FDA overturns ban on blood donations from men with same-sex partners

While the 30-year ban has been reversed, men who have sex with men rights advocates say the new policy remains discriminatory.

By Nina Flanagan • Dec. 22, 2015

Ryan vows to repeal ObamaCare first thing in 2016

While Congress and the White House have marked 2016 to be a less productive legislative year than 2015, House Speaker Paul Ryan believes the ObamaCare repeal bill can reach the president's desk in 2016. 

By Nina Flanagan • Dec. 21, 2015

FTC steps in, challenges merger of Chicago health systems

The systems are at odds with the agency's definition of the geographic market.

By Heather Caspi • Dec. 21, 2015

32 hospitals agree to pay $28M over Medicare billing inflation

The providers, including Cleveland Clinic and Tenet Healthcare, were accused of admitting patients unnecessarily to bring in higher reimbursements.

By Heather Caspi • Dec. 21, 2015

RWJF finds most states lack disease prevention and control

Disease outbreaks are not just costly in terms of health, but contribute to billions in healthcare costs each year. 

By Heather Caspi • Dec. 18, 2015

CMS crowns startup Amino as second nationwide qualified entity

The qualified entity program seeks to help patients make more informed healthcare decisions, such as choosing a provider.

By Nina Flanagan • Dec. 17, 2015

State challenges remain as medical marijuana industry develops

It's been a busy week for states grappling with medical marijuana rules, licenses, and fees. 

By Nina Flanagan • Dec. 17, 2015

UPDATED: President signs omnibus including 'Cadillac' and medical device tax delays

With the president's signature, the ACA's Cadillac tax will be kicked back to 2020 while the medical device tax will be suspended through 2017.

By Jeff Byers • Dec. 16, 2015

AHA, CHIME call for Stage 3 meaningful use delay to 2019

The organizations' comments compliment AMA's warning physicians may abandon the program due increasing frustration in complying with burdensome requirements.

By Nina Flanagan • Dec. 16, 2015

CDC floats new guidelines to curtail opioid prescription growth

The call for stricter guidelines comes after new data show deaths in U.S. from opioid poisoning increased by 16% last year. 

By Ned Pagliarulo • Dec. 16, 2015

HHS lends states guiding hand on Obamacare waivers

New agency guidance clarifies states' flexibility to pursue innovative waiver proposals while preserving protections of the ACA. 

By Nina Flanagan • Dec. 15, 2015

Back in the saddle? Oregon exploring insurance exchange options again

In the face of a forthcoming federal health insurance exchange fee, the state is considering using exchange software with a "demonstrated track record." 

By Nina Flanagan • Dec. 15, 2015

CMS publishes physician scores against AMA advice

Incomplete data may give consumers the wrong idea, the AMA says.

By Heather Caspi • Dec. 14, 2015

States largely improved health measures, Commonwealth Fund finds

The organization's annual scorecard attributes improvements in part to the ACA.

By Heather Caspi • Dec. 11, 2015

Inside California's innovative Medi-Cal substance abuse treatment plan

The state will undertake a a first-of-its-kind experiment in addiction treatment for Medicaid beneficiaries.

By Heather Caspi • Dec. 11, 2015

CMS penalizes 758 hospitals under HAC program

The agency estimates hospitals will lose $364 million as a result of payment reductions.

By Heather Caspi • Dec. 11, 2015

Physicians find FDA ruling flawed, misleading on uterine surgery

A group of physicians signed an open letter to the FDA regarding the agency's ruling last year that noncancerous uterine growths could not be removed using power morcellators. 

By Nina Flanagan • Dec. 10, 2015

Americans are getting better at paying medical bills

The majority of improvement happened in the past two years, coinciding with Medicaid expansion. 

By Nina Flanagan • Dec. 10, 2015

Rubio pushing legislation to further restrict risk corridors

The presidential hopeful's efforts against the ACA's risk corridor provision is sending ripples through health insurance markets. 

By Nina Flanagan • Dec. 10, 2015

Updated pediatric screening guidelines released

The new American Academy of Pediatrics screening recommendations focus more on preventative testing to identify disease risk factors early.  

By Nina Flanagan • Dec. 8, 2015

Congress stalls on 9/11 health bill extension

The bill, which would extend the World Trade Center Health Program that pays medical costs for emergency responders who responded on or after Sept. 11, 2001, must be voted on as part of the omnibus spending bill or be attached to a tax-extending bill to pass before the end of 2015.

By Nina Flanagan • Dec. 8, 2015

VA hospitals greenlight 'bed tax' idea to enable Medicaid expansion

Even with hospitals' support, however, the state's Republican-controlled legislature may end expansion efforts. 

By Heather Caspi • Dec. 7, 2015

Insurers adjust with the times as HIV becomes manageable

With 1.2 million Americans living with HIV, traditional life insurance policies are now being offered to individuals with HIV for the first time.

By Nina Flanagan • Dec. 7, 2015

VA expands access to care outside its overburdened system

Rules rolled out in 2014 had proven too restrictive, officials say.

By Heather Caspi • Dec. 4, 2015

Coverage expansion, drug prices took 2014 U.S. health spending to $3T

Will the impacts of coverage expansion fade out in the coming years?

By Heather Caspi • Dec. 4, 2015