U.N. report says thousands could die if WHO doesn't reform its emergency response

The World Health Organization has received criticism regarding how it responded to the Ebola epidemic and now acknowledges it needs to reform its emergency response to health risks. 

By Nina Flanagan • Feb. 9, 2016

Gov. Cuomo aims to ban LGBT conversion therapy in NY

New York will join four other states in banning conversion therapy of the LGBT youth population. 

By Nina Flanagan • Feb. 9, 2016

Obama asks Congress for $1.8B to fight Zika virus, push for vaccine

The virus, which has been potentially linked birth defects, is expected to hit Southern states in the spring and summer mosquito season. 

By Nina Flanagan • Feb. 9, 2016

Study: BMI misidentifies 54 million as overweight or obese

UCLA researchers suggest their findings should be "the final nail in the coffin for BMI."

By Heather Caspi • Feb. 8, 2016

US appeals court strikes down urban, rural hospital classification rule

The invalidation of the HHS "reclassification rule" only applies for the states within the 2nd circuit but some are hoping the regulation will change for hospitals nationwide.

By Ana Mulero • Feb. 8, 2016

Did the ACA plans cause this Blue Cross parent to lay off workers?

The layoffs come as an aftermath of HCSC's financial losses after taking on enrollees who bought health plans on ACA exchanges.

By Ana Mulero • Feb. 8, 2016

Obama proposes way to make 'Cadillac' tax more palatable

The president wants to recast the ACA excise tax on high-cost health plans to reflect regional differences.  

By Meg Bryant • Feb. 5, 2016

HHS proposes to modernize privacy rules on substance abuse records

While the proposed revisions signal the growing need to share health data as healthcare models become increasingly integrated, some believe the patients affected by the rule may not understand what consent they will be signing away.

By Jeff Byers • Feb. 5, 2016

FDA lays out a plan to combat opioid epidemic

The plan focuses on reversing the epidemic, while still providing patients with pain access to relief.

By Ana Mulero • Feb. 5, 2016

CDC takes heat on report over reducing alcohol-impaired births

Many media outlets interpreted the report as a call for young women to stop drinking but the agency says that's not the case.

By Meg Bryant • Feb. 5, 2016

Insurers sue HHS over Medicare Advantage overpayments final rule

The insurers maintain the rule could cause them to lose 20% of payments to Medicare Advantage plans.

By Meg Bryant • Feb. 5, 2016

Michigan-based HealthPlus, Health Alliance approved for merger

The combined insurers weigh in at a total of a 650,000-member plan.

By Heather Caspi • Feb. 4, 2016

Sexual transmission of Zika in U.S. raises global alarm

While mosquitoes are considered the main culprit, sexual transmission raises the spectre of a truly global epidemic.

By Heather Caspi • Feb. 4, 2016

Obama wants $1.1B to fight growing opioid epidemic

Stemming the rise in opioid overdoses has taken on new urgency in Congress and the presidential race. 

By Meg Bryant • Feb. 3, 2016

Is healthcare proving pivotal in presidential race?

While healthcare is playing a prominent role in debate, it may play a smaller role in voters' decisions.

By Heather Caspi • Feb. 3, 2016

Sen. Murray calls for new medical device tracking system

Sen. Murray's recent report exposes failures by the FDA, medical device manufacturers, and hospitals that contributed to nationwide antibiotic-resistant infections from a gastrointestinal scope. 

By Nina Flanagan • Feb. 3, 2016

NHPC16: C-suite execs share strategies to move hospitals to value-based system

Engaging entire communities and addressing social health determinants are some of the strategies health systems have used in their population health efforts.

By Ana Mulero • Feb. 3, 2016

Obama's cancer 'moonshot' may need more than $1B, critics say

Compared to the annual $50 billion pharmaceutical companies spend on research, some say Obama's $1 billion for cancer research doesn't seem significant.

By Nina Flanagan • Feb. 2, 2016

How the new gender pay parity rule will affect large healthcare companies

The new rule, beginning September 2017 and affecting companies with more than 100 employees, reveal pay inequality in the industry.

By Nina Flanagan • Feb. 2, 2016

As U.S. braces for Zika virus, communication is first line of defense

While the news is abuzz about the Zika virus, those in healthcare say malaria and West Nile virus pose more serious mosquito-related problems in the U.S.

By Meg Bryant • Feb. 2, 2016

WHO declares Zika virus a worldwide health emergency

In an emergency panel on Monday, 18 experts agreed a causal relationship between Zika infection during pregnancy and microcephaly is strongly suspected, though not yet scientifically proven.

By Jeff Byers • Feb. 1, 2016

CMS proposes sharing of claims data with 'qualified entities'

A new proposed rule encourages data sharing in an effort to improve healthcare and health spending.

By Heather Caspi • Feb. 1, 2016

NHPC16: The troubling physician transition to a new healthcare model

Physicians are likely to be burdened by changes to the practices during the transition to value-based care.

By Ana Mulero • Feb. 1, 2016

Obama assembles cancer 'moonshot' task force

Representatives from 13 federal agencies will participate on the task force.

By Meg Bryant • Jan. 29, 2016

CMS proposes ACO evaluation shake-up with new rule

The agency hopes the proposed changes will increase the number of ACOs.

By Ana Mulero • Jan. 29, 2016