Politics

Lawmakers have approved legislation that would give the state’s attorney general more authority on hospital consolidations. Sanford and Fairview are planning to create a system with over 50 hospitals.

The Association of American Medical Colleges says improving diversity is critical to training doctors and improving public health.

Healthcare leaders applauded the choice of Monica Bertagnolli, who has been leading the National Cancer Institute. She recently disclosed her own diagnosis of breast cancer.

A bipartisan effort has emerged that sponsors say would give insurers and hospitals more ability to negotiate prices.

A federal judge in Texas struck down the provision in the Affordable Care Act. Several advocacy groups filed a brief urging the court to issue a partial stay while the legal battle plays out.

The DEA put the brakes on a plan to limit the remote prescription of some controlled substances. Telehealth advocates welcomed the reprieve.

Most states have passed laws in recent years directing hospitals to foster more communication with caregivers. Researchers say those policies should prompt hospitals to consider more collaboration.

There are still many consumers that think that they don’t really pay for their healthcare according to price.

Secretary Xavier Becerra says a patient in distress endured a ‘terrifying ordeal’ when the facilities refused to perform the procedure. He warned the agency will go after hospitals that violate federal law.

Most medical groups say the requirements have increased over the past year. Providers have been pressing the Biden administration and lawmakers for reforms.

Lawmakers and advocates are showing interest in reducing Medicare reimbursements for some services at hospital outpatient departments. Hospitals contend the cuts would reduce services for patients.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is now proposing ‘earlier and automatic’ penalties. To date, CMS has only issued a handful of fines.

Democratic and Republican lawmakers have sponsored legislation to avert the loss of Medicaid funding that is critical to safety-net hospitals.

Republican lawmakers are pushing legislation to ease restrictions, but two leading hospital advocacy groups are opposing those efforts.

The state’s health systems have suffered heavy losses due to the COVID-19 pandemic and underfunding at the federal and state levels, according to an analysis by Kaufman Hall.

CMS has proposed a 2.8% increase for Medicare’s inpatient rates. The American Hospital Association calls it insufficient in light of high inflation and a history of inadequate reimbursements.

The organizers mourned those who lost their lives and held a moment of silence for the victims.

The small hospital points to difficulties under the state’s abortion ban and a shortage of doctors in its ‘difficult decision’ to eliminate obstetrics service.

A host of healthcare groups are coming together for the effort. They say drug companies are covertly trying to cut the program, even as they say they want to save it.

Health systems say without more support, dozens of hospitals in California are ‘at great risk.’

The president's spending plan will face partisan opposition. However, he is offering boosts for health programs that are popular on both sides of the aisle.

Several healthcare organizations are urging lawmakers to block looming reductions to a program that aids more than 2,500 hospitals.