The Latest

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  Iowa passes law imposing tighter restrictions on PBMs

  Last week, Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds signed a law seeking to control rising prescription drug costs and protect rural pharmacies by targeting some of the drug middlemens’ most controversial practices.

  Payer

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  Eliminate obstacles to delivering patient care

  A guide to removing operational barriers impacting care teams.

  Health IT

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  Hundreds of rural hospitals at risk if Medicaid cuts pass, Democrats say

  The data released by a group of Democrat lawmakers found 338 rural hospitals were at risk of closure, conversion or service cutbacks if Republicans’ reconciliation bill becomes law.

  Hospitals

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  FDA to miss approval deadline for Kalvista drug due to ‘resource constraints’

  A “heavy workload” and “limited resources” have left the agency unable to meet a June 17 deadline to approve a therapy Kalvista has been developing for hereditary angioedema. 

  Government

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  Could the FDA take an indirect approach to regulate LDTs?

  Attorneys said many questions remain about the regulation of laboratory developed tests after the FDA lost its legal fight. A recent warning letter could be a clue to future enforcement.

  Government

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  Providence cuts 600 roles amid restructuring

  The move comes after the health system downsized its executive team and froze nonclinical hiring earlier this year. Providence blamed external pressures, like possible Medicaid cuts and rising supply costs.

  Hospitals

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  Joint Commission, CHAI partner to develop guidance on health AI

  The guidance should help health systems safely manage and monitor AI tools in a financially sustainable manner, which can be “a real challenge” for providers, said CHAI CEO Dr. Brian Anderson.

  Health IT

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  Cigna launches new generative AI assistant for members

  The health insurer is trying to improve the customer experience by connecting them with an AI bot, but analyses show generative AI can make mistakes. 

  Payer

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  Employers eye rising costs as they assess benefit offerings: WTW

  In light of financial concerns, few employers plan to expand benefit offerings this year, WTW said.

  Payer

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  RFK Jr. reveals picks for influential vaccine panel

  Days after firing all 17 members of the CDC's Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices, the HHS Secretary named a small new committee that includes multiple vaccine critics.

  Government

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  CommonSpirit CFO Daniel Morissette to retire

  The CFO will step down at the end of October. The health system said it has already launched a nationwide search for Morissette’s replacement.

  Hospitals

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  M&A to play ‘important role’ at Teladoc: CEO

  The telehealth vendor has already acquired virtual preventive care company Catapult Health and mental healthcare provider UpLift this year.

  Health IT

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  Oregon’s new law is nation’s toughest against private equity in healthcare

  Other states have passed laws bolstering oversight of healthcare deals this year, including Massachusetts, New Mexico, Indiana and Washington.

  Government

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  HHS watchdog accuses CVS Medicare Advantage plan of upcoding

  The vast majority of diagnoses codes that CVS subsidiary Coventry submitted to the CMS between 2018 and 2019 weren’t supported by patient documentation, the HHS Office of the Inspector General found.

  Payer

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  PBM lobby sues Arkansas over law requiring drug middlemen to sell pharmacies

  The Pharmaceutical Care Management Association is following in the footsteps of two of its largest members — Cigna’s Express Scripts and CVS’ Caremark — that have also sued Arkansas over its controversial law.

  Payer

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  Addiction treatment center to pay $1.9M to settle allegations it misled consumers

  The civil penalty could almost quadruple if the FTC discovers Evoke Wellness, which allegedly poised as other treatment centers in a bid to nab new business, misrepresented its financial holdings.

  Government

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  AMA swears in Bobby Mukkamala as president

  Mukkamala, who was diagnosed with a brain tumor last year, raised concerns during his inaugural address about cuts to federal spending on biomedical research, saying the funds have advanced treatments for patients like him.

  Medical Groups

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  Hospital finances improved through April: Kaufman Hall

  The improved financial performance was driven largely by rising patient volumes and hospital efficiency, according to the consulting firm.

  Hospitals

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  Vaccine makers face fresh uncertainty after firing of CDC panel

  The abrupt termination of the 17 panelists guiding the CDC’s vaccine recommendations could yield a new committee more aligned with Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s skeptical views, analysts warned.

  Government

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  More than half of adults worry Medicaid cuts could hurt healthcare access: KFF

  Concerns about the policies are split along party lines. Still, more than 30% of Republicans said they were concerned the cuts could negatively impact their ability to get and pay for healthcare.

  Payer

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  Prime Healthcare cuts 100 roles at Illinois hospitals

  Most reductions took place on Friday, while the remaining cuts will take place through July, a spokesperson said. The cuts come three months after Prime acquired the facilities from Ascension.

  Hospitals

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  Omada goes public in second recent digital health IPO

  The chronic condition management company’s debut comes weeks after another digital health company, Hinge Health, went public. The IPOs are a “promising bellwether” for the sector, one expert said.

  Health IT

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  Healthcare job growth remained strong in May: BLS

  Employers added 30,000 hospital jobs, 29,000 ambulatory healthcare services roles and 6,000 skilled nursing positions last month, according to the report. 

  Hospitals

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  Tenet appoints first COO

  The health system promoted Lisa Foo, its executive vice president of commercial operations, to the role effective May 30, according to a securities filing.

  Hospitals

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  Ransomware group linked to cyberattack on Kettering Health

  The Ohio-based health system said it had reason to believe ransomware group Interlock launched the attack in late May.

  Health IT

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  Public health scholars ask HHS to reject Georgia Medicaid work requirement extension

  The American Public Health Association and dozens of other experts had harsh words for Georgia’s request to continue its controversial “Pathways to Coverage,” saying it enrolls fewer beneficiaries at a higher cost.

  Payer

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