CMS wants to cut ACA exchange fees, end silver-loading
The CMS' proposed rule governing Affordable Care Act exchange payments in 2020 included cutting user fees and laying the groundwork to eliminate "silver-loading."
Part D plans would take on more financial risk under new CMMI model
By Susannah LuthiThe CMS announced a new model to give Part D plans more skin in the game to cut Medicare's drug spending, and it will expand the scope of its Medicare Advantage value-based design model.
Ballooning costs, government mandates were hospitals' biggest challenges in 2018
Rising costs, government mandates and patient safety and quality were hospital CEOs' biggest concerns in 2018, per the American College of Healthcare Executives' annual survey.
Research
Fragile pharmaceutical supply chain increases costs, compromises care
The average unit price of drugs in shortage in 2016 increased 23.4%, according to a new report. One in four hospitals had to cut staff to mitigate budget pressures.
Providers
Healthcare groups, hospitals tell president, Congress to end shutdown
Hundreds of groups including major healthcare industry associations and hospitals sent letters to Congress and President Donald Trump urging an end to the partial government shutdown, citing health consequences of the lapsed funding.
Insurance
CVS and Walmart resolve short-lived reimbursement dispute
CVS Health and Walmart said they have resolved a contract dispute and inked a new multiyear contract that allows certain CVS pharmacy benefit management customers to continue filling prescriptions at Walmart drugstores.
Government
MedPAC recommends consolidating Medicare quality programs
The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission recommended that Congress pass legislation to consolidate most of Medicare's value-based quality programs and boost payments for high-performing hospitals.
Finance
HCA-Mission Health deal OK'd by N.C. attorney general
North Carolina's attorney general approved hospital giant HCA Healthcare's $1.5 billion acquisition of Asheville-based Mission Health, after nabbing commitments from HCA meant to protect the state's healthcare industry.
Technology
FDA gets closer to making naloxone available over the counter
The Food and Drug Administration is preparing to allow the over-the-counter purchase of the drug overdose-reversal medication naloxone in an effort to expand greater access to the lifesaving drug.
Transformation
Azar's reference drug pricing model makes inroads with GOP
The Trump administration's idea to tie Medicare drug spending to other countries' lower prices is popular with progressive Democrats, but can HHS Secretary Alex Azar bring Senate Republicans on board?
Safety & Quality
Tyson: Kaiser's Oakland housing initiatives first step toward national model
Kaiser Permanente CEO Bernard Tyson said his organization's recent initiatives to address homelessness and housing instability in the Bay Area are a first step to develop a model that could be replicated throughout the system's national network.
People
Scott Steiner to lead Phoebe Putney Health System
Steiner will replace Joel Wernick, who is retiring after 30 years as the Georgia system's top executive. Steiner currently serves as CEO of four Tenet Healthcare Corp. hospitals in Detroit.
Surveys
Largest health systems, hospital-owned insurers included in new resource guide
Modern Healthcare's 20th annual resource guide features a list of the largest healthcare lobbying organizations and fuller information on lists of vendors and suppliers.
