Politics

Hours before leaving the Oval Office, Biden issued a preemptive pardon of his former top medical adviser and key leader of the response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Health systems have pressing priorities from the new administration and Capitol Hill. Lisa Kidder Hrobsky of the American Hospital Association talks about what hospitals are seeking in Washington.

The second Trump administration promises to bring changes that will affect America’s hospitals, with concerns about Medicaid funding, ACA subsidies, and potential higher costs with tariffs.

The AMA spoke out against CMS’ planned increases in payments to insurers, which come amidst years of cuts in Medicare payments for physicians.

Lawmakers say private equity firms are focusing on profits, hurting hospital operations and patient care. A new study links private equity ownership of hospitals to declines in care.

The president-elect survived an assassination attempt and was treated at a Pennsylvania hospital, and healthcare leaders bemoaned cuts in reimbursements to physicians.

Congress approved a package that extends telehealth programs into March, but advocates are pushing for a longer deal. Kyle Zebley of the American Telemedicine Association talks about the wins and losses and the road ahead.

Lawmakers approved a stopgap bill to avoid a government shutdown, but Congress didn’t block Medicare payment cuts to doctors taking effect in 2025. The package doesn’t address prior authorization reform.

Sharon Regional Medical Center is poised to shut down. State and local efforts to preserve the hospital haven’t been successful.

Lawmakers crafted legislation to fund the government and avert a shutdown. It includes a short-term extension for telehealth programs, but doesn’t block cuts in Medicare payments to doctors.

Emergency nurses share their experiences on treating the victims of shootings, the anguish of families and how they cope with what they see and experience.

Lawmakers added measures to extend telehealth and hospital-at-health programs to a bill to avoid a government shutdown. But the spending plan fell apart.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren and other Democrats have written a letter outlining objections and concerns about President-elect Trump’s nominee to lead the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

Public officials are pushing back against those saying the individual who fatally shot Brian Thompson is worthy of praise or celebration.

Authorities say a person of interest has been arrested in the fatal shooting of Brian Thompson. Police said he had a document showing his mindset.

Bea Grause talks about the struggles of New York hospitals and the need for a comprehensive approach to alleviate staff shortages and ensure access to healthcare.

The former congressman is a physician, but his past statements on vaccines have troubled health leaders. He also hasn’t led a large public health agency.

President-elect Trump wants Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, who opposed some COVID-19 measures, to lead the National Institutes of Health. The NIH is the prime source of federal funding for medical research.

The CMS introduced a rule to try to reduce denials in MA plans. Hospitals say they’re encouraged by the proposal.

A survey of the state’s hospitals finds many are still facing significant financial headwinds, including higher labor and supply costs.

Congress needs to pass legislation to streamline the prior authorization process so patient care isn’t delayed. The measure has bipartisan support.

Dave Weldon, a physician and former congressman, is tapped for the Centers for Disease Control. The president-elect chose Dr. Marty Makary to run the Food & Drug Administration.

Federal waivers for telehealth programs, including hospital-at-home programs, are slated to expire Dec. 31. Fitch says failing to extend home hospital programs would be a financial blow to nonprofit hospitals.

PatientRightsAdvocate.org says it analyzed 2,000 hospitals and found only about 1 in 5 were fully compliant. Some health systems fared better than others.

Critics worry he’ll undermine public confidence in vaccines. They also say he lacks the qualifications to lead an agency directing health policies that affect all Americans.

Nurses are pressing the state’s lawmakers to approve a measure to establish staffing levels and also provide $20 million to help train more nurses.

The famed heart surgeon, television host and former Senate candidate would oversee the huge agency. Trump said he’d be a good partner to Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the HHS nominee.

The federal government said it will allow remote prescriptions of controlled substances to continue. Health advocacy groups urged federal officials for an extension.

Health systems are hoping lawmakers address some key issues before the end of the year, when some key programs are slated to expire. For hospitals, billions of dollars are at stake.

Donald Trump wants Kennedy, the outspoken skeptic of vaccines, to lead the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. Critics say he’s unqualified for the post and could damage public health programs.