Economics

This channel highlights factors that impact hospital and healthcare economics and revenue. This includes news on healthcare policies, reimbursement, marketing, business plans, mergers and acquisitions, supply chain, salaries, staffing, and the implementation of a cost-effective environment for patients and providers.

Aetna CEO: ACA return possible, but not until 2019

Aetna could return to some of the Affordable Care Act exchanges it left in 2017, but not until changes are made to the market by Congress and federal regulators.

3D printer produces 'heart on a chip'

You may love your computer or your phone, but can a bunch of circuits and wires really love you back? Well, probably not—but Harvard University researchers have used 3D printing to produce a heart on a computer chip.

Can exoskeletons speed recovery from stroke, spinal cord injuries?

Recent work has shown the potential for robotics to be implemented in the rehabilitation of stroke and spinal cord injury patients. Researchers have developed a robotic exoskeleton that can help in training to advance gait rehabilitation and strengthen muscles.

Catholic Health Initiatives, Dignity Health exploring merger

Nonprofit health systems Catholic Health Initiatives (CHI) and Dignity Health have “signed a non-binding letter of intent” to merge, which could create one of the largest nonprofit hospital chains by revenue in the U.S.

CMS opens more alternative payment models for MACRA bonus

CMS is offering more paths for practices and payers to earn incentive payments under the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA).

One nurse's goal: Making small print a big deal

More than 1.3 million Americans fall victim to medication errors—and, for one Ohio nurse, it's a case of enough is enough. Janeen Jones, BSN, RN, has developed the MagniMed line of lighted magnification systems to make small print on medication labels easier to read.

PhRMA raises dues for drug companies

Drug companies will collectively pay an extra $100 million in annual membership dues to industry group Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA).

Precision biomarkers may improve breast cancer treatment

Precision biomarkers have been shown to be an effective tool in cancer care, but most evidence comes from clinical trials rather than real patient experiences. Christopher Friese, PhD, RN, of the University of Michigan School of Nursing in Ann Arbor, and colleagues are testing how practicing physicians are using a 21-gene recurrence score (RS) biomarker test in breast cancer patients.

Around the web

The tirzepatide shortage that first began in 2022 has been resolved. Drug companies distributing compounded versions of the popular drug now have two to three more months to distribute their remaining supply.

The 24 members of the House Task Force on AI—12 reps from each party—have posted a 253-page report detailing their bipartisan vision for encouraging innovation while minimizing risks. 

Merck sent Hansoh Pharma, a Chinese biopharmaceutical company, an upfront payment of $112 million to license a new investigational GLP-1 receptor agonist. There could be many more payments to come if certain milestones are met.