Politics

Keith Ellison says he’s going to look at the deal involving Essentia Health and Marshfield Clinic Health System and the proposed merger of St. Luke’s Duluth and Aspirus Health.

A federal court rejected the Federal Trade Commission’s efforts to block the Louisiana system’s acquisition of three hospitals from HCA Healthcare.

Prostate cancer cases have increased after years of decline. Evan Goldfischer, president of LUGPA, talks about the need to increase awareness and outreach.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy went to Staten Island University Hospital to express thanks for the support of medical providers since Russia’s invasion.

Advocates want healthcare workers to get federal protection, similar to airline employees. Healthcare leaders say more doctors, nurses and other staffers have been attacked in recent years.

Beginning in October, a key program offering federal funds to safety net hospitals is slated for a reduction of $8 billion. More than 250 hospitals have asked Senate and House leaders to block the cuts.

Advocates for health systems say a CMS proposal is insufficient, as hospitals continue to grapple with higher costs.

The American Hospital Association, the American Medical Association, and the Medical Group Management Association say the reductions would hurt providers.

A presidential advisory panel recommends the White House take action to lower the number of harmful events in hospitals. Patient advocates offered praise.

The government has proposed new steps to ensure providers aren’t denying services. Advocates say people with disabilities too often encounter hurdles to get care.

The 30-second spot, which is slated to appear nationally starting today, warns that reduced federal aid will hurt patient care.

A bipartisan bill would potentially give the Department of Health and Human Services a role in weighing the impact of hospital and healthcare consolidations.

The government says the proposal will help residents and staff. Nursing homes and hospitals say the move could force some facilities to close.

The Oregon measure sets minimum levels in all hospitals. Other states are looking at nurse staffing levels, and lawmakers in Congress have introduced legislation.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services named the first prescription drugs selected for negotiation. The president has made lowering healthcare costs a top priority, but the impact of this remains to be seen.

Two out of three practices say they didn’t agree to the fees for electronic payments. The MGMA is asking Congress for help.

The president of the American Nurses Association applauded the Biden administration for the grants, but said nurses still face violence, burnout and low wages.

The Department of Health and Human Services announced grants to increase the number of registered nurses, nurse midwives and nurse faculty.

The bipartisan group, including Elizabeth Warren and Chuck Grassley, say that health systems receive billions in breaks but are cutting services and acting aggressively to collect debts.

In October, a key Medicaid program for safety net hospitals is slated to be cut by $8 billion. Lawmakers say it could threaten the viability of hospitals and reduce care to those who need it most.

Organizations representing hospitals say they fall short and don’t recognize their higher costs. And there is anger over planned cuts in aid to safety-net hospitals.

The president and CEO of the American Hospital Association, Pollack urges health system executives to focus on caregivers and build connections with lawmakers.

In an exclusive interview, he discusses financial and labor challenges, the need to make care more convenient, violence in hospitals, prior authorization, and improving health equity.

In an interview with Chief Healthcare Executive®, she talks about the difficulties, and the impact on local communities.

Healthcare groups assailed the proposals, saying they’ll hurt health systems and physicians.