A new report from the Center for Healthcare Quality and Payment Reform reveals that over 700 rural hospitals in the U.S., which accounts for more than 30%, are at risk of closing due to financial instability, with more than half facing immediate danger. This financial distress primarily stems from inadequate reimbursement from private health plans, despite higher operational costs in rural areas. The report emphasizes that rural hospitals often rely heavily on Medicare as their most lucrative payer, whereas private insurers pay well below costs. It calls for increased payments from private insurers and standby capacity payments to ensure these hospitals can continue to operate and support rural communities.

Why More Than 30% of Rural Hospitals Are at Risk of Closure - MedCity News MedCity News

Johns Hopkins Health Plans has partnered with MDI NetworX to use its AI-powered InsightPro platform to help meet the compliance requirements of the No Surprises Act. This legislation was designed to protect patients from unexpected medical bills but has created new challenges for health plans. The AI technology facilitates timely updates to provider directories, improves transparency, and minimizes billing confusion. It also ensures accurate cost-sharing details, thereby enhancing the member experience and reducing errors. The initiative underscores Johns Hopkins' commitment to leveraging technology to adhere to regulations and improve service quality.

Johns Hopkins' AI initiative to address NSA compliance Healthcare Finance News

The Fierce Healthcare layoff tracker reports significant workforce reductions across various healthcare organizations. Texas Children’s Hospital is laying off 5% of its 20,000 employees due to financial challenges. Novant Health is cutting 171 IT jobs as it outsources services to Deloitte Digital. Garnet Health will reduce 26 positions and restructure services to save costs. Ohio’s University Hospitals plans to eliminate over 300 jobs to manage soaring expenses. Oregon Health and Science University will lay off more than 500 employees amid financial pressures and a merger with Legacy Health. Highmark, Cigna, Kaiser Permanente, and Walmart have also announced layoffs affecting hundreds of positions across different roles and locations, primarily driven by financial constraints and restructuring for efficiency.

Fierce Healthcare layoff tracker—Texas Children's laying off 5% of staff; Novant Health trimming 171 IT staff Fierce Healthcare

The article provides a detailed live commentary of various events at the Olympics, highlighting key moments and performances from multiple athletic disciplines. The events covered include the women's and men's relay races, field events like high jump and javelin, and various running competitions including the 1500m, 5000m, and 800m. Notable performances include dominant wins by the US relay teams, a disappointing performance by defending high jump champion Gianmarco Tamberi, and a stunning finish in the women's 1500m by Kenya’s Faith Kipyegon. The article also mentions a series of personal bests, national records, and the medal standings, focusing on Great Britain's position and medal prospects.

Georgia Bell goes from Parkrun to Olympic bronze – while working in cyber security The Telegraph