Leaders of major Catholic health systems, including Providence, Trinity Health, and Ascension, are warning that proposed Medicaid funding cuts could trigger a "polycrisis" in U.S. healthcare. Providence anticipates a $1 billion revenue loss if the cuts proceed, compounding existing financial challenges. Trinity Health could face up to $1.1 billion in losses, with Medicaid reimbursements already falling short by over $500 million annually. Ascension highlights that reductions in Medicaid enrollment would shift individuals into the uninsured population, increasing the financial burden on nonprofit hospitals. These leaders argue that the cuts would not only affect Medicaid recipients but also diminish access to care for all patients, especially in rural and underserved communities, potentially leading to service reductions or hospital closures.

Catholic Health Leaders Warn of Medicaid Cuts Creating U.S. Healthcare Crisis Becker's Hospital Review

The First Quarter 2025 Health-ISAC Heartbeat report indicates a rise in cybersecurity incidents in the healthcare sector, with ransomware attacks increasing to 158 in January-March 2025, up from 154 in the previous quarter. The report notes that the healthcare sector has accounted for 5.8 percent of the 23,606 recorded breaches since 2021. To assist member organizations in addressing vulnerabilities, Health-ISAC issued 220 Targeted Alerts focusing on issues such as open databases and compromised credentials, particularly concerning BeyondTrust and Next.js software. Additionally, the report highlights the activities of cybercriminals selling stolen data and access to compromised systems, including an individual identified as MIYAK000 who attempted to market compromised VPN access.

Surge in Ransomware Attacks Threatens Healthcare Cybersecurity in 2025 Industrial Cyber

In his latest installment of his "Five questions all health systems should ask" series, Patrick Woodard, MD, CIO at Monument Health, highlights the critical need for health systems to focus on the true beneficiaries of their design—patients and staff—rather than prioritizing billing and internal workflows. He argues that this misalignment often leads to inefficiencies and a burden of "invisible labor" for those involved in patient care. Woodard emphasizes the importance of adopting patient-centered approaches, maintaining operational discipline for improved efficiency, and making technology choices that align with the organization's mission. He cautions against allowing financial pressures to overshadow the primary goal of healthcare: effectively serving patients. Ultimately, he advocates for a shift towards human-centered design in healthcare systems.

Rethinking Healthcare Design: Prioritizing Patients Over Profit LinkedIn

Charles Worthington, the Chief Technology Officer and Chief AI Officer at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, stresses the importance of prioritizing human problem-solving over technology in AI implementation. He believes that addressing the most pressing issues within the VA should come first, using technology, including AI, as a tool for creative solutions. Since 2017, Worthington has led efforts to modernize the VA's digital services and enhance veteran experiences, focusing on areas like benefits processing and health data interoperability. His role also involves ensuring the safe and effective use of AI by promoting governance and measuring the impact of over 100 AI initiatives currently in use at the VA.

VA CTO Prioritizes Human Insight Over Tech in AI Implementation Healthcare IT News