physicianshortage

Hospitals In Better Financial Shape Going Into 2025 Hospitals and health systems are on better financial footing than a year ago. Operating margins, cash flows, outpatient revenue, average inpatient length of stay, and outpatient revenue improved from 2023. For many providers (in particular health systems), volumes have rebounded to above pre-pandemic levels. In October 2024, the mean operating margin for hospitals was 4.4%, up from 2.5% in November 2023 and 2.7% in December 2023, says consulting firm Kaufman Hall. Labor expenses have dropped and inflationary pressures have subsided. But there has been continued growth in supplies, drug expenses, and purchased service expenses. On the policy front, hospital groups are worried about budget cuts under the incoming Trump administration that could lead to the expiration of Exchange enhanced subsidies, rate cuts in Medicare and Medicaid, and a pullback on coverage overall. As well, smaller entities could struggle on the cybersecurity preparedness

Kennedy And Oz At Odds On GLP-1s Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary-nominee Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator-nominee Dr. Mehmet Oz are at odds over support for GLP-1 weight-loss drugs. Oz has opined that the drugs could have a positive effect on weight loss and reducing disease prevalence. Kennedy sees them as a scam and insists that the American public simply needs to eat better. The Biden administration has proposed in a draft rule to provide Medicare Part D coverage for obesity alone. Trump will need to finalize the rule or remove the provision. This will be the first test of who will win the GLP-1 coverage war. The drugs are expensive at $1,000 or greater per month at list price. #glp1s #weightlossdrugs #drugpricing #branddrugmakers https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/5055607-rfk-jr-vs-oz-sets-up-clash-on-weight-loss-drug-coverage Employers And PBMs Under Attack A good article on the rise of lawsuits against