The Gist Healthcare Podcast

Cigna and Humana abandon their reported merger. The FDA approves two groundbreaking gene therapies to treat sickle cell disease. And, Congressional lawmakers introduce a bill that would prevent Medicare payment cuts to physicians next year. That’s coming up on today’s episode of Gist Healthcare Daily. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hospitals in states with restrictions–or even bans–on abortions are providing their physicians with little guidance on how to provide emergency abortion care. State laws are often unclear and don’t spell out exactly which exceptions are permitted and which are not. This leaves hospitals–and physicians–in a tricky situation as they navigate providing care while avoiding liability. On today’s episode, Washington Post national healthcare reporter Dan Diamond joins the podcast to talk about an article he recently co-authored that investigates how physicians and hospitals are navigating these laws. You can read Dan and Caroline Kitchener’s article here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Biden Administration will go after patents in an effort to bring down drug prices. Michigan’s governor signs two bills that increase fines for violence against healthcare workers. And, NorthShore-Edward-Elmhurst Health rebrands as Endeavor Health. That’s coming up on today’s episode of Gist Healthcare Daily. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Contract negotiations between Adventist Health and Blue Shield of California break down. Residents at Northwestern Medicine announce they plan to unionize. And, a new study finds that the number of FDA drug manufacturer inspections dropped sharply after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. That’s coming up on today’s episode of Gist Healthcare Daily. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

CVS unveils a new ‘cost plus’ drug pricing model meant to streamline the drug reimbursement process. States that don’t fix their Medicaid redeterminations issues could face a loss of federal funding and fines under an interim final rule. And, a cyberattack on a Corewell Health vendor exposes the personal data of one million of its patients. That’s coming up on today’s episode of Gist Healthcare Daily. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

North Carolina’s Medicaid expansion goes into effect. Community Health Systems finalizes its sale of three of its Florida hospitals to Tampa General. And, a House panel will investigate the Food and Drug Administration over its decision to declare certain oral, over-the-counter decongestants as ineffective. That’s coming up on today’s episode of Gist Healthcare Daily. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In March, employee healthcare navigation company Transcarent announced it would acquire AI-powered primary care startup 98point6’s virtual care platform and care business. On today’s episode of Gist Healthcare Daily, we hear the second part of JC’s conversation with Transcarent CEO Glen Tullman about that acquisition and how it fits into his Transcarent’s long-term goals. They also discuss Tullman’s thoughts on the future of employer-sponsored healthcare. You can find the first part of the conversation here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Biden Administration will invoke the Defense Production Act to manufacture more drugs in the United States amid an ongoing shortage. The FTC announces it will investigate the safety of CAR-T therapies. And, Federal lawmakers introduce a bill that would ban fees for electronic healthcare payments. That’s coming up on today’s episode of Gist Healthcare Daily. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Major health insurers Cigna and Humana are reportedly in talks to merge. The number of US physicians either employed by or affiliated with Optum  swells to nearly 90,000. And, the merger between BJC HealthCare and St. Luke’s Health System is expected to close at the beginning of the year. That’s coming up on today’s episode of Gist Healthcare Daily. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A massive data breach last week disrupts operations at a large, multi-state health system. Optum faces a federal lawsuit from a California hospital alleging antitrust violations. And, Fairview Health plans to end its current partnership with the University of Minnesota. That’s coming up on today’s episode of Gist Healthcare Daily. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.