Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Google Quietly Nixes AI Search Feature That Gave Health Tips From Strangers
The Guardian: Google Scraps AI Search Feature That Crowdsourced Amateur Medical Advice
Google has dropped a new artificial intelligence search feature that gave users crowdsourced health advice from amateurs around the world. The company had said its launch of “What People Suggest”, which provided tips from strangers, showed “the potential of AI to transform health outcomes across the globe”. But Google has since quietly removed the feature, according to three people familiar with the decision. (Gregory, 3/16)
Chicago Tribune: Prime Hospitals Could Leave Blue Cross And Blue Shield Network
Prime Healthcare, which owns eight Illinois hospitals, may soon no longer be in-network with the state’s largest health insurer, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois — a situation that could force some patients to switch doctors or pay more for care. (Schencker, 3/13)
Healthcare Dive: Vanderbilt Health CEO To Retire At The End Of The Year
Vanderbilt Health chief executive Dr. Jeff Balser will retire at the end of the year after almost two decades in the role, the health system announced Thursday. The Nashville, Tennessee-based academic health system said its board of directors will begin a national search for its next president and CEO. Balser will retire Dec. 31. (Halleman, 3/13)
The Wall Street Journal: Hack On U.S. Medical Company Shows Reach Of Iran’s Cyber Capabilities
U.S. officials say more cyberattacks on the homeland should be expected after global disruption forced tens of thousands of Stryker employees offline. (Volz and Loftus, 3/15)
On organ transplants —
Stat: Organ Transplant Technology Is Advancing Rapidly. So Are The Costs
The grieving family members have left the hospital room, gently reminded by a health care professional that their loved one wished to become an organ donor. For that to happen, death must be declared. After a mandated pause, surgeons then recover organs that will bring life to people ranked by need on transplant wait lists. What happens next depends on a branching series of events. (Cooney, 3/16)
Minnesota Public Radio: Mayo Clinic Performs Record Number Of Solid Organ Transplants In 2025
Mayo Clinic's organ transplant centers performed the most solid organ transplants in its history last year — 2,065 across its Minnesota, Arizona and Florida campuses. It also performed more than any other hospital system in the country. (Work, 3/14)
