Pennsylvania health system strikes deal to acquire hospital
WellSpan Health announces its plans to bring Evangelical Community Hospital into the system.
Prior authorization rule will bring change, but doesn’t solve major problems
The federal government approved new regulations to streamline the process of getting approvals. Critics point to major gaps, including the timelines for insurers to respond.
The doctor’s perspective: Battling with insurers over prior authorization
Physicians say the process of securing approval delays care for patients and leads to burnout and moral distress for providers.
Yale New Haven Health names new president, and more | MED MOVES
Boston Medical Center appoints new leaders to inaugural positions, and other leaders take new roles.
Foo Fighters to headline concert for hospital price transparency
The legendary band is slated to perform a show to benefit Power to the Patients, a nonprofit organization pushing to change the health system.
Hospitals affected by cyberattack of UnitedHealth subsidiary
Change Healthcare is grappling with a cybersecurity incident. Change, which is part of Optum, provides healthcare technology services to hospitals. Health systems are worried about potential ripple effects.
Should retailers have second thoughts on primary care?
Walgreens is shutting down some VillageMD locations, and CVS is closing clinics in the Los Angeles area. Both say they’re committed to primary care, but it’s not an easy road.
Alabama’s largest hospital, and others, suspend IVF procedures after court ruling
Providers are pausing procedures, saying they can’t risk prosecution of physicians or patients. The state’s Supreme Court has ruled that embryos have the same legal rights as children.
Hospitals show decline in Fitch’s early 2023 analysis, but should improve (a little)
Nonprofit health systems are showing improvements, but even with expected gains, they’re likely to remain below pre-pandemic levels.
How Penn State Health transformed its radiology scheduling
The system developed a new platform making it easier for patients to get appointments, stemming the loss of patients to other providers, and improving revenue.
Massachusetts governor urges health system to transfer hospitals: ‘The time has come’
Gov. Maura Healey pressed Steward Health Care to begin a ‘safe, orderly transition’ amid the system’s financial struggles, and warns that the state will close beds and transfer patients if needed.
Most doctors say they feel burnout regularly, many consider leaving medicine
Doctors say they’re doing 15 hours per week beyond normal work hours, according to athenahealth’s new survey of physician sentiment. Some doctors have optimism that AI could help.
Nearly half of healthcare workers say a patient’s race affects quality of care
Workers have seen discrimination against patients, according to a Commonwealth Fund report. Black and Latino workers are more likely to say they’ve witnessed racism.
Why listening is ‘the most important skill’ | Lessons for Leaders
Nicole Stallings, president and CEO of the Hospital and Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania, talks about coming to the table, identifying common ground, and listening.
Walgreens names new president of U.S. healthcare, and more | MED MOVES
A Providence executive takes on new responsibilities, and other leaders take new roles.
Breaking barriers: Advancing gender equality in healthcare leadership | Viewpoint
There is an alarming drop-off between female representation in healthcare in the early stages of their career versus successive leadership levels.
Rural hospitals in the red: Half are losing money, many are cutting services
A new analysis from the Chartis Center for Rural Health outlines the troubling financial picture, and the growing number of communities with less access to healthcare services.
Lawmakers introduce bill to direct more aid to safety net hospitals | Bills and Laws
Hospital advocates have called for a new designation to support “essential hospitals” that serve disadvantaged communities. Two House members have crafted a bill to do it.
Pa. leader tackles financial challenges of hospitals | States of healthcare
Nicole Stallings, CEO of the Hospital and Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania, talks about the financial strain, workforce challenges and behavioral health needs.
Pushing Congress to extend law to reduce burnout, suicide among healthcare workers
Healthcare groups are backing bills to reauthorize the Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act. J. Corey Feist testified at a House hearing.
Marriage and medicine: Balancing love and the workplace
With the arrival of Valentine’s Day, two doctors who are approaching their 20th anniversary share their insights on taking time for each other.
Officials push back on plans to close two Wisconsin hospitals
U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin is asking HSHS to delay the closings, which are slated to happen in the spring. Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers has expressed disappointment at the lack of notice.
‘Behind the times’: Washington tries to catch up with AI’s use in healthcare
Zocdoc launches new feature to guide patients to the right doctors
The new ‘guided search’ feature aims to make it easier to match with the appropriate provider. Oliver Kharraz, the company’s CEO and founder, talks about the new tool.
Commission tackles federal payments for nurses
A group of healthcare leaders is setting out to change federal policy to help hospitals pay for nursing staff.
Virginia considers measure allowing physician-assisted death | Bills and Laws
The legislation would allow terminally ill patients to get medications to end their lives, and it’s inspiring fierce debate.
American Psychiatric Association announces new CEO, and more | MED MOVES
Emory University appoints its first chief research informatics officer, and other leaders make news.
Big score: Hospitals look to win in deals with pro sports teams
Both of the Super Bowl teams have official healthcare partners. More health systems are forming partnerships with NFL teams, and they’re also looking beyond the gridiron.
Do we simply not care enough about old people?
In the last week of 2023 and the first two weeks of 2024 alone, 4,810 people 65 and older lost their lives to covid — a group that would fill more than 10 large airliners.
How hospitals can help nurses, and themselves
Health systems are more likely to retain nurses if they listen to their concerns, reduce some tasks, and move to more flexible schedules, nursing advocates say.
