CVS-Aetna to keep some business operations separate while judge weighs merger
A federal judge Tuesday declined to put a timeline on when he might—or might not—sign off on CVS Health's $70 billion acquisition of Aetna.
Texas ACA ruling complicates politics of Medicaid expansion
By Harris MeyerMedicaid expansion advocates in states moving toward expansion, including Idaho, Kansas, Nebraska, and Utah, worry opponents will cite the Texas ruling as a reason not to push forward.
Rubio launches DSH overhaul debate in Senate
With scheduled DSH payment cuts looming next year, Florida's GOP Sen. Marco Rubio has introduced legislation to overhaul the current formula, which is weighted against his state.
Research
When tax forms don't tell the whole story of community benefits
Safety-net hospitals, like Mount Sinai on Chicago's West Side, often provide a broad array of community benefit programs that aren't adequately captured by the current tax reporting framework.
Providers
Atrium Health appoints new chief strategy officer
Dr. Rasu Shrestha will join the Charlotte, N.C.-based health system in February from UPMC, where he was chief innovation officer. The radiologist will replace Carol Lovin, who was promoted to Atrium's system chief of staff.
Insurance
Investor lawsuit accuses Centene of hiding Health Net problems
Two pension funds that own stock in Centene Corp. are suing the health insurer and certain directors and officers, claiming Centene acquired Health Net in 2016 for $6 billion without fully disclosing the company's significant financial problems.
Government
CMS probes Joint Commission and other accreditors on conflict of interest
The CMS is asking accrediting organizations like the Joint Commission to disclose their relationships with providers they accredit for participation in Medicare and consult for.
Finance
Scripps Health net income suffers on investment returns
Even as disappointing investment gains cut into Scripps Health's net income in its fiscal 2018, the not-for-profit health system managed to boost its operating income 25% year over year.
Technology
Teladoc CFO resigns after misconduct allegations
Mark Hirschhorn is stepping down from his dual role as CFO and COO after a report claimed that he and another Teladoc employee engaged in insider trading.
Transformation
Using remote surveillance, interventions to treat sepsis patients early
WellSpan Health has achieved an 85% compliance rate for CMS' sepsis treatment bundle largely because of a remote team of nurses who surveil patients' vital signs and sepsis alerts from the EHR.
Safety & Quality
Quality ratings are coming to addiction treatment provider space
Addiction recovery advocacy group Shatterproof plans to build a rating system for the largely unregulated addiction treatment provider space.
People
Providence St. Joseph Health hires Microsoft exec as CIO
B.J. Moore will join the health system in January after spending more than two decades at Microsoft, most recently in its cloud and AI division.
Surveys
Largest health systems, hospital-owned insurers included in year-end 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
