Rich Daly
About the Author
Rich Daly is senior editor, policy affairs with HFMA, based in Alabama. His healthcare policy and finance reporting experience includes staff writer positions with Modern Healthcare and Congressional Quarterly (both focused on healthcare regulatory and legislative developments); editor-in-chief of 340B Report (the only news outlet focused on daily policy, legal, and business developments in the 340B program); and serving as a content director for Sg2/Vizient Inc (producing reports on financial pain points and solutions for health systems). He previously covered daily news for HFMA and wrote features for Healthcare Financial Management magazine, where his recognitions included the Stephen Barr Award (the only individual achievement award) from the American Society of Business Publication Editors.
Latest Work
Healthcare costs for businesses to rise 8.5% in 2026, PwC survey reveals
Healthcare costs for businesses are expected to increase by 8.5% in 2026, as employers shift more costs to workers, according to a PwC survey, while hospital finances remain strained due to inflation and rising wages.
Second reconciliation bill eyes more healthcare cuts
Congressional Republicans are planning a second budget reconciliation package this year that would include cuts in federal healthcare spending, such as implementing Medicare site-neutral payments, cutting the federal match for ACA Medicaid enrollees, and penalizing states for coverage of undocumented immigrants.
Hospitals plan for OBBB rollout
Health system executives are scrambling to prepare their organizations for numerous health policy changes recently enacted as part of the budget reconciliation law. Hospital and health system executives are looking at a range of responses to the July 4 enactment of enacted One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBB). That law holds 10-year federal Medicaid spending…
Medicaid cuts to hit hospitals before OBBB Medicaid cuts
Hospitals and health systems are facing financial challenges due to a series of regulatory changes and lack of action in other areas, including $24 billion in Medicaid DSH cuts, $90 million in ACA marketplace navigator funding, and potential cuts to Medicaid and ACA marketplace subsidies.
Federal Medicaid cuts loom, but states can act sooner
States have the option to implement Medicaid cuts required by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act earlier than 2027, including work requirements, eligibility determination frequency, and retroactive coverage limitations, and may also target provider rates and social determinants of health programs.
Many hospitals offer financial aid to patients, but need to improve outreach
Hospitals are often not given credit for the discounts they offer patients, and patients should be encouraged to seek help.
Providers urged to leverage data and strategy for successful payer negotiations
Finance leaders at hospitals and health systems can improve their negotiations with payers by using data, leveraging their market share, starting early, aligning leadership, prioritizing contract language, and reaching decision makers.
Senate passes tax bill with $1 trillion in Medicaid cuts despite concerns
The Senate passed a tax and spending reduction bill that includes over $1 trillion in 10-year Medicaid cuts, with Vice President J.D. Vance breaking a 50-50 tie, and included amendments to create a $25 billion fund for rural hospitals and accelerate the start of new Medicaid eligibility checks to 2027.
340B reporting law enacted by sixth state
Maine has enacted legislation requiring hospitals to report 340B revenue and other data, and several states have enacted laws requiring hospitals to report 340B data, while a federal rule to cut in Medicare 340B payments has not yet been introduced.
Medicaid policy changes threaten financial boon for hospitals and health systems
Medicaid legislative changes, including proposed rate caps, work requirements, and limits on provider taxes, are expected to end the financial boon for hospitals and health systems, according to S&P Global Ratings.