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.

Trump issues sweeping executive order to reduce drug prices
The “most favored nation” policy would reduce the cost of domestic pharmaceuticals to the levels paid in Europe. The executive order also has a sister bill proposed for Congress that would solidify the rule into law.
ASNC, ACC ask US government not to tariff radiopharmaceuticals
The two groups stressed that tariffs would likely impact patient care.
RadNet records rare decrease in imaging procedural volumes
This marks the first time since the pandemic of 2020 that RadNet has seen a same-center decrease in imaging use.
Senators introduce bipartisan bill to revive shelved imaging appropriate-use criteria program
Sens. Marsha Blackburn and Catherine Cortez Masto are proposing the Radiology Outpatient Ordering Transmission (ROOT) Act, which would eliminate real-time reporting requirements in AUC.
Private equity firm Stonepeak closing in on $1.9B purchase of radiology network
The New York investment group, which also owns Akumin, is reportedly "inches" from acquiring Australia's largest diagnostic imaging provider.

Delta variant squeezes hospital margins

The COVID-19 delta variant is offsetting improvements in hospital volume and revenue, putting continued pressure on margins.

American College of Cardiology announces first editor of new journal

The open-access journal will provide content targeting new and emerging trends in cardiovascular medicine.

Practice inks deal with Providence; radiologists add to vendor’s $28M haul, plus more company news

Also, Rayus Radiology's new quality announcement, U.S. Radiology Specialists seeks consistency, and Rad Partners increases efficiency in its legal department.

Notable regulatory approvals of emerging technologies over the past 30 days

Along with AI in its various iterations, the list may include virtual and augmented reality, 3D printing, robotics and other technologies currently changing healthcare delivery.

Latest injury verdict against company with ‘defective’ IVC filters brings payouts to $7M

A federal jury recently determined C.R. Bard's filter led to serious complications after fracturing inside a patient, awarding more than $386,000 in damages.

M&A mergers and acquisitions business deal

Imaging center operator Akumin taking on $700M in debt to fuel Alliance Healthcare Services acquisition

Several announcements revealed additional financial details about the blockbuster $820M merger deal.

AI chatbots spawned by COVID look to grow their niche

Going on a year and a half since its debut as a COVID symptom checker, one virtual health assistant is now trained on 17 million patient interactions.

US public OK with AI for heart, cancer, anxiety care—AI video pain monitoring, not so much

An online survey completed by more than 900 U.S. adults reveals an overall openness to AI for several scenarios in healthcare.

Economics

Trump issues sweeping executive order to reduce drug prices

ASNC, ACC ask US government not to tariff radiopharmaceuticals

RadNet records rare decrease in imaging procedural volumes

Senators introduce bipartisan bill to revive shelved imaging appropriate-use criteria program

Private equity firm Stonepeak closing in on $1.9B purchase of radiology network