Politics

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.

Dr. Myechia Minter-Jordan, the new leader of the AARP, talks with Chief Healthcare Executive about her goals and why it's such a pivotal moment for the organization.

The American Medical Association says hospitals should face penalties for falling short.. Hospitals have rejected accusations that they aren’t providing enough charity care.

Some worry about the prospect of cuts to Medicaid or work restrictions. Medicaid offers coverage to millions with lower incomes, and Medicaid cuts could hurt hospitals.

The American Telemedicine Association said Donald Trump has backed virtual care. Health groups are also pressing President Biden and Congress to approve extensions before the year’s end.

Dr. Georges C. Benjamin of the American Public Health Association talks with us about hopes for addressing big problems, concerns about Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and the need for qualified leaders in key posts.

Groups representing health systems, physicians and medical schools congratulated the president-elect. They also outlined some of their goals and hopes in Washington.

Several physicians won re-election to new terms in the House of Representatives. And a couple of freshmen physicians will join the House.

The justices weighed a challenge involving Disproportionate Share Hospital payments. Hospitals say the government hasn’t calculated payments fairly, costing providers more than $1 billion annually.

Health systems are hoping for a peaceful election, but they have made preparations in case there is violence stemming from the election.

Lawmakers call for lowering rates paid to hospitals for outpatient services. They say their plan would lower patient costs, but hospitals say it would reduce access to care.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid services announced that a 2.8% reduction in Medicare payments will take effect in 2025. Hospitals also criticized payments for outpatient care.

Just before Election Day, the Affordable Care Act, abortion rights, and Robert F. Kennedy’s role in a possible Trump administration are making headlines.

Healthcare groups are praising a bipartisan measure to avert planned reductions in payments to physicians, which are slated to take effect Jan. 1.

The First Lady appeared at the closing day of the HLTH conference to tout new funds to improve the health of women. She also urged healthcare leaders to do more for women.

With two weeks until Election Day, Andy Slavitt and Seema Verma talked about what will change, and what won’t, no matter who wins the White House.

Robert Califf talked about the difficulties in regulating AI technologies, why he fears AI could exacerbate inequities, and the need for a better supply chain.