Care Delivery

This channel includes news on cardiovascular care delivery, including how patients are diagnosed and treated, cardiac care guidelines, policies or legislation impacting patient care, device recalls that may impact patient care, and cardiology practice management.

Hospitals serving Medicaid patients prepare to take proposed payment caps on the chin
New federal limits on state-directed payments are set to cut Medicaid funding in most states. Hospitals are expected to bear the brunt since they account for the majority—84%, around $78B a year—of state-directed healthcare spends.
Nationwide nursing-home picture comes into focus with new analysis
Either the stakeholders issuing the warnings overstated the risk of widespread closings—or COVID-era emergency funds succeeded in heading off a calamity of national proportions. Either way, patient access has taken a hit here and there.
Cardiologists and surgeons share early feedback after CMS proposed sweeping TAVR changes
Major TAVR policy changes appear to be on the way—should clinicians be excited or concerned? Leading U.S. medical societies are sharing their early reactions.
Humana exits $900M position in end-of-life provider Gentiva
The Kentucky-based insurance giant had owned a 40% stake in the hospice company, stemming from its 2021 acquisition of Kindred Healthcare. Humana said a “consortium of investors" is making the buy, but few details were revealed.
TAVR concerns: Cardiologists, patient family members question quality of care at rural hospital
A failed TAVR procedure has left one family unsure about where things went wrong.

elephant trunk (FET) technique to treat a middle-aged heart patient, sharing their experience in JACC: Case Reports.[1] This is believed to be the first time surgeons have ever employed this particular approach.

Surgeons use modified ‘frozen elephant trunk’ technique for first heart surgery of its kind

When the devices needed for a specific procedure were not available, a group of surgeons got creative. Their one-of-a-kind approach was a success, and the patient has experienced no complications.

AI news & views of note: What patients think of AI scribes, 5 must-have principles for enterprise-wide adoption, more

Physicians love AI scribes. Has anyone thought to ask patients what they think?

American College of Cardiology highlights the cardiovascular risks of various cancer treatments

The new guidance, published in JACC, focuses on three classes of commonly used anticancer therapies.

cardiologists going through the certification process

CMS considers Medicare coverage for TAVR in asymptomatic patients

After an official request from Edwards Lifesciences, CMS is rethinking its coverage policy for the use of TAVR to treat asymptomatic severe aortic stenosis. The agency is accepting public comments on this topic until Jan. 14.

When healthcare met politics with time running out: 3 new developments

The director of the National Institutes of Health and his principal deputy are touting their success at ‘curing’ the agency of its self-inflicted DEI disability.

old woman or doctor shaking hands with patient

Women are more likely to have severe aortic stenosis missed on echocardiography results

Three out of four TTEs are being ordered by clinicians who are not cardiologists. Could this be having a negative impact on patient care?

Noteworthy AI news: Prez Trump vs. state regulators, HHS’s AI strategy 1 week out, imperfect AI, more

State-level regulation of AI: President Trump has turned his thinking into action.

AI artificial intelligence in healthcare

News gems: Hospital price caps, costly drinking water, child-unready hospitals, more

A U.S. state is enjoying $50 million in annual savings after imposing price caps on its hospitals. OK—but what good things (or workers) got sacrificed?

Care Delivery

Hospitals serving Medicaid patients prepare to take proposed payment caps on the chin

Nationwide nursing-home picture comes into focus with new analysis

Cardiologists and surgeons share early feedback after CMS proposed sweeping TAVR changes

Humana exits $900M position in end-of-life provider Gentiva

TAVR concerns: Cardiologists, patient family members question quality of care at rural hospital