Politics

The American Hospital Association, the Maine Hospital Association, and four hospitals are hoping to avert the changes in the federal program, which are set to take effect Jan. 1.

Susan Monarez, the former CDC director, says she thinks up to 90% of all care will take place at home in the not-too-distant future.

They are pushing back after Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. changed its guidance, the latest in a host of controversies over federal vaccine policies this year.

The government issued its final outpatient rates for 2026. Health systems hoped for bigger payments, and they’re troubled by CMS changing its approach to payments.

A new EY study argues the benefits far exceed the tax breaks, but some members of Congress have expressed concerns that hospitals aren’t doing enough.

After leading the Healthcare Association of New York State for a decade, Bea Grause will step down next year. She talks about her tenure and the challenges facing New York’s hospitals.

Hospital trade groups pointed to new research in favor of a moratorium on new physician-owned hospitals. Some lawmakers want to allow doctors to own hospitals in rural areas.

Medicare policies for end-stage renal disease have had a chilling effect on innovation in patient care.

Hudson Regional Health closed Heights University Hospital in Jersey City. New Jersey officials said the system fell short of promises to turn the hospital around.

Dr. James Hildreth, president and CEO of Meharry Medical College, talks about confusing federal guidance and the need for doctors and healthcare leaders to restore trust.

The legislation reopening the government addresses key concerns of hospitals, but they fear millions could lose coverage without the extension of the tax credits.

The shutdown disrupted telehealth and hospital-at-home programs. Federal waivers for those programs have been restored, but only for a short time.

The organization offers a new look at health systems in its new report card on patient safety. Check out the grades for HCA Healthcare, CommonSpirit, and other large organizations.

The government is testing a new model in the program that allows health systems to buy outpatient drugs at lower costs. Hospitals say a rebate model would add administrative burdens and costs.

The state’s governor said the merger would lead to better services and lower prices for consumers. Federal regulators have opposed the deal over fears that patients would pay more for services.

States have submitted their applications for the federal government’s new Rural Health Transformation Program. Hospitals now will wait to see what they get.

States had to submit applications for the new federal program earlier this month. Here’s a look at what states are seeking and how hospitals advised the states.

The federal government launched the new program this summer, and states are aiming to win support for rural health programs.

Organizations are calling on Congress to end the shutdown and extend tax credits for the Affordable Care Act.

Even when Congress re-opens the government, telehealth providers and hospital-at-home programs won’t have long before they’re urging Congress for relief.

The CMS is proposing a $1.1 billion cut to Medicare home health payment rates for 2026. This will be an unprecedented blow to home health agencies.

Telehealth and hospital-at-home programs have been disrupted by the government shutdown.

The health tech conference was dominated by AI, but it took place amidst growing anxiety about changes in federal health policy.

Thousands traveled to Las Vegas for the conference. There was plenty of excitement about AI, but the tone was a bit different this year.

Susan Monarez was fired by the White House just a month after being confirmed by the Senate. Now, she says she’s looking forward to new opportunities.