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.

Ohio imaging provider charged with 25 counts of healthcare fraud

An imaging provider from North Canton, Ohio, has been indicted for billing Medicare and Medicaid for approximately $2 million in imaging services that never actually occurred.

President of Ohio radiology company indicted on $2M x-ray billing scheme

The president of Portable Radiology Services in North Canton, Ohio has been indicted for defrauding Medicare and Medicaid of nearly $2 million for billing x-ray services that were never rendered, reported Cleveland 19 News.

UCLA deploys Microsoft AI to synthesize data

UCLA Health is synthesizing vast amounts of data by deploying new Microsoft cloud computing services, Microsoft Azure, that will speed up medical discoveries and improve patient care.

Trouble at UNC: State launches investigation into pediatric heart surgery program

Prompted by a New York Times deep-dive into elevated death rates at North Carolina Children’s Hospital, North Carolina’s secretary of health on May 31 called for an investigation into the hospital’s pediatric heart surgery unit.

AI-focused precision medicine company raises $200M

Tempus, a Chicago-based precision medicine company that uses machine learning, genomic sequencing and other AI innovations, has raised $200 million in a series F funding round, the company announced.

Cardiologist agrees to $5.8M settlement for implanting dozens of unnecessary stents

A seven-years long whistleblower lawsuit against Kansas cardiologist Joseph Galichia ended May 30 with a $5.8 million settlement, the Wichita Eagle reported.

How board members should think about AI

With AI being a buzzword in healthcare, board members of organizations need to know how best to consider the technology.

New president takes over at ISMRM

The International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine (ISMRM) Board of Trustees also introduced the new editor of its Magnetic Resonance in Medicine journal.

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