Government: Page 41


  • Federal Trade Commission
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    Carol Highsmith. (2005). "The Apex Building" [Photo]. Retrieved from Wikimedia Commons.
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    FTC intervenes to correct Medtronic’s ‘erroneous assertions’ in antitrust case

    The FTC filed an amicus brief because it said Medtronic made “wrong” arguments with “broad implications for antitrust enforcement.”

    By Nick Paul Taylor • July 6, 2023
  • Gov. Brian Kemp stands behind a podium at an election event wearing a checkered shirt.
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    Megan Varner via Getty Images
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    Georgia’s Medicaid work requirements pricier, more restrictive than full expansion

    By only enacting a partial expansion, the state is forgoing $1.1 billion in federal funding and harming access to coverage, according to a new report.

    By June 30, 2023
  • Supreme Court of the United states exterior
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    Caroline Colvin/Healthcare Dive
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    SCOTUS affirmative action ruling sets back physician diversity efforts, healthcare groups say

    Medical leaders including the HHS argue the ruling against race-conscious admissions policies could roll back gains in the number of minority physicians and ultimately hurt health outcomes.

    By June 29, 2023
  • A picture of Merrick Garland standing in front of an American flag
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    Drew Angerer/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    DOJ charges dozens in multiple states for $2.5 billion healthcare fraud

    The multi-state bust that targeted 78 individuals represents “one of the largest healthcare fraud schemes ever prosecuted by the Justice Department,” Attorney General Merrick Garland said.

    By Susanna Vogel • June 29, 2023
  • A doctor talking to a patient and a family member.
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    MA beneficiaries with chronic conditions have lower utilization, spending, industry-backed report finds

    The Better Medicare Alliance-funded analysis compared beneficiaries with hypertension, hyperlipidemia and diabetes across MA and traditional Medicare and found that spending was “consistently higher” among FFS beneficiaries.

    By June 28, 2023
  • Nurses protest for safe staffing ratios
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    State legislatures around US grapple with how to handle nursing shortages

    At least 18 states have introduced or advanced safe staffing bills this year in an effort to reduce nurse burnout and improve the quality of patient care, but hospital groups are resisting.

    By Susanna Vogel • June 28, 2023
  • The exterior of the Department Health and Human Services headquarters.
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    Alex Wong via Getty Images
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    HHS finalizes info blocking penalties for IT vendors, kickstarting enforcement

    Having a stick in place to enforce compliance three years after the original rule is expected to more firmly move the needle on interoperability in U.S. healthcare.

    By June 28, 2023
  • Federal Trade Commission
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    Carol Highsmith. (2005). "The Apex Building" [Photo]. Retrieved from Wikimedia Commons.
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    FTC proposes updates to merger review that could slow healthcare dealmaking

    A new rule proposed by antitrust regulators would ask companies to provide additional information about planned mergers to help the Federal Trade Commission keep pace with increased deal volume and complexity.

    By June 28, 2023
  • AMA President Jesse M. Ehrenfeld
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    Permission granted by American Medical Association
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    The AMA’s new president on how abortion restrictions, AI, burnout impact physicians

    Newly-elected Jesse Ehrenfeld is taking the reins at the American Medical Association at a time of pressing changes for doctors.

    By June 28, 2023
  • Healthcare worker works on a digital tablet
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    Getty Images
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    AHA ramps up criticism of site-neutral legislation

    Site-neutral payments ignore key differences between hospital outpatient departments and physician offices, the hospital lobby argued this week in a new report and briefing on Capitol Hill.

    By Susanna Vogel • June 27, 2023
  • Detail view of the US Capitol east facade in the early morning sun.
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    Getty Images
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    Telehealth groups applaud CONNECT reintroduction in Senate

    It’s the second time the bill has been reintroduced in Congress, as proponents of virtual care look to solidify COVID-19 gains in telehealth accessibility and use before temporary flexibilities run out at the end of 2024.

    By June 22, 2023
  • North Carolina places Friday Health Plans into receivership as insurtech shuts down

    A number of states have already moved to take control of the insurer, which announced it was winding down operations earlier this month.

    By June 22, 2023
  • a medicaid insurance card on top of a small American flag
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    State Medicaid spending fell below pre-pandemic levels during continuous enrollment

    An analysis by KFF found state spending on Medicaid fell during the COVID-19 pandemic even as enrollment soared. But spending will likely increase as the federal government begins to pare back its increased contribution.

    By June 21, 2023
  • Hooded person types on computer in a dark room with multiple monitors and cables everywhere.
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    HHS warns industry about resurfaced ransomware group after attack on cancer center

    The department sent a cybersecurity notification to the sector about TimisoaraHackerTeam after an attack on a U.S. cancer center that “significantly reduced” its capability to treat patients.

    By June 21, 2023
  • A podium showing the logo for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is seen.
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    Kevin C. Cox via Getty Images
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    Biden taps Aledade executive Mandy Cohen to succeed Walensky as CDC director

    Cohen was previously secretary of North Carolina’s Department of Health and Human Services, and drew praise for her leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic.

    By Brian T. Horowitz • June 20, 2023
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    Getty Images
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    MedPAC recommends return to lower telehealth payments

    The group that advises Congress on Medicare policy also suggested more closely setting payment rates across outpatient facilities for some services, which hospital lobbyists oppose.

    By June 16, 2023
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    Opinion

    Biden administration should not wait to provide access to non-opioid pain management

    A surgeon and assistant professor argues that the CMS and providers must collaborate to enhance access to non-opioid pain alternatives.

    By Nirav Amin • June 16, 2023
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    US health spending to surpass $7T by 2031, CMS actuaries say

    The unwinding of the COVID-19 public health emergency and recent legislation are expected to influence health spending across the country’s major payers over the next decade.

    By June 15, 2023
  • Healthcare worker looks over a chart
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    New York to approve staffing requirement in critical care units

    On Thursday, New York is expected to greenlight a component of its 2021 staffing law that requires one nurse for every two critical care patients.

    By Susanna Vogel • June 15, 2023
  • Young modern mother with a baby using laptop at home
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    Getty Images
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    New York becomes 35th state to extend Medicaid, CHIP postpartum coverage

    The extension guarantees access to care for 12 months following pregnancy — up from the previously guaranteed 60 days.

    By Susanna Vogel • June 14, 2023
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    Getty Images
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    Medicare Advantage overpayments could exceed $75B this year, study finds

    The figure is almost triple prior estimates, highlighting the need for payment reform to avoid overtaxing the Medicare system, researchers said.

    By June 14, 2023
  • Female patient and Doctor looking at mobile device
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    Photogeek, Photo by Drazen

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    Expanded federal safety net during COVID led to improved health access for adults, report finds

    Between 2019 and 2022, fewer adults reported taking on medical debt or forgoing medical care due to cost, according to the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

    By Susanna Vogel • June 13, 2023
  • A picture of Xavier Becerra giving a speech at a podium
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    Alex Wong via Getty Images
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    Medicaid redeterminations

    HHS offers aid amid Medicaid redetermination coverage losses

    Secretary Xavier Becerra urged states to adopt new flexibilities to limit Medicaid churn, adding in a letter to state governors that he's "deeply concerned" about unnecessary coverage losses.

    By June 13, 2023
  • Lee Fleisher, Liz Fowler and Meena Seshamani talk on a panel during the CMS health equity conference in front of a white background.
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    Rebecca Pifer/Healthcare Dive
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    CMS exploring models centered on social health factors

    Regulators said they’re trying to work around restrictions regarding what groups Medicare is allowed to pay as they look to address social determinants of health.

    By June 9, 2023
  • A picture of a man tied to a COVID-19 virus
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    Opinion

    The public health emergency is over. Here’s why government must prioritize funding for long COVID research.

    University of Arizona professors argue for more robust infrastructure to understand and research long COVID-19, which affects one in five Americans.

    By Kristen Pogreba Brown, Leslie V. Farland and Jennifer Andrews • June 9, 2023