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Vaccines and prior COVID-19 infection offer protection against variants
The COVID-19 pandemic has spawned at least three known variants of the coronavirus that cause the disease, but a new
FCC moves ahead with relaunch of COVID-19 telehealth program
This week, the Federal Communications Commission voted to move forward with Round 2 of the COVID-19 Telehealth Program, a $249.95 million federal initiative that builds on the $200 million program established as part of the CARES Act.
Strategies emerge for better managing healthcare systems during pandemics
Healthcare systems could save lives and minimize losses by optimizing resource allocation and implementing mitigation strategies, according to two new studies.
Colorado State University researchers explored how healthcare systems might perform under m…
California hospitals sue attorney general over affiliation conditions
Two California hospitals, Los Angeles-based Cedars-Sinai and Pasadena-based Huntington Hospital, have filed a lawsuit challenging the conditions for approval of their affiliation that were imposed by the state attorney general. The proposed affiliation…
COVID-19 ratcheting up demand for virtual behavioral healthcare, Cigna finds
The COVID-19 pandemic is increasing the demand for telehealth, driving consumers to increasingly seek virtual care options, and this is extending to behavioral health services, according to a new report from health insurer Cigna.
DOJ investigating UnitedHealth’s $13B acquisition of Change
The U.S. Department of Justice is pursuing an investigation of UnitedHealthcare Group’s $13 billion acquisition of data analytics company Change Healthcare, spurred in part by a letter sent to regulators this month by the American Hospital Association …
CMS resuming routine hospital surveys after delays
Late last week, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services lifted a suspension on hospital surveys and said most on-site survey activity will now resume as normal.
American Hospital Association urges CMS to rescind mid-build denials
The American Hospital Association is imploring the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to rescind recent denials of hospital requests for a mid-build exception to the site-neutral payment policy, according to a letter sent last week.
American Rescue Plan will be credit positive for nonprofit hospitals, says Fitch
The American Rescue Plan contains a number of measures that would subtly improve the revenue profile and reduce cost pressures for nonprofit hospitals, according to Fitch Ratings.
AHIP submits testimony for Senate hearing on COVID-19 and improving health equity
This week, America’s Health Insurance Plans submitted testimony to the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee for a hearing focused on improving health equity and outcomes by addressing health disparities during the COVID-19 response.
