Government
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CMS suspends new Medicare enrollment of hospice, home health providers
The agency is halting enrollments for six months as part of the Trump administration’s broader attempt to crack down on fraud in government healthcare programs. Hospice and home health groups said they largely supported the moratorium.
By Emily Olsen • May 13, 2026 -
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FDA chief Marty Makary resigns from agency, ending tumultuous tenure
Makary’s exit ends a turbulent run marred by leadership upheaval, mass layoffs, political pressure and public spats with drugmakers.
By Ben Fidler • May 12, 2026 -
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TrendlineSurprise 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 -
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Feds propose rule to help employers expand fertility benefit coverage
The proposal addresses a key plank in President Donald Trump’s labor agenda and would exempt fertility benefits from the requirements of some federal health coverage laws.
By Ryan Golden • May 11, 2026 -
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MACPAC calls for increased transparency in Medicaid AI prior authorization
The influential advisory group is recommending policies to boost human oversight and visibility into how Medicaid plans are using the technology, in a bid to prevent risks like inaccuracies or data bias.
By Emily Olsen • May 11, 2026 -
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Federation of American Hospitals taps new government relations head
Elizabeth Schwartz will head up government relations at the for-profit hospital trade association as health systems brace for federal funding cuts.
By Sydney Halleman • May 8, 2026 -
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Healthcare sector continues to buoy job growth
“Remove healthcare from the equation, and the US labor market is actually losing more than it is gaining,” one economist said.
By Kathryn Moody • May 8, 2026 -
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FDA warns of neurosurgical supply disruptions
Interruptions in the supply of neurosurgical patties, sponges and strips are expected to continue through 2026.
By Elise Reuter • May 6, 2026 -
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DOJ launches strike force targeting West Coast healthcare fraud
The strike force allows the department's healthcare fraud unit to coordinate with U.S. attorney’s offices in Arizona, Nevada and the Northern District of California, where the DOJ says fraud schemes are increasing.
By Emily Olsen • May 4, 2026 -
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How states are planning to implement Medicaid work requirements: survey
Most states are planning to adopt less restrictive policies to verify compliance with work requirements mandated by the “Big Beautiful Bill,” but some are implementing the policies early or checking eligibility more frequently.
By Emily Olsen • May 4, 2026 -
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Supreme Court temporarily restores mail-order access to abortion drug
On Monday morning, the Supreme Court paused a lower court’s decision that effectively banned the mailing of mifepristone, after makers of the abortion drug asked the nation’s highest court to intervene.
By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • Updated May 4, 2026 -
Retrieved from Carol M. Highsmith.
Nebraska rolls out Medicaid work requirements, putting tens of thousands at risk of coverage losses
The Cornhusker State is the first to roll out work requirements under the GOP’s “Big Beautiful Bill,” well in advance of the law’s 2027 deadline. Between 20,000 and 40,000 people are expected to lose Medicaid as a result.
By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • May 1, 2026 -
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Education Department caps graduate student loans, hitting health workforce
The agency kept a contested definition of “professional” student that excludes fields like graduate nursing and physical therapy from higher loan caps. Healthcare groups say the regulation could worsen workforce shortages.
By Ben Unglesbee • April 30, 2026 -
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Consumer health data’s regulatory patchwork is growing. Relief isn’t coming.
Healthcare organizations are struggling to navigate the compliance landscape amid a pullback in federal enforcement, a wave of state legislation and emerging voluntary initiatives, experts say.
By Michael Brady • April 30, 2026 -
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Health disparities persist across states and may widen further with federal cuts: report
Native, Hispanic and Black communities experienced worse health access and affordability issues than white people in most states, according to a new report from the Commonwealth Fund.
By Sydney Halleman • April 29, 2026 -
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Health system CEOs in hot seat over their role in raising healthcare prices
During a high-profile congressional hearing on Tuesday, one lawmaker said hospitals charge "an insane amount" for care. Still, the CEOs largely passed the buck, arguing their prices are justified.
By Anuja Vaidya • April 29, 2026 -
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Medicare AI prior authorization pilot delaying care in Washington: report
The report compiled by Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., found procedures in the state that were previously approved in two weeks now take four to eight weeks to be authorized.
By Emily Olsen • Updated April 27, 2026 -
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FTC, US Anesthesia Partners reach settlement in Texas price collusion case
The private equity-backed anesthesia provider bought and bullied its way to market dominance in Texas, driving up prices for patients, the FTC alleged. The parties have now reached a deal, though USAP will not admit liability.
By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • April 24, 2026 -
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CMS, FDA unveil speedier Medicare coverage pathway for breakthrough devices
The pathway is designed to reduce the delay between FDA authorization and Medicare coverage for certain Class II and Class III breakthrough medical devices.
By Ricky Zipp • April 23, 2026 -
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AMA urges lawmakers to implement safeguards on AI chatbots
Though chatbots could have some benefits for mental health access, the physician lobby argued “immediate attention is required” to avoid harming patients looking for support.
By Emily Olsen • April 23, 2026 -
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Prices rose after No Surprises arbitration for some care: analysis
The data compiled by the Brookings Center on Health Policy shows that average arbitration prices for some services like imaging were seven times higher than Medicare prices.
By Sydney Halleman • April 22, 2026 -
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Moderna, after losing US funding, rebounds to start mRNA bird flu vaccine trial
A program that got caught up in HHS’ decision to abandon mRNA research was revived by a public-private coalition and is now beginning a large, late-stage test that could support a future approval.
By Kristin Jensen • April 22, 2026 -
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Providers push back on 340B rebate model
Hospitals and clinics told regulators that switching to rebates in the 340B drug discount program would impose costs that would outweigh the program’s benefits.
By Sydney Halleman • April 21, 2026 -
Judge dismisses Aetna’s No Surprises fraud suit against Radiology Partners
The insurer accused the radiology group of gaming the No Surprises Act to reap higher reimbursement. A judge tossed the case last week, saying Aetna needed to raise its complaints during the dispute resolution process.
By Emily Olsen • April 20, 2026 -
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RFK Jr. defends HHS tenure, 12% proposed budget cut
Republicans largely praised the HHS secretary’s track record during a marathon of House hearings last week, but some GOP lawmakers raised concerns about proposed budget cuts to the National Institutes of Health.
By Emily Olsen • April 20, 2026 -
Sponsored by PhRMA
Times up: Hospitals and the 340B markup program need reforms
Bipartisan agreement. Lowering costs for patients. Saving money for taxpayers. Fix 340B.
April 20, 2026
