Author's posts
Judge blocks Kentucky’s Medicaid work requirement
In a blow to the Trump administration, a federal district judge has invalidated the CMS’ approval of Kentucky’s unprecedented Medicaid waiver, which includes a work requirement, blocking the July 1 implementation of the program.
Commentary: The battle against opioid addiction will be won in communities, not in Washington
Community health centers are piloting promising and innovative solutions in the battle against opioid addiction and are addressing social factors that lie behind substance use.
Anthem exec Samitt named CEO of Blue Cross of Minnesota
Dr. Craig Samitt, an internal medicine physician and currently president of Anthem’s diversified business group, will take over as Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota’s new president and CEO effective July 30.
Jury awards $383M in wrongful death lawsuits against DaVita
Attorneys for the families said the Denver-based company treated the patients with GranuFlo, a product known to cause toxic pH imbalances.
Providers receive new guide to navigate infectious disease testing
Two societies published a new guide to help healthcare providers properly handle specimens for molecular testing in order to reduce errors that could lead to misdiagnoses and harmful outcomes.
Atlantic Health System partners with MedExpress to bolster urgent-care network
Atlantic and MedExpress’ partnership is the latest amid a spate of urgent-care and ambulatory facility deals that aim to facilitate more affordable, coordinated care as new payment models drive care to lower-cost settings within an all-inclusive…
CMS considers ending coverage restrictions for valve surgery
The CMS is considering easing coverage restrictions on a heart valve surgical procedure after clinicians claimed the policy prevents patients from receiving a potentially lifesaving operation.
Growing bad debt problem illustrates broken billing system
Patient balance after insurance rose from 8% of the total bill responsibility in the first quarter of 2012 to 12.2% in the first quarter of 2017, which is inflating providers’ bad debt.
Joint Commission will require hospitals to use specific naming conventions for newborns
The Joint Commission starting next year will cite hospitals if they fail to use specific naming conventions to identify newborns.
Senate panel puts Wilkie on confirmation path for VA chief
Robert Wilkie, the White House pick to lead the VA through expansion of the VA Choice program and the overhaul of its electronic health records system, mostly sailed through his Senate hearing, setting the course for his confirmation.
