Despite overall industry improvements for not-for-profit health systems, the divide between stronger and weaker performers continues to increase. Other challenges to the sector include the still-challenged labor market, the continued difficult payer environment and potential policy changes from the new Trump administration.

Michael McAuliff, politics and policy reporter for Modern Healthcare, joins host J. Carlisle Larsen to talk more about what healthcare programs could face spending cuts and reactions from lawmakers on Capitol Hill.

Five key steps health systems should consider implementing to improve their observation management strategies and ensure appropriate reimbursement.

Next round of drugs for Medicare drug price negotiations announced, Trump health policy actions in second term, ACA exchanges see record enrollment in 2025

This week’s graphic highlights data from Kaufman Hall’s recently released 2024 Hospital and Health System M&A in Review report on the current dynamics in health system merger and acquisition (M&A) activity.

Health plans interested in inorganic growth should reflect deeply to better understand their motivations as it relates to their strategic goals.

Downgrades continued to outpace upgrades in 2024 although at a lower rate than in 2023. Many of the downgrades reflected ongoing expense pressure that exceeded revenue growth. Rating affirmations remained the majority rating action in 2024, as in prior years.

Following last week’s graphic on Medicare Advantage (MA) star ratings, this week we highlight how different types of MA plans perform along certain patient outcomes metrics.