Most COVID-19 medical device EUAs lack documented supporting data, JAMA study shows

The use of "low-quality data" is reasonable at the start of a crisis but FDA should consider raising the standard of evidence after multiple products come to market, according to the authors of the study.

By Nick Paul Taylor • Dec. 22, 2021

Biden administration to send military medical personnel to overwhelmed hospitals

As the omicron variant spreads rapidly, the White House is mobilizing federal agencies to assist hospitals and states in the latest wave of infection.

By Shannon Muchmore • Dec. 21, 2021

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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

Federal COVID-19 aid fueled huge jump in national health spending last year

The pandemic accounted for major changes in who paid for healthcare as job losses spurred changes in coverage types, while people deferred care and spent less out of their own pockets.

By Shannon Muchmore • Dec. 16, 2021

HHS to funnel $9B in relief funds to providers

The federal government will reimburse smaller providers more favorably in this funding round, regulators said, acknowledging these facilities tend to operate on shakier financial footing compared to larger peers.

By Samantha Liss • Dec. 15, 2021

SCOTUS blocks challenge to New York's health worker vaccine mandate

The lawsuit was filed by a group of doctors and other medical professionals protesting that the state's requirement for staff in hospitals, long-term care and other healthcare facilities does not allow for a religious exemption.

By Hailey Mensik • Dec. 14, 2021

Flurry of doctor group buyouts helps fuel 'extraordinary' surge in health M&A

Companies across the healthcare spectrum are pursuing deals to strengthen operations after two years of pandemic-driven challenges, a new PwC report found.

By Susan Kelly • Dec. 14, 2021

Hospital price disclosure push coming up short, JAMA study finds

Researchers said lack of transparency on costs for services by independent providers that bill separately from hospitals is complicating CMS' effort to help patients shop around for the best value.

By Susan Kelly • Dec. 13, 2021

FDA seeks comment on 3D printing of medical devices at hospitals, doctor's offices

The agency's discussion paper lays out the benefits and challenges of creating 3D-printed devices in healthcare settings as well as a potential approach for regulatory oversight.

By Greg Slabodkin • Dec. 13, 2021

Hospital, doctor lobbies sue HHS over implementation of surprise billing ban

Congress intended for an arbiter to be able to consider a constellation of factors when payment disputes arise, but the final rule severely limits what an arbiter can consider, the lawsuit claims.

By Samantha Liss • Dec. 9, 2021

Senate passes legislation to avoid Medicare cuts in year-end sprint

The bill, which delays 2% cuts to Medicare rates through March and a separate round of 4% cuts to 2023, now heads to President Joe Biden's desk for his signature.

By Rebecca Pifer • Updated Dec. 10, 2021

Medicare Advantage quality bonus program hasn't improved quality, study finds

The new findings published in Health Affairs suggest the quality bonus program doesn't move the needle on quality despite a significant federal investment — hinting the American people may not be getting enough bang for their buck.

By Rebecca Pifer • Dec. 8, 2021

States with robust merger reviews are tougher on hospital tie-ups, study suggests

Just eight states challenged the majority of the deals that regulators scrutinized during a 10-year time period. Still, it did little to slow price increases, according to new research in Health Affairs.

By Samantha Liss • Dec. 7, 2021

Congress passes on delay to Medicare rate cuts for lab tests, for now

The American Clinical Laboratory Association wants lawmakers to stave off Jan. 1 cuts for nearly 600 lab tests. A stopgap bill late last week did not include a reprieve, but Cowen analysts are optimistic a legislative fix will be found.

By Greg Slabodkin • Dec. 6, 2021

Appeals court limits nationwide halt on health worker vaccine mandates

A federal appeals court Wednesday stopped the nationwide pause on CMS' vaccine mandate, limiting the scope of that injunction to the 14 states that sued for relief.

By Hailey Mensik • Updated Dec. 16, 2021

Insurers now required to pay for at-home COVID-19 tests

Nearly 150 million insured Americans will benefit from the move, helping to lower their costs for the over-the-counter tests that can retail for around $25 for one kit.

By Samantha Liss • Dec. 2, 2021

VA to resume Cerner medical record implementation early next year with new leadership

Officials have released an updated deployment schedule for the beleaguered $16 billion EHR modernization project.

By Rebecca Pifer • Dec. 2, 2021

FDA panel, after debate, narrowly backs Merck COVID pill

While agency advisers raised concerns over molnupiravir's modest benefits and potential risks, a majority felt the antiviral drug is a needed option for COVID-19 patients at high risk of severe disease.

By Jonathan Gardner • Updated Nov. 30, 2021

Hospital lobby argues its case against 340B payment cut before SCOTUS

Tuesday's arguments seemed to center around single words and phrases to determine whether HHS had the authority to change payment rules in 2018 for 340B hospitals, which serve a large share of low-income patients.

By Samantha Liss • Dec. 1, 2021

Hospital lobbying fails to stop looming Medicare cuts in year-end proposal

Lawmakers on Thursday reached a bipartisan year-end spending bill that doesn't include provisions to push back or stop the upcoming Medicare cuts.

By Rebecca Pifer • Updated Dec. 3, 2021

Supreme Court to hear oral arguments in 340B case with billions of dollars at stake

A lower court initially sided with the American Hospital Association, a decision that was later reversed by an appeals court, which AHA characterized as a "legal error."

By Samantha Liss • Nov. 30, 2021

Healthcare worker vaccine mandate blocked nationwide in second ruling

A federal judge granted a preliminary injunction Tuesday in a suit brought by 14 states challenging the requirement, following separate pauses in other states.

By Hailey Mensik • Updated Dec. 1, 2021

Biden admin investing $1.5B to quell healthcare staffing shortages, promote workforce equity

The funding will go toward scholarship and loan repayment programs for healthcare students committing to work in hard-hit and high-risk communities, according to the White House.

By Hailey Mensik • Nov. 23, 2021

Anesthesiologists say Blue Cross NC 'abusing' surprise billing ban to drive down rates

Doctors are raising the alarm against what they perceive as Blue Cross NC's "take it or leave it" ultimatums to in-network clinicians, using the consumer protection legislation as a bargaining chip to negotiate more favorable rates.

By Rebecca Pifer • Nov. 23, 2021

Ground ambulances, excluded from surprise billing ban, to get scrutiny from federal committee

Recommendations from the new federal advisory committee will help inform policy changes to improve how charges and fees for ground ambulance services are disclosed to consumers, CMS said.

By Hailey Mensik • Nov. 22, 2021

FDA, aiming to curb another COVID-19 surge, clears Pfizer, Moderna boosters for all adults

The decision comes as at least 10 states open up booster dose eligibility beyond the current, more limited authorizations while cases remain at high levels.

By Ben Fidler • Nov. 19, 2021