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.

Proposed HHS budget would close NINR, cut nursing programs
The American Nurses Association is warning that eliminating support for the training and research offered by the National Institute of Nursing Research could be devastating to the public, as many programs support specialties such as maternal and mental health.
Family of heart patient who died awarded $45M after suing health system for negligence
The 55-year-old patient woke up experiencing chest pain one morning and an ambulance was called. He was dead just a few hours later. His family's lawsuit argued that delays in care, communication errors and other issues were directly responsible for his death.
Leaked HHS budget reveals 30% cuts, elimination of many core services
A proposal for the massive restructuring of the Department of Health and Human Services ends funding to programs associated with chronic disease management, lead safety, and Head Start. However, HHS is adding a new department to focus on understanding the cause of long-term illness.
RadNet leaders discuss rationale behind blockbuster $103M iCAD AI acquisition
RadNet provides 1.9M mammograms per year in the U.S., and adding iCAD’s installed customer base would boost the number of impacted exams to 10M.
Interventional radiologists ‘markedly’ increase billing for nonprocedural work, despite drop in overall doc count
"These findings underscore IR’s accelerating transition toward comprehensive patient care, with significant implications for training, practice management, and the specialty’s role within the broader healthcare landscape," experts write.

Survey finds human-resources leaders turning to AI in force

Leaders of HR departments are looking to AI for help improving the employee experience. As part of the effort, some 59% are considering or already adding virtual employee assistants like chatbots.

TMVR with MitraClip increases life expectancy—at a cost

An economic analysis of COAPT data suggests edge-to-edge TMVR with the MitraClip device is a more affordable long-term treatment option than guideline-directed medical therapy alone for patients with severe secondary MR—but the steep cost of an index TMVR procedure might eclipse that benefit.

AHA lays out 7 ways AI will change the healthcare workforce

If the researchers behind a new report on AI in healthcare are right, the technology could cut nonclinical workers’ workload by 40% while also slashing clinical tasks by 33%.

Imaging company ordered to pay $8.5M to settle kickback allegations

Maryland-based Trident USA Health Services has agreed to pay $8.5 million to settle allegations that it paid kickbacks to clients to secure further business.

X-ray company pays $8.5M to settle kickback allegations

Mobile x-ray company Trident USA Health Services has reached an $8.5 million civil settlement to resolve allegations that it participated in a kickback scheme with skilled nursing facilities.

New Jersey cardiologist goes to trial for sexual misconduct

Cardiologist John Stobeck, accused of inappropriately touching a female patient during a medical exam in 2012, headed to trial on Tuesday, the North Jersey Record reports.

China still not leading in AI innovation despite $6B+ in startup funding

Contrary to popular perceptions, while much leading-edge innovation involving AI is coming out of China, the advances emanating from the Middle Kingdom are limited to just a few platform technologies and market segments.

Machine learning company raises $22M to detect cancer sooner

Kheiron Medical Technologies, a London-based machine learning startup focused on helping radiologists detect cancer at an early stage, has raised $22 million in a Series A funding round.

Economics

Proposed HHS budget would close NINR, cut nursing programs

Family of heart patient who died awarded $45M after suing health system for negligence

Leaked HHS budget reveals 30% cuts, elimination of many core services

RadNet leaders discuss rationale behind blockbuster $103M iCAD AI acquisition

Interventional radiologists ‘markedly’ increase billing for nonprocedural work, despite drop in overall doc count