Group CFO resigns amid allegations of improper conduct

The board of directors called for Derick Apt to resign amid allegations he improperly accepted a “series of high value” gifts.

Early Medicare Advantage stars data bodes well for UnitedHealth

The healthcare behemoth expects to have roughly 78% of its MA enrollees in plans rated four stars or higher, a key cutoff for valuable bonuses in the privatized Medicare program.

Hospital financial performance holds steady, but headwinds loom: report

Hospital finances have been generally strong this year, but the future is precarious as expenses — including non-labor costs — rise, according to an analysis by Kaufman Hall.

Mayo Clinic to close 6 clinics, consolidate service lines

The nonprofit provider said low patient volumes and persistent staffing shortages motivated the decision.

Medicare Advantage penetration doesn’t translate to lower hospital margins: MedPAC

The findings throw cold water on allegations from hospital groups that MA plans contribute to shrinking margins.

AHA accuses drug companies of colluding to impose 340B rebate plans

The hospital lobby wants the Trump administration to investigate Johnson & Johnson, Eli Lilly, Sanofi, Novartis and Bristol Myers Squibb, citing the suspicious timing of their 340B rebate proposals.

The Trump administration is overhauling healthcare policy. Follow the changes here.

The FDA said it’s sending letters to drugmakers demanding they take down or modify ads that don't comply with federal guidelines, out of concern consumers aren’t seeing a “fair balance” of risks and benefits in drug ads.

Updated Sept. 10, 2025

FTC drops Biden-era noncompete ban but promises continued enforcement

Industries “plagued by thickets of noncompete agreements” will soon see warning letters from the agency, its chairman said Friday.

Judge allows Epic antitrust suit to move forward

A judge dismissed several claims brought by startup Particle Health against the EHR giant, but allowed some federal allegations to continue in court. 

House Republicans probe CVS for alleged HIPAA violation

In June, CVS sent a mass text to pharmacy customers in Louisiana urging them to contact their representatives to oppose a PBM reform bill. That may have been illegal, two Republican congressmen say.

More than 600 Kaiser workers hold 1-day strike in Northern California

Certified nurse midwives and registered nurse anesthetists walked off the job Monday amid contentious negotiations of their first labor contract. 

States unprepared to implement Medicaid work requirements: report

Implementing work requirements should be a “multi-year project,” researchers said, but states have just until next year to prepare.

Aetna, Optum settle ‘dummy codes’ case for $8.4M

The decade-long case alleged that Aetna and Optum Health conspired to pass along administrative costs to patients by disguising them as medical codes.

Renal denervation gets strong backing from cardiologists ahead of Medicare coverage decision

Doctors told the CMS that more patients need access to the procedure, with one calling it the start of a new era in hypertension management.

HHS expands access to catastrophic plans ahead of premium pain on ACA exchanges

The move will give more Americans a coverage alternative with low monthly premiums come November’s open enrollment, but could come at the expense of people who remain in standard Affordable Care Act plans.

Elevance cuts MA footprint, exits standalone Medicare prescription drug plans

Roughly 150,000 individual and group MA members will be affected by the plan exits, as will some 400,000 Part D enrollees.

At Senate hearing, lawmakers express dissatisfaction with RFK Jr.’s vaccine moves

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. faced criticism Thursday even from Republican lawmakers over changes to federal vaccine policy as well as a leadership crisis at the CDC.

UnitedHealthcare, Humana are gaming Medicare Advantage risk adjustment, analysis finds

The research from the Alliance for Community Health Plans adds to existing evidence that major insurers are unfairly profiting from MA’s risk adjustment system, driving billions of dollars in unnecessary costs.

Lawmakers scrutinize AI’s role in prior authorization, mental healthcare in House hearing

Witnesses said that more oversight is needed to help the industry overcome a “foundational trust deficit” currently blocking uptake of artificial intelligence in healthcare.

Top healthcare legislation to watch so far this year

Federal lawmakers have proposed dozens of bills targeting core healthcare issues, including 340B, Medicaid, AI and site-neutral payments.

HHS threatens crackdown on information blocking

The HHS says it will commit new resources to targeting and punishing providers, health IT companies and other groups found information blocking, though the pledge is scarce on details.