Ascension closes AmSurg deal following FTC scrutiny

Regulators cleared the nonprofit’s $3.9 billion AmSurg acquisition — but with conditions.

By Sydney Halleman • June 5, 2026

WVU Health System takes next step toward buying Independence Health

An acquisition of Independence would further expand West Virginia University Health System into southwestern Pennsylvania.

By Sydney Halleman • June 4, 2026

Explore the Trendline➔

Surprise Billing

Federal legislation banning surprise bills has hit a barrage of roadblocks, complicating efforts to protect consumers from unexpected out-of-network charges.

By Healthcare Dive staff

Mayo’s latest AI bet: A frontier model with Microsoft

The advanced model should support earlier and more accurate diagnoses and treatment planning, the companies said.

By Emily Olsen • June 4, 2026

New Ardent Health CEO inherits growth ambitions

Ardent elevated its former COO, Dave Caspers, to the top job as the Tennessee-based system grapples with its declining stock price.

By Sydney Halleman • June 3, 2026

FTC requires Ascension divestitures in $3.9B AmSurg deal

Ascension needs to sell seven surgery centers if it wants the deal to close, regulators said. Ascension, which is pursuing the AmSurg acquisition as part of a larger financial turnaround, said it was pleased with the compromise.

By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • June 2, 2026

Eli Lilly issues data sharing ultimatum to 340B hospitals

Select hospitals have refused to share data to prove they’re not double-dipping drug discounts, Lilly said. Hospitals, which have until Monday to comply, are urging the government to intervene.

By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • June 2, 2026

How long does hospital credentialing take? The quiet cost of provider readiness delays

Patients can’t wait — but provider credentialing delays are getting longer.

June 1, 2026

CHAI releases AI governance guidance for health systems

The resources are meant to serve as a standard but flexible framework for health systems, regardless of their size or available resources, the industry group said.

By Emily Olsen • May 29, 2026

UHS, George Washington University ink deal to stabilize struggling physician group

UHS will establish a new nonprofit to absorb financial responsibility of GW University’s debt-ridden physician practice group. Executives said the deal should help maintain clinical operations in the D.C. region.

By Sydney Halleman • May 28, 2026

WakeMed declined offer from UNC Health in midst of Atrium deal

The health system received UNC’s offer to combine days after publicly announcing plans to merge with Charlotte, North Carolina-based Atrium Health. Ultimately, WakeMed decided Atrium is the best path forward.

By Sydney Halleman • May 27, 2026

Quorum Health to transition to nonprofit system through deal with Healthside Partners

The rural health-focused system has struggled to find its footing ever since spinning off from Community Health Systems a decade ago. Now, Quorum is hoping that a pivot to nonprofit status is the answer.

By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • May 22, 2026

Hospitals sue CVS for allegedly siphoning $250M in 340B funds

Hospitals affiliated with Mount Sinai, the University of Michigan and the University of Kansas allege that CVS artificially deflated reimbursement for 340B drugs for years, causing them to lose out on savings.

By Sydney Halleman • May 22, 2026

Providence shuts down most insurance businesses for 2027

The nonprofit giant has offered health insurance for decades. But recent challenges, including higher costs and regulatory changes, have placed Providence in an untenable position, according to the integrated system’s CEO.

By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • May 21, 2026

Tenet hospitals, Leapfrog spar over legal fees in hospital ratings case

The Tenet-owned hospitals want Leapfrog to pay $10.5 million in legal fees after a judge agreed that the nonprofit unfairly deflated their ratings. The penalty would “cast a specter of financial ruin” over the nonprofit, Leapfrog said.

By Sydney Halleman • May 19, 2026

CommonSpirit $3.4B in the red amid billing contract exit, operational woes

The Catholic nonprofit giant’s expenses well outstripped revenue in the most recent financial quarter. Though the outcome was mostly due to one-time items, CommonSpirit also continues to struggle with boosting core operations.

By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • May 19, 2026

CMS launches initiative to speed electronic prior authorization adoption

The effort, part of the agency’s ambitious Health Tech Ecosystem, aims to accelerate the industry’s progress before requirements on electronic prior authorization go into effect next year.

By Emily Olsen • May 14, 2026

Physicians skeptical of insurer pledges to reform prior authorization: survey

Only 33% of physicians surveyed by the American Medical Association said they believed voluntary pledges made by major insurers last year to reform prior authorization would result in any meaningful difference to the industry.

By Sydney Halleman • May 14, 2026

Oracle adds Cleveland Clinic CEO to board of directors

Dr. Tomislav Mihaljevic’s appointment comes months after Oracle named former Quest Diagnostics CEO Stephen Rusckowski to the board as the technology giant expands its reach in the healthcare sector.

By Emily Olsen • May 14, 2026

Mayo Clinic CEO to step down at year’s end

Dr. Gianrico Farrugia has led the system since 2019. The Rochester, Minnesota-based health system said it could elect Mayo’s next leader in November.

By Sydney Halleman • May 13, 2026

Worker strikes cost Kaiser over $1B in Q1

Strikes at Kaiser, including a monthlong work stoppage among 31,000 nurses and other employees, added to the nonprofit health system’s rising expenses in the first quarter, which dinged its operating margin.

By Sydney Halleman • May 12, 2026

Sanford targets Minnesota growth again with planned deal

Sanford has signed an agreement to add two-hospital system North Memorial Health to its portfolio. If approved, the combination would allow Sanford to expand more deeply in the state after past deals fell apart.

By Sydney Halleman • Updated May 12, 2026

Federation of American Hospitals taps new government relations head

Elizabeth Schwartz will head up government relations at the for-profit hospital trade association as health systems brace for federal funding cuts.

By Sydney Halleman • May 8, 2026

Cross Country Healthcare to be taken private by PE firm for $437M

The deal comes months after an acquisition by travel nursing agency Aya Healthcare collapsed.

By Emily Olsen • May 8, 2026

Hospital at home linked to lower ED visits, in-hospital mortality: study

The findings suggest hospital at home could serve as a safe alternative to inpatient care, researchers wrote. However, adoption is uneven, with most programs located in urban areas.

By Emily Olsen • May 7, 2026

Highmark Health names ex-UnitedHealth exec as COO

Heather Cianfrocco is joining the Pittsburgh-based healthcare company as its chief operating officer effective immediately.

By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • May 5, 2026