Deep Dive

Industry insights from our journalists


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    House committees advance reconciliation text with big impacts on healthcare

    Republicans in Energy and Commerce and Ways and Means have approved their portions of President Donald Trump’s “big, beautiful bill” after marathon markups. Here’s an extensive look at what the legislation means for healthcare.

    Rebecca Pifer • May 15, 2025
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    Emily Olsen/Healthcare Dive
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    Medicaid cuts could have ‘drastic impact’ on providers

    Some providers may need to reduce services, lay off staff or close their doors if Congress enacts major cuts to the safety-net insurance program, experts say.

    Emily Olsen • May 9, 2025
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    Permission granted by Racquel Garcia, HardBeauty
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    A public health grant provides a lifeline for pregnant and postpartum women in Colorado. Federal cuts threaten its stability.

    The abrupt end of $11 billion in public health grants nationally disrupted a program in Colorado that provides residents critical access to behavioral health and substance abuse support.

    Sydney Halleman • May 7, 2025
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    Darko Mlinarevic via Getty Images
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    Trump HHS tiptoes around endorsing conversion therapy for transgender minors

    A new Trump administration report said teens struggling with gender dysphoria should undergo “exploratory” therapy and that conversion therapy was misunderstood.

    Susanna Vogel • May 2, 2025
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    andresr via Getty Images
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    A judge blocked the FDA’s plan to regulate LDTs. What now?

    One attorney said the ruling “isn’t quite the stake in the heart.” The FDA is unlikely to challenge the court’s decision, but Congress could still pass legislation addressing LDT regulation

    Susan Kelly • April 16, 2025
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    Kevin Dietsch via Getty Images
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    HHS layoffs may be illegal, legal experts say

    The federal health department sidestepped normal procedures as it laid off 10,000 employees, according to sources. One union has already filed an internal complaint, while at least two law firms are exploring suits.

    Rebecca Pifer • April 15, 2025
  • President Donald Trump addresses reporters during a press briefing at the White House on March 3, 2025.
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    Andrew Harnik via Getty Images
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    Healthcare tackles AI oversight with no aid from Trump administration

    The president’s deregulatory bent means more responsibility rests on the shoulders of healthcare stakeholders to get artificial intelligence right.

    Rebecca Pifer • March 10, 2025
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    Rebecca Pifer/Healthcare Dive
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    EHR vendors turn to artificial intelligence to modernize health records

    Software companies like Epic and Oracle say they’re weaving AI into clinicians’ workflows to meet client demand, keep up with competitors and improve the productivity of a swamped healthcare system.

    Rebecca Pifer • March 6, 2025
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    eggeeggjiew via Getty Images
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    Could artificial intelligence increase clinician burden?

    Vendors say their AI scribes and assistants will save doctors time. But the need for careful oversight, along with hospitals’ inclination to see as many patients as possible, could mean clinicians’ schedules won’t be freed up by AI tools.

    Rebecca Pifer • March 6, 2025
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    Spencer Platt via Getty Images
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    Insurers closed out 2024 on shaky footing

    Operating income fell for all but two major payers’ insurance divisions in the fourth quarter. And 2025 may be no better, after many insurers released outlooks suggesting medical costs will continue to rise.

    Rebecca Pifer • Feb. 25, 2025
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    Permission granted by Vertex Pharmaceuticals
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    A new, non-opioid pain drug is here. Getting it to patients could be agony.

    After decades of research, Vertex Pharmaceuticals now has an approved pain medication. Can one of the world’s most powerful biotechs contend with a healthcare system that’s long favored opioids?

    Jacob Bell • Feb. 11, 2025
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    LaylaBird via Getty Images
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    Providers to target efficiency, supply chain resilience in 2025

    Health systems will work to expand their supply chains and ink nontraditional partnerships in 2025, while trimming excessive AI programs and nonclinical staff.

    Susanna Vogel • Jan. 22, 2025
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    eggeeggjiew via Getty Images
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    Top healthcare technology trends in 2025

    The shape of AI regulation will be uncertain under the Trump administration this year, while healthcare companies will continue bolstering cyber defenses to withstand increasing attacks, experts say.

    Emily Olsen • Jan. 15, 2025
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    iStock / Getty Images Plus via Getty Images
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    Health insurers will step off the roller coaster in 2025

    After a turbulent year, things should calm for payers with the advent of a business-friendly Trump administration — though challenges will persist. Here are experts’ biggest predictions for 2025.

    Rebecca Pifer • Jan. 8, 2025
  • A gavel rests on a pile of money wrapped with a stethoscope.
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    yavdat via Getty Images
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    States curb CON laws to boost bed capacity

    The COVID-19 pandemic and population growth have led many states to scale back or eliminate Certificate of Need laws, which require providers to get regulatory approval before expanding or adding healthcare facilities.

    Michael Brady • Jan. 3, 2025
  • The AI Pavilion at HLTH 2024 in Las Vegas.
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    Emily Olsen/Healthcare Dive
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    AI could be a game changer, but healthcare needs to be ‘exceedingly careful’

    Artificial intelligence tools could help solve workforce challenges. Implementation, however, can be difficult, pushing organizations to consider less risky administrative and back-office tasks first.

    Emily Olsen • Oct. 28, 2024
  • 5 steps to navigate the FDA’s new lab developed test rule

    Laboratories face a series of upcoming deadlines to comply with stricter FDA oversight of in-house tests. Here are five strategies labs can take to be ready.

    Susan Kelly • Oct. 28, 2024
  • A stage at HLTH 2024.
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    Emily Olsen/Healthcare Dive
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    Tech companies pitch AI platforms for healthcare, outline plans for responsible rollout

    Google, Microsoft and GE Healthcare say they’ll power the next wave of AI advancement. But executives are split on how to offer the tools to providers responsibly — and whether all clinicians are equally ready for them.

    Susanna Vogel • Oct. 28, 2024
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    Daniel Karmann/Picture-Alliance/DPA/AP

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    The number of AI medical devices has spiked in the past decade

    The FDA has authorized nearly 1,000 medical devices with artificial intelligence features as companies including GE Healthcare and Siemens Healthineers build out their AI efforts.

    Elise Reuter and Jasmine Ye Han • Oct. 9, 2024
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    Scott Olson/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    4 steps to minimize the threat of legacy medical devices

    Older medical devices with unsupported software pose cybersecurity threats that regulators and industry are struggling to solve. Here are four steps experts say can help mitigate risks.

    Ricky Zipp • Sept. 23, 2024
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    lucky-photographer via Getty Images
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    Medicaid overtakes Medicare Advantage as health insurers’ bogeyman in Q2

    Despite challenges in Medicaid and MA, major insurers still posted large earnings in the second quarter — many helped by health services divisions.

    Rebecca Pifer • Aug. 15, 2024
  • Loper decision ending Chevron deference doctrine
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    FDA’s lab developed test rule could be first check on agency’s power post-Chevron

    The Supreme Court’s decision to overturn the Chevron doctrine would make it easier to challenge agency regulations, such as the LDT final rule.

    Susan Kelly and Elise Reuter • July 11, 2024
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    Humana and CVS are downsizing their Medicare Advantage plans for 2025. Which insurers could benefit?

    Hundreds of thousands of seniors could switch plans during next year’s open enrollment, depending on how drastically the MA market giants slash benefits in an attempt to improve profits.

    Rebecca Pifer • Updated June 10, 2024
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    400tmax via Getty Images
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    Medicare Advantage unrest, Change Healthcare fallout and more big takeaways from insurers’ Q1

    All major payers saw elevated utilization but only an unprepared few struggled with the trend, the Change Healthcare cyberattack caused minimal financial fallout and a new D-SNP rule opens the door to a Medicare growth opportunity.

    Rebecca Pifer • May 13, 2024
  • Ferguson and Holyoak join FTC
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    RiverNorthPhotography via Getty Images
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    Antitrust agencies are relying on consumers to report anticompetitive behavior. That trust might be misplaced.

    Regulators want consumers to flag business practices harming market health in the healthcare sector, which could result in a tsunami of new tips — for good and ill, according to experts.

    Rebecca Pifer • May 6, 2024