Democrats in the U.S. Senate attempted to use the Congressional Review Act to force the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to halt a program that uses artificial intelligence to approve or deny claims for medical care submitted to traditional Medicare. The measure failed in a 46-50 vote.

Payments to lobbyists from healthcare providers fell 13% over a 10-year period ending in 2024. Yet lobbyist spending by one specialty—mental healthcare—rose by nearly 30%. What explains the against-the-current cash flow? 

The unusual defendants were swept up as part of a larger investigation into healthcare fraud in the Minnesota housing services program. An alleged third co-conspirator has pleaded not guilty and will take her chances at a jury trial.

Of all the blunders for which a hospital can get sued, switching babies at birth has to rank among the least worried-about by lawyers and risk managers. That doesn’t mean it never happens. 

From the right come heated calls for reform if not outright overhaul of the 340B Drug Pricing Program. From the left, vociferous insistence on letting 340B be, albeit with modest tweaks and fixes. From hospitals and drug manufacturers: finger-pointing.  

On the very bottom stands Maryland. The report from WalletHub looked at the median income of households in each state, analyzing what percentage of household income a silver plan consumes.

The wrongful death lawsuit against Napoleon Maminta, MD, was filed in 2023, following an investigation from state and federal regulators into his prescribing practices. He has been formally accused of multiple violations that could threaten his license to practice medicine.

Planners and builders of new hospitals, take note: For the modest added spend of $25 million to $30 million, you can incorporate architectural and design features that will not only healthify the structure but also pay for themselves within two years. 

The Medicare Advantage insurer said the payout is equal to what a CMS audit stated was the total amount the company was overpaid for patient care services. Despite receiving the cash, the agency has yet to officially withdraw its enforcement action, as the two parties are still negotiating. 

With Election Day only four months away, healthcare is again emerging as a major source of idealistic campaign promises. Many of these are driven by widespread public angst. What sorts of changes can U.S. healthcare stakeholders realistically expect once the results are in? 

Back in June, CMS proposed significant updates to its current TAVR policies. Three leading healthcare societies have now joined forces to share their own perspective on the potential updates. 

ACR believes a proposal to add restrictions around research funding could have "a chilling effect on academic research and innovation in the United States.”