SPOTLIGHT -
Richard Payerchin is editor of Medical Economics.
Getting involved in PA reform
Reps question Change Healthcare CEO over cyberattack, hammer on effects of consolidation on smaller practices
Following testimony in Senate, UnitedHealth Group CEO Witty appears before House oversight subcommittee.
Heart disease like cancer; medical misinformation; COVID-19 fraud – Morning Medical Update
The top news stories in medicine today.
Change Healthcare: ‘We will not rest … until we fix this’
CEO Witty apologizes for effects of the massive cyberattack, but Senate Finance Committee chair says the company ‘let the country down.’
Change Healthcare CEO Witty apologizes for effects of massive cyberattack
Testimony begins in Senate Finance Committee.
Suicide prevention plan; advising FDA; HIV and ‘vampire facials’– Morning Medical Update
CMS introduces new ACO Primary Care Flex model
Five-year test starts in 2025 to promote innovative, proactive approaches to care.
Delays in urgent care: a slideshow
Patients say they could not access urgent care when they needed it in the last year.
Avian flu spreads; stairway to health; protecting health data – Morning Medical Update
Antismoking advocates blast White House for delaying ban on menthol cigarettes
HHS: More time needed to study potential effects of new rules for flavored tobacco products.
Senate summons Change Healthcare leader to testify about cyberattack
Finance Committee to convene hearing the same day as House committee will discuss the same issue.
Getting paid for prior authorizations
Advocates say insurers should reimburse physicians for time spent on prior authorizations
Taking aim at drug costs; analyzing heart risks; health care and climate change – Morning Medical Update
Med school association projects physician shortfall of 86,000 by 2036
But there’s a catch – AAMC says more money is needed for graduate medical education or the situation will be much worse.
Patients are skeptical of AI in health care: a slideshow
Global survey finds some patients embrace innovations, but they are not a majority.
Organ transplant history; exercise and mental health; long COVID data available – Morning Medical Update
Healthy lunches for students; mechanical bull risks; medical fraudster on the lam – Morning Medical Update
Banning noncompetes: Physicians, hospitals, businesses react
Health care was an influence in FTC decision, but effects for nonprofits are up in the air.
Old law on abortion; grants to study minority health; preventing infection – Morning Medical Update
FTC votes to ban noncompete clauses for all but high-level execs
Federal Trade Commission splits 3-2 on new rule about contract clauses that affect physicians and other health care workers, but ban won't cover nonprofits.
Industry payments to physicians reach $12B over 10-year period
Researchers examine how much drug and device makers pay to doctors. The top 0.1% may get quite a bit.
Bogus Botox; transgender care ‘built on shaky foundations;’ federal rule on reproductive privacy – Morning Medical Update
ACP renews call for physicians to vote, make health care an issue for presidential election year
Physicians group leaders comment as part of annual gathering this month.
ACP recommends pharmacologic treatments for Type 2 diabetes
Reducing risks of all-cause mortality is a goal with new treatment options.
Trust and health around the world: a slideshow
Communications firm Edelman surveys people to discern credibility of sources of health information.
Trauma care price review; misusing telehealth patient data; inspirations for medicines – Morning Medical Update
UnitedHealth CEO to testify in House committee about Change Healthcare cyberattack
Energy & Commerce Committee announces hearing on May 1.
The case for having insurance companies pay physicians for prior authorizations
Economist discusses potential cost savings and fewer administrative burdens if U.S. health care had an automated clearinghouse.
Benzene in acne drugs; $70M in health care fraud; rat urine health problems – Morning Medical Update
Feds launch new web portal to report unfair competition in health care
‘Unfair methods of competition and monopolistic practices may be depriving Americans of access to affordable, high-quality health care,’ FTC leader says.