Healthcare groups want MIPS changes on measures, reporting period

The Medical Group Management Association (MGMA), American Medical Association (AMA) and the American College of Physicians (ACP) are asking for changes to the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS), with a wide group of stakeholders wanting the quality reporting period reduced to 90 days and ACP releasing a study determining many MIPS measures aren’t valid.

Procter & Gamble has announced it will acquire the consumer health business of Germany-based Merck in a $4.2 billion deal, adding more over-the-counter medications to P&G’s existing product offerings.

WalletHub, a personal finance website, ranked all 50 states and the District of Columbia in pediatric health. Vermont was No. 1 and Nevada was placed at the bottom in state-by-state rankings of children’s healthcare.

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) will review Cigna’s $67 billion proposal to acquire Express Scripts, the results of which are likely to have major ramifications on other vertical integrations being explored across healthcare.

One of the largest health systems in Atlanta and one of Georgia’s biggest insurers have settled a months-long dispute over a new contract after Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal threatened to take executive action to push the sides to negotiate.

Former Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary David Shulkin, MD, said he was pushed out of his position because he opposed privatizing veterans’ healthcare. The nominee to replace him, White House physician Ronny Jackson, MD, has been promising Democratic senators that he’s also against privatization of the VA.