As pandemic lingers, more nurses consider leaving their jobs, survey finds
Roughly a third of nurses surveyed by McKinsey said they’re considering quitting their jobs. That’s up from 22% in a poll conducted last February.
Ascension’s Q2 profit falls amid omicron surge
Ascension’s operating margin in the first six months of its fiscal year fell to 0.2% from 5.7% the year prior as it faced a host of challenges.
Ground ambulance costs continue to soar, study finds
More ambulance trips are billing for “advanced life support,” denoting a higher level of care (and reimbursement) than basic life support services. Private insurers’ average payments for those trips increased 56% between 2017 and 2020.
FTC sues to block Rhode Island’s largest health systems from merging
Regulators allege a union between Lifespan and Care New England would increase prices and diminish quality as the combined system would control at least 70% of the state’s hospital market.
Nurses at Massachusetts Tenet hospital hold vote to decertify union following strike
An election to decertify the Massachusetts Nurses Association from representing nurses at the hospital could threaten gains achieved in a new contract agreement following a 10-month strike last year.
FTC fails to get enough votes to launch study into PBM practices
Numerous pharmacists urged commissioners to probe the practices of PBMs, which they allege harm their independent pharmacies and threaten to drive them out of business.
FDA digital health chief talks new role with agency, AI tech
Bakul Patel, the Center for Devices and Radiological Health’s chief digital health officer, will help FDA meet its 2022-2025 strategic priorities and set regulatory policies for the new technologies such as AI and machine learning.
AstraZeneca notches win in ongoing 340B legal fight
The decision vacates a violation letter HHS sent to the drugmaker that argued it was illegally restricting discounts on drugs providers delivered through contract pharmacies.
Walgreens, VillageMD on track to open 200 co-branded clinics this year
It’s the latest sprint in an ongoing race among drugstore chains to build out nationwide medical clinics, as consumers increasingly look for low-cost, convenient care options close to the home after two years of the pandemic.
FTC to vote on investigation into PBMs’ drug-price practices
The agency’s four commissioners will weigh whether to investigate PBMs and their relationship to drug prices and “practices that may disadvantage independent or specialty pharmacies,” according to the meeting agenda.