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.

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.

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.

Millions more Americans could pick Medicare as their health insurer under a bill introduced by Sens. Chris Murphy, D-Connecticut, and Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon, by making it a public insurance option on the Affordable Care Act (ACA) exchanges and for employers.

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.

“Although medical devices provide great benefits to patients, they also present risks,” said FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, MD. “And we are focusing equal attention on advancing new frameworks for identifying risks and protecting consumers.”

The wave of megamergers involving health insurers could place the greatest pressure on both not-for-profit and for-profit hospitals, according to a report from Moody’s Investors Service, if these new combinations steer patients away from hospital-owned facilities.

President Donald Trump will deliver a speech on April 26 focused on ways to lower prescription drug prices, but the pharmaceutical industry doesn’t expect it to include the more dramatic reforms Trump espoused on the campaign trail.