CT Senate passes bill to minimize competitive advantages

Proponents say that the Yale New Haven Health System is gaining too much power.

By Julie Henry • May 26, 2015

House committee unanimously passes 21st Century Cures FDA overhaul

The vote was 51-0—reportedly the first time in nearly three decades that a major bill passed the Energy and Commerce Committee without a single "no" vote.

By Sy Mukherjee • May 21, 2015

Beth Israel CIO Halamka slams MU stage 3 draft at CHIME forum

The new proposal—open for public comment until May 29—has drawn its fair share of criticism.

By Nina Flanagan • May 21, 2015

CMS soon to release new Medicaid managed care regulations

What should the industry expect to see in the proposal?

By Nina Flanagan • May 21, 2015

How will the Cadillac tax change health plans?

"Creating plans with prices below the surtax threshold is likely to become harder for payers over time," says one healthcare economist. 

By Heather Caspi • May 20, 2015

FL hospitals refuse Gov. Scott's revenue-sharing proposal

Scott wants to "tax" operating surpluses to sustain the state's LIP program.

By Julie Henry • May 20, 2015

RAC reform bill would eliminate financial rewards for denials

The legislation would curb practices hospitals say are costly, overly burdensome and abusive.

By Julie Henry • May 20, 2015

New bill would mandate 18-month transition period for ICD-10

CMS would have to accept dual coding of claims and conduct comprehensive end-to-end testing.

By Nina Flanagan • May 20, 2015

AMA head supports bill to skip ICD-10, wants to wait for ICD-11

The Cutting Costly Codes Act 2015 would prohibit HHS from adopting ICD-10 as a replacement for ICD-9. Is a longshot?

By Nina Flanagan • May 19, 2015

Interstate telehealth licensing compact passes key hurdle

Alabama just became the necessary seventh state required to make the measure a reality. 

By Katie Bo Williams • May 18, 2015

Cleveland Clinic embroiled in drug trial scandal

The hospital released full trial data without permission that showed that the drug's benefits vanished completely over the longterm. 

By Sy Mukherjee • May 14, 2015

Feds address birth control, transgender care following noncompliance reports

Insurers must comply with the newly-clarified regs within 60 days.

By Heather Caspi • May 13, 2015

White House targets two top ACA complaints

Some new regulations will target insurers, but AHIP is placing at least part of the blame on providers. 

By Heather Caspi • May 12, 2015

DeSalvo nominated to HHS position, to leave ONC if confirmed

The move was expected in some quarters; DeSalvo is already serving as acting assistant secretary.

By Katie Bo Williams • May 7, 2015

CMS to expand controversial Pioneer ACO program because of 'robust' savings

...despite the fact that 13 of the original 32 organizations have dropped out of the program. 

By Katie Bo Williams • May 5, 2015

21st Century Cures changes would loosen Sunshine Act's CME disclosure rules

There are concerns that current Sunshine Act interpretations of continuing medical education are compromising programming.

By Nicole Gray • May 4, 2015

Is Obamacare's controversial 'Cadillac tax' headed for the scrap yard?

The excise tax on high-cost health insurance plans is scheduled to go into effect in 2018 under the ACA. 

By Tom Starner • May 4, 2015

FDA to study safety and effectiveness of hand sanitizers, other antiseptics

Commonly-used antiseptics are under scrutiny for possible hormonal changes, bacterial resistance and more. 

By Julie Henry • May 4, 2015

Mount Sinai Beth Israel scrambles to find transgender surgery specialists

New York lifted the Medicaid ban, but the hospital's director for LGBT Services "had to break the news that we don't have a surgeon."

By Julie Henry • May 4, 2015

The 10 brand name drugs that cost Medicare Part D the most money in 2013

Generics cost the insurance program for the elderly the most money overall. But among branded meds, Part D spent the most money on heartburn, COPD, and and cholesterol maintenance therapies.

By Sy Mukherjee • May 1, 2015

Kaiser report: Medicaid expansion bolstered Ascension significantly

Ascension saw a 40% drop in charity care costs in expansion states vs. only a 6% drop at hospitals in non-expansion states.

By Heather Caspi • May 1, 2015

The 4 big changes providers need to know from the new 21st Century Cures draft

Notably, the new draft would enhance scientific and economic communications between pharma and medical providers.

By Sy Mukherjee • April 30, 2015

Florida governor follows through on threat to sue feds over Medicaid

Will the outcome set a precedent for whether the federal government can put pressure on other states holding out against Medicaid expansion?

By Katie Bo Williams , Heather Caspi • April 29, 2015

American Heart Association cancels conference in Baltimore

"After speaking with local authorities, we have decided to cancel the 2015 QCOR conference due to the potential for violence," the AHA said. 

By Julie Henry • April 29, 2015

Are some patient privacy laws derailing research efforts?

Restricted access and de-identification of certain Medicare and Medicaid data are hampering important research into cost and outcomes, some experts say. 

By Julie Henry • April 28, 2015