News

Walmart is in preliminary talks to buy health insurer Humana, according to people familiar with the matter.

Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar yesterday named former CVS Health executive Daniel Best as his senior advisor on drug pricing reform, and Assistant Secretary for Health Brett Giroir, M.D., as his senior advisor on mental health and opioid policy.

Drug overdose deaths rose nearly 22% in 2016 to 63,632, two-thirds of which involved an opioid.

Nearly 16.4 million people enrolled in Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program between Oct. 1, 2013 and Jan. 31, 2018, increasing total enrollment in the programs by 29% since the start of the first open enrollment period for the Health Insurance Marketplace.

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds yesterday signed legislation expanding access to mental health services in the state.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has extended to April 3 at 8 p.m. ET the deadline for clinicians participating in the Merit-based Incentive Payment System, including those participating in the Advancing Care Information performance category, to submit their 2017 performance data.

The AHA Physician Alliance supports clinical and administrative leadership collaborating effectively for better health of communities.

The Health Resources and Services Administration is expected to propose a further delay in the effective date of a final rule on drug ceiling prices and civil monetary penalties for manufacturers in the 340B drug savings program.

The Joint Commission yesterday issued a safety advisory for hospitals on preventing newborn falls.

President Trump yesterday announced his intention to nominate Rear Adm. Ronny Jackson, M.D., as Secretary of Veterans Affairs.

Nebraska hospitals contributed nearly $1.27 billion to programs that benefited their communities in 2016.

The Physician-Focused Payment Model Technical Advisory Committee this week recommended that Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar approve a Medicare payment demonstration to test two alternative payment models to support people with advanced illness.

The price of the 20 most prescribed brand-name drugs in the Medicare Part D program increased an average 12% per year between 2012 and 2017, about 10 times more than the average annual rate of inflation.

Thirty-five organizations representing a wide range of health care professions and medical specialties yesterday filed an amicus brief urging the Supreme Court to maintain the injunction that restricted travelers from certain countries entering the United States.

Utah Gov. Gary Herbert yesterday signed legislation amending the state Medicaid program to expand eligibility to certain low-income individuals.

Organizations and groups that provide palliative or end-of-life care may apply through Aug. 13 for the 2019 Circle of Life Awards, which honor outstanding and innovative palliative and end-of-life care programs.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration will host a March 28 webinar for health care professionals on “Overcoming Stigma, Ending Discrimination,” the first in a four-part webi

The American Dental Association has adopted a policy supporting certain statutory limits on opioid dosage and duration and mandatory continuing education in prescribing opioids and other controlled substances.

Connecticut hospitals invested $1.7 billion in community benefit activities in 2016, according to a new report by the Connecticut Hospital Association.