CMS targets maternal health, extends postpartum coverage

The strategy to improve outcomes and equity includes ensuring access to reproductive healthcare services and adopting a new “birthing-friendly” hospital designation.

By Susan Kelly • July 27, 2022

HHS names new acting Civil Rights director

Melanie Fontes Rainer is now acting director of the HHS’ Office of Civil Rights. She will replace Lisa Pino, who has left the agency.

By Hailey Mensik • July 26, 2022

Explore the Trendline➔

Labor

Hospitals are navigating persistent labor shortages with the need to cut costs — a source of contention that could leave patients caught in the middle.

By Healthcare Dive staff

HHS proposes reinstating nondiscrimination protections stripped by Trump administration

One notable change includes language around clinical algorithms, prohibiting discrimination through the use of that technology in healthcare settings.

By Hailey Mensik • July 26, 2022

Most patients worry about data privacy, AMA survey says

The medical group said it fears that patients' digital data is being shared in violation of HIPAA protections.

By Susan Kelly • July 26, 2022

WHO declares growing monkeypox outbreak global health emergency

The decision comes as the U.S. scrambles to slow the spread of the virus.

By Susan Kelly • July 25, 2022

OIG warns of telehealth fraud risks in wake of DOJ crackdown

The special alert to healthcare providers describes how fraudsters recruit and reward practitioners in schemes to exploit the growth of telemedicine.

By Susan Kelly • July 25, 2022

CDC backs Novavax's protein-based vaccine for COVID-19

Health officials argue a new type of shot could help to persuade unvaccinated people, although some surveys suggest that might not be the case. 

By Delilah Alvarado • July 21, 2022

DOJ goes after $1.2B in health fraud, including telehealth, genetic testing

Regulators are primarily targeting laboratory owners and operators who paid illegal kickbacks and bribes in exchange for patient referrals from doctors working with fraudulent companies.

By Rebecca Pifer • July 20, 2022

'I am terrified': Doctors warn lawmakers of grim health impacts from Roe reversal

Anti-abortion laws have had a chilling effect on patient care, resulting in providers — concerned about the potential for legal action — delaying or denying in some cases life-saving services, doctors told a House committee.

By Rebecca Pifer • July 20, 2022

Elevance steps away from New York Medicare Advantage contract amid continued litigation

CEO Gail Boudreaux told investors Wednesday the insurer "needed greater certainty" in order to continue with the contract.

By Samantha Liss • July 20, 2022

ACA marketplace premiums poised to jump

Health insurers' preliminary filings with state regulators point to a 10% median bump in rates for enrollees in 2023, a Kaiser Family Foundation analysis found.

By Susan Kelly • July 19, 2022

Lawmakers urge HHS to fine drugmakers restricting 340B drug discounts

Currently, 18 drug manufacturers are limiting discounts dispensed through pharmacies that contract with 340B providers, according to a letter from bipartisan House members to HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra.

By Rebecca Pifer • July 18, 2022

HHS ramps up monkeypox vaccine supply as outbreak spreads

The effort to scale up vaccine distribution comes amid concerns about supply constraints with case numbers projected to increase. 

By Susan Kelly • July 18, 2022

Academic health center pays $875K fine in data breach

HHS cited Oklahoma State University Center for Health Services for multiple HIPAA violations, including failure to disclose in a timely manner that patient data had been compromised.

By Susan Kelly • July 18, 2022

Regulators propose outpatient pay increase, but hospitals say it's not enough

"A much higher update is warranted," the American Hospital Association said in a statement citing increased inflation. 

By Samantha Liss • July 18, 2022

Texas sues HHS over emergency abortion guidance

The suit, filed in federal court, names HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra as its lead defendant and accuses the Biden administration of using federal law to “transform every emergency room in the country into a walk-in abortion clinic.”

By Sydney Halleman • July 15, 2022

As Congress, Biden administration squabble over COVID-19 funds, an ongoing pandemic response posture strains public health

Congress and the administration are at odds on the need to purchase more vaccines and therapeutics while the public health workforce is beleaguered, former Moderna VP Richard Hughes argues.

By Richard Hughes • July 14, 2022

Providers fear penalties in states with abortion bans following Roe's fall

Lawmakers and physicians discussed provider concerns surrounding penalties for performing emergency abortions in states with laws criminalizing the procedure during a Wednesday hearing.

By Hailey Mensik • July 14, 2022

New York files False Claims Act case against Fresenius in whistleblower suit

The state of New York has formally joined a lawsuit against the major dialysis provider that alleges Fresenius performed thousands of medically unnecessary vascular procedures on kidney disease patients.

By Rebecca Pifer • July 13, 2022

FDA clears Novavax's COVID-19 vaccine as 4th option in US

The regulator’s decision comes more than a year after the main part of the principal trial was completed, raising questions about the shot’s effectiveness against omicron.

By Jonathan Gardner • Updated July 13, 2022

Antibiotic-resistant infections rose in hospitals during pandemic, CDC data shows

Nearly 30,000 people died from infections associated with healthcare settings in the first year of the pandemic and about 40% were infected during a hospital stay, according to the CDC.

By Hailey Mensik • July 12, 2022

Doctors must provide abortions in emergencies, regardless of state law, HHS says

HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra sent a letter to providers Monday that said federal law "protects" clinical judgment providers may take in treating pregnant patients.

By Samantha Liss • July 12, 2022

Tracking state abortion bans in the US

The Wisconsin Supreme Court struck down an 1849 abortion ban, ending a long period of confusion about the availability of the procedure in the state.

Updated July 2, 2025

House oversight committee launches investigation into reproductive health data collection

The committee sent letters to five data broker companies and five personal health apps requesting information on how they store and share user data.

By Rebecca Pifer • July 11, 2022

Biden says White House looking into public health emergency for abortion access

The president has said repeatedly that the best way to preserve abortion access is for Congress to codify Roe v. Wade into law.

By Shannon Muchmore • July 11, 2022