Author's posts
Foreign cash, loose capital bolstering healthcare real estate
Foreign investment is contributing to a booming medical office sector — one of several trends changing the healthcare real estate landscape.
Week Ahead: Trump set to deliver State of the Union; House committee to examine ACA lawsuit
While the State of the Union will grab headlines, congressional committees this week will delve in to litigation challenging the ACA and the status of the VA’s EHR modernization.
Transparency: Washington’s healthcare plan
Republicans and Democrats are rallying around efforts to force the industry to be more open about its pricing strategies.
Medicare ACOs loath to assume risky contracts given short deadline to decide
About one-third of Medicare ACOs have until Feb. 19 to decide if they want to renew their Medicare Shared Savings Program contract in light of changes made to the program. The ACOs say that’s not a lot of time to figure out if they should assume…
Data Points: Tracking the flu
Flu activity generally occurs from October through May, with activity peaking most often in February. Here’s how the 2018-19 season is shaping up.
Azar suggests commercial plans will ditch drug rebates too
After HHS proposed eliminating the safe harbor protection for Medicare Part D drug rebates, Secretary Alex Azar suggested commercial plans will get rid of the rebates too in order to align with the market.
Cigna CEO dismisses concerns over HHS drug rebate proposal
Cigna’s CEO waved off concerns that the HHS’ proposal to curtail PBM drug rebates could disrupt its business. Cigna reported higher revenue and lower profit in the fourth quarter of 2018 after bringing Express Scripts into the fold.
Healthcare gains jobs in January despite government shutdown
The healthcare sector made 41,600 new hires in January, making it the third biggest job maker. Although hiring in healthcare was strong, it dropped by 15% compared to the hires made in December.
Catholic Health Initiatives and Dignity Health complete merger
The newly formed CommonSpirit will rank among the largest health systems in the nation, but its size won’t guarantee immediate success, industry watchers say.
Northwest U.S. measles cases prompt look at vaccine exemptions
A measles outbreak near Portland, Ore., has revived a bitter debate over so-called “philosophical” exemptions to childhood vaccinations as public health officials across the Pacific Northwest scramble to limit the fallout.
