Nearly 30 announced hospital deals in the fourth quarter signaled that hospital executives are more comfortable with the virtual due diligence process and that finances have stabilized, M&A experts said.

The Surgeon General report said community health investments will improve business' bottom lines and the health of the economy.

HHS has delayed a Provider Relief Fund grant recognition deadline originally set for Feb. 15. The agency has not yet announced a new deadline.

The penalty resolves alleged HIPAA violations stemming from a data breach that took place from December 2013 to May 2015 and compromised data on 9.3 million people, according to HHS' Office for Civil Rights.