Experts warn that the Trump administration’s new $100,000 fee for H-1B visa applications could worsen healthcare’s workforce crisis, especially in rural areas, by making it prohibitively expensive for hospitals to hire international clinicians. Critics are also worried that the change could slow the pace of healthcare innovation by discouraging foreign workers from contributing to the tech and research sectors in the U.S.| MedCity News
The government shutdown is drawing backlash from healthcare leaders over its potential to disrupt ACA subsidies, Medicare telehealth access and programs like SNAP.| MedCity News
Newly launched Pfizer drugs will be priced at parity to prices in comparable developed nations, according to the most-favored nation pricing agreement. But industry observers note that big pharma companies are also raising some prices overseas as part of a strategy to protect U.S. revenue.| MedCity News
With employee anxiety at an all-time high, reducing fear and stress is increasingly important to organizational performance. While leaders cannot control external events, they can help mitigate their impacts on their organizations and people.| MedCity News
Leaders from the VA and the ONC discussed how the future of U.S. healthcare will rely on both technology and creative problem-solving during a panel at DiMe’s Healthcare 2030 Summit.| MedCity News
A federal judge in Texas recently ruled on medical debt reporting — here's what the ruling means for providers and for the millions of Americans who currently have or might one day have medical debt.| MedCity News
Strive Health's Series D funding was led by New Enterprise Associates, and included participation from CVS Health Ventures, CapitalG, Echo Health and several others.| MedCity News
This proposal reflects a broader shift toward more restrictive oversight of inpatient utilization. As CMS finalizes this policy, providers should be aware of the immediate compliance and reimbursement risks associated with the phase-out.| MedCity News
Dreem Health introduced partnerships with Moona Health, DrLullaby and Daybreak. The partnerships aim to improve care for sleep conditions like insomnia and sleep apnea.| MedCity News
Tools like remote monitoring and smart home integrations have not only increased convenience but also reduced the barriers that often prevent people from seeking or sticking with care, especially among older adults who overwhelmingly prefer to age in place.| MedCity News
As AI chatbots become a surrogate for human connection amid a national mental health crisis, experts are worried about these tools’ lack of safeguards — with research showing the models can provide dangerous, sometimes fatal, advice. Regulators and providers alike are scrambling to catch up with a technology that evolves faster than humans are able to understand.| MedCity News
Employers expect healthcare costs to rise by a median of 9% in 2026, according to a survey by the Business Group on Health. Pharmacy expenses are a key driver.| MedCity News
As manufacturers play an active role in the patients’ healthcare journey, the boundaries between manufacturers and healthcare providers/payers are becoming increasingly blurry.| MedCity News
Small businesses are struggling with rising costs and tariffs, but many are still looking to maintain or increase health coverage, according to a recent report from Chase.| MedCity News
Novo Nordisk’s GLP-1 drug Wegovy expanded its label to include the metabolic disorder known as MASH. Analysts say there’s room for many MASH drugs with the treatment landscape expected to shape up to include combinations of therapies bringing different approaches to this fatty liver disease.| MedCity News
When transportation is integrated into the care continuum, everyone benefits: costs go down, appointments stay on track and beneficiaries receive the consistent care they deserve. This transformation isn’t just about speed; it’s about making every ride count.| MedCity News
Johnathan (John) Welch is Chief Product Officer at Sphere, where he leads the Product organization and drives the roadmap for Sphere's payment and healthcare focused product suite. Originally from London, England, John is an internationally minded payments expert with over 15 years of experience working for some of the largest payment providers and banks in the world, including leadership roles at Wells Fargo, JPMorgan Chase, WorldPay, and MasterCard.| MedCity News
Verona Pharma brings to Merck the inhaled drug Ohtuvayre, which is FDA approved as a treatment for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. While Ohtuvayre is projected to become a blockbuster product in COPD alone, its potential extends to other respiratory disorders as well.| MedCity News
The vast majority of healthcare data isn't used because it's difficult to work with, according to Beth Andrews, chief digital health officer of life sciences and healthcare at Dell Technologies. Andrews made these comments during a session at the MedCity News INVEST Digital Health conference.| MedCity News
By creating payment experiences that feel less like a burden and more like the seamless, convenient, flexible transactions patients experience elsewhere, we can significantly improve both patient satisfaction and financial performance.| MedCity News
As the FDA’s top biologics official, Peter Marks oversaw regulation of cell and gene therapies. The departure of Marks and mass layoffs throughout the FDA raise concerns about the agency’s ability to review and potentially approve such treatments.| MedCity News
The Trump administration recently cancelled billions of dollars in funding to the NIH. Healthcare experts say the funding cuts will delay the pace of medical research in the U.S. — which will not only hamper the commercialization of life-saving treatments, but could also hurt the country’s position as a global leader in healthcare and technology.| MedCity News
Despite their measurable clinical outcomes and contributions to patient well-being, they often face a dismissive perception as mere providers of ice bags and stretch bands. However, an economic crisis is threatening this vital profession, and the blame extends beyond insurance payors.| MedCity News
Illumina originally spun off Grail in early 2017. Grail plans to launch its test for early detection of cancers, Galleri, next year. Illumina already owns 14.5% of the company, which it started in 2016.| MedCity News
In closing its Grail acquisition before U.S. and European regulators sign off, Illumina is taking a chance the deal will pass regulatory muster. It’s a potentially pricey gambit, as Illumina could face fines for its early action and there are no assurances that regulators will agree that the deal is not anticompetitive.| MedCity News
Executives from Imagine360, Verily, BrightInsight, Lantern, and Rhapsody shared their approaches to reducing healthcare costs and facilitating digital transformation.| MedCity News
Stephanie Baum is the Director of Special Projects for MedCityNews. She graduated from Franklin & Marshall College in Pennsylvania and has worked across radio, print and video. She's worked for Dow Jones & Co., The Legal Intelligencer, The Christian Science Monitor, AP Radio's London bureau, and United Business Media.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanie-baum-24a7406/| MedCity News
The Federal Trade Commission is opposing Illumina’s proposed $7.1 billion Grail acquisition, arguing that it will reduce competition for multi-cancer early detection tests. Illumina disagrees with the regulator’s position and will oppose the FTC’s challenge.| MedCity News
To address the complicated healthcare landscape in the U.S., Pfizer launched a new direct-to-consumer virtual service called PfizerForAll. It follows Eli Lilly, which launched a similar product in January.| MedCity News
The lack of access to quality healthcare is often cited as the reason for maternal health disparities. But these issues go beyond access, according to Bayo Curry-Winchell, MD, founder of Beyond Clinical Walls and urgent care medical director at St. Mary’s Health Network.| MedCity News
Cresilon snagged its second FDA clearance for human use. The FDA granted 510(k) clearance to Traumagel, the startup’s gel that can stop bleeding in just seconds, for temporary external use to control moderate to severe bleeding.| MedCity News
We can’t wait for others to find a solution to high drug prices. It’s clear what should happen in a functioning drug pricing market federally and in California, but it is not happening today.| MedCity News
As patient expectations evolve, the healthcare industry must evolve with them. This means the tools, processes, and technology involved in care delivery must adapt, too.| MedCity News
The White House might soon finalize a rule that will either save or cost patients billions of dollars in prescription drug costs. The rule concerns “copay accumulators,” which are programs health plans use to prevent copay assistance from counting toward patients’ deductibles or out-of-pocket maximums.| MedCity News
Amedisys and UnitedHealth Group plan to divest care centers to an affiliate of VitalCaring Group. Several experts said this will likely clear the way for the companies' merger.| MedCity News
