New York nursing homes with unions had fewer COVID-19 deaths, infections

Researchers writing in Health Affairs said healthcare unionization "may play an important role in ensuring access to appropriate PPE and implementing infection control policies that protect vulnerable nursing home residents."

By Hailey Mensik • Sept. 14, 2020

Trump releases long-awaited drug pricing order, but its effects are likely far off

The White House disclosed details of an order to cut Medicare prices to international rates, but the proposed plan will be difficult to carry out and could take months to enact.

By Jonathan Gardner • Sept. 14, 2020

Explore the Trendline➔

Provider burnout

Hospitals are still struggling with provider burnout, after the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated underlying staffing issues and prompted workers to quit their jobs.

By Healthcare Dive staff

3 key takeaways from HCA, Tenet's latest public comments

Executives at some of the nation's largest health systems offered insights into volumes, demand trends and possible portfolio plays this week as providers continue grappling with COVID-19.

By Samantha Liss • Sept. 11, 2020

Physician stress, burnout, loneliness worsening amid pandemic, Medscape finds

While more than half of U.S. physicians said they aren't considering switching careers, some 25% said they now plan to retire earlier than expected due to the COVID-19 crisis.

By Hailey Mensik • Sept. 11, 2020

West Virginia hospital to pay $50M to settle False Claims Act violations

DOJ alleges Wheeling Hospital paid physicians well above market value for referring patients to the facility — in some cases over $1 million a year — from 2007 to 2020, defrauding Medicare of tens of millions of dollars.

By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • Sept. 10, 2020

Some University of Illinois Hospital nurses barred from striking, judge rules

Despite the Cook County circuit court judge's ruling Friday, the more than 800 nurses still allowed to picket intend to do so Saturday, the union said.

By Hailey Mensik • Updated Sept. 11, 2020

Hospice respite flexibility is recipe for more patient protection

The CEO of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization writes in support of a bill that would allow respite care to be provided outside of inpatient settings and hospice patients to receive up to 15 days of respite care.

By Edo Banach • Sept. 9, 2020

Hospitals urge HHS to step in on 340B fight with drug manufacturers

On Friday, more than 1,100 hospitals sent another letter to HHS urging it to take action against drug manufacturers limiting drug distribution to 340B facilities.

By Shannon Muchmore • Updated Sept. 11, 2020

Doctors affiliated with health systems have much higher MIPS scores, JAMA study finds

A separate study found that physicians who had the highest proportion of patients dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid also had significantly lower performance scores than other doctors.

By Shannon Muchmore • Sept. 8, 2020

Quorum CEO leaving company after just 2 months

The Tennessee-based for-profit hospital operator, which emerged from bankruptcy in July, is moving onto its third CEO this year.

By Shannon Muchmore • Sept. 8, 2020

After 4-decade run, UHS CEO Alan Miller stepping down in January

Miller is one of the longest-serving and highest-paid CEOs in healthcare. He will be replaced by his son, Marc, who's been with UHS for more than 25 years.

By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • Sept. 8, 2020

Healthcare jobs inch back to pre-pandemic levels, adding 75K in August

Some sub-sectors, like hospitals, are close to last year's levels, but not all are bouncing back, new Labor Department figures show.

By Hailey Mensik • Sept. 4, 2020

Nurses, service workers set to strike at University of Illinois Hospital in Chicago

The hospital said authorizing a strike doesn't mean it will definitely happen, and it will do everything in its power to avert the work stoppage. Negotiations have been held this week.

By Hailey Mensik • Sept. 3, 2020

Here's how nonprofit hospitals weathered the first half of 2020

"In the absence of stimulus relief and rebounding elective procedural volumes, the sector would have taken a considerable shock to all key financial metrics," Fitch Ratings said.

Sept. 3, 2020

Healthcare workers likely to be first in line for coronavirus vaccination

Initial vaccine supplies will be limited. Advisory groups, most recently the National Academies, are developing plans for who should get access first.

By Jonathan Gardner • Sept. 3, 2020

Final inpatient payment rule confirms price transparency push

CMS is also adding 24 technologies to receive add-on payments and finalizing a diagnosis-related group for CAR-T cancer therapies.

By Hailey Mensik • Updated Sept. 3, 2020

Despite turbulence in H1, no avalanche of health system downgrades

"It's new territory, which is why we're taking that measured approach on rating actions," Suzie Desai, senior director at S&P, said.

By Samantha Liss • Sept. 2, 2020

Northwell says COVID-19 has inflicted $1.2B hit to date

The New York-area nonprofit hospital system posted a year-over-year deficit of $250 million for the first half of 2020, as operating expenses rose 9.5%.

By Ron Shinkman • Aug. 31, 2020

Long-term virtual care plans evade providers, small executive survey finds

Remote patient monitoring is still a work in progress for most — only four of the 19 executives surveyed by Klas said their organizations currently have a working program.

By Hailey Mensik • Aug. 31, 2020

Investment returns boost Cleveland Clinic into the black despite weak Q2 revenue

Like many other major operators, Cleveland Clinic also benefited from millions in government assistance, including $324 million in CARES relief grants.

By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • Aug. 31, 2020

Allina, Minnesota Blues enter into sweeping value-based pact

The payer and provider aim to cut the cost trend for care by 10% over the next five years through the multiyear agreement, which will cover about 130,000 people.

By Ron Shinkman • Aug. 28, 2020

4 in 10 say COVID-19 reduced their access to care, CDC survey shows

A separate survey from the agency found that nearly 37% of people said their provider now offers a form of telehealth, compared to about 14% who said it was offered before the pandemic.

By Shannon Muchmore • Aug. 27, 2020

Investment losses, flagging volume push UPMC into the red in H1

The Pittsburgh-based nonprofit reported a loss of $165 million, down from a profit of $372 million the same time last year.

By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • Aug. 27, 2020

Hospitals slam 'disturbing' COVID-19 data reporting requirement threatening Medicare funding

The American Hospital Association quickly bashed the interim final rule, calling it "heavy-handed" and requesting it be reversed immediately.

By Shannon Muchmore • Aug. 26, 2020

Nurses union seeks OSHA inspections, fines at 17 HCA hospitals

At the heart of the complaints is a growing need for contract tracing in healthcare facilities, a lack of which contributed to preventable spread of the novel coronavirus through hospitals and into communities, the union alleges.

By Hailey Mensik • Updated Aug. 27, 2020