Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Kaiser Permanente Agrees To Pay Tens Of Millions To Nurses Who Were Underpaid For Years
San Francisco Chronicle: Kaiser To Pay Millions In Back Wages To More Than 1,000 Nurses After Payroll Error, Union Says
Kaiser must pay up to tens of millions of dollars to more than 1,000 of its nurses to settle a grievance filed by their union that alleged an error in Kaiser’s payroll system caused them to be underpaid for several years. (Ho, 10/5)
Chicago Tribune: Plastic Surgeon With 8 Patient Deaths Suspended In Michigan
A plastic surgeon whose Illinois license was suspended following a Tribune investigation that found eight patient deaths connected to his Chicago clinic is now temporarily barred from practicing medicine in his home state of Michigan. The Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs recently suspended Dr. Ayoub Sayeg’s medical license, meaning he cannot practice in the state until the matter is resolved through an administrative hearing process. (Gutowski and Pratt, 10/6)
Modern Healthcare: McKesson, CD&R To Buy Option Care Health For $5.8 Billion
Diversified healthcare company McKesson Corp. and private equity firm CD&R have agreed to take infusion company Option Care Health private in a $5.8 billion deal. The two companies will pay $32.05 per share for Option Care, a 37% premium over its Monday closing price, Option Care said Tuesday in a news release. CD&R will hold a majority ownership interest in the infusion company, and McKesson will invest $1.4 billion for a minority stake, the release said. Under terms of the agreement, McKesson will have an option to purchase CD&R’s stake in Option Care at a future date. (Eastabrook, 10/6)
Modern Healthcare: Optum Rx, Express Scripts Expand PBM Market Share: AMA Report
The largest pharmacy benefit managers have tightened their grip on the market as upstart rivals see a dip in customer satisfaction. UnitedHealth Group subsidiary Optum Rx, Cigna Group division Express Scripts, CVS Health unit CVS Caremark and Blue Cross and Blue Shield-owned Prime Therapeutics collectively own 75% of the market, according to a September report by the American Medical Association based on data from 2022 to 2024. That’s up from 70% in 2022, the physician group said. (Tong, 10/6)
Modern Healthcare: Centene, Elevance Medicaid Exits Test States, Providers
At the start of this month, the caretakers of approximately 120,000 medically complex children in Florida were forced to navigate a change in their health coverage. Molina Healthcare took on an estimated $6 billion benefits management program after incumbent Centene declined to rebid, arguing that state pay failed to keep up with rising medical costs. (Tepper, 10/6)
Modern Healthcare: Highmark Health Names Karen Hanlon To Succeed CEO David Holmberg
Karen Hanlon will succeed David Holmberg as CEO of Highmark Health, the company announced Tuesday. Last year, Highmark Health promoted Hanlon from chief operating officer to president, a title she took over from Holmberg and will retain when she assumes the top job Jan. 1, according to a news release. Holmberg has led the Blue Cross and Blue Shield licensee and Allegheny Health Network parent company since 2014 and will become executive chairman next year. (DeSilva, 10/6)
Healthcare Dive: Top Healthcare Conferences To Attend In 2027
These are the best industry events for digital health, provider and payer leaders to attend next year. (10/6)
Also —
Cardinal News: Panda Express Donations Fund New Therapy Equipment At Carilion Children's
Every time a customer pays for food at a Panda Express, they’re asked if they’d like to round up their bill for charity. At Carilion Children’s, those small donations have helped fund a mini rock-climbing wall, swinging monkey bars and other equipment used by children receiving physical and occupational therapy. (Schabacker, 10/7)
The Wall Street Journal: These Influencers Are On A Mission To Stop People From Paying Medical Bills
Ian Howard was shocked to get a $1,000 bill for a brief visit to the emergency room that determined he sprained his ankle in a fall last year. Instead of fighting the bill, he just didn’t pay it. “I went in for a sprained ankle. All’s they did was look at it and say, the bitch is sprained” the 28-year-old yells in a rant on TikTok. “Y’all ain’t never seeing that money!” (Loftus, 10/6)
