Government: Page 62
-
Majority of hospitals not complying with price transparency rule: JAMA
"Compliance may increase over time, but the early selective compliance suggests reluctance that may persist," researchers said, suggesting policymakers consider stiffer penalties than the current $300 a day fine.
By Rebecca Pifer • June 15, 2021 -
Alex Wong via Getty Images
Providers ask HHS for more flexibility in deadlines to use COVID-19 relief funds
The American Hospital Association wrote that the previous guidance limiting new deadlines to funds received after June 2020 "disadvantages certain providers without providing a clear policy rationale."
By Shannon Muchmore • Updated June 24, 2021 -
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 -
Retrieved from National Nurses United.
NNU tees up fight amid HCA, Sutter, CommonSpirit contract talks: 'Put patients before profits'
Employment contracts covering tens of thousands of unionized nurses at the country's biggest health systems expire this summer, and labor unions are using the pandemic as a rallying cry for reforms.
By Susan Kelly • June 14, 2021 -
Courtesy of Novavax
Novavax says vaccine 90% effective against COVID-19 in large trial
Highly anticipated results from a Phase 3 study testing the biotech company's shot showed it to be strongly protective and safe, a potential boon for the world's vaccination efforts.
By Ned Pagliarulo • Updated June 14, 2021 -
Retrieved from C-SPAN on February 23, 2021
HHS warns providers, insurers COVID-19 testing must be free for patients
The American Clinical Laboratory Association, which has members including Quest Diagnostics and LabCorp, has complained that guidance on the topic had only served to muddy what it saw as clear congressional mandates.
By Greg Slabodkin • June 10, 2021 -
Brian Tucker/Healthcare Dive
'The lights are no longer green': Antitrust regulators reassess pharma deals
The FTC and its counterparts abroad are rethinking their approach to drugmaker acquisitions. Past scrutiny offers clues where they may look next.
By Jonathan Gardner • June 10, 2021 -
Industry awaits Supreme Court decision on ACA case
A ruling on the fate of the landmark law could come as early as Thursday morning.
June 9, 2021 -
A first-of-its-kind Alzheimer's drug raises heavy questions around who will and won't get it
Biogen priced its newly approved medicine Aduhelm at an average cost of $56,000 a year. Cigna, which estimates out-of-pocket costs may hit $10,000, is working on a value-based payment agreement with the drugmaker.
By Jacob Bell • June 9, 2021 -
Erik S. Lesser via Getty Images
US bets $1.2B on Merck's last hope for a COVID-19 drug
Though most of Merck's COVID-19 efforts have come up short, its antiviral pill could still have a role, as signaled by the U.S. government's sizable financial commitment.
By Ben Fidler • June 9, 2021 -
Courtesy of Walmart
Walmart, Amazon simultaneously add prescription discounts to membership perks
Walmart+ members can access some medications at zero cost and thousands of others at discounts of up to 85%. A day later, reports surfaced that Amazon is offering prescriptions for Prime members at the equivalent of $1 per month.
By Ben Unglesbee • June 9, 2021 -
Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
Amazon gets EUA for direct-to-consumer, at-home COVID-19 test
As the COVID-19 pandemic intensified, the tech behemoth initiated an in-house COVID-19 testing service for employees, initially in the U.S. and later in the U.K.
By Nick Paul Taylor • June 9, 2021 -
Mark Makela via Getty Images
OpinionNonprofit health plan CMOs: Data sharing needed to drive vaccine equity
To achieve vaccine equity and approach herd immunity, healthcare organizations need access to timely, comprehensive vaccine data, the CMOs at the Alliance of Community Health Plans and PacificSource Health Plans argue.
By Connie Hwang and Edward McEachern • June 7, 2021 -
Permission granted by Biogen
Deep DiveIn historic move, FDA approves closely watched, controversial Alzheimer's drug
With the decision, the agency cleared the way for what many predict will become a lucrative and highly sought-after option — though fierce debate continues over whether Biogen's aducanumab actually benefits patients.
By Jacob Bell • Updated June 7, 2021 -
Courtesy of One Medical
One Medical buying Medicare-focused Iora in $2.1B deal
The acquisition by the Google-backed primary care chain aligns two players in the value-based care movement, which eschews traditional payer-provider arrangements in favor of a concierge membership model.
By Shannon Muchmore • June 7, 2021 -
Medtronic pulls HeartWare HVAD pump from market amid recalls, patient deaths
The medtech said the move was influenced by growing evidence the system had higher mortality risks than comparable devices. FDA advised providers to use Abbott's HeartMate 3 as an alternative.
By Ricky Zipp • June 4, 2021 -
Alex Wong via Getty Images
CMMI's Fowler: More mandatory payment models likely
"I recognize those come with their own set of disadvantages ... But I support this direction," CMMI head Elizabeth Fowler said Thursday.
By Rebecca Pifer • June 3, 2021 -
David Paul Morris via Getty Images
Former FDA official Abernethy joins Google health spinoff
The agency's former acting CIO pushed development of real world evidence as well as improved data sharing. At Verily, she'll head up the unit's clinical research business.
By Jonathan Gardner • June 3, 2021 -
Medicaid insurers at heart of Nevada public option plan
The state will bid out the business to private insurance carriers instead of doing the work in-house. Medicaid managed care organizations Centene, UnitedHealthcare and Anthem will be required to submit a bid.
By Samantha Liss • June 2, 2021 -
Retrieved from National Cancer Institute on September 27, 2019
In first, FDA approves KRAS-blocking cancer drug from Amgen
Lumakras is the first drug proven effective in targeting the KRAS gene, which is often mutated in lung, colon and pancreatic cancers. Amgen will charge $17,900 per month for Lumakras at list price, which doesn't account for rebates or discounts that may be offered to insurers.
By Ned Pagliarulo • June 1, 2021 -
Geber86 via Getty Images
Family healthcare costs decreased last year for first time in Milliman report's 16-year history
However, the trend is not expected to continue into 2021. Costs are predicted to jump nearly 9% to $28,256 next year for a family of four.
By Samantha Liss • May 28, 2021 -
Leon Neal via Getty Images
Ransomware, other cyber threats mount as medtech industry tries to adapt
"Everything is hackable," said Kevin Fu, the FDA's medical device cybersecurity chief, who noted that ransomware in particular can render a device useless.
By Greg Slabodkin • May 27, 2021 -
Lawmakers revive push for public option with call for feedback
The latest move signals Democrats are serious about an effort to pass legislation enacting the policy, seen as a more moderate alternative to "Medicare for All."
By Samantha Liss • May 27, 2021 -
Courtesy of Abbott, PRNewswire
HHS commits $4.8B to COVID-19 testing for the uninsured
The American Clinical Laboratory Association, whose members include LabCorp and Quest Diagnostics, had urged the Biden administration in February to make more money available.
By Susan Kelly • May 26, 2021 -
Senate confirms Chiquita Brooks-LaSure as head of CMS
Industry groups cheered her confirmation, saying Brooks-LaSure's policy know-how and experience managing insurance programs should help increase equitable access to affordable care in the U.S.
By Rebecca Pifer • May 25, 2021 -
Anthem wrongly received $3.4M in MA overpayments, OIG says
The insurer is the latest to face allegations of receiving Medicare Advantage overpayments tied to patients who were inaccurately identified as part of a high-risk group.
By Samantha Liss • May 25, 2021
Previous
