In this episode, STAT News reporter Lizzy Lawrence joins host J. Carlisle Larsen to discuss how history, politics, and caution shaped the science of pregnancy, and what it will take to ensure women are fully included in research that affects their health.

Following a modest uptick in hospital and health system M&A activity in Q2 2025, with eight announced transactions, Q3 continued to trend upwards, with 15 transactions announced—an activity level more in line with historical observations.

Hospital performance is challenged by a decline in patient volumes and operating margins, increases in uncompensated care, and rising expenses, notably non-labor costs.

Market pressures, regulatory changes, and capital requirements are driving health systems to reassess the role of provider-sponsored health plans (PSHPs) in their broader enterprise strategies.

As Congress debates extending the enhanced advanced premium tax credits as part of broader spending bill negotiations, a new KFF poll shows overwhelming bipartisan support for keeping...

Government shutdown in its second week, healthcare organizations sue to stop H1-B visa fees, Qualtrics announces Press Ganey Forsta acquisition

Key Takeaways The rapid adoption of value-based care (VBC) is accelerating the pressure on provider groups to take on downside risk—yet the right path forward is far from one-size-fits...

Culture is often considered a soft gauge of quality—difficult to define and measure, and highly qualitative in nature.

The financial challenges facing hospitals and health systems—from the One Big Beautiful Bill’s looming impacts to difficult operating conditions—are also keeping insurers up at night.

By effectively putting strategy into action, hospitals and healthcare systems can thrive amid today’s financial and operational challenges and position themselves to confront the looming threats that are just around the corner.

Healthcare leaders are laser-focused on understanding how the future financial trajectory of their organizations might take shape post-OBBB—and what they can do to guide their organizations to long-term sustainability.

Providers win the overwhelming majority of claim disputes under the No Surprises Act, prevailing 85% of the time in 2024, up from 81% in 2023, according to data recently published in Health Affairs.