Ron Southwick

The system aims to expand options at its children's hospital and provide more care for kids in their communities. Katy Welkie and David Flood of Intermountain talked with Chief Healthcare Executive about the effort.

It’s being called the biggest acquisition in the healthcare sector of 2022. Amgen touted the chance to expand its portfolio to include more drugs treating rare diseases.

Hospitals are filled with patients with respiratory illnesses, and flu hospitalizations are the highest in more than a decade. Now, more people are being treated in hospitals for COVID-19.

The American Medical Association and groups from every state said the cuts will add to the financial hardships clinicians are facing.

Health systems will struggle with higher costs, though there is room for optimism. Kevin Holloran of Fitch spoke with Chief Healthcare Executive about the challenges in the year ahead.

The American Medical Association has filed a brief in a case before the Wisconsin Supreme Court. At issue: whether a hospital should be required to use ivermectin, even as leading health experts advise against it.

Health systems say prior authorization hurts patient care and adds to clinician burnout. The CMS is proposing reform measures that have produced some optimism, but health leaders say other steps are needed.

Researchers found women were less likely to be prescribed drugs to lower cholesterol. Physicians must understand women don’t face a lower risk of heart disease, researchers say.

The health systems and the Minnesota Nurses Association said they have a tentative agreement. Here’s a look at the key components of the deal.

The system said the breach involved patient data from Virginia Mason Franciscan Health, an affiliate of CommonSpirit.

Health systems announced the agreements, which still need ratification from union membership. About 15,000 nurses were poised to go on strike beginning Sunday.

The healthcare system doesn’t have a sustainable model of nursing, says Rebecca Love of IntelyCare. And she’s trying to get more people to focus on the problems.

Nurses are planning to walkout beginning Dec. 11, and most plan to be on strike for about three weeks. Hospitals, packed with patients with RSV and other illnesses, say the strike comes at a particularly difficult time.

The systems say they have now formally merged to create Advocate Health, forming one of America’s largest hospital systems. Analysts have said it could pave the way for more consolidations.

Making good on a threat to take legal action, Akram Boutros said his termination was improper. The board said Boutros was ousted for paying himself $1.9 million in bonuses without board approval.

Around the country, children’s hospitals are at or above capacity due to high numbers of patients with respiratory viruses.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid advise health systems about their responsibilities to protect staff and patients, and the agency says it will take action against those who aren’t doing enough.

Nearly one in 10 hospitals are in danger of closing their doors, the Texas Hospital Association says. Rural hospitals are at the greatest risk, but some urban hospitals could be forced to cut services.

Health systems continue to struggle with higher expenses, including rising labor costs, according to the latest monthly report from Kaufman Hall.

Researchers found some alarming trends in firearm deaths in recent years. The study raises important questions for public health approaches to reduce gun deaths.

With more nurses leaving bedside roles, health systems need to find ways to retain skilled and experienced professionals.

Federal officials warn that individuals behind ‘Lorenz’ ransomware are targeting larger organizations, including those in the healthcare industry.

The company’s app on relaxation and mindfulness is used by millions. Now, Calm is offering mental health services with ‘Calm Health.’

Maria Cristina Jimenez was hailed for her leadership skills. Police said her husband fatally shot her and then took his own life.

The two created fake purchase orders and then billed the Dallas VA Medical Center. They entered guilty pleas in federal court and could spend a decade in prison.

In an interview with Chief Healthcare Executive, the chief health officer of Oracle Health talks about the role of data in closing disparities. She also offers guidance for hospitals aiming to improve equity in care.

Several experts discussed ways to close disparities among disadvantaged groups during a panel at the HLTH Conference. They stressed working with communities and measuring data to see if interventions are working.

Groups representing doctors and hospitals say they support the spirit of the law, but a process to resolve billing disputes is tilted in favor of insurers.

The California-based system says it has an agreement to sell two Chicago-area hospitals to Resilience Healthcare and Ramco Healthcare Holdings.

Dr. Akram Boutros gave himself bonuses over four years without disclosing the payments, the MetroHealth board said. An attorney for Boutros says the firing is retaliatory after he planned to expose misconduct by the board.