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

Explore the 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Supreme Court sides with injured beneficiaries in blow to payers

The decision could be costly to payers. 

By Meg Bryant • Jan. 22, 2016