S&P: 340B cuts will weaken nonprofit hospitals

The $1.6 billion in cuts to Medicare payments made under the 340B drug discount programs could add to the financial stress of smaller not-for-profit hospitals and health systems, according to Standard & Poor (S&P)’s Global Ratings.

The American Medical Association (AMA) released a report on May 31 detailing how “physician leadership” has led to progress fighting the epidemic of opioid abuse and addiction. Just two days earlier, however, a story published by the Daily Beast labeled the AMA as a main roadblock to Congress addressing the prescription of opioids.

New Jersey will maintain the penalty on a statewide level in 2019. Vermont's law will take more time, with a working group tasked with figuring out how to enforce the mandate beginning in 2020.

The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) has added five new members, including a former head of the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT (ONC) and chief medical officers at HCA Healthcare and Geisinger Health System.

Athenahealth CEO Jonathan Bush issued an apology for “regrettable incidents” after it was reported he had admitted to assaulting his now former wife, but he’ll remain CEO of the health IT company as its under pressure to accept a takeover bid from activist hedge fund manager Paul Singer.

“Basically, anybody who knows anything about healthcare is opposed to these proposals,” said Sandy Praeger, a former president of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.