Medical care plunged in pandemic's early days, studies show

A case report of one of the busiest public hospital's emergency department and another from the Commonwealth Fund detail the impact on care not linked to the coronavirus in the first days of the crisis.

By Ron Shinkman • March 19, 2021

Hospital mergers can slow wage growth for nurses, others: study

The Federal Trade Commission said it wants more analysis on the effects mergers have on labor markets and worker wages, though it typically challenges mergers that could up prices and distort care access.

By Samantha Liss • March 19, 2021

Explore the Trendline➔

Surprise Billing

Federal legislation banning surprise bills has hit a barrage of roadblocks, complicating efforts to protect consumers from unexpected out-of-network charges.

By Healthcare Dive staff

AHA urges strict antitrust review of UnitedHealth's $13B Change buy

The diversified health giant declined to comment directly on anticompetitive concerns, though an Optum spokesperson argued the two companies have "distinct and complementary capabilities."

By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • March 19, 2021

Becerra confirmed as HHS secretary

The 50-49 vote in the Senate was almost entirely along party lines. The only Republican to cross the aisle was Sen. Susan Collins of Maine.

By Shannon Muchmore • March 18, 2021

All eyes on elective care after a rollercoaster year for medtech

After shutdowns slammed procedure-dependent firms in 2020, industry and Wall Street are waiting to see when non-emergency surgeries fully return and what a comeback might look like.

By Ricky Zipp • March 18, 2021

Health Affairs' Alan Weil reflects on 1 year of COVID-19

The editor in chief of the respected industry journal spoke with Healthcare Dive about the role of equity in health research, the staying power of telemedicine and how to effectively communicate important public health messages.

By Shannon Muchmore • March 18, 2021

1 year of COVID-19 has changed what it's like to work in healthcare

A year of working on the front lines brought more focus on the challenges facing nurses and physicians, who are reporting higher rates of burnout as well as a lack of trust and engagement with the organizations employing them.

By Hailey Mensik • March 17, 2021

Majority of largest hospitals 'unambiguously noncompliant' with revealing prices online: report

Of the 100 largest facilities in the U.S., 65 were noncompliant with the requirement to post negotiated rates with insurers online, a rule that went into effect Jan. 1 despite fierce opposition from the hospital lobby.

By Samantha Liss • March 17, 2021

Banner rebounds from H1 loss, buoyed by COVID-19 relief funds

The Arizona-based system would have posted an operating loss without federal cash, according to its latest financial documents.

By Samantha Liss • March 16, 2021

CMS hikes COVID-19 vaccine pay, broadens scope of providers to give jab

The AMA praised the boosted reimbursement, intended to speed up distribution of the three currently available shots.

By Shannon Muchmore • March 16, 2021

ECRI says COVID-19 has made racial disparities biggest healthcare safety concern

Overall preparedness for pandemic response and supply chain and drug shortage concerns also made the organization's annual top 10 list this year.

By Ron Shinkman • March 15, 2021

Hospital executives share lessons learned 1 year into the pandemic

Some health systems won't be returning to pre-coronavirus operations, as the crisis has forced them to rethink how they operate. Executives from across the country share what they've changed and what still keeps them up at night.

By Samantha Liss • March 15, 2021

COVID-19: 1 year later

For the healthcare industry, much has changed, and some of those alterations may be permanent. Hope is beginning to bloom as three coronavirus vaccines have been authorized for emergency use in the U.S.

March 15, 2021

Recognition, a key driver for healthcare worker engagement, HCAHPS scores

Learn how recognition can improve employee satisfaction, resulting in higher patient satisfaction and organizational fiscal health.

By John Rossheim • March 15, 2021

S&P says risk of hospital operator defaults plummet from last year's highs

Officials credit coronavirus relief legislation for getting providers through the most difficult tumult of COVID-19 and keeping them financially stable even though patient volumes are still depressed.

By Ron Shinkman • March 12, 2021

Lawmakers mull greater federal healthcare worker protections

President Joe Biden in January issued an executive order directing OSHA to consider an emergency temporary standard and issue one if necessary by Monday, a move opposed by the American Hospital Association.

By Hailey Mensik • March 12, 2021

Hospitals lift curtain on prices, revealing giant swings in pricing by procedure

The eye-popping variations demonstrate "the total insanity of American healthcare pricing," Niall Brennan, CEO of the Health Care Cost Institute, said.

By Samantha Liss , Nami Sumida • March 11, 2021

4 key elements of the COVID-19 relief legislation for providers and payers

President Joe Biden signed the legislation Thursday afternoon, but provider groups immediately called on Congress to pass a new bill extending the pause on Medicare sequester cuts.

By Shannon Muchmore , Samantha Liss , Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • Updated March 12, 2021

Most hospital workers don't have greater risk of COVID-19 due to their jobs, study finds

The JAMA Network Open authors said the findings give "reassurance that current infection prevention practices in diverse healthcare settings are effective in preventing transmission" of the coronavirus from patient to provider.

By Ron Shinkman • March 10, 2021

Vast majority of hospitals say they have an AI strategy, up from just half last year

Actually implementing and scaling the tech is still a challenge, despite the rise in awareness and adoption, a Sage Growth report found.

By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • March 10, 2021

Sutter's $575M antitrust settlement gains preliminary approval

To put the settlement in motion, it must first be approved by a judge. Tuesday's order moves the case one step closer to final approval.

By Samantha Liss • March 10, 2021

Non-operating income helps Providence claw back into black for 2020

The system, which operates 51 hospitals spanning seven states, posted drastic losses in the first half of 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but closed out the year on more stable financial footing.

By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • March 9, 2021

Coronavirus relief bill with rural hospital aid passes Senate

The nearly $2 trillion bill also includes billions for COVID-19 testing and contact tracing as well as extra subsidies to help people buy health coverage through the Affordable Care Act marketplaces.

By Shannon Muchmore • March 8, 2021

Trinity's Chicago Mercy Hospital enters deal to avert closing doors

The safety net hospital entered a nonbinding agreement to be acquired by Insight, which operates a small hospital and biotechnology venture outside of Detroit, after filing for bankruptcy last month.

By Ron Shinkman • March 5, 2021

800 Tenet nurses striking in Massachusetts with no end date

The Massachusetts hospital spent $1.7 million on replacement nurses with a final $3.7 million payment due Friday. It is unclear when the two sides will meet again for another negotiation session.

By Hailey Mensik • Updated March 9, 2021