Health Law

C-suite execs want government action on rising healthcare costs, report finds

Business leaders overwhelmingly back policies to boost price transparency and antitrust enforcement to rein in the cost of coverage for employees, the Kaiser Family Foundation and Purchaser Business Group on Health poll found.

By Hailey Mensik • April 30, 2021

ACA navigator funds get massive boost to record level

The agency also said about 12 million people enrolled in an Affordable Care Act plan during the 2021 open enrollment period, a 5% increase from the year prior.

By Shannon Muchmore • April 22, 2021

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Trendline

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

Lawmakers urge HHS to conduct 'vigorous oversight' of hospital price posts after reports of noncompliance

Hospitals are now required to publicly post the prices they negotiate with insurers online, but noncompliance is common. A bipartisan group from the House voiced their discontent in a letter to HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra.

By Samantha Liss • April 14, 2021

Payer lobbies cheer new bipartisan bill allowing audio-only telehealth in MA

"Lawmakers have recognized the importance of telehealth, and this important legislation recognizes that for many seniors, a phone call is their only option for health care at home," AHIP CEO Matt Eyles said Wednesday.

By Rebecca Pifer • March 25, 2021

AHA urges strict antitrust review of UnitedHealth's $13B Change buy

The diversified health giant declined to comment directly on anticompetitive concerns, though an Optum spokesperson argued the two companies have "distinct and complementary capabilities."

By Rebecca Pifer • March 19, 2021

Becerra confirmed as HHS secretary

The 50-49 vote in the Senate was almost entirely along party lines. The only Republican to cross the aisle was Sen. Susan Collins of Maine.

By Shannon Muchmore • March 18, 2021

Q&A

Health Affairs' Alan Weil reflects on 1 year of COVID-19

The editor in chief of the respected industry journal spoke with Healthcare Dive about the role of equity in health research, the staying power of telemedicine and how to effectively communicate important public health messages.

By Shannon Muchmore • March 18, 2021

Despite pandemic, MedPAC advises few changes to 2022 provider payments

To the extent that the effects of the crisis are temporary and vary significantly depending on provider, they're best addressed through targeted yet temporary funding policies, the congressional advisers said in an annual report.

By Rebecca Pifer • March 16, 2021

COVID-19: 1 year later

For the healthcare industry, much has changed, and some of those alterations may be permanent. Hope is beginning to bloom as three coronavirus vaccines have been authorized for emergency use in the U.S.

Ohio sues Centene, alleging PBM practices led to millions in overpayments

The payer called the claims "unfounded" in a statement, and said it planned to aggressively defend the integrity of its pharmacy services in Ohio.

By Rebecca Pifer • March 12, 2021

Deep Dive

Hospitals lift curtain on prices, revealing giant swings in pricing by procedure

The eye-popping variations demonstrate "the total insanity of American healthcare pricing," Niall Brennan, CEO of the Health Care Cost Institute, said.

By Samantha Liss , Nami Sumida • March 11, 2021

Sutter's $575M antitrust settlement gains preliminary approval

To put the settlement in motion, it must first be approved by a judge. Tuesday's order moves the case one step closer to final approval.

By Samantha Liss • March 10, 2021

Georgia health systems discard merger plans, averting FTC challenge

The tie-up between two of the largest systems in central Georgia would have led to "significant harm" for area residents and businesses in the form of higher healthcare costs, the agency alleged.

By Samantha Liss • March 04, 2021

Support for telehealth Medicare reimbursement gains steam in Congress

Tuesday's House committee mirrored similar Senate panels, in that a permanent expansion to a greater swath of the population enjoys bipartisan support, but legislators are split on what form it should take. 

By Rebecca Pifer • March 03, 2021

Becerra nomination heads to full Senate vote

The 51-48 vote Thursday means arguments and a full floor vote on the nominee will now be scheduled. The only Republican to approve of advancing Becerra was Sen. Susan Collins of Maine.

By Shannon Muchmore • UPDATED: March 11, 2021 at 1 p.m.

Deep Dive

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.

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

SCOTUS drops Medicaid work requirement arguments at Biden administration's request

The administration is in the process of reversing the policy, which 12 states received federal approval to test. No such programs are currently active, having run into legal and administrative challenges even prior to the pandemic.

By Rebecca Pifer • UPDATED: March 11, 2021 at 11:07 a.m.

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.