AI devices with no clinical validation tied to more recalls, study finds

Public companies, which accounted for about half of AI-enabled devices on the market, had a higher rate of recalls and a lower rate of clinical evidence, according to a JAMA study.

By Elise Reuter • Sept. 2, 2025

CVS agrees to pay Massachusetts $12M to settle Medicaid overbilling claims

The retail pharmacy giant has also agreed to annually review its practices to ensure the state’s Medicaid program is getting the lowest possible prices for prescription drugs.

By Rebecca Pifer • Sept. 2, 2025

CDC panel to discuss COVID, hepatitis B shots in September meeting

A federal register notice confirmed dates for the anticipated advisory meeting, which will follow an FDA decision to narrow COVID boosters' approval and comes as CDC leadership is in turmoil.

By Delilah Alvarado • Aug. 28, 2025

Top healthcare legislation to watch so far this year

Federal lawmakers have proposed dozens of bills targeting core healthcare issues, including 340B, Medicaid, AI and site-neutral payments.

By Healthcare Dive staff • Aug. 28, 2025

A $50B rural health fund was negotiated with hospitals in mind. Experts are split on whether it will help them at all.

The fund was created to help Republicans secure critical votes for their reconciliation bill. But experts aren't quite sure how it'll work, creating a $50 billion dollar question with major ramifications for rural hospitals.

By Susanna Vogel • Aug. 26, 2025

Supreme Court allows NIH to axe millions of research funds related to DEI

The Thursday ruling allows the National Institutes of Health to cut nearly $800 million of research funds for studies like HIV prevention.

By Susanna Vogel • Aug. 25, 2025

Judge stays provisions of Trump administration rule overhauling ACA

A Maryland district judge has paused heightened standards for people verifying their eligibility for subsidies and other key elements of a controversial final rule from July.

By Rebecca Pifer • Aug. 25, 2025

Prior authorization reform: Turning regulatory pressure into a competitive edge

PA reform: four steps that separate health plan leaders from survivors.

By Dan Howell • Aug. 25, 2025

White House data sharing plan boasts big ambitions, but has scant details

Improving health data exchange is a worthy goal, but the initiative has to overcome challenges like data security, under-resourced providers and slow technology uptake, experts say.

By Emily Olsen • Aug. 21, 2025

AdvaMed urges Dr. Oz to speed Medicare coverage of breakthrough devices

The trade group wants the CMS to take “bold action” to cut the lag between FDA authorization of devices and Medicare coverage.

By Nick Paul Taylor • Aug. 21, 2025

CVS Caremark fined $290M for Medicare fraud

CVS tried and failed to convince the judge to decrease the penalty. The company plans to appeal the ruling.

By Rebecca Pifer • Aug. 20, 2025

Elevance loses Medicare Advantage star ratings suit

The Texas judge’s decision — which picked apart Elevance’s argument on mathematical grounds — is expected to cost Elevance $375 million, though the insurer could still appeal.

By Rebecca Pifer • Aug. 20, 2025

Judge overturns rule limiting broker payments in Medicare Advantage

Reed O’Connor’s ruling is a setback for smaller MA plans — and efforts to curb predatory marketing to seniors.

By Rebecca Pifer • Aug. 20, 2025

CMS initiative targets undocumented immigrants in Medicaid

CMS will provide states monthly reports of beneficiaries whose citizenship or immigration status cannot be confirmed. States are expected to take “appropriate actions” including limiting coverage, the agency said.

By Susanna Vogel • Aug. 20, 2025

Kennedy’s mRNA cuts could set US science back, experts warn

Scientists say the HHS’ decision to defund mRNA vaccine research will leave the country less prepared for pandemics, and make it harder to invest in companies advancing the technology.

By Delilah Alvarado • Aug. 18, 2025

UnitedHealth closes $3.3B Amedisys buy after long regulatory battle

The settlement between UnitedHealth, Amedisys and the DOJ cleared the way for the deal to be finalized after a long regulatory delay. Amedisys stopped trading on Nasdaq.

By Rebecca Pifer • Aug. 15, 2025

Democrats question Oz on Medicare prior authorization pilot

The CMS plans to trial prior authorization requirements in traditional Medicare. A group of Democrat representatives think that’s a bad idea based on the tool’s track record in Medicare Advantage.

By Rebecca Pifer • Aug. 13, 2025

Hospitals prepare for $149B cut to Medicaid state-directed payments

New limits to the program could force hospitals to slash capital spending while bracing for millions of newly uninsured patients.

By Michael Brady • Aug. 12, 2025

Vinay Prasad, in surprise reversal, to rejoin FDA after abrupt departure

Less than two weeks after stepping down, Prasad will return to lead CBER “at the FDA’s request,” an HHS spokesperson said. It's the latest twist in an unusual run to lead the FDA office overseeing vaccines and gene therapy.

By Ben Fidler • Updated Aug. 11, 2025

UnitedHealth, Amedisys merger appears set to close post-DOJ settlement

The settlement is weaker than at least one antitrust expert expected based on the severity of the DOJ’s concerns. But it means the $3.3 billion merger is very likely to close.

By Rebecca Pifer • Aug. 8, 2025

Democrat senators probe UnitedHealth over nursing home care denials

Sens. Ron Wyden and Elizabeth Warren are seeking more information from the beleaguered healthcare behemoth after The Guardian found it was incentivizing nursing homes to reduce hospital transfers.

By Rebecca Pifer • Aug. 8, 2025

UnitedHealth and Amedisys reach settlement with DOJ over $3.3B merger

The settlement filed with the Maryland district court on Thursday requires UnitedHealth and Amedisys to divest 164 home health and hospice sites to placate the DOJ’s concerns that the merger is anticompetitive.

By Rebecca Pifer • Updated Aug. 7, 2025

FTC moves to block Edwards’ JenaValve acquisition

Edwards Lifesciences and JenaValve said they remained committed to completing the deal and would defend the case in court.

By Susan Kelly • Aug. 7, 2025

ACA plans want to hike premiums by median of 18% next year: KFF

The KFF’s projection is steeper than an older analysis that relied on less complete data. It’s the largest increase that ACA insurers have asked for in more than five years as payers brace for membership turmoil.

By Rebecca Pifer • Aug. 7, 2025

HHS abandons mRNA vaccine research

One vaccine expert called the move, which cancels some $500 million in messenger RNA research contracts, a “giant step backward for science.” 

By Delilah Alvarado • Aug. 6, 2025