Economic trends affect patient volumes at two large health systems
Macroeconomic factors are causing a moderate drop in demand for healthcare services, according to insights from executives with a pair of leading for-profit hospital chains. At Community Health Systems (CHS), the first quarter of 2025 brought strong hospital volumes, but those dipped during the middle part of the year. Same-store adjusted admissions were 0.7% lower…
The Healthcare C-Suite of the Future: From AI to ROI–Emerging needs drive demand for new skillsets
Read this report on how healthcare C-suite leaders face growing pressures to adapt to rapid technological advancements and unsustainable costs. AI, innovation, and payer relations are key areas for focus.
How specialty drugs are remaking healthcare and driving up costs
This article has been updated with news of additional policies announced by the Trump administration. Accelerating healthcare costs have less to do with traditional hospital and physician services than with surging drug spending, an industry expert says. “When we can’t really see any trends in healthcare utilization increasing, the only thing that consistently shows up…
Senate hearing on 340B reflects congressional interest in altering the program
A leading healthcare policymaker in Congress sounds intent on modifying the 340B Drug Pricing Program. Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.), chair of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP), led a 340B-focused hearing Oct. 23 during which he called for changes. “If this committee is serious about making healthcare more affordable, about making…
Hospital merger tally increases as organizations come to grips with the policy environment
Hospital merger-and-acquisition (M&A) activity accelerated in Q3 2025, indicating that executive teams are getting a handle on the prospective impact of major healthcare policies. “Now that the One Big Beautiful Bill has passed, hospitals and health systems have more policy clarity to inform their growth strategies,” Anu Singh, managing director at Kaufman Hall, which published…
Senate committee examines ways to strengthen the supply chain for hospital drugs
Vulnerabilities in the supply chain for pharmaceuticals are putting patients at risk and hampering healthcare providers, according to testimony at a recent Senate hearing. The flaws manifest in shortages of vital drugs and in issues of quality and transparency, experts said during the Oct. 8 hearing of the Senate Special Committee on Aging. In Q1…
No Surprises Act arbitration has been a bonanza for a few provider groups
In a span of 2.5 years through 2024, providers reaped more than $2.2 billion from the No Surprises Act’s arbitration process, relative to the applicable in-network payment rates for the disputed care episodes. The awards received through the NSA’s independent dispute resolution (IDR) process largely arise from “disputes that are primarily initiated and won by…
Hospital financial metrics remain steady even as costs rise and reimbursement challenges await
The latest data on financials for the not-for-profit (NFP) hospital sector hints at the challenges in store. While margins have not taken a significant hit for health systems, other metrics reflect rising costs, according to the latest monthly report from Strata Decision Technology. Beyond that immediate concern is the prospect of reduced reimbursement not only…
Report by HFMA and Eliciting Insights examines hospitals’ journey to realize the potential of AI
Although healthcare AI technology has been in the pipeline for years, new feedback suggests implementation remains a work in progress at hospitals and health systems. As described in an HFMA report produced with Eliciting Insights, most organizations are still striving to develop an AI strategy and install an AI governance structure. Findings of the report…
Healthcare fraud enforcement ramps up in the Trump administration, with implications for all stakeholders
Even as hospital leaders consider how to manage decreased reimbursement and higher costs, federal fraud enforcement continues to have some of the most significant financial stakes of any healthcare industry issue. Rather than taking a hands-off approach, the Trump administration is maintaining and even expanding the Biden administration’s push in this area. Two months ago,…