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.

3D-printed medical camera may fit inside syringe

3D printing has a manufacturing process with nearly endless possibilities. From printing prosthetic limbs, toys and even chocolate, 3D printing is constantly finding new applications. Additive manufacturing may now be capable of producing a tiny camera capable of fitting inside a syringe, reports Gizmag.

California ACA premiums to increase 13.2 percent in 2017

Premiums for plans offered on the Covered California health insurance exchange will jump an average of 13.2 percent in 2017.

Healthcare providers can reduce costs, improve results with interoperability

It's almost impossible to imagine a world without the Internet. Innovation continues and new technologies are developed everyday. The healthcare industry is seeing apps and devices that offer quicker care, improved results and cost reductions.

Obesity drug discarded after being tied to patient deaths

Boston-based biotech company Zafgen has scrapped plans to bring binge-eating disorder treatment beloranib to market after two patients in clinical trials died after developing blood clots in their lungs.

DOJ reportedly preparing suits against Aetna-Humana, Anthem-Cigna mergers

Reuters and Bloomberg have reported the Department of Justice (DOJ) will soon file lawsuits to block two pending mergers between major health insurers: Anthem’s acquisition of Cigna and Aetna’s takeover of Humana.

FTC continues appeal to block Ill. hospital merger

The Federal Trade Commission and the Illinois Attorney General’s office have filed an appeal in another attempt to block a merger between two Illinois health systems, Advocate Health Care and NorthShore University Health System.

HHS settles with 400 hospitals in uncompensated care case

More than 400 hospitals have reached a settlement with HHS for an undisclosed amount of money over disputed reimbursements for disproportionate share hospital (DSH) payments, which go to facilities who serve a large number of low-income patients.

Wireless suture technology can update your doctor on your health

Plenty of sci-fi movies feature a trope about humans with microchips implanted in them that track our health from the inside, well now technology has caught up with our imaginations with the introduction of nano-sensors developed by engineers at Tufts University engineers. 

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.