Senate lawmakers press for passage of opioid abuse legislation this year

While there is bipartisan support for legislation, Senate GOP and Dems could have trouble agreeing on issues such as increased border controls.

By Meg Bryant • Jan. 29, 2016

WHO warns of Zika virus 'spreading explosively'

U.S. healthcare providers are urged to be on the lookout as infection sweeps South and Central America.

By Heather Caspi • Jan. 28, 2016

CMS gives telehealth green light for face-to-face Medicaid visits

In addition, CMS recently launched its first home health patient experience of care star ratings.

By Ana Mulero • Jan. 28, 2016

Task force sends recs for health IT comparison tool to ONC

The Certified Technology Comparison Task Force provided recommendations for a national health IT tool at a recent Health IT Joint Committee meeting. 

By Nina Flanagan • Jan. 27, 2016

CMS puts preventable readmissions of minorities, poor under the microscope

A new CMS guide offers strategies for addressing the underlying reasons for such readmissions.

By Heather Caspi • Jan. 27, 2016

Utah grappling with Medicaid expansion

Utah lawmakers are proposing a variety of Medicaid expansion plans, hoping to find a resolution this year. 

By Nina Flanagan • Jan. 26, 2016

Covidien tax-sharing obligation costs Medtronic over $200M

The settlement is part of a larger agreement between the IRS and Covidien’s former parent Tyco involving a shared debt arrangement.

By Meg Bryant • Jan. 22, 2016

HHS on target to move 30% of Medicare payments to quality, value by year's end

Burwell also announced HHS will get involved in the Flint, Michigan water crisis. 

By Ana Mulero • Jan. 22, 2016

Supreme Court sides with injured beneficiaries in blow to payers

The decision could be costly to payers. 

By Meg Bryant • Jan. 22, 2016

For your consideration: FDA issues medical device security recs

The draft guidance addresses both premarket and postmarket cybersecurity concerns.

By Meg Bryant • Jan. 20, 2016

Florida lawmakers take another stab at expanding CON exemption

The proposed law would quadruple the number of counties where hospitals could get a CON exemption.

By Meg Bryant • Jan. 20, 2016

White House takes aim at opioid abuse in rural areas

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, who chairs the White House Rural Council, will lead the initiative.

By Meg Bryant • Jan. 20, 2016

CMS: MU still in full effect, shift to value-based care will take time

In a blog post, federal officials set to clarify the "will they/won't they?" tension over the meaningful use program.

By Meg Bryant • Jan. 20, 2016

Ohio to explore use of medical marijuana

Despite a failed ballot initiative on recreational and medical marijuana use last November, Ohioans are eager to discuss medical cannabis, leaders in the Ohio House said.

By Meg Bryant • Jan. 20, 2016

CHIME rings in $1M national patient identifier contest

Patient misidentification can potentially harm patients and cost organizations money. CHIME is looking to change that.

By Ana Mulero • Jan. 20, 2016

Olympus to revamp duodenoscope tied to infections

The company is recalling the devices in light of evidence that proper cleaning is insufficient to remove bacteria.

By Heather Caspi • Jan. 19, 2016

Questions on ACA program funding left unanswered

Two congressmen believe the Basic Health Program's funding has not been approved.

By Ana Mulero • Jan. 19, 2016

Sanders' new healthcare plan leaves much to the imagination

Some say the "single-payer" plan, lacking certain details, is still no plan at all.

By Heather Caspi • Jan. 19, 2016

Meet MACRA, health IT's next great hope

As meaningful use is set to be phased, MACRA switches focus to value-based payments. 

By Nina Flanagan • Jan. 19, 2016

Is risk adjustment having a 'reverse Robin Hood' effect?

With one former HHS official calling risk adjustment a "dark art," small insurers are paying up to industry giants under the controversial ACA provision. 

By Heather Caspi • Jan. 15, 2016

Obama tries to lure Medicaid expansion holdouts

The proposal seeks to offer newcomers as good a deal on Medicaid expansion as the earliest adopters.

By Heather Caspi • Jan. 15, 2016

Florida shocks by dropping standards for pediatric heart surgery

Doctors accuse the state of putting children at risk for the sake of politics, wherein a change of policy followed a $200,000 donation from Tenet Healthcare to state Republicans.

By Heather Caspi • Jan. 15, 2016

10 negotiating tactics to stay in the M&A game

Hogan Lovell's attorney Torrey McClary shares some negotiations tips to avoid disruptions and ensure all members of the negotiating team agree to the same terms and goals.

By Meg Bryant • Jan. 15, 2016

CMS launches online resource, helps states update IT systems

The online resource will help states abide by new regulations requiring them to upgrade Medicaid IT systems into those with industry-proven standards. 

By Nina Flanagan • Jan. 14, 2016

WEDI CEO Devin Jopp resigns

As head of WEDI, Jopp played a leading role in advancing ICD-10. 

By Meg Bryant • Jan. 14, 2016