If all American voters were single-issue deciders and the cost of healthcare were their issue, Democrat candidates would win the mid-term elections handily. But loyalists of the donkey party shouldn’t be smug around their elephant counterparts. 

eMurmer's new Heart AI software was designed to detect both the presence and absence of heart murmurs in digital stethoscope recordings. It can also gather critical hemodynamic data, helping care teams gain a better understanding of the patient's cardiovascular health. 

The Federal Trade Commission said it's seeking a resolution with Cigna, the parent company of the pharmacy benefit manager. The agency filed an antitrust complaint against Express Scripts, Optum Rx and CVS Caremark in 2024, alleging the "Big Three" PBMs use anticompetitive tactics to control the insulin supply chain within their vertical.

Current payment policies have health systems and physicians all over the country looking to learn more about these two business models. 

Over 45 physicians, scientists and public health leaders believe a “fundamental shift” is needed to address how USPSTF develops and implements recommendations. 

Of the $6.8 billion in judgments and settlements the U.S. Department of Justice reclaimed under the False Claims Act, $5.7 billion came from healthcare cases. The agency said fraud involving Medicare reimbursements, unnecessary patient care and managed care scams remains a key focus.

The third round of the Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program includes treatments for HIV and diabetes, among other conditions. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services also released a list of the top 50 medications it deems strong candidates for future negotiations based on current prices and patient utilization.

The American Board of Cardiovascular Medicine is still pushing forward with its efforts to change how cardiologists are certified in the United States. While the group can reapply in the future for a standalone cardiology board, it is also looking at possible partnerships with other organizations.