Policy & Regulation

Becerra tells Californians to dispute COVID-19 fees from providers

Patients charged a "COVID fee" from a recent visit should contact their insurer and request a reimbursement, according to a statement from the state's attorney general, who is the nominee for HHS secretary.

By Hailey Mensik • March 04, 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

Explore the Trendline➔

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

FDA lays out data modernization action plan

"Even small advances in our ability to gain useful insights from data can represent significant opportunities," agency officials wrote in a blog post.

By Nick Paul Taylor • March 04, 2021

Merck to help J&J make vaccine doses in White House-brokered deal

Merck will lend J&J the use of two separate facilities in the unusual agreement, which was brokered by the Biden administration and could help double supply of the one-dose shot.

By Jonathan Gardner • UPDATED: March 2, 2021 at 5:16 p.m.

Becerra's HHS secretary bid moves forward on tie committee vote

White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Wednesday the president remained "confidently behind the nomination" despite the close committee vote.

By Shannon Muchmore • UPDATED: March 4, 2021 at 8:49 a.m.

One Medical CEO says 'we are not perfect,' vows to improve amid Congress probe

"We remain committed to taking a hard look at our efforts and finding ways to continuously improve," Amir Dan Rubin said amid reports the primary care chain gave the coronavirus vaccine to ineligible people.

By Rebecca Pifer • UPDATED: March 5, 2021 at 8:48 a.m.

FDA authorizes J&J's 1-shot coronavirus vaccine

The agency's emergency clearance makes J&J's vaccine the third available in the U.S., adding much-needed reinforcements at a critical time.

By Ned Pagliarulo • UPDATED: March 1, 2021 at 9:19 a.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

Former Senate aide Elizabeth Fowler to lead CMS innovation center

As head of the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation, the former chief health counsel to Democrats will oversee a $10 billion fund to test new payment models.

By Rebecca Pifer • 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.

CMS moves to stop COVID-19 testing denials, cost sharing in private plans

Congress required comprehensive health plans to cover COVID-19 tests without cost sharing, prior authorization or medical management last year, only for guidance to create uncertainty about the rules.

By Nick Paul Taylor • March 01, 2021

Hospitals likely upcoding severity levels for Medicare patients, OIG says

The most expensive hospital stays increased 20% over the six years studied, which were before the COVID-19 pandemic began, according to the report.

By Ron Shinkman • Feb. 26, 2021

FDA panel backs J&J's coronavirus vaccine, clearing way for shot's authorization

In a unanimous vote, the panel of experts gave a green light to the FDA for clearing J&J's shot, judging the benefits of vaccination outweigh its risk.

By Ned Pagliarulo • Feb. 26, 2021

FDA advisers meet to review J&J's one-shot coronavirus vaccine

Friday's advisory committee meeting is one of the last steps in the FDA's review and could clear the way for an emergency authorization within days.

By Ben Fidler , Ned Pagliarulo , Jonathan Gardner • UPDATED: Feb. 26, 2021 at 11:10 a.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

FDA review supports safety, efficacy of J&J coronavirus vaccine

Agency scientists noted the shot's strong protection against severe COVID-19, even for the virus variant first detected in South Africa and known to weaken vaccine potency.

By Ned Pagliarulo , Jonathan Gardner • Feb. 24, 2021

FDA lays out shortened path for testing vaccines against new coronavirus variants

Lengthy trials won't be needed for updating shots against emerging viral strains, the agency told developers in newly published guidance.

By Ned Pagliarulo • Feb. 23, 2021

Becerra embraces healthcare antitrust record at first Senate hearing

Sen. Richard Burr, R-N.C., gave a taste of GOP opposition to the nominee for HHS Secretary on Tuesday by accusing him of disregarding the value of private sector innovation.

By Shannon Muchmore • Feb. 23, 2021

FDA starts review of how skin pigmentation affects pulse oximeter results

The agency is evaluating published literature related to factors that may affect device accuracy and performance following pressure from senators to address concerns that "racism may be embedded in key clinical tools."

By Nick Paul Taylor • Feb. 22, 2021

Why this week's FDA meeting on J&J's coronavirus vaccine will be important

The FDA is widely expected to authorize the drugmaker's one-dose shot. But the advisory committee meeting beforehand will offer a window into debate over several key issues.

By Ben Fidler , Ned Pagliarulo • Feb. 22, 2021

Hospital admissions not linked to COVID-19 fell dramatically in fall, especially in Midwest

The latest analysis from the Kaiser Family Foundation gives a fuller picture of how the pandemic affected inpatient volume throughout 2020, focusing on trends by age, sex and region.

By Samantha Liss • Feb. 18, 2021

Obama admin alum Chiquita Brooks-LaSure picked to head CMS

Brooks-LaSure will have a lot on her plate. Biden during his campaign ran on expanding the role of the Affordable Care Act and perhaps attempting to build in a public option or lowered Medicare age eligibility.

By Shannon Muchmore • UPDATED: Feb. 19, 2021 at 11:14 a.m.

Q&A

Don Rucker reflects on highs and lows of tenure as ONC head and the future of health IT

In this exit interview, Rucker, who has been national coordinator since 2017, looked back on his time at the agency and predicted what industry might expect from the Biden administration.

By Rebecca Pifer • Feb. 17, 2021

One-third of US adults postponed care during pandemic: reports

Substantial portions of those who delayed or put off services had one or more chronic health conditions, with many reporting health worsened as a result, researchers from the Urban Institute and RWJF found.

By Ron Shinkman • Feb. 16, 2021