Medicare releases 2026 payment plan for hospitals; critics call it ‘insufficient’
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services proposed a modest bump in payments for inpatient care. Hospitals say the government needs to do more.
Focusing on the postpartum period to reduce maternal deaths
Too many women die after giving birth, and more are dying weeks or months after delivery. Dr. Cynthia Chen-Joea of the American Academy of Family Physicians talks about the stubborn problem and what can be done.
Northwell Health, Nuvance Health poised to complete merger, create 28-hospital system
The systems have secured their final regulatory approval and expect to close the deal shortly. Northwell will acquire Nuvance, which has struggled financially.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. should resign or be fired, public health leader says
The American Public Health Association’s director calls on Kennedy to step down as the nation’s health secretary. The group cites Kennedy’s staff cuts, reorganization and his refusal to promote vaccination.
Hospitals are facing what they dread: Uncertainty
With questions about federal spending and economic headwinds, healthcare leaders are grappling with more unknowns, adding complexity to long-term planning.
For hospitals, tariffs could mean higher prices ‘almost immediately’
President Trump has paused tariff hikes on most countries, but they remain in effect on China, which produces key medical supplies hospitals use every day.
Fewer physicians report burnout, but still too many
Rates of burnout have fallen since the COVID-19 pandemic, but nearly half of all doctors say they’re struggling with burnout.
Measles outbreak shows need for vaccination, outreach and primary care
After years with no measles fatalities, three people have died and hundreds of cases have been reported. Dr. Marschall Runge, CEO of Michigan Medicine, talks about the need to take different approaches.
Hospital merger activity slows dramatically
Only a handful of deals took place in the first three months of 2025, according to a Kaufman Hall analysis. Most involved a provider in financial distress.
The value of keeping cool under pressure | Lessons for Leaders
Marty Bonick, president and CEO of Ardent Health, stresses the importance of staying calm under trying circumstances.
NIH cuts, reorganization stir fears for future of medical research
About 1,200 at the National Institutes of Health are being forced out, including some key leaders. The cuts are part of the broader layoffs and reorganization of the Department of Health & Human Services.
Why Nemours Children’s Health is helping a Delaware neighborhood
Nemours is lending millions to a community center in Wilmington. Dr. R. Lawrence Moss of Nemours talks about why the effort is so important and fits in with the system’s mission.
Intermountain Health names leader of Nevada children’s hospital, and more | MED MOVES
Ardent Health appoints a COO, and other leaders tackle new challenges.
Four Michigan hospitals poised to get new ownership
Beacon Health System has reached an agreement to acquire Ascension’s hospitals in southwest Michigan. Ascension has divested other facilities recently.
Sanford Health aims to expand access to care in rural America
Most of the system’s patients live in rural communities in the Midwest. Bill Gassen, Sanford’s CEO, talks with us about reducing healthcare barriers in the heartland.
Hospitals, medical groups express anxiety over tariffs
Healthcare leaders say they’re concerned about the prospect of higher costs on medical devices as President Trump unveils new tariffs. Providers say it’s difficult to pass on the costs.
As Dr. Oz takes over CMS, hospitals hope to protect Medicaid
The Senate voted to install Mehmet Oz as the administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Health systems have been worried about cuts to Medicaid.
Medical schools criticize Health Department layoffs
David Skorton, president and CEO of the Association of American Medical Colleges, says the HHS reorganization will hurt health and research programs.
AdventHealth appoints veteran leader as new president and CEO
David Banks takes over the faith-based system, which operates 55 hospitals in nine states. He succeeds Terry Shaw, who previously announced his plans to retire.
Sanford Health CEO talks about Marshfield Clinic merger and potential for more growth
Bill Gassen, Sanford’s president and CEO, now oversees a system operating 56 hospitals in rural America. He says that the system could look at other deals.
Penn Medicine continues growth with acquisition of Doylestown Health
The health system says it has completed the deal. Penn Medicine has added other hospitals in the Philadelphia suburbs in recent years.
Tackling the decline of Black students entering medical schools
The number of first-year Black students fell by 11% this year. Dr. James Hildreth, president and CEO of Meharry Medical College, talks about the problems and turning the decline around.
‘Decimated’: Health department layoffs wipe out divisions and key programs, critics say
The Health & Human Services Department began terminating 10,000 workers Tuesday. Public health leaders say the cuts undermine efforts to protect the health and safety of Americans.
FDA is ‘finished’ after mass layoffs, ex-commissioner says
Robert Califf, who led the Food & Drug Administration under former President Biden, said most leaders with knowledge of safety are gone.
Two Ohio hospitals have closed temporarily, and it’s not clear when they’ll reopen
The Trumbull Regional Medical Center and Hillside Rehabilitation paused all services last week. Insight Health Systems acquired them after Steward Health Care declared bankruptcy.
Working to bring more women into healthcare technology roles
At Northwestern Medicine, leaders are working to recruit more women in IT roles and prepare them for management positions.
UVA Children’s Health gets its first chief, and more | MED MOVES
Providence appoints a new top digital officer, and other leaders tackle new roles.
Delivery disparities: Hospitals do more C-sections among patients in minority groups
A new report from the Leapfrog Group shows greater rates of C-sections among Black, Asian and Hispanic patients. The report also finds an uptick in C-sections.
How HHS cuts could hurt emergency response
Tom Cotter, CEO of the Health Response Alliance, said the reductions could undermine efforts to track diseases and prepare for future pandemics. He’s worried about a preparedness program for hospitals.
‘Nonsensical’: Health leaders and lawmakers criticize HHS job cuts, reorganization
The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services is reducing its workforce by 20,000 and merging divisions. Health leaders and some lawmakers say the moves will hurt public health and safety.
