SPOTLIGHT -
May 10th 2024
Ramping up efforts against anticompetitive practices in business.
May 9th 2024
Small Business Committee sympathetic to independent physician practices.
May 7th 2024
Annual report calls for more efficient care models and for Congress to address looming financial shortfalls
May 2nd 2024
State becomes first to officially recognize PA title change
Following testimony in Senate, UnitedHealth Group CEO Witty appears before House oversight subcommittee.
CMS releases list of prescription drugs subject to price reduction program
Patients will benefit by reductions in coinsurance payments
FTC orders more information from another group purchaser in study of PBMs
Trade group counters with new ad campaign, economic study about value of services.
Bill would expand nurse practitioner authority nationwide
More than 200 nursing organizations send letter to congress supporting the bill
Physician groups praise new Medicare primary care payment model, but ACOs have questions
CMS publishes additional paper on 'urgent need' to invest in and support primary care.
AI in medical care: A map for clinical practice and patient protection
Artificial intelligence (AI) has seen an exponential increase in the already rising interest within the medical field since the introduction of ChatGPT in November 2022.
New Making Care Primary model to start 10-year test in 2024
CMS announces goals for primary care physicians, clinicians to provide better coordination of care for chronic diseases.
House committee drills down on CDC future, actions in COVID-19 pandemic
More authority? More oversight? More data? More communication? Physicians, lawmakers, public health experts ponder what lessons will make a difference going forward.
Federal court to consider Medicare drug price negotiations of the Inflation Reduction Act
Pharmaceutical giant Merck sues HHS, CMS directors in first legal challenge to law passed last summer.
Smoking cessation: The time is now
Is tobacco use still a national health problem? Yes, and primary care physicians are in position to help patients quit.
HHS-OIG touts investigations of fraud, but says resources are limited
Semiannual report to Congress highlights last six months of enforcement actions involving physicians and millions of dollars.
Nonprofit hospitals pocketing the cash rather than providing more charity care
Profits and cash reserves increased, but charity care stagnant
Abolishing out-of-pocket medication fees could reduce health care costs
Study finds providing medications for free lowered median health care spending by $,1641 annually
Allopathic, osteopathic physicians provide similar quality and cost of care
Study finds no clinically important differences regardless of condition or severity
National unemployment rate inches up as health care adds jobs in May
Other sectors grow as president, GOP debate U.S. economic strength.
More funding needed to address social health determinants: study
Lack of funding, strict eligibility requirements are barriers to enrollment in existing assistance programs
Health care organizations join forces to promote equity
New coalition provides steps members can take to end racial injustice in health care
Many retail pharmacies not stocking buprenorphine: study
Lack of availability may hamper efforts to combat opioid-related deaths
Amazon’s Vin Gupta talks about the retail giant's entry into health care
The chief medical officer for Amazon Pharmacy talks about consolidation, burnout, and what Amazon’s entry into health care means for doctors.
Primary care physicians among doctors in federal investigations
Feds announce cases – including $43.41 million in bogus billing by surgeon – as regulators hunt for waste, fraud, and abuse.
Ace potential Medicare audits of advance care planning in 2023 with these tips
Seven tips to avoid ACP-related denials and pass any payer audits with ease
Health care inequities are costing billions across the United States
Medical care, lost productivity, premature deaths take a huge toll on patients, families, and the economy, according to researchers.
People skip their doctor appointments when inflation drives up prices
Medical cost data is part of Fed report on national economic well-being.
Prescription drug prices, PBMs become targets for more federal leaders
White House announces Medicaid drug cost audits while House committee examines pricing process.
FTC seeks to strengthen protections for personal health data
Agency wants to expand PHR breach reporting requirements to include entities not covered by HIPAA
Mental health wellness programs for clinicians now more accessible due to congressional protection
The physician and provider communities should find these new protections as welcome news.
Social media is harming mental health of nation’s youth, surgeon general says
Family physicians endorse new advisory on teens’ constant use of tech and effects their brains, attitudes, and time with family and friends.
High insulin costs lead to rationing for patients with diabetes
Recent developments drive price breaks for necessary substance.
Assistant physicians could relieve shortage of health care around nation, supporters say
Medical students, foreign-trained doctors who don’t match into residencies could be licensed to treat patients while gaining skills.
The COVID-19 public health emergency is over. Should health care workers keep wearing face masks with patients?
Physicians debate merits of face covers as virus becomes endemic in the population.
In Senate, Sanders leads new call for Medicare for All
Lawmakers introduce bills to ‘guarantee health care as a fundamental human right to all people in the U.S.’