Most nonprofit hospitals and health systems had ‘strong’ cash reserves in 2022, KFF finds

An analysis of cash on hand suggests that, despite declining operating margins, some nonprofit health systems had enough of a financial cushion to weather tough operating conditions in 2022.

By Susanna Vogel • Jan. 9, 2024

Digital health funding last year reached lowest level since 2019: report

Startups turned to “creative” funding mechanisms like unlabeled and silent rounds to buy time in 2023, but those strategies likely won’t work again this year, according to a report by Rock Health.

By Emily Olsen • Jan. 9, 2024

Walgreens to pay Humana $360M to settle drug pricing dispute

The settlement is a little over half of what Walgreens was originally ordered to pay, after an arbiter said the retail pharmacy chain overcharged Humana for prescription drugs for more than a decade.

By Rebecca Pifer • Jan. 9, 2024

‘Healthy pullback’: GSR Ventures’ Sunny Kumar on normalizing digital health funding, accelerating M&A in 2024

In part one of a three-part Q&A series, Sunny Kumar discusses digital healthcare investment, the landscape for M&A and when the public markets could open back up. 

By Emily Olsen • Jan. 5, 2024

CVS names Tom Cowhey permanent CFO

The company on Friday solidified what had been a temporary role for Cowhey, while sharing it expects enrollment in Medicare Advantage plans to exceed previous targets for 2024.

By Rebecca Pifer • Jan. 5, 2024

Walgreens nearly halfway through planned VillageMD clinic closures

The pharmacy chain announced last quarter that it would exit clinics in underperforming markets as it focuses on driving profitability in its healthcare segment.

By Emily Olsen • Jan. 4, 2024

Cano accelerates turnaround plan after NYSE delisting notice

The struggling primary care chain is now targeting $290 million in cost reductions by the end of this year.

By Emily Olsen • Jan. 3, 2024

Predictions on 2024 healthcare M&A trends: What leaders need to know

A shift in funding sources, new regulatory policies in Medicare and technology advances may influence M&A in the sector next year, according to Samantha Prokop from law firm Gunster, Yoakley & Stewart.

By Samantha L. Prokop • Dec. 22, 2023

Antitrust enforcements hit a high in 2022, with health deals impacted

The 2022 report comes after regulators finalized merger guidelines this week that could have a chilling effect on healthcare M&A.

By Susanna Vogel • Dec. 22, 2023

UnitedHealth, OptumRx sued by independent pharmacy over ‘unconscionable’ fees

Osterhaus Pharmacy in Iowa — which is also suing CVS Caremark — is taking issue with pharmacy benefit managers’ use of performance-based fees that it says are contributing to independent pharmacy closures.

By Rebecca Pifer • Dec. 20, 2023

Nasdaq says Veradigm won’t be delisted — for now

A Nasdaq panel ruled the healthcare IT company wouldn’t be delisted from the exchange as long as it complies with financial reporting requirements by late February.

By Emily Olsen • Dec. 14, 2023

Centene tries to quell concerns of ACA overhaul during investor day

The Affordable Care Act has been under fire from Republican presidential candidates heading into an election year. But “once you giveth you cannot taketh away,” said the head of external affairs for the major marketplace carrier.

By Rebecca Pifer • Dec. 13, 2023

KKR to acquire stake in healthcare data analytics firm Cotiviti

The purchase would give private equity firm KKR and existing owner Veritas Capital equal stakes in the company.

By Emily Olsen • Updated Feb. 16, 2024

Health costs grew in line with overall inflation in 2023, new Turquoise data shows

The findings — some of the first from new price transparency data — illustrate how overall economic inflation could be catching up to faster health cost growth.

By Rebecca Pifer • Dec. 12, 2023

Cerner will be a ‘growth story’ for Oracle after this fiscal year

Half of Cerner’s electronic health record customers will be on Oracle’s cloud infrastructure by February, leaders said on an earnings call. The transition has created some headwinds for the segment’s growth.

By Emily Olsen • Dec. 11, 2023

Boosted by federal funds, Mass General Brigham posts profit in FY 2023

The Boston-based operator posted a $432 million operating loss last year.

By Susanna Vogel • Dec. 11, 2023

Veradigm CEO, CFO step down amid financial reporting investigation

The health IT company has failed to meet financial reporting requirements that could lead to its delisting.

By Emily Olsen • Dec. 11, 2023

Cigna pulls out of Humana deal: WSJ

Cigna and Humana are abandoning merger discussions less than two weeks after news of the potential deal dropped, following a less-than-positive market reaction.

By Rebecca Pifer • Dec. 11, 2023

Steward Health Care to close Massachusetts hospital amid financial troubles

The for-profit operator said low reimbursement rates and financial challenges will cause it to shutter the 182-bed facility.

By Susanna Vogel • Dec. 6, 2023

Nonprofits’ 2024 outlook still ‘deteriorating,’ Fitch says

Next year will be another “make or break” year for the nonprofit sector, with success determined by hospitals' labor agenda.

By Susanna Vogel • Dec. 5, 2023

CVS overhauls how its retail pharmacies charge for prescription drugs

Under the new model, CVS’ pharmacy network will price drugs based on the amount the company paid for them, plus a defined markup and additional pharmacist fee.

By Rebecca Pifer • Dec. 5, 2023

Cleveland Clinic posts slimmer operating losses in Q3

The Ohio-based health system struggled financially during its fiscal year 2022. However, rising patient demand has since cut the nonprofit’s operating losses.

By Susanna Vogel • Dec. 4, 2023

Lifepoint Health and Ascension Saint Thomas announce joint venture

The health systems will jointly operate four-hospital Highpoint Health in Tennessee, though Lifepoint will retain majority ownership. 

By Susanna Vogel • Dec. 4, 2023

The next era of hospital, healthtech and outsourced provider partnerships

Engaged patients, employees and communities are crucial to building a stronger foundation of access, affordability and equality in care delivery.

By Kerry Jessani, Head of Healthcare, Higher Education & Not-for-Profit, and Lauren Ruane, Head of Healthcare Services at J.P. Morgan Commercial Banking, Middle Market Banking & Specialized Industries • Dec. 4, 2023

Providence, struggling to rebound, posts more losses in Q3

The Washington-based nonprofit battled rising expenses despite having targeted recovery plans in place.

By Susanna Vogel • Nov. 30, 2023