Government


  • elizabeth warren
    Image attribution tooltip
    Spencer Platt via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Democrat senators accuse PE-backed US Anesthesia Partners of anticompetitive business practices

    Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Richard Blumenthal sent a letter to USAP on Sunday alleging the company leverages its monopoly power to inflate prices. USAP is currently facing a federal suit over the allegations.

    By Nov. 28, 2023
  • Image attribution tooltip
    Fotolia
    Image attribution tooltip

    340B drug discount program yields mixed evidence on how hospitals use funds

    Researchers reviewed almost 300 pieces of literature on 340B and found some studies suggested hospitals were using savings from the program for purposes “seemingly unrelated” to patient care.

    By Nov. 27, 2023
  • Trendline

    Labor

    Amid a surge in COVID-19 cases, hospitals need nurses so desparetly they're offering massive sign-on bonuses and staffing firms say open positions for both temporary and permanent nursing roles are at all-time highs.

    By Healthcare Dive staff
  • The Federal Trade Commission's building sign.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Gromit702 via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    FTC sues to block John Muir Health’s acquisition of Tenet hospital

    Regulators allege the $142.5 million deal to buy the remaining stake in San Ramon Regional Medical Center would further reduce competition and drive up prices.

    By Nov. 20, 2023
  • Image attribution tooltip
    Win McNamee via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Top FDA official Woodcock to retire early next year

    The 37-year veteran helmed the agency’s pandemic response, and was a key decision-maker in controversial calls on opioids, an Alzheimer's therapy and muscular dystrophy drugs.

    By Jonathan Gardner • Nov. 16, 2023
  • A depiction of computer hardware.
    Image attribution tooltip
    solarseven via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    FDA-ordered report tackles how to manage cybersecurity risks of legacy devices

    The report proposes multiple actions for protecting older medical devices, including research into more modular devices and collecting data on cyber risks.

    By Nick Paul Taylor • Nov. 16, 2023
  • A picture of the exterior of the US Department of Health and Human Services. In front of the building is a black sign designating the building's name.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Alex Wong via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    CMS proposes stricter network adequacy standards for plans in state-run ACA exchanges

    Beginning in 2025, plans sold in state-based exchanges would be required to meet time and distance standards for provider access under a new rule proposed Wednesday.

    By Nov. 16, 2023
  • The sign of the Veterans Affairs Department is hung on the podium during a news conference at Veterans Affairs Department September 8, 2014
    Image attribution tooltip
    Alex Wong via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    ‘Finger-pointing and blame-shifting’: House subcommittee voices frustration over VA Oracle EHR rollout

    Witnesses at the hearing said system performance has improved, but lawmakers called the persistent outages “unacceptable.”

    By Nov. 15, 2023
  • Shot of a young male nurse helping an elderly patient stand.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Adene Sanchez via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Biden administration finalizes rule requiring nursing homes disclose ownership

    The rule comes amid growing concerns about the role of private equity firm ownership in nursing homes.

    By Nov. 15, 2023
  • Shot of an unrecognizable person on a videocall with a doctor - stock photo
    Image attribution tooltip
    PeopleImages via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Senate subcommittee signals support for permanent telehealth flexibilities

    But witnesses noted Congress shouldn’t wait to enshrine pandemic-era accommodations for virtual care, arguing regulatory uncertainty is a danger to telehealth’s longevity.

    By Nov. 15, 2023
  • a medicaid insurance card on top of a small American flag
    Image attribution tooltip
    Kameleon007 via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    State Medicaid officials project enrollment nosedive next year amid unwinding

    Enrollment in the safety-net insurance program could plummet 8.6% in the 2024 fiscal year — the largest year-over-year drop since 1998, according to KFF.

    By Nov. 14, 2023
  • Woman in a black suit stands behind a podium with a sign that reads "enhancing cybersecurity protecting New Yorkers."
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Darren McGee/ Office of Governor Kathy Hochul
    Image attribution tooltip

    New York proposes ‘nation-leading’ hospital cybersecurity regulations

    The rules, which would require facilities to develop response plans and hire a chief information security officer, aim to safeguard hospitals from growing threats and keep them operating during an attack.

    By Nov. 13, 2023
  • Laptop, stethoscope and doctor writing in notebook for research planning or medical tech innovation in hospital office.
    Image attribution tooltip
    PeopleImages via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Senate subcommittee mulls guardrails for healthcare AI

    The technology could reduce clinicians’ administrative work or speed drug discovery, but the rapidly evolving field may need more human oversight to prevent harm, lawmakers and witnesses said.

    By Nov. 9, 2023
  • The Federal Trade Commission headquarters is pictured in Washington, D.C. The agency's proposed noncompete ban may face legal challenges on several grounds.
    Image attribution tooltip
    RiverNorthPhotography via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    FTC challenges patents held by nine big drugmakers, citing unfair competition

    The agency claims intellectual property for emergency allergy shot EpiPen and asthma medication Advair was “improperly listed” in a Food and Drug Administration database.

    By Jonathan Gardner • Nov. 8, 2023
  • Hospital workers evacuate a patient from NYU Langone Medical Center during Hurricane Sandy the evening of October 29, 2012 in New York City.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Michael Heiman / Staff via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip
    Deep Dive

    Preparing for the future: Hospital climate resilience plans challenged by cost, uncertainty

    As extreme weather events caused by climate change ramp up in frequency, hospitals are struggling with financial and data challenges in disaster planning.

    By Nov. 7, 2023
  • Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Biden administration proposes capping broker payment in MA, following pressure

    The new proposed rule is meant to stop brokers from steering beneficiaries to plans based on excessive compensation. It’s regulators’ latest move to curb Medicare Advantage marketing misconduct following a push from lawmakers.

    By Nov. 7, 2023
  • a medicaid insurance card on top of a small American flag
    Image attribution tooltip
    Kameleon007 via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Medicaid disenrollments pass 10M as states continue eligibility checks

    States have assessed the eligibility of 28 million Americans to date, and terminated coverage for 35% of them, according to the latest data from KFF.

    By Nov. 6, 2023
  • A calculator and stethoscope rest on a medical bill.
    Image attribution tooltip
    erdikocak via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Minnesota law kicks in requiring hospitals to bolster charity care checks prior to debt collections

    As of Wednesday, Minnesota hospitals must check patients' financial assistance eligibility prior to sending debts to collections, as a part of a multi-year push around charity care oversight. 

    By Nov. 3, 2023
  • The HHS in DC
    Image attribution tooltip
    Alex Wong / Staff via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    CMS finalizes 2024 Medicare hospital, doctor payments, 340B fix and price transparency requirements

    Regulators finalized a number of rules Thursday with sweeping implications for providers in the Medicare program, including rates for next year that doctors and hospitals slammed as insufficient.

    By Nov. 3, 2023
  • Close up shiny wooden law gavel in dark brown color on top of a wooden table in an office.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Stock Photo via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    AHA, hospitals sue Biden administration to stop restrictions on website tracking tech

    The lawsuit filed on Thursday alleges the agency overstepped when issuing guidance seeking to limit hospitals’ use of third-party tracking technologies.

    By Nov. 3, 2023
  • An image of a gavel and stethoscope.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Moussa81 via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    North Carolina AG threatens lawsuit against HCA

    The massive for-profit operator has allegedly shuttered services at Mission Health, the hospital system it acquired in 2019, violating the terms of its purchase agreement.

    By Nov. 2, 2023
  • President Joe Biden signs a piece of paper while seated.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    White House orders HHS to collect reports on healthcare AI safety

    President Joe Biden outlined the planned program as part of an executive order on “safe, secure, and trustworthy” artificial intelligence.

    By Nick Paul Taylor • Nov. 1, 2023
  • A single opened padlock glows red among rows of closed blue padlocks.
    Image attribution tooltip
    JuSun via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    HHS announces first ransomware settlement

    Doctors’ Management Services agreed to settle claims it did not comply with HIPAA breach rules and failed to identify risks after a cyberattack exposed the information of more than 200,000 patients.

    By Nov. 1, 2023
  • Patients wait to check-in at a line of kiosks to get vaccinated.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Sergio Flores/Getty Images via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip
    Tracker

    Tracking healthcare data breaches

    A breach at a vision benefits vendor exposed the data of more than 636,000 Blue Shield of California members in the spring.

    By , Updated 3 hours ago
  • Stethoscope lying on top of dollar bills
    Image attribution tooltip
    Sensay via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Biden administration overhauls surprise billing resolution process amid controversy

    Regulators proposed a rule on Friday meant to make payment dispute resolutions more fair and efficient following more than a year of industry complaints.

    By Oct. 30, 2023
  • A piggy bank rests near a stethoscope.
    Image attribution tooltip
    marchmeena29 via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Guidance change threatens hospital 340B drug discounts

    The Health Resources and Services Administration is once again requiring hospitals to register outpatient clinics and list them on Medicare cost reports, setting a higher bar for eligibility in the drug discount program.

    By Oct. 27, 2023