Government
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Deep Dive // HIMSS24
‘As fast as possible but no faster than is safe’: Hospitals, tech companies confront AI governance
Regulators seeking to erect guardrails around AI are facing a Sisyphean task, experts said at HIMSS. How do you oversee something that is constantly changing?
By Rebecca Pifer • March 18, 2024 -
CMS releases Medicaid payment flexibilities during Change cyberattack
The relief comes as 94% of hospitals reported financial impact from the outage, according to a survey from the American Hospital Association.
By Emily Olsen • March 18, 2024 -
Trendline
Surprise Billing
Federal legislation banning surprise bills has hit a barrage of roadblocks, complicating efforts to protect consumers from unexpected out-of-network charges.
By Healthcare Dive staff -
Government watchdog warns of Medicaid oversight gaps
The CMS doesn’t require states to report data on outcomes or care denials, and has made “delayed” progress on plans to analyze the information and make it public, according to the Government Accountability Office.
By Rebecca Pifer • March 18, 2024 -
Q&A // HIMSS24
Microsoft’s health VP takes on responsible AI
David Rhew talks about Microsoft's new AI governance network and federal regulators’ plan to more actively oversee the technology.
By Rebecca Pifer • March 18, 2024 -
HHS opens investigation into Change Healthcare cyberattack
The Office for Civil Rights will focus on whether protected health information was breached and if UnitedHealth complied with privacy and security requirements.
By Emily Olsen • March 14, 2024 -
Q&A
Center for Connected Health Policy’s Mei Kwong on what to expect for telehealth regulations
Some telehealth provisions could expire by the end of the year unless Congress makes them permanent.
By Brian T. Horowitz • March 14, 2024 -
HIMSS24
HHS artificial intelligence task force takes shape
The new group will stand up “assurance, monitoring, risk-management practices” around AI in healthcare, according to a top HHS official.
By Rebecca Pifer • March 14, 2024 -
Continuous Medicaid enrollment linked to less postpartum coverage loss, study finds
States that have expanded Medicaid for a year after pregnancy might see similar coverage gains, researchers wrote.
By Emily Olsen • March 13, 2024 -
Biden’s proposed budget for 2025 boosts cybersecurity funds, extends ACA subsidies
The budget request includes proposals for “Medicaid-like” coverage in non-expansion states and future penalties for hospitals that don’t implement cybersecurity standards.
By Emily Olsen • March 13, 2024 -
White House meets with UnitedHealth, industry groups on Change cyberattack fallout
Officials called on payers to cut red tape and offer financial support to providers, including advanced payments.
By Emily Olsen • March 13, 2024 -
Biden proposes strengthening Medicare’s drug pricing power
The administration seeks to significantly increase the number of drugs each year that would be subjected to price negotiations under provisions of the Inflation Reduction Act.
By Kristin Jensen • March 7, 2024 -
House committee advances bill to block nursing home staffing standards
In a 26-17 vote, the House Ways and Means Committee passed a bill that would stop the CMS from approving Biden’s controversial proposed staffing minimum policy.
By Susanna Vogel • March 7, 2024 -
Federal government probes healthcare private equity deals
The cross-agency investigation comes as scrutiny rises regarding corporate consolidation in healthcare.
By Susanna Vogel • March 6, 2024 -
Dexcom receives FDA clearance for first OTC glucose sensor
The diabetes tech firm tailored its software to the 25 million people in the U.S. who have Type 2 diabetes and do not use insulin.
By Nick Paul Taylor • March 6, 2024 -
CMS rolls out provider flexibilities amid fallout from Change cyberattack
Provider groups argued the government should go further to financially bolster providers during the outage at Change Healthcare.
By Emily Olsen • March 5, 2024 -
Elevance gains $190M on revised MA star ratings
It’s a positive development for the insurer, which sued the government earlier this year after its quality scores fell dramatically.
By Rebecca Pifer • March 5, 2024 -
Hospital price transparency compliance dips: report
Lenient regulatory enforcement has led hospitals to disregard price transparency requirements, according to watchdog group Patient Rights Advocate.
By Susanna Vogel • March 4, 2024 -
Molina loses Medicaid contract in Virginia
It’s the second recent Medicaid state loss for Molina, despite executives expressing confidence about the insurer’s ability to retain contracts.
By Rebecca Pifer • March 1, 2024 -
UnitedHealth under antitrust investigation by DOJ: reports
Regulators are reportedly looking into the massive healthcare conglomerate’s potential anticompetitive effects, including the relationship between its health insurer UnitedHealthcare and physician network Optum.
By Rebecca Pifer • Feb. 28, 2024 -
Lobby-funded study argues Medicare Advantage rate cuts are worse than CMS expects
Medicare Advantage payment per month per beneficiary could drop by 1% next year if regulators finalize rates as proposed, according to the analysis backed by the Better Medicare Alliance.
By Rebecca Pifer • Feb. 27, 2024 -
False claims settlements in healthcare reached $1.8B in fiscal year 2023
According to the Department of Justice, enforcement in Medicare Advantage is of “critical importance” as the number of beneficiaries in the privatized insurance program swells.
By Emily Olsen • Feb. 26, 2024 -
CHS hit with Justice Department investigation
Federal regulators are seeking information about the for-profit hospital operator's inpatient admissions and dialysis processes and procedures.
By Susanna Vogel • Updated Feb. 23, 2024 -
State attorneys general urge PBM reform
The letter, sent on behalf of 39 state attorneys general to leaders in Congress, comes as lawmakers consider legislation to regulate the pharmacy middlemen.
By Sydney Halleman • Feb. 23, 2024 -
HHS reaches second-ever ransomware settlement
A mental healthcare provider didn’t have sufficient protections in place before a ransomware attack exposed the protected health information of more than 14,000 people, according to the HHS’ Office for Civil Rights.
By Emily Olsen • Feb. 22, 2024 -
Steward Health Care gets ultimatum from Massachusetts governor
Gov. Maura Healey sent a letter to Steward executives this week saying the operator must produce financial documents and consider a sale of its properties in the state.
By Susanna Vogel • Feb. 21, 2024