Mergers give no love to health insurers, AMA says

Nearly half of US could experience diminished competition in local health markets, the group claims.

By Jeff Byers • Sept. 9, 2015

GA healthcare system to pay up to $35M in fines

The payment settles a whistle-blower suit that claimed the system had referred Medicare and Medicaid patients to outside services in which it had business interests.

By Randy Lilleston • Sept. 9, 2015

NY health system signs nurses union contract to address staff ratios

A new contract resolves nurse staffing ratio dispute. 

By Nina Flanagan • Sept. 8, 2015

Proposed HHS rules provide transgenders healthcare protections

The proposed HHS rules state discrimination against transgenders would be a form of sex discrimination. 

By Nina Flanagan • Sept. 8, 2015

Survey shows physicians need more leadership training

Less than half of survey respondents said their organization has a formal physician leadership training program. 

By Nina Flanagan • Sept. 8, 2015

Two-midnight rule changes: Who will benefit?

Hospitals, payers and patients are all in the cross-hairs of the "two-midnight rule." 

By Nina Flanagan • Sept. 8, 2015

Study refutes physician-owned hospitals patient cherry-picking myth

POHs are not all the same, though the ACA treats them that way, the authors say.

By Heather Caspi • Sept. 4, 2015

ONC pulls the plug on two EHR product certifications

The de-certified versions of SkyCare will no longer cut it for meaningful use.

By Heather Caspi • Sept. 4, 2015

Vermont becomes 50th state to legalize e-prescribing of controlled substances

Pharmacies were the first to adopt the practice, with prescribers and EHR vendors lagging behind. 

By Nina Flanagan • Sept. 3, 2015

What the NLRB joint staffing decision means for healthcare

It might be time to review staffing contracts.

By Julie Henry • Sept. 3, 2015

Device makers struggle with federal approval processes

How will CMS, FDA and vendors forge ahead in the joint-federal roles regulating new medical devices?

By Heather Caspi • Sept. 3, 2015

DOJ: Louisiana governor lacks 'sufficient reasons' to cancel Planned Parenthood Medicaid funding

In a filing before a Wednesday hearing, the Department of Justice says the action appears to violate Medicaid Act.

By Jeff Byers • Sept. 2, 2015

Collaborative Health Systems is leading the charge toward program goals

CHS, with the most ACOs in the MSSP program, discusses savings, improvements of Medicare ACOs.

By Heather Caspi • Sept. 2, 2015

CMS to power-up funds for nursing initiative

The agency seeks to reduce avoidable hospitalizations via funding interventions at nursing facilities.

By Jeff Byers • Sept. 1, 2015

California assisted suicide bill reintroduced in special session

The controversial bill enters new round of hearings on Tuesday.

By Jeff Byers • Sept. 1, 2015

HRSA looks to tighten control of 340B Drug Pricing Program

The draft ominbus guidance clarifies gray areas that currently allow broad access to drug discounts.

By Heather Caspi • Aug. 31, 2015

NLRB rules companies responsible for violations by contractors

NLRB just changed the game. 

By Jeff Byers • Aug. 28, 2015

CDC tells doctors to consider plague diagnosis

The number of cases in the US, while still small, is on the rise this year.

By Randy Lilleston • Aug. 27, 2015

Study: 75% of California's ACA health plans have limited doctor options

University of Pennsylvania researchers found that the Golden State’s limited ACA health plan choices were eclipsed only by three states.

By Jeff Byers • Aug. 26, 2015

ACOs saved more than $400M in 2014

CMS releases Medicare financial and quality results that calculate the savings.

By Jeff Byers • Aug. 26, 2015

Obamacare's 'Cadillac tax' could wreak havoc on FSAs

A new report from the Kaiser Family Foundation outlines the likely consequences of one of the ACA's most controversial measures. 

By Sy Mukherjee • Aug. 26, 2015

Report: Nearly 47M have dementia worldwide

The already disturbing number will double in 20 years unless treatment improves, researchers say.

By Randy Lilleston • Aug. 26, 2015

VA sees major drop in disability claims backlog

It hits lowest level in eight years.

By Randy Lilleston • Aug. 26, 2015

Federal healthcare spending projections creep upward

The Congressional Budget Office nudged its spending forecast up by a mere tenth of a percentage point -- but that represents an estimated $272 billion.

By Randy Lilleston • Aug. 26, 2015

Seven healthcare pros tapped as White House Fellows

Meet the professionals appointed to the 2015-2016 White House Fellows class.

By Jeff Byers • Aug. 25, 2015