SPOTLIGHT -
American Hospital Association asks court to approve 340B payments
The Supreme Court ruled last month that Medicare improperly cut the federal drug pricing program. Hospitals want the government to pay up.
Health groups urge Supreme Court to allow medical schools to weigh race in admissions
If justices bar the consideration of race, the enrollment of students from minority groups will plunge, the Association of American Medical Colleges and other groups contend.
Feds will report patient safety data, but hospitals won’t face penalties
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services dropped a plan to suppress some safety reporting after pressure from patient advocates. The Leapfrog Group cheered the move.
CMS raises inpatient payments for 2023, drawing relief from hospitals
The federal government is going beyond the payment rate initially proposed in the spring, which drew sharp criticism. Hospitals welcome the move but say they could use more aid.
Hospitals want COVID-19 public health emergency to go beyond October
The timing is important, because the government has pledged to provide 60 days notice before ending the emergency. Health systems say waivers under the emergency have been critical to care for patients.
Ochsner Health completes merger with Rush Health Systems
The Louisiana-based system adds Rush’s 7 hospitals and more than 30 clinics. The Rush system will now be known as Ochsner Rush Health.
Hospital margins improving but remain in red for 6th straight month
It’s been an ‘extremely challenging year’ for hospitals, according to Kaufman Hall’s latest report. Health systems probably can’t expect a turnaround in the near future.
How Amazon’s $3.9B purchase of One Medical could disrupt the healthcare market
The e-commerce behemoth is buying the primary care provider, saying the health industry needs reinvention. Analysts say Amazon could succeed.
University Hospitals wins American Hospital Association Quest for Quality Prize
The Cleveland-based system was hailed for its commitment to excellence. Cliff Megerian, the system’s CEO, says the staff aims to deliver care with kindness and compassion.
Rachel Levine urges hospital leaders to curb emissions | American Hospital Association Leadership Summit
The assistant U.S. secretary of health called on health systems to tackle climate change, saying it’ll improve health outcomes and can help hospitals lower their own costs.
Bryan Stevenson says 'health equity is really health justice' | American Hospital Association Leadership Summit
Stevenson, the author of “Just Mercy” and inspiration of the film, has spent his adult life representing the disadvantaged in the criminal legal system. He urged hospital leaders to fight to end disparities in healthcare.
Harold Ford, Scott Jennings preview mid-term elections | American Hospital Association Leadership Summit
Ford, the former congressman, and Jennings, a former aide to President George W. Bush, discussed big issues, President Biden's struggles and the likely rematch with Donald Trump.
American Nurses Association apologizes for its role in ‘systemic racism’
The group, which represents more than 4 million nurses, issued a statement of reconciliation and acknowledged it has failed to support nurses of color.
Mass General Brigham doubles down on hospital-at-home program
The organization named Heather O’Sullivan as the system’s first president of home-based care. A key leader says “the future of healthcare is in the home.”
Fewer hospital mergers, but bigger deals, may be a growing trend
The number of transactions in the second quarter was the lowest in years, Kaufman Hall reports. But the small number of deals involved some big players.
Pharmacies can’t refuse to provide abortion drugs or contraception, Biden warns
President Biden’s administration sent a letter to America’s 60,000 retail pharmacies to ensure Americans have access to reproductive healthcare.
Hospitals must provide abortions in medical emergencies, HHS says
Secretary Xavier Becerra told providers federal law supersedes state laws restricting abortion. Providers that don't follow the law could lose federal funds.
NewYork-Presbyterian’s chief medical officer talks about ‘meeting patients where they are’
Deepa Kumaraiah spoke with Chief Healthcare Executive about using data to provide better care, new approaches from the COVID-19 pandemic, and caring for staff.
Eight health groups say it’s time to integrate behavioral health and primary care
The organizations make a case for combining physical and behavioral health, but they say policymakers and insurers must step up to make it a reality.
COVID-19 immune response could be causing brain damage, study finds
NIH researchers said the body’s own defenses, triggered by the virus, are attacking cells within the brain’s blood vessels. The insight could have implications for treating patients.
MED MOVES: Emory Healthcare names president for three hospitals, and more
In other news, UF Health selects a chief diversity officer, the University of Alabama at Birmingham appoints interim leaders, and others take new roles.
Pharmacists can prescribe Paxlovid, to the dismay of doctors
The FDA has given authorization, with some limitations. The American Medical Association says only doctors should be prescribing the drug used to treat COVID-19 patients.
Care New England opts to stay independent
The Rhode Island system said it weighed other options. While Care New England is looking for partnerships, the board voted to continue operating independently.
North Korea-sponsored cyber attackers targeting healthcare, feds warn
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and other agencies issued a warning Wednesday to public health organizations. Health systems are urged to take steps to protect patient data.
After Supreme Court win, hospitals press for 340B payments ‘without delay’
The high court ruled that Medicare improperly reduced reimbursements in the federal drug discount program. Hospitals are pushing the government to cough up the money.
Texas healthcare leaders grapple with end of abortion services
Gary Floyd, the head of the Texas Medical Association, said his group aims to do all it can to support doctors. The organization is still analyzing what doctors can do under the state’s law.
Vaping injuries raise risk of respiratory problems and other issues, study finds
Patients with E-cigarette or vaping associated lung injury found to have a high risk of developing chronic issues that persist for a year or more.
Many Americans are living longer, but gaps are seen in some groups
Some members of minority groups had increases in life expectancy, but wide differences are seen among Americans. The COVID-19 pandemic may have erased those gains.
MED MOVES: Memorial Sloan Kettering announces new CEO, and more
In other news, Cleveland Clinic names a new cancer center director, Sentara Healthcare chooses a new president, and other leaders take new roles.
CMS plans new designation of ‘Rural Emergency Hospitals’
The Biden administration is touting it as a lifeline to help save smaller providers. More than 130 rural hospitals have shut their doors since 2010.