Hospital margins worse than when pandemic began, report says
Outpatient volumes and surgery times are down, while costly inpatient stays are getting longer, suggesting that patients are sicker, Kaufman Hall said.
Healthcare construction spending surges despite soaring expenses
Inflation and supply chain concerns haven’t slowed costly healthcare projects.
Growing cyber risks add to hospital cost squeeze, Fitch cautions
Cyber risk mitigation is becoming more expensive, but with hospitals’ cost pressures mounting, spending on security may not be a priority, the ratings agency said.
Court blocks bid to reinstate OSHA pandemic standard for health workers
An appeals court ruled it lacked the authority to force OSHA to make certain rules, leaving discretion up to the workplace safety agency, according to court documents.
Biden administration makes record-high investment in ACA navigators
The Biden administration is pouring almost $100 million into organizations that help consumers navigate enrolling in Affordable Care Act plans in 2023.
California probes Kaiser over enrollee access to mental health appointments
The investigation comes as a strike by therapists over staffing issues at Kaiser facilities in Northern California enters its third week.
Cigna expanding ACA footprint to 3 new states in 2023
The expansion comes a little over a week since President Joe Biden signed a law extending subsidies for coverage and subsequently creating more stability in the exchanges.
Molina, Elevance, Centene win big with Medicaid contracts in California
The managed care organizations already held Medicaid contracts with the state, but the overhaul in counties served is causing one payer to consider appealing the proposed contracts.
Moderna sues Pfizer, BioNTech over COVID-19 vaccine technology
The biotech claims its rivals’ vaccine Comirnaty, one of the world’s top-selling pharmaceutical products, infringes on two patents covering its messenger RNA technology.
HHS tells governors it ‘won’t hesitate’ to tap DOJ for states violating EMTALA
The department urged state governors to tap federal funding, including Medicaid funds, to expand abortion access, including for pregnant people traveling from states that restrict or prohibit abortion.