HealthWire Live Healthcare News
A live, curated healthcare intelligence feed for policy, finance, radiology, technology, public health, and industry developments.
Two weeks to rebuild radiology services: How Prime Healthcare renovated reading, RIS and RCM
Few dilemmas rattle a hospital executive like this one: The radiology group is leaving, and soon, with more than 3,000 studies waiting to be read.
Injections for Achilles Tendinopathy Flop in Randomized Trial
(MedPage Today) — High-volume injections to relieve pain and disability for patients with Achilles tendinopathy failed to demonstrate significant benefit versus sham injections in a randomized trial. With 192 patients assigned to three arms …
Senators Investigate Insurers’ Role in Removing Thousands from ACA Coverage
Democratic senators are investigating 10 insurers’ role in the Trump administration’s termination of 760,000 ACA enrollees’ coverage over suspected fraud. The post Senators Investigate Insurers’ Role in Removing Thousands from ACA Coverage appeared first on MedCity News.
A simple, scalable way to increase access to pediatric radiologist reads
New research details how a large healthcare organization was able to increase access to subspecialists across its system using a centralized platform.
Rare Brain Disorder Linked to Water Pollution Sources
(MedPage Today) — People living near industrial facilities that polluted the water supply were more likely to develop progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), a rare and severe neurodegenerative tauopathy, a study of U.K. Biobank participants showed…
STAT+: Lawmaker wants government watchdog to probe TrumpRx over claims about drug savings
A House lawmaker asked the Government Accountability Office to review whether the TrumpRx platform has saved Americans any money.
RFK Jr. Eases Access to Unproven Peptides Despite Opposition From FDA Scientists
(MedPage Today) — The Trump administration on Wednesday acted to ease access to unproven peptide drugs favored by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and FDA scientific staffers had little input on the decision and opposed the changes, according…
Advanced imaging use for mini strokes rises substantially in US emergency departments
Findings from a new national study highlight changes in care delivery, rising costs and disparities between rural and urban hospitals in treating transient ischemic attacks.
Insurers, employers urge CMS to pause No Surprises arbiter recertifications
The Coalition Against Surprise Medical Billing and the ERISA Industry Committee are asking the CMS to stop approving arbiters until it implements more rigorous standards.
Another Win for Novel Drug, This Time in EGFR-Mutated Lung Cancer
(MedPage Today) — A first-in-class bispecific antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) nearly doubled progression-free survival (PFS) compared with chemotherapy in patients with EGFR-mutated advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who progressed on third…
Couples Achieved Live Births Faster With IVF First
(MedPage Today) — BALTIMORE — Couples who bypassed intrauterine insemination (IUI) and went straight to in vitro fertilization (IVF) achieved a live birth faster, a multicenter randomized controlled trial in New Zealand showed. At 7 months…
For Select AV Blocks, Trial Gives Win to Pacemakers With LBBA Pacing
(MedPage Today) — For lower-risk patients with atrioventricular block (AVB) requiring substantial ventricular pacing, left bundle branch area pacing (LBBAP) was able to claim superiority in a randomized trial from China. Among such individuals…
Review: 'You Can See Everything' Trains Its Lens on Elizabeth Holmes of Theranos
(MedPage Today) — Thirty-four days before the disgraced Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes was due in federal prison to serve an 11-year sentence for conspiracy and fraud, she and her partner, Billy Evans, welcomed a film crew into their beachside…
Eli Lilly’s ‘Triple-G’ Drug Tops Ozempic in Head-to-Head Type 2 Diabetes Trial
Topline Phase 3 results show Eli Lilly’s retatrutide beat Novo’s Ozempic on measures of blood sugar and weight loss in adults with type 2 diabetes. Retatrutide is a peptide designed to activate three metabolic targets versus just one hit by Ozempic. The…
STAT+: HHS moves to allow compounding of some unapproved peptides
Kennedy and his MAHA movement have embraced peptides, though there's little evidence for many of the wellness compounds.
Ahead of Midterms, HFMA Calls for Cross-Sector Action on Healthcare Affordability
With healthcare affordability set to influence voters’ decisions in next week’s midterm elections, the Healthcare Financial Management Association is calling on healthcare leaders to move beyond finger-pointing and work together to address rising costs. HFMA is urging financial leaders across healthcare to…
STAT+: Senate candidate El-Sayed wants to ‘grill’ RFK Jr., calls him the ‘most incompetent HHS secretary ever’
Abdul El-Sayed has made headlines for his progressive politics and stance on Israel. But some supporters consider his public health background critical.
STAT+: Why every health care AI company must face Epic
In this edition of AI Prognosis: A new investigation into how Epic's market dominance is impacting health tech innovation and AI adoption.
Zocdoc invites AI agents to book appointments on behalf of patients
It’s a “contrarian move” for the company as much of the industry remains wary of agentic AI, according to CEO Dr. Oliver Kharraz.
HCA’s bottom line suffers as ACA coverage losses mount
The hospital operator has lost about $950 million in pretax earnings this year as more patients leaving the exchanges jacks up uncompensated care costs and delays elective surgeries.
Work Requirements Put New Pressure On Medicaid Member Retention
By using existing data to better understand members and implementing retention strategies, plans can remain sustainable and members can get the care they need. The post Work Requirements Put New Pressure On Medicaid Member Retention appeared first on MedCity News.
STAT+: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about 340B battles, new results for a Lilly weight loss drug, and more
Missouri attorney general warned Eli Lilly to discontinue requiring hospitals to provide claims data to receive discounted medicines under 340B program
STAT+: Lilly’s triple-G drug beats Ozempic in head-to-head study
Eli Lilly announced that its investigational drug retatrutide was more effective at lowering blood sugar and cutting weight than Novo Nordisk’s Ozempic in a large diabetes study.
How Can Hospitals and Pharmacists Collaborate on Effective Stewardship Programs for Opioids and Antibiotics?
[Sponsored] A webinar sponsored by Inovalon explored how hospitals and pharmacies can work together to generate the best outcomes for patients while improving patient safety. The post How Can Hospitals and Pharmacists Collaborate on Effective Stewardship Programs for Opioids and Antibiotics? appeared…
CVS sues to prevent $2B Medicare Advantage star ratings hit
It’s at least the fifth insurer to turn to the courts in a bid to hike its ratings for next year. The lawsuits make near-identical legal arguments. But CVS’ is more dramatic in its scope and alleged financial harm.
National Academy of Medicine’s 2026 Annual Meeting (Scientific Symposium on Chronic Disease)
KFF Founding President and CEO Dr. Drew Altman delivered the Victor J. Dzau Keynote Address at the National Academy of Medicine’s 2026 Annual Meeting (Scientific Symposium on Chronic Disease) on October 10, 2026, where he described the big challenges ahead in health…
What has actually caused the decline in drug overdose deaths?
After years of steep increases, especially amid the pandemic, U.S. overdose deaths decreased 27% in 2024, and preliminary data from 2025 show another meaningful drop.
Hospital Beds for the Nation’s Sickest Kids Are Disappearing
Hospitals nationwide are cutting intensive services for kids in critical care. Many cite too few patients, staffing shortages, and money problems. As a result, kids who need lifesaving care must travel farther. Pediatricians expect more cutbacks in the wake of federal Medicaid…
In California and Other States, Dads Are Now Even With Moms in Paid Leave Claims
The U.S. has no law guaranteeing paid parental leave. But in states with their own programs, more dads are using the benefit, surpassing moms in some states. The growth in popularity comes as Americans increasingly say raising children is unaffordable.
Willow Acquires 2 Women’s Health Companies
Willow Innovations acquired Swehl and Momtech to expand its maternal health offerings beyond breast pumps. The post Willow Acquires 2 Women’s Health Companies appeared first on MedCity News.
Bracco to invest $230M in first U.S. contrast media manufacturing facility
The facility, which will be located in Sanford, North Carolina, is expected to create 200 jobs across manufacturing, engineering, technical operations, quality, warehousing and administrative functions.
ASTRO updates prostate cancer radiation guidelines, expands role of shortened treatments
The update replaces ASTRO’s 2018 recommendations to reflect the growing body of evidence showing that hypofractionated external beam radiation therapy can maintain cancer control while reducing treatment time.
Patient Deaths and Data Shortfall Spell the End for Cell Therapy Biotech Artiva
Artiva Biotherapeutics attributed one of the fatalities to a drug used to prepare patients for cell therapy and not to the cell therapy itself. But Artiva’s setbacks follow safety signals reported for autoimmune disease cell therapy programs from Novartis and Bristol Myers…
Radiology residents miss more findings after night shifts, even with AI assistance
A new analysis raises questions about how overnight workloads affect diagnostic performance and whether AI tools can truly help mitigate fatigue-related risks in radiology.
Centene progresses on profit recovery, drops 6,000 employees
After a buoyant third quarter, Centene now thinks its Medicare business will break even one year ahead of schedule. Staffing cuts saddled the insurer with severance spending, but should help margins in 2027.
Bon Secours affiliate makes $5.7B bid for Surgery Partners
HealthSpan, the investment arm of Bon Secours, wants to take Surgery Partners private and absorb its 30-state outpatient footprint.
ONC cuts health IT certification criteria in HTI-5 final rule
The regulation cuts 14 criteria and revises seven to make ONC's health IT certification easier to achieve, but delays decisions on information blocking.
Jacksonville, Florida’s Gun Violence Is Rooted in Redlining and Homes Built on Toxic Waste
Poisons from Jacksonville, Florida’s “Brown’s Dump” seeped into the lifeblood of residents. The harm to their physical and mental health is tied today to another public health crisis: high rates of gun violence among children.
Remember This Acronym Next Time You’re Facing a Big Medical Decision: B.R.A.I.N.
If your doctor recommends a big test or procedure, this tool can help you talk through options collaboratively. It works at a routine checkup or in high-stakes medical situations like childbirth.
Expedited pathway for mammo recalls nearly halves diagnostic timeline
A new paper details how radiologist-directed expedited recalls can prioritize resources for highly suspicious findings and reduce the time patients wait for further evaluation.
The Cost of Healthcare Is Hitting America Where It Hurts: The Wallet
Rising healthcare costs are upending the lives of Americans. People are forgoing health insurance, rationing medications, cutting back on doctor visits, and putting off health procedures they can’t afford. But bringing the costs down won’t be easy.
Many Medicare Patients Could Lose Access to Remote Monitoring Devices
A proposed federal rule could dramatically reduce access to remote patient monitoring programs for people on Medicare. The services aim to keep patients out of the hospital by giving them devices to monitor their health at home, but critics say there isn’t…
How Does the Quality of the U.S. Health System Compare to Other Countries?
This chart collection compares the United States and other similarly large and wealthy nations across various measures of care quality to show how the U.S. stacks up against its peers and how that has changed over time.
Americans’ Challenges with Health Care Costs
This data note summarizes recent KFF polling on Americans’ experiences with health care costs, which factor into decisions about insurance coverage and care seeking and consistently ranks as a top financial worry for adults and their families.
What We Know about Trump’s $500 ACA Checks and the User Fees Funding Them
This analysis examines the $500 checks that the Trump administration is sending to some Affordable Care Act Marketplace enrollees and the user fees that are paying for them. The checks are going to about 1 million enrollees in the 30 states that…
GOP Congressman in California Swing-District Race Defends Vote for Medicaid Cuts
In a race that could help decide control of Congress, Republican U.S. Rep. David Valadao is trying to hold on to his swing-district seat. The congressman didn’t mention healthcare at a recent campaign rally in Bakersfield, but voters can't stop talking about…
Premiums for Employer-Sponsored Family Health Coverage Top $28,000 in 2026
Workers are paying on average $7,471 annually toward the premiums for employer-sponsored family health benefits this year, which is up 9%, or $621, from 2025, according to KFF’s annual benchmark health benefits survey of large and small employers.
FDA Launches New Program to Advance Neuroscience Medical Product Development
FDA announces the launch of the Neuroscience Advancement and Innovation Nexus (NAIN), a new agency program aligned with the Trump Administration’s efforts to accelerate medical innovation and deliver breakthrough treatments.
How Much is Health Spending Expected to Grow?
This chart collection explores how much health spending is expected to grow in the coming years, with a look at growth in prescription drug spending, out-of-pocket spending, and related trends.
2026 Employer Health Benefits Survey
This is the 28th Employer Health Benefits Survey (EHBS) and reflects employer-sponsored health benefits in 2026. As in years past, the survey examines trends in employer coverage, including premiums, employee contributions, deductibles, offer rates, and employer practices. This year, we asked employers…
FDA Approves First-of-Its-Kind Chronic Hepatitis B Treatment
FDA today approved Hibsago (bepirovirsen) injection, in combination with existing antiviral therapy, to treat chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in certain adults without cirrhosis.
FDA Approves Once-Weekly Generic Hormone Therapy Patch for Women
Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the first generic of Climara Pro (estradiol and levonorgestrel transdermal system, 0.045 mg per day/0.015 mg), a transdermal hormone therapy patch for women with an intact uterus applied once a week.
FDA Issues Final Guidance on Prescription Drug Apps and Software
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today released final guidance establishing a clear framework for how drug companies can develop, distribute, and label apps used alongside their prescription medicines.
FDA Approves Immunotherapy That May Allow Certain Patients with Rectal Cancer to Avoid Chemotherapy, Radiation and Surgery
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today granted accelerated approval for a new use of the immunotherapy Jemperli (dostarlimab-gxly) that may allow some patients with locally advanced rectal cancer to avoid common treatments that can have a lasting impact on their daily…
FDA Launches the Rare Disease Framework Initiative to Develop a Holistic, Fit-For-Purpose Framework for Rare Disease Drug Development
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, a division within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), today announced the Rare Disease Framework Initiative to reimagine the development of drugs and biologics for rare diseases.
FDA Approves First Treatment for Certain People With BCG-Unresponsive Bladder Cancer
FDA Approves First Treatment for Certain People With BCG-Unresponsive Bladder Cancer
Annual Report to the Nation: Progress Against Lung Cancer Drives Down Cancer Mortality
Learn the latest U.S. cancer trends, including falling death rates and lung cancer progress.
CDC Data Show Encouraging Progress in Youth Health
CDC Data Show Encouraging Progress in Youth Health
CDC Statement on Increases in Recent Animal Rabies Activity and Associated Human Exposures
CDC Statement on Increases in Recent Animal Rabies Activity and Associated Human Exposures
Twenty-Five Years After 9/11 – Lessons from the World Trade Center Health Program
Paper examines 9/11-related health outcomes and lessons learned since the disaster.
CDC Launches New Overdose Prevention Data Channel
CDC launches a central data channel to track overdose trends and strengthen prevention nationwide.
Outbreak linked to alfalfa sprouts; people sickened with E. coli and Salmonella
CDC warns of a multistate Salmonella and E. coli outbreak linked to recalled alfalfa sprout product.
CDC Statement on Newly Released Kindergarten Vaccination Data
CDC data show kindergarten vaccination rates remain high, with a slight 0.1% decline in coverage.
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