Retail giant Walmart has decided to exit its primary care clinic and virtual health businesses, citing underestimated costs and lower-than-expected volumes. Despite their extensive customer base and logistical prowess, Walmart found it challenging to make primary care profitable due to high revenue cycle overhead, tight labor markets, and the financial constraints of their customers. Their decision underscores the broader struggle within the corporate primary care sector, where even so-called "disrupters" face significant hurdles. This move highlights the complexities and high costs associated with transforming primary care in the U.S. healthcare system, suggesting that viable solutions may require substantial changes in how services are funded and reimbursed.

What the Walmart Exit from Primary Care Means The Health Care Blog

A ransomware attack on Ascension, a major US hospital network, has severely disrupted operations at multiple facilities, forcing staff to switch to manual records and endangering patient safety. Nurses at Ascension Providence Rochester Hospital and an Ascension hospital in Birmingham, Alabama, reported significant challenges, including increased patient loads, delayed lab results, and safety risks without electronic health records. Ascension, which oversees 140 hospitals, is working to restore electronic systems, but the attack highlights broader vulnerabilities in healthcare cybersecurity. The Biden administration is preparing to introduce new requirements to improve hospital cybersecurity, emphasizing the urgent need for comprehensive defenses against such attacks.

‘It’s putting patients’ lives in danger’: Nurses say ransomware attack is stressing hospital operations CNN

Health systems have experienced a financial boost in the first quarter of 2024 due to higher patient volumes and reduced reliance on contract labor, with many large nonprofit systems reporting increased operating and net margins. However, this financial improvement comes alongside rising hospital prices, which are contributing to overall inflation in the U.S. Prices for medical care and hospital services have seen substantial increases, attributed to renegotiated contracts with insurers and the need to cover the costs of new medical advancements. Economic experts suggest that higher hospital prices will persist due to ongoing labor market disruptions and evolving healthcare needs.

Hospital margins are increasing — and so are prices publication

Apple is integrating modern AI features into new releases of iOS 18 and macOS 15, hoping that its large user base will give it a competitive advantage despite these features being less advanced than those of competitors. Additionally, Sonos has introduced long-awaited headphones, the company Humane is seeking a buyer, and Apple has appointed a new diversity chief.

Apple Bets That Its Giant User Base Will Help It Win in AI publication