The Latest
-
Trump AI order introduces ‘unstable regulatory landscape’: analysis
The executive order opens a “pandora’s box of not only constitutional issues, but also issues pertaining to the EO’s interpretation and scope,” legal analysts said.
-
Top healthcare conferences to attend in 2026
These are the events healthcare leaders should plan for next year, covering topics like digital health, rural care and financial management.
-
Healthcare services M&A could rise in 2026: PwC
Dealmaking in the sector is poised to increase next year after a lull in 2025, as companies use technology, like artificial intelligence, to attract buyers, according to the report.
-
Federation of American Hospitals names CEO to replace retiring veteran
Chip Kahn is stepping down after almost 25 years at the for-profit hospital association. He’ll be replaced by Charlene MacDonald, who leads lobbying and public affairs for the FAH.
-
Humana taps ex-Amazon executive as incoming insurance head
George Renaudin, who has been with Humana for almost 30 years, is retiring, the insurer announced Tuesday. Aaron Martin, previously Amazon’s vice president of healthcare, will take his place.
-
FDA gets mixed feedback on performance monitoring for AI
Medtech industry groups said the FDA should use existing regulatory and quality tools to monitor performance, while medical groups said device manufacturers should be responsible for monitoring AI.
-
Lawmakers worry about new VA Oracle EHR rollouts
Thirteen medical centers are scheduled to go live with the Oracle records system next year. But the embattled project hasn’t fully implemented most recommendations from the Government Accountability Office.
-
Cencora takes majority stake in cancer care platform OneOncology for $5B
The drug distributor has been steadily building up its specialty support assets as it looks to increase access to drugs.
-
Wyden pushes EHR vendors to adopt data privacy features
The influential senator pressed 10 health IT and EHR firms to implement features that give patients more control over the flow of their health data.
-
Lawmakers say advanced nursing should count as a ‘professional degree’
A bipartisan group of lawmakers are pushing back against new reforms from the Trump administration that would lower borrowing caps for advanced nursing degrees, arguing they would exacerbate an existing workforce shortage.
-
Trump calls for federal policy framework preempting state AI laws
States will face evaluation of their AI laws under the executive order, as well as potential restrictions on funding if their laws are found to be burdensome.
-
FDA needs more staff, authority to oversee device recalls, watchdog finds
“FDA's challenges — such as insufficient staffing — can create inefficiencies in the process and potentially put lives at risk,” the U.S. Government Accountability Office said.
-
Senate rejects competing health bills, setting up ACA subsidy lapse
The failure of both bills means enhanced subsidies for Affordable Care Act plans will likely expire at the end of the year. Healthcare groups urged lawmakers to extend the subsidies, noting premiums could skyrocket.
-
Texas sues Epic over alleged EHR monopoly
The suit also accuses Epic of restricting parents’ access to children’s medical records. Epic called the complaint “flawed and misguided.”
-
Hospitals look to manage expenses as uncertainty looms: report
Only 30% of hospital leaders expect balance sheets to improve next year as health systems grapple with costs and changes to federal healthcare policy, according to Kaufman Hall.
-
Democrats’ ACA subsidy extension adds $83B to deficit, boosts insured: CBO
The plan to extend the more generous financial assistance for three years is expected to go up for a vote in the Senate Thursday, alongside a Republican alternative that would replace the subsidies.
-
CHS appoints Kevin Hammons as CEO
Hammons has served as interim CEO of the hospital operator since October. Also on Wednesday, Jason Johnson, previously CHS’ chief accounting officer, was appointed CFO.
-
Ex-Pfizer executive joins Elevance’s board as insurer pursues pharmacy experience
Amy Schulman is the second veteran of the pharmaceutical industry that Elevance has added to its board this year.
-
FDA pilots allowing digital health devices access to CMS payment program
Companies can ask the FDA to waive premarket authorization and investigational device requirements while they collect real-world data in a CMS program.
-
Provider groups urge Trump administration to drop proposed HIPAA update
The proposed cybersecurity rule, released during the waning days of the Biden administration, would add “substantial new financial burdens” on providers, the groups wrote to the HHS.
-
CVS to launch ‘engagement’ platform in gamble on consumer, industry interest
CVS is bringing together its disparate businesses onto one platform, and giving its rivals the option to add their products and services as well. The goal is to improve consumers’ health engagement while generating more revenue.
-
American Hospital Association CEO to retire
Rick Pollack, who has served as leader of the hospital lobby since 2015, will retire by the end of next year. The AHA will conduct a nationwide search for his replacement.
-
Early ACA enrollment holds steady despite subsidy turmoil
Some 5.8 million people have signed up for 2026 ACA plans so far, up about 7% year over year. Still, enrollment tends to shift over signup periods, so it’s too early to conclude that the Obamacare exchanges won’t shrink next year.
-
Crapo, Cassidy propose enhanced ACA subsidy alternative
The legislation, which is scheduled for a vote Thursday, would send funds directly to health savings accounts paired with bronze or catastrophic plans offered on the Affordable Care Act exchanges.
-
GE HealthCare, Mayo Clinic expand partnership around radiology research
Ben Newton, GE HealthCare’s global head of oncology, said the partnership will shift radiation therapy from a “one-size-fits-all” approach to a personalized method.