Molina’s Medicaid growth offsets worst of redeterminations pressures in Q2

The California-based insurer also outlined how it remains acquisitive, despite recently sharing plans to purchase ConnectiCare.

Senate committee subpoenas Steward CEO over bankruptcy

The Health, Education, Labor and Pensions committee launched an investigation into the health system’s alleged financial mismanagement after issuing its first subpoena since 1981.

Ascension offloads Illinois hospitals, continuing selling spree

The Catholic health system will sell nine hospitals and four care sites to Prime Healthcare.

UHS says demand for services ‘moderating’ at acute hospitals in Q2

The health system reported a net income of $289.2 million in the second quarter, but relatively flat patient volume growth sparked analyst concerns during an earnings call Thursday.

HHS reorganizes technology functions, renames ONC

The revamp should help the department handle pressing challenges facing the healthcare sector, like cyber threats and the growth of AI, HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra said.

Tenet raises full-year earnings guidance again

Tenet has an emerging “beat and raise” track record on Wall Street, analysts said.

Warren, Democratic lawmakers introduce bill to resurrect Chevron doctrine

The Stop Corporate Capture Act would codify the Chevron doctrine, which required federal courts to defer to agencies’ reasonable interpretation of ambiguous statutes.

Lawmakers question resuming VA Oracle EHR rollout at subcommittee hearing

Deployments of the new electronic health record have largely been on hold, except for the recent launch at a medical center in Illinois. Agency and Oracle officials said the rollout went well.

Adventist HealthCare taps new CEO

John Sackett will step into the role on Aug. 4, replacing Terry Forde, who is leaving for a role at Health First.

PBMs battle bipartisan scrutiny as lawmakers eye industry reform

Top executives of CVS Caremark, Optum Rx and Express Scripts made a rare congressional appearance to defend pharmacy benefit managers’ drug pricing policies.

Molina to acquire ConnectiCare for $350M

The acquisition, expected to close in the first half of 2025, will bring the health insurer into Connecticut.

HCA posts $17.5B in Q2 revenue and raises full-year guidance

The Nashville, Tennessee-based provider attributed the stronger-than-expected results to increased patient volumes.

Humana’s CenterWell to open 23 primary care clinics at Walmart stores

CenterWell said it will lease space at Walmart Supercenter stores in four states. 

Maternal health quality varies widely by state: report

In states with more restrictive abortion bans, maternal health providers tend to be more scarce and maternal deaths were typically higher, according to a report from the Commonwealth Fund.

Pharmacy group, providers sue Change Healthcare after cyberattack

The National Community Pharmacists Association and dozens of providers argue UnitedHealth-owned Change didn’t have adequate cybersecurity protections and caused them financial losses.

Healthcare costs could grow up to 8% next year: PwC

The growth is driven by inflationary pressures, prescription drug spending and rising utilization of behavioral healthcare, according to the consultancy.

S&P Global Ratings downgrades Walgreens, citing struggles in both pharmacy and retail

The drugstore retailer faces debt maturities, while the upending of some strategies introduces new uncertainties, analysts said.

What does your CEO need to know about cybersecurity?

CEOs don’t necessarily have to become experts in the technical aspects of cybersecurity to be prepared for an attack or — hopefully — to stop one before it starts.

Steward fails to spark competitive auction during first round of hospital sales

The bankrupt health system did not receive any qualified bidders in Ohio and Pennsylvania.

CMS cracks down on ACA brokers to prevent plan switching

Agents and brokers connecting consumers with Affordable Care Act plans now have to jump new hurdles to change their coverage, following mounting complaints about unauthorized plan switching.

Florida awards additional Medicaid contracts to CVS, UnitedHealth, Molina

The three payers were cut out of the state’s first round of contracts divvied out in April. 

Commure to acquire AI scribe Augmedix in $139M deal

The take-private deal would help the firm scale its documentation products to more providers and health systems, CEO Manny Krakaris said.

CrowdStrike outage hits US hospitals

The cybersecurity firm released what was meant to be a routine software update, but now health systems, including CommonSpirit Health and Cleveland Clinic, are locked out of Windows systems.

Healthcare is an ‘easy victim’ for ransomware attacks. How hospitals can mitigate the damage.

Limited resources in a highly connected ecosystem can make hospitals vulnerable, but planning ahead and implementing key protections could help thwart attack.

Digital health funding declines, but check sizes swell: CB Insights

While the number of deals reached its lowest levels since 2014, the average deal size for the first half of 2024 was 40% higher than the year prior.