Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
CMS Docks 2,334 Hospitals On Readmissions As Fewer Go Unpenalized In 2027
Becker's Hospital Review: CMS Penalizes 2,334 Hospitals For High Readmissions: 6 Things To Know
CMS is penalizing 2,334 hospitals, about 80% of those evaluated, under the Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program in fiscal 2027, according to new CMS data. The penalties took effect on Oct. 1. Here are six things to know: On Oct. 1, 244 hospitals (8.4%) began facing penalties of 1% or more under the Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program, up from 240 hospitals (8.1%) in fiscal 2026. (Scheetz, 10/7)
Stat: Smaller Biotech Companies Confront Trump's Tariffs On Drugs
A broad tariff on imported pharmaceuticals took effect at the end of September, and some biopharma companies and the industry group that represents them say many are being left in the dark on how to get exemptions. (Cirruzzo, 10/8)
Fierce Healthcare: Fewer ED Visits, More Admissions Of Immigrants After ICE Raids
The increase in federal immigration enforcement and anti-immigration rhetoric during the first several months of the second Trump administration coincided with fewer emergency department visits and increased hospital admissions among foreign-born patients at Los Angeles County hospitals, according to research published this week in JAMA Network Open. The findings are evidence of public health warnings that the policies would push immigrants to avoid or delay needed care, leading to worsened outcomes, affordability barriers and higher costs to the health system. (Muoio, 10/7)
In other health sector developments —
MedPage Today: U.S. Hospitals More Proactive At Preventing Catheter-Associated UTIs
A rising share of U.S. hospitals has embraced strategies to prevent catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) over the last two decades, according to a cross-sectional survey study. By 2025, significantly more Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) hospitals and nonfederal hospitals alike said they were using three key CAUTI prevention practices than they were two decades prior, Sanjay Saint, MD, of Northwell Health in Lake Success, New York, and colleagues reported in JAMA Network Open. (Rudd, 10/7)
Modern Healthcare: How Holy Name Medical Center Has Stayed An Independent Hospital
Holy Name is holding its own as a rare independent hospital, an increasingly challenging task. Operating the 361-bed Holy Name Medical Center in Teaneck, New Jersey, it has remained independent in a market anchored by large health systems. Key to its success is clinician succession planning, coupled with academic affiliations, which has enabled it to grow its physician network, said Brendan Maron, vice president of health partner services. (Kacik, 10/7)
Modern Healthcare: Elara Caring’s Ananth Mohan On DaVita Home Care Push
Providing services to dialysis patients is helping Elara Caring carve out a new space in home healthcare. DaVita Kidney Care and private equity firm Ares Management acquired Dallas-based Elara Caring this summer, infusing the company with cash, analytics and access to more patients. DaVita offers services in 46 states and Washington, D.C., while Elara Caring operates in 18 states. (Eastabrook, 10/7)
Stat: Why This Startup Is Taking Its AI To Predict Breast-Cancer Risk Directly To Patients
“Don’t wait. Choose to be informed.” That’s the call to action that patients will find on the site for digital health company Everlywell, which has offered at-home lab tests directly to consumers for a decade. But last week, it wasn’t marketing a prick to measure blood glucose or screen for celiac disease: It was launching one of a new generation of AI-based risk prediction algorithms for medical images. (Palmer, 10/8)
Bloomberg: Hinge Health Sees Hardware Deals Ahead In Digital Health Push
Hinge Health Inc. expects to make more acquisitions, particularly in hardware, as part of a push to automate healthcare and expand beyond its core business of digital physical-therapy service. The digital health company, whose share price has tripled since it went public last year, is planning to use deals along with internal research and development to find new avenues for growth, Chief Executive Officer Daniel Perez said Wednesday in an interview with Bloomberg News. (Tozzi, 10/7)
Modern Healthcare: WellSpan Health Names Laureen Driscoll As New President, CEO
WellSpan Health selected Laureen Driscoll as its new president and CEO, succeeding Roxanna Gapstur who plans to retire next year, the nonprofit health system announced Wednesday. The WellSpan board chose Driscoll after conducting a national search to replace Gapstur, the organization’s leader since 2019, according to a news release. Gapstur announced her retirement in April. (Kacik, 10/7)
Modern Healthcare: Fresenius Medical Care Names Shervin Korangy As CEO
Shervin Korangy will succeed Helen Giza as CEO and chair of the management board of Fresenius Medical Care. The change will go into effect Oct. 12, the company announced Wednesday. Giza has led the dialysis products and services company since December 2022, previously serving as chief financial officer. (Dubinsky, 10/7)
Stat: Neil Carleton Is Working To Tailor Breast Cancer Care For Older Women
Of all the factors that can increase a person’s risk of breast cancer, age is among the most significant. Almost half of people diagnosed with breast cancer are at least 65, and about 20% are 75 or older. Despite these rates, older women are frequently excluded from clinical trials; one study of breast cancer trials found that only 9% of participants were 65 or older, leaving physicians with a poorer understanding of how drugs behave in older adults and fewer guidelines with which to treat them. (DiCorato, 10/8)
