Government: Page


  • Senate leadership hopes for a tax bill vote this week

    The $1.5 trillion tax reform bill includes provisions that would affect healthcare, including a repeal of the ACA's individual mandate.  

    By Les Masterson • Nov. 28, 2017
  • 13 hospitals added to Rural Community Hospital Demonstration

    The program, which now has 30 participating hospitals, reimburses inpatient services at the actual cost of care.

    By Les Masterson • Nov. 27, 2017
  • 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
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    ACA enrollment up, but may not overcome shorter signup period

    Nearly 2.3 million Americans signed up for ACA plan coverage through Nov. 18, which is about 200,000 more compared to the first 26 days of open enrollment last year.

    By Les Masterson • Nov. 27, 2017
  • VA's Shulkin wants to boost use of private care

    The VA has been moving toward more consumer choice in healthcare for some time.

    By Nov. 22, 2017
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    Report: Supportive policies needed to advance connected health technologies

    Top priorities include reimbursement, remote patient monitoring and interoperability.

    By Nov. 22, 2017
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    Healthcare leaders call for transparency, timely data in CMMI models

    CMS Administrator Seema Verma has asked for feedback as she looks to reshape the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation. 

    By Les Masterson • Nov. 22, 2017
  • States that run their own exchanges have lower uninsured rates

    States using the federal exchange have double the uninsured rate through the first six months of this year compared to states that have their own exchange, according to the CDC.

    By Les Masterson • Nov. 22, 2017
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    Nurses slam AMA for stance against independent practice for nonphysicians

    The American Association of Nurse Practitioners says the AMA is putting the financial interest of doctors ahead of patient care.

    By Nov. 21, 2017
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    Report: Costs of opioid crisis have been underestimated

    The White House Council of Economic Advisers says the cost of the opioid crisis in 2015 totaled $504 billion with more than 33,000 Americans having died of an opioid-related drug overdose.

    By David Lim • Nov. 21, 2017
  • Medicare beneficiaries to see some cost increases next year

    Some Medicare Part B enrollees will see a premium increase in 2018. 

    By Les Masterson • Nov. 20, 2017
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    Report names opioid crisis major challenge for HHS

    A recent OIG report, which identified the top 10 challenges HHS faces in 2017, also pointed to fiscal management of Medicare and Medicaid as a top area of concern.

    By David Lim • Nov. 20, 2017
  • Deep Dive

    Why payers are flocking to the Medicare Advantage market

    The CMS predicts more than one-third of all Medicare enrollees will be in MA plans next year.

    By Les Masterson • Nov. 20, 2017
  • California fines Anthem $5M for systemic grievance system violations

    The state has fined the payer $11.66 million for grievance system violations since 2002.

    By Les Masterson • Nov. 17, 2017
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    Hospitals facing IV solution shortages after Hurricane Maria

    The FDA has granted one of the largest manufacturers of IV solutions permission to import IV bags from its facilities in other countries.

    By David Lim • Nov. 16, 2017
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    FDA greenlights first 'smart' pill

    Abilify MyCite contains an ingestible sensor that tracks if and when patients take their medication.

    By Nov. 15, 2017
  • Deep Dive

    What you need to know about the new nominee to lead HHS

    Alex Azar's previous stint at the agency is a plus in the eyes of many, but his more recent time as an executive for pharma giant Eli Lilly casts doubt on the Trump administration's promise to rein in drug prices.

    By Nov. 15, 2017
  • Healthcare startup Forward expands into Los Angeles

    Former Google employee Adrian Aoun founded the startup. 

    By Les Masterson • Nov. 15, 2017
  • Individual mandate repeal included in latest tax bill draft

    CBO has said eliminating the ACA's individual mandate would result in 14 million people losing coverage by 2025 and premium increases of about 20%.

    By Nov. 15, 2017
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    Study raises concerns about mortality risks in readmissions penalty program

    Recent research found that while heart failure patients were less likely to be readmitted since the implementation of the Hospital Readmission Reductions Program, their mortality rate increased.

    By Nov. 14, 2017
  • Study shows positive results for PCPs in hospital settings

    Knowing a patient before admission may play a key role in care during and after hospitalization, according to a JAMA report.  

    By Les Masterson • Nov. 14, 2017
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    AMA opposes weakening ACA's essential health benefits

    The organization argues changing the requirements would hurt patients by stripping protections from high out-of-pocket costs.

    By Les Masterson • Nov. 14, 2017
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    Hospitals file lawsuit to block 340B drug payment cut

    Plaintiffs including the AHA argue the reimbursement change exceeds the authority of the HHS secretary and is “arbitrary and capricious.”

    By Nov. 14, 2017
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    Deep Dive

    How will instability in the ACA exchanges affect healthcare in 2018?

    “Insurance markets work best when there’s stability and when everyone has a pretty good sense of how the market is going to operate. Sadly, we’re not there right now,” says Ken Wood, senior vice president of health plan development at Evolent Health.  

    By Les Masterson • Nov. 13, 2017
  • Report shines light on ACO successes, strategies

    The CMS recently found that 11 of 18 Next Generation ACOs earned savings in 2016.

    By Les Masterson • Nov. 13, 2017
  • Trump nominates former pharma exec Azar to head HHS

    Alex Azar served as deputy secretary for HHS from 2005 to 2007 under President George W. Bush and until January of this year served as Eli Lilly’s president.

    By Nov. 13, 2017