Health Law

4 healthcare antitrust issues to watch

The FTC is looking to get more aggressive with anticompetitive tie-ups while states eye ways to beef up oversight. And if handed the reins of HHS, Xavier Becerra would likely put an antitrust lens to potential rules.

By Samantha Liss • March 01, 2021

FTC abandons challenge to Jefferson Health-Einstein merger, allowing deal to proceed

The union between the two Philadelphia providers, first announced two years ago, is now expected to close within six months.

By Samantha Liss • UPDATED: March 1, 2021 at 1:29 p.m.

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Labor

While labor strife among healthcare workers is hardly new, the COVID-19 pandemic brought new issues to the table, including re-use of personal protective equipment and other safety measures.

By Healthcare Dive staff

Becerra distances himself from 'Medicare for All,' appears on track for confirmation

The nominee to run HHS also voiced support for expanded reimbursement of virtual care beyond the COVID-19 pandemic. "I don't think we're going back to the old days when it comes to telehealth," he said Wednesday.

By Shannon Muchmore • Feb. 25, 2021

Becerra backs price transparency, provider competition at first Senate panel

President Joe Biden's pick for HHS chief turns Wednesday to the finance panel, which will vote on sending the nomination to the full Senate.

By Shannon Muchmore • Feb. 24, 2021

Biden asks SCOTUS to drop Medicaid work requirement arguments

The high court has already canceled some oral arguments defending Trump-era policies, including a suit defending Mexico border wall funding and another forcing migrants to wait in Mexico while their asylum claims are processed.

By Rebecca Pifer • Feb. 23, 2021

Fitch: Biden's healthcare plans could boost nonprofit hospitals

The ratings agency cited administration plans to bolster the Affordable Care Act, which could reverse the increased number of uninsured people, as among the factors driving brighter prospects.

By Ron Shinkman • Feb. 04, 2021

How might Xavier Becerra operate as HHS Secretary?

The nominee has made headlines since leaving the House of Representatives, in part by leading blue state efforts to defend the ACA. Less high-profile, perhaps, were his efforts to block major hospital mergers in California.

By Ron Shinkman • Feb. 01, 2021

Biden to create new enrollment period for ACA exchanges

While most state-based exchanges created special enrollment periods earlier in the COVID-19 pandemic, CMS under former President Donald Trump resisted calls to do so as his administration fought the landmark law in the courts.

By Shannon Muchmore • Jan. 26, 2021

Biden gives OSHA 2 weeks to issue new coronavirus guidance

The president also asked the agency to reconsider its decision to skip emergency temporary standards.

By Kate Tornone • Jan. 25, 2021

Biden faces many healthcare challenges as he takes the helm at an unprecedented time

The former senator and vice president has been sworn in as the 46th president of the United States while the country grapples with one of the biggest health crises in its history.

ACA plan enrollment for 2021 ticked up slightly

Of the total, 23% of consumers were new and the rest renewed coverage. Repeat consumers who actively chose a new plan and those who were automatically re-enrolled both increased.

By Shannon Muchmore • Jan. 14, 2021

Hospitals lose another attempt to stave off price transparency

A judge wrote that the American Hospital Association's arguments, including that some rates are unknowable, "miss the mark." Facilities are now required to disclose negotiated rates with insurers.

By Samantha Liss • Dec. 29, 2020

HCA, nurses avert holiday strike with last-minute contract deal

Nurses at three Southern California hospitals will vote on the agreement Tuesday and Wednesday, likely holding off a work stoppage that was set to start Christmas Eve.

By Hailey Mensik • Dec. 21, 2020

Provider-friendly surprise billing fix, more funds for hospitals in year-end spending bill

The final fix included in the legislation is almost exactly the same as the initial proposal greenlit last week by key congressional leaders, but includes additional concessions for providers.

By Rebecca Pifer • Dec. 21, 2020

Providers stumble in efforts to avoid HIPAA breaches: OCR

Although a survey did not find any glaring security lapses, the agency did find little adherence to some collateral safeguards, such as how patients are provided notifications regarding privacy practices.

By Ron Shinkman • Dec. 17, 2020

Illinois health regulators block Mercy hospital closure

The hospital on Chicago's South Side wanted to end inpatient services, but a board shot down the plans amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Health system executives want to pivot to an outpatient model of care. 

By Samantha Liss • Dec. 16, 2020

Bipartisan agreement on provider-friendly surprise billing deal ups chance of passage

Disputes between health insurers and providers on how much to pay would be settled by an independent arbiter. The approach is favored by providers, while insurers back tying payments to median in-network rates.

By Rebecca Pifer • Dec. 14, 2020

HHS finalizes dispute resolution for 340B program

Claims involving an overcharge of $25,000 or more can be submitted. Hospital groups did not react warmly to the announcement.

By Ron Shinkman • Dec. 11, 2020

Supreme Court rejects PBMs' bid to block state rate regulation

The unanimous 8-0 decision against pharmacy benefit manager lobby PCMA could lead to other states regulating PBMs in ways similar to a 2015 Arkansas law that prevailed in this case.

By Samantha Liss • Dec. 11, 2020

FTC loses bid to stop Philadelphia hospital merger

The agency has reached an agreement with Jefferson Health to bar its acquisition of Albert Einstein Healthcare Network until 11:59 p.m. on Monday.

By Samantha Liss • UPDATED: Dec. 15, 2020 at 9:08 a.m.

Supreme Court to hear arguments on Medicaid work requirements

If President-elect Joe Biden's administration rolls back the waivers, however, it could render the case moot by the time it lands before the high court for oral arguments.

By Samantha Liss • Dec. 07, 2020

FTC moves to block New Jersey hospital acquisition

It's the third hospital acquisition the agency has attempted to block this year. In each case, it has argued the deal would eliminate close competitors and lead to higher costs and lower quality of care.

By Samantha Liss • Dec. 04, 2020

Payer participation in ACA exchanges rises for third year in a row: KFF

The Kaiser Family Foundation found 30 insurers joined the marketplace across 20 states, while another 61 expanded in existing regions for the 2021 plan year.

By Rebecca Pifer • Nov. 25, 2020

COVID-19 is making it harder for some middle income patients to pay premiums, deductibles: report

The economic impact from COVID-19 could make it harder for workers to pay for their share of employee-sponsored healthcare coverage, a survey from The Commonwealth Fund found.

By Ron Shinkman • Nov. 24, 2020

FTC signals nurses' wages will become important measure in antitrust enforcement

The agency has largely focused on the impact mergers have on prices. This new tactic could give it another legal argument to challenge tie-ups.

By Samantha Liss • Nov. 19, 2020