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Jun 12, 2025·HHS

Paula M. Stannard has been appointed as the Director of the Office for Civil Rights at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. In this role, she will focus on enforcing federal health information privacy and security rules under HIPAA, as well as overseeing compliance with civil rights laws. Her previous experience at HHS and within state health departments enhances her capability to advance the department's civil rights agenda. Stannard's leadership is anticipated to bring clarity to these significant issues, drawing on her extensive background in health law and civil rights.

Jun 3, 2025·Healthcare Dive

The Trump administration has appointed Thomas Keane as the new national coordinator for health information technology, with a focus on overseeing federal health IT initiatives. Keane, who has a background as a software engineer and interventional radiologist, previously served as a senior advisor at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and managed the COVID-19 Provider Relief Fund. His experience includes developing the National Nursing Home COVID Action Network to improve safety protocols. Keane's leadership comes at a time when HHS is undergoing job cuts and budget reductions, as part of a strategy to streamline operations post-pandemic, with a proposed budget of $130 million for health IT initiatives.

May 28, 2025·Keckley Report

The "Make America Healthy Again" Commission's recent report exposes critical issues in the U.S. healthcare system, such as chronic disease management and food contamination, with a particular focus on the impact on children's health. Government officials, including HHS Secretary Kennedy and EPA Administrator Zeldin, are committed to implementing systemic changes. Concurrently, the House of Representatives has passed a budget reconciliation bill that proposes significant cuts to Medicaid, potentially increasing the national deficit while reshaping fiscal policies as mid-term elections approach. These developments reflect the priorities of the MAGA movement, which emphasizes nationalism and free-market principles, particularly concerning healthcare affordability.

May 27, 2025·MedPage Today

Dr. Jesse Ehrenfeld, former president of the American Medical Association, has condemned the healthcare system's dependence on prior authorization, citing its negative impact on patient care and clinician workloads. Speaking at the MedCity News INVEST conference, he noted that patients often experience lengthy delays in receiving necessary procedures due to this process, which undermines trust in healthcare. While the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has proposed some reforms, Ehrenfeld indicated these do not address issues in the commercial insurance market or mitigate abuses by Medicare Advantage plans. He criticized the use of automated denial tools by insurers and emphasized the need for fundamental reform in prior authorization practices to alleviate the administrative burden on healthcare providers and reduce clinician burnout.

May 21, 2025·SecurityWeek

This article highlights the explosive surge in generative AI adoption across enterprises—on average, companies are using over 250 AI-enabled tools—and warns that security and governance are lagging dangerously behind. It emphasizes that blocking AI outright is futile, as employees will use popular tools like ChatGPT or Copilot regardless, with some organizations even mandating AI use for certain tasks. However, this rapid expansion comes with significant risks: research shows that many employees bypass corporate oversight by using personal accounts—sometimes inadvertently sharing sensitive data with free-tier AI services that can retain and train on that information. The article underscores the urgent need for enterprises to bring AI usage under control through robust governance, secure licensing, and employee education to prevent data leakage and preserve compliance.

May 19, 2025·The Nevada Independent

House Republicans have introduced a budget that maintains some Medicaid protections but imposes new work requirements, potentially jeopardizing health coverage for about 98,000 Nevadans. While the plan avoids contentious cost shifts to states and eligibility rollbacks, the work requirements could affect between 70,400 and 112,600 adults. Despite assurances from Nevada's Medicaid Administrator that overall funding levels may not be significantly impacted, concerns persist regarding the potential rise in uninsured rates and increased pressure on the healthcare system, particularly in light of recent efforts to lower the state's uninsured population. The proposed requirements would necessitate that able-bodied recipients aged 19 to 64 engage in 80 hours per month of work, education, or volunteer activities to retain their benefits.

May 7, 2025·AHA

The Save Healthcare Workers Act (H.R.3178/S.1600) has been introduced in Congress to provide federal protections for healthcare workers from violence, similar to protections for airline personnel. Sponsored by bipartisan representatives and senators, the bill aims to criminalize assaults on hospital staff as the healthcare sector faces rising violence against workers. AHA President Rick Pollack underscored the necessity of safe work environments for healthcare providers, noting that such violence impacts their well-being and the quality of patient care, which can exacerbate staff shortages and burnout. The legislation seeks to strengthen penalties for those who commit violence against healthcare workers to deter such incidents.

May 4, 2025·Forbes

The landscape of artificial intelligence (AI) and cybersecurity is undergoing significant changes due to emerging regulatory frameworks that require businesses to adapt their operations. Key regulations, including the Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA), EU AI Act, Network and Information Systems Directive 2 (NIS2), and Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC), focus on enhancing security and compliance while imposing financial penalties for non-compliance. DORA, aimed at financial institutions, mandates practices like penetration testing to ensure resilience against cyber threats, while the EU AI Act establishes guidelines to address ethical concerns surrounding AI use and enforces strict penalties for violations.

Apr 30, 2025·Joe Kvedar

Joseph C. Kvedar, MD, reflects on the evolution of value-based reimbursement strategies in U.S. healthcare on the 10th anniversary of "The Internet of Healthy Things." He notes that while there has been some growth in value-based (VB) reimbursement, fee-for-service (FFS) models remain dominant, especially in inpatient care. Kvedar recalls the 2015 goal set by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to achieve 90% value-based reimbursements by 2018, which has yet to be realized, particularly in hospital settings. Currently, about 75% of Medicare enrollees participate in some VB program, but progress has stalled, with limited adoption in Medicaid and employer-sponsored plans.

Apr 29, 2025·AMA

Health leaders are increasingly acknowledging the importance of clear policies and governance frameworks for the integration of augmented intelligence (AI) into healthcare systems. At Atlantic Health System, a focused two-part strategy emphasizes data privacy alongside the evaluation of AI's clinical impact by healthcare professionals. The rise in AI usage among physicians underscores the urgency for effective governance, prompting organizations like the AMA to advocate for the involvement of executive leaders in AI initiatives. Implementing guiding principles and establishing strategic oversight can help healthcare organizations align AI tools with their broader goals and ensure compliance with relevant standards.

Apr 28, 2025·Healthcare Finance News

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has denied Humana's appeal to enhance its Medicare Advantage star ratings, a decision that threatens the company's revenue for 2026. Following this denial on April 14, Humana, along with the advocacy group Americans for Beneficiary Choice, has initiated federal court proceedings against CMS. The controversy arises from a notable drop in Humana's star ratings, which the insurer attributes to abrupt changes in the rating methodology; under the latest ratings, the percentage of its enrollees in plans rated 4 stars or higher fell from 94% to just 25%. Humana contends that these changes have significantly harmed its ratings and questions CMS's adherence to its own guidelines.

Apr 23, 2025·Becker's Hospital Review

The U.S. Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has introduced new restrictions on federal healthcare grant payments, causing delays in funding for health centers and grantees crucial for low-income and uninsured patients. Under the "Defend the Spend" initiative, all federal healthcare grants now require manual review and justification before approval, leading to backlogs in disbursements. Agencies like the National Institutes of Health are affected, and confusion among federal officials regarding the new process has further complicated fund distribution. Critics argue that these changes could threaten essential health programs, as funding approvals are limited to political appointees from the Trump administration, raising concerns over alignment with administration priorities.

Apr 20, 2025·AHA

On April 15, the White House issued an executive order aimed at lowering prescription drug costs, directing federal agencies to take several actions, including providing discounted insulin and injectable epinephrine at federally funded health centers and assessing Medicare payment structures to discourage shifting drug administration from physician offices to hospital outpatient departments. The order also calls for a cost survey of covered outpatient drugs and the creation of a new payment model for high-cost medications. The Department of Health and Human Services is responsible for implementing these measures within specified deadlines, as part of a larger effort to alleviate the financial burden of prescription drugs on patients and healthcare providers. While Lisa Kidder Hrobsky from the American Hospital Association supported the initiatives, she voiced concerns regarding the policies' impact on hospitals, especially those providing outpatient care.

Apr 10, 2025·Healthcare Brew

Digital therapeutics (DTx) will be covered by Medicare starting January 1, 2025, which could improve the integration of technology in mental health care. These digital mental health treatments (DMHTs) provide evidence-based interventions for various conditions but have faced challenges in market adoption due to insufficient payer support. The introduction of new HCPCS codes by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) aims to enhance acceptance among providers and patients. However, experts warn that successful uptake hinges on willingness from both clinicians and patients, and the complexities of a "buy-and-bill" reimbursement model may create additional hurdles for providers.

Apr 7, 2025·Citizen

The proliferation of AI technology has led to a surge in non-consensual intimate deepfakes, predominantly impacting women and children, who face emotional distress and reputational harm. In response, state legislatures across the U.S. are actively proposing and passing bills to regulate these malicious creations, with a comprehensive tracker monitoring the status of legislation across states. Some states, like Alabama, have made significant strides, while others, such as Arizona and California, have also progressed. However, many proposed bills have not passed, raising concerns about inadequate federal support and cybersecurity resources to effectively tackle the issue.

Apr 2, 2025·Inside Medicine

The Trump administration's decision to terminate funding for the Patient Safety Network (PSNet) has raised significant concerns among healthcare professionals regarding its impact on patient safety initiatives. PSNet, part of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), has been pivotal in reducing medical errors through research and information sharing. The funding cut followed HHS's announcement of workforce reductions and agency mergers, prompting critics to question the administration's commitment to enhancing federal health program research. Experts, including former PSNet co-editor Dr. Patrick Romano, noted that while the site will remain active, it will no longer be updated, leading to worries about the loss of a crucial resource for fostering transparency and learning in healthcare practices.

Apr 1, 2025·The Daily Pennsylvanian

The University of Pennsylvania Health System (UPHS) and eight other nonprofit health systems in Philadelphia have filed an antitrust lawsuit against the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association in the District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. The plaintiffs allege that Blue Cross Blue Shield and its affiliates have manipulated market conditions to impose lower reimbursement rates on hospitals and physicians, which has contributed to rising insurance costs for consumers and stifled competition in the region, particularly benefiting Independence Blue Cross (IBX). This case reflects a national trend of healthcare providers alleging underpayment by insurance companies, and it specifically addresses concerns over potential price-fixing related to the Blue Card program, which standardizes payment rates for providers. The plaintiffs chose this legal action over a federal class action settlement, aiming for higher compensation for their claims.

Mar 30, 2025·HIPAA Journal

Management Executives argue that the proposed updates to the HIPAA Security Rule could impose excessive compliance burdens on healthcare organizations. The Office for Civil Rights released a notice of proposed rulemaking on January 6, 2025, aimed at strengthening cybersecurity measures, following voluntary guidelines deemed insufficient. Despite the need for improved security in light of increasing threats, feedback during the comment period highlighted concern over timelines and financial impacts, prompting industry associations to request the withdrawal of the NPRM.

Mar 26, 2025·Stat News

The Senate has confirmed Marty Makary as the FDA commissioner and Jay Bhattacharya as the NIH director, with votes largely reflecting party lines. Bhattacharya was approved by a 53-47 vote with Republican support, while Makary received a 56-44 vote, including three Democratic votes. Both leaders highlighted their commitment to health reform during confirmation hearings, aligning with Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy's vision. They are entering their roles amid significant challenges, including workforce cuts and low morale at their respective agencies, with the FDA having recently laid off and rehired many staff, while the NIH faces concerns over potential layoffs and grant disruptions. Additionally, both nominees addressed scrutiny regarding their vaccine views, with Makary hesitating to endorse vaccines for recent outbreaks and Bhattacharya recognizing their significance while allowing for skepticism.

Mar 21, 2025·Apple News

A federal judge has blocked the Department of Governmental Oversight and Evaluation (DOGE) from accessing Social Security systems containing personal information, citing privacy concerns and potential overreach. The ruling comes after challenges from civil liberties advocates, who argued that DOGE’s efforts to monitor and analyze citizen data lacked sufficient legal safeguards. The decision underscores growing tensions between government surveillance initiatives and data privacy protections, highlighting the need for clearer regulations on access to sensitive information.