Economics

This channel highlights factors that impact hospital and healthcare economics and revenue. This includes news on healthcare policies, reimbursement, marketing, business plans, mergers and acquisitions, supply chain, salaries, staffing, and the implementation of a cost-effective environment for patients and providers.

White House releases 2026 ‘skinny budget’ calling for $33B in cuts to HHS
The proposal would cut funds to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Institutes of Health. However, no reduction was suggested for the Food and Drug Administration.
US Radiology Specialists to construct 12 ‘de novo’ outpatient imaging centers in 2025
Of the dozen new centers built this year, 5 are through hospital joint venture partnerships, US Radiology said, adding to its total of 183 centers in 13 states.
American College of Radiology urges rads to report supply chain issues
ACR’s request comes amid ongoing trade wars and new tariffs placed on imaging products.
Startup seeking to make MRI ‘10 times less expensive’ raises $17M
Paris, France-based Chipiron will use the Series A financing to build a prototype of its portable machine, hoping to launch clinical trials in 2026.
AHA warns ‘perfect storm’ threatens hospitals with rising costs, reimbursement cuts
In a new report, the AHA said strains from President Trump’s tariffs and struggles with Medicare Advantage plans are creating “financial headwinds” that could shake the economic stability of hospitals nationwide.

Imaging artificial intelligence startup Qure.ai raises $40M in new funding

First launched in 2016, the AI firm offers products that help docs read and interpret X-rays, CTs and ultrasounds “in less than a minute."

UnitedHealth to buy LHC Group in $5.4 billion deal

Home healthcare company LHC Group is being acquired by UnitedHealth Group, one of the nation’s largest health insurance providers, for a whopping $5.4 billion.

‘Dramatic’ rise in image-guided procedures performed by NPs and PAs rather than radiologists

The specialty has still performed the lion's share of thoracentesis and paracentesis, but advanced practice providers are making steady inroads, experts wrote in JACR.

DBT coverage mandates increase use but have no impact on patients’ out-of-pocket costs

More than a dozen states have required private payers to cover digital breast tomosynthesis, producing a $39 decrease in average price for the exam.

Women less likely to receive treatment, more likely to die after cardiogenic shock

Emerging data about differences in treatment for women and men may shed light on diverging outcomes.

3 takeaways on the large number of mergers and acquisitions in healthcare revenue cycle management and IT

Greenberg Advisors recently released its 2021 Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) Update, which describes investment and M&A activity in the revenue cycle management (RCM) and healthcare IT (HCIT) sectors.

VIDEO: Creating a telecardiology program

Ami Bhatt, MD, the American College of Cardiology (ACC) chief innovation officer, and former director of telecardiology at Mass General Hospital, explains how to create and manage a cardiac telemedicine program.

Navigating a radiology malpractice lawsuit in 8 steps

Many members of the specialty will face such a suit during their careers, and it is wise to take steps to prepare, experts wrote Monday in JACR.

Economics

White House releases 2026 ‘skinny budget’ calling for $33B in cuts to HHS

US Radiology Specialists to construct 12 ‘de novo’ outpatient imaging centers in 2025

American College of Radiology urges rads to report supply chain issues

Startup seeking to make MRI ‘10 times less expensive’ raises $17M

AHA warns ‘perfect storm’ threatens hospitals with rising costs, reimbursement cuts