Articles and Blogs

NATIONAL 2025 marks ‘turning point’ in states’ efforts to scale back private equity influence in nursing homes $50B funding fight: Hospitals spar over rural health fund 21 orgs. formally endorse SI joint pain guidelines 2025 marks ‘turning point’ in states’ efforts to scale back private equity influence in nursing homes Amazon to boost healthcare... READ MORE

**There will be no distribution of this newsletter next week due to the holiday. Happy Thanksgiving!** NATIONAL 21 Joint Commission moves in 2025 AHA, FBI warn of ransomware group that extorted $244M AMA adopts APM standards to sustain rural hospitals AMA moves to bolster physicians’ workplace safety, well-being As rural hospitals close and strokes... READ MORE

NATIONAL Amazon Pharmacy to offer same-day delivery after urgent care visits Concerns over fairness, access rise as states compete for slice of $50 billion rural health fund FDA to remove safety warnings on hormonal menopause therapy Government shutdown ends: 5 healthcare notes Health systems push nursing homes toward virtual care Health system ties improve... READ MORE

NATIONAL 3 Joint Commission moves Amid shutdown, health IT vendors say hospitals are cutting back on spending CMS finalizes 2026 physician fee schedule: 12 notes CMS finalizes increased pay rates for physicians in 2026, but hospital docs could lose out Congress Mulls New Rules for Nonprofit Hospitals Ensign Group adds 8 nursing homes in... READ MORE

NATIONAL 10 things physicians should know about Stark law AHA calls for changes to proposed H-1B selection process: 6 notes AHA pushes CMS to delay Medicare prior authorization pilot AHA urges smarter AI regulation for advancing innovation, safety and access to health care AHA urges White House to align and simplify AI regulations in... READ MORE

NATIONAL After a slow start, hospital merger activity rises AHA trustees discuss future of rural care at Sanford Rural Health Summit AHA urges tariff exceptions for certain PPE, medical devices Amazon One Medical Launches Telehealth Platform For Pediatric Care Anesthetist shortage and pay cuts strain hospital budgets Behavioral health leaders on the industry’s next... READ MORE

NATIONAL 340B hospitals drove nearly $100B in community benefits: AHA CMS hikes pay 3.2% for 2026 ‘Defining moment’ for nursing: Joint Commission recognizes staffing as quality component HHS reverses hundreds of CDC layoffs Hospital M&A continues to rebound as policy uncertainty clears Hospitals’ margin recovery faces major setbacks Humana loses 2nd legal challenge to... READ MORE

NATIONAL 5 Joint Commission moves $41M in behavioral health workforce grants Amazon to start offering prescription drugs through vending machines Ambulatory surgery centers expand as revenues, investments surge ASHP names 10 hospital pharmacies Centers of Excellence Feds clear up IDR backlog as providers plead for more progress Health systems pause Medicare telehealth visits during... READ MORE

NATIONAL 340B rebate pilot would cost hospitals $400M: AHA 340B under mounting pressure: 3 notable shifts 10 metro areas with the highest, lowest average physician compensation adjusted for cost of living A new test for value-based care: What to know about CMS’ TEAM AHA discusses reimbursement challenges, opportunities for innovation during Modern Healthcare event... READ MORE

**NOTE** This newsletter will not be published next week. The next issue will be distributed on 10/3. NATIONAL Advocates say rural hospitals need Rural Health Transformation Program’s $50 billion CMS opens $50B rural health fund to states: 1-time application due Nov. 5 CMS ties rural health funding to PA practice environments Health systems push... READ MORE