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.

Massive spending bill passes final vote in Congress with Medicaid cuts intact
The 940-page document passed the House of Representatives in a 218 to 214 vote, and now heads to President Donald Trump’s desk. It contains a 20% cut to federal Medicaid funding, something Trump said he opposes.
Doc groups say payer promises not enough to address care denials
MGMA and others who are part of the “Regulatory Relief Coalition” are urging Congress to continue pushing forward with the Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act.
Provider pay increased by 4.9% across specialties in 2024, survey finds
A survey from the American Medical Group Association found that physicians and advanced care providers are making more money when compared to hours worked. However, the complications of inflation and the rising cost of care could eat into gains.
PFA market heats up as medtech companies announce new investments
While Kardium raised $250 million in an oversubscribed funding round, Field Medical raised $35 million. Both companies are focused on designing and developing new pulsed field ablation technologies to help treat challenging arrhythmias.
Senate bounces spending bill back to House with 2.5% Medicare rad pay fix
In addition, there are no restrictions on pass-through entity taxes (PTET), which “benefits independent physician practices,” one expert notes.

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.

Moody’s upgrades Radiology Partners’ outlook but still sees ‘significant’ risk in Mednax integration

The investors service changed its position on RP from stable to positive, noting a marked recovery in patient volumes after steep COVID-related declines in Q2 of 2020.

quality imaging appropriateness clinical decision support CAS AUC

Lawmakers urge CMS to reexamine long-delayed imaging Appropriate Use Criteria program

The quality initiative has been pushed back several times, and some are concerned that it's no longer relevant and duplicates other efforts.

Big Tech player promises big interoperability via new data engine

A Silicon Valley icon has debuted a healthcare-specific data engine aimed at collating actionable information from data siloes operating within hospitals and health systems.

Economics

Massive spending bill passes final vote in Congress with Medicaid cuts intact

Doc groups say payer promises not enough to address care denials

Provider pay increased by 4.9% across specialties in 2024, survey finds

PFA market heats up as medtech companies announce new investments

Senate bounces spending bill back to House with 2.5% Medicare rad pay fix