Today's Healthcare Pulse
Abridge teams with Eli Lilly and Nvidia to expand AI scribe platform
Abridge announced a strategic investment from Eli Lilly and a partnership with Nvidia to build a foundation model for clinical conversations. The collaboration aims to broaden Abridge’s AI‑scribe services across more health systems and integrate with payers. The company already supports over 300 health systems.
Also developing:
Butterfly Network Receives FDA Clearance for AI-Powered Gestational Age Ultrasound Tool
Butterfly Network has secured FDA clearance for an AI‑driven Gestational Age tool that operates via a blind‑sweep on its handheld ultrasound devices. The software, trained on over 21 million images, delivers gestational age estimates comparable to expert sonographers for pregnancies between 16 and 37 weeks. Backed by the Gates Foundation, the tool is already deployed in Malawi and Uganda and is poised for rapid expansion across rural U.S. clinics. This marks the first fully automated, de‑skilled obstetric ultrasound solution cleared by regulators.
In the Loop: The Feds Will See You Now
The Federal Trade Commission, under Chairman Andrew Ferguson, has launched a new healthcare task‑force aimed at tightening antitrust oversight of the sector. The unit will focus on merger reviews, pricing practices, and data‑driven market analyses. Private equity and hedge fund...
HIMSSCast: Self-Pay Numbers Continue to Increase
The expiration of ACA premium tax credits, Medicaid funding cuts, and rising benefit costs are driving a sharp increase in self‑pay patients and higher out‑of‑pocket balances. Hospitals anticipate a 10‑15% rise in patient cost‑sharing and uncompensated care. Even commercially insured...
Ep. 4 - Health Care Headlines LIVE at the 2026 Annual Benefits Forum
In this live episode of Healthcare Headlines, hosts Mike and his co‑host review the rapidly evolving benefits landscape, tracing it from the simple formulary decisions of 20 years ago to today’s complex mix of federal and state legislation, specialty drugs,...
Discontinuing Beta-Blockers After MI Reasonable in some Patients
The SMART‑DECISION trial showed that stopping beta‑blockers one year after a myocardial infarction is non‑inferior to continuing them in stable, low‑risk patients without heart failure or reduced ejection fraction. Among 2,540 participants followed for a median of 3.1 years, the...
Abbott Integrates Precision Oncology Portfolio Into Flatiron Health’s OncoEMR to Streamline Cancer Care
Abbott has partnered with Flatiron Health to embed its Precision Oncology testing suite directly into Flatiron’s cloud‑based OncoEMR platform. The integration lets oncologists order tests such as Oncotype DX, OncoExTra, Oncodetect and Riskguard from within the patient chart, with results automatically...
How Small Medical Practices Can Build HIPAA-Aligned DevSecOps Without Enterprise Budgets
Small medical practices handle protected health information but often lack the security resources of large hospitals. The article outlines how adopting a HIPAA‑aligned DevSecOps approach—using AWS native tools, strict access controls, secret management, and automated CI/CD pipelines—can close common gaps...
The Future of Healthcare in America: What to Expect in the Next Decade
Artificial intelligence is becoming a core pillar of U.S. health care, with Deloitte ranking generative AI as a top strategic priority. AI tools are set to streamline diagnostics, clinical decision support, and administrative tasks, improving patient access and reducing in‑person...
Canopy Growth’s Apollo Cannabis Clinics Named Best Medical Cannabis Clinic
Canopy Growth’s Apollo Cannabis Clinics was voted Best Medical Cannabis Clinic in the 2025 Toronto Star Readers’ Choice Awards, reflecting strong patient trust. The accolade spotlights Apollo’s free, fully virtual consultations that serve Canadians with personalized, evidence‑based treatment for chronic...
Sol-Millennium Medical Inc. Launches U.S. B2B eShop, Providing Direct Access to Safety Engineered Medical Devices Nationwide
Sol‑Millennium Medical Inc. has launched a dedicated U.S. B2B e‑commerce platform, b2b.solm.com, allowing healthcare providers nationwide to purchase its safety‑engineered medical devices directly. The site streamlines registration, pricing visibility, and order placement for settings ranging from physician offices to veterinary...
NOTIFY-HF Decompensation Alerts for Patients May Improve Care
The NOTIFY‑HF pilot tested patient‑facing mobile alerts generated by the HeartLogic algorithm in implantable defibrillators, showing the approach is feasible, safe, and well‑accepted. Among 160 heart‑failure patients, the intervention lowered alert incidence by 22% and reduced hospitalizations, with a 65%...
How a Safety-Net System Reached 70% Colorectal Cancer Screening Rates
NYC Health + Hospitals has leveraged a data‑driven population health registry to raise its colorectal cancer screening rate to 70%, far surpassing the national average of roughly 59%. The program combines patient‑friendly FIT kit materials in 14 languages, automated MyChart...
The Crucial Role of Payload Linker Innovation in the Growth of ADCs
Antibody‑drug conjugates (ADCs) are becoming a cornerstone of oncology, with the global market expected to reach $65.2 billion by 2031. The number of ADC programs has more than tripled, rising from 557 in 2020 to 1,643 in 2025, driven by advances...
DAS Health Appoints Lee Horner as Chief Executive Officer
DAS Health announced the appointment of Lee Horner as its new chief executive officer, marking a strategic leadership shift aimed at accelerating growth. Horner brings more than two decades of executive experience in healthcare software and services, having led high‑growth...
The Dosing Problem That Precision Medicine Has Yet to Solve
Only about 45% of cancer patients receive a dose within the optimal therapeutic window, leaving many under‑dosed or over‑dosed. True Dose is introducing an at‑home capillary blood‑spot kit that lets patients collect finger‑prick samples for therapeutic drug monitoring, with results...
Lilly Races to Become First Longevity Big Pharma
Eli Lilly has signed a deal with AI‑focused biotech Insilico Medicine valued up to $2.75 billion, with $115 million paid upfront and the remainder tied to milestones. The agreement grants Lilly an exclusive worldwide license to several preclinical oral candidates and access...
Bone Health in Oncology: Closing Gaps, Reducing Costs, and Unlocking Biosimilar Value
At the MASCC/ISOO 2025 meeting in Seattle, experts highlighted persistent gaps in bone health management for oncology patients, especially those with breast and prostate cancer. They emphasized that underuse of bone‑modifying agents leads to preventable skeletal‑related events, increased mortality, and...
Eli Lilly Seeks Agreement with U.K. Government to Raise Prices for Medicines: Report
Eli Lilly is negotiating with the U.K. government to raise NHS drug prices and overhaul the Voluntary Scheme for Branded Medicines Pricing, Access and Growth (VPAG). The company argues that current rebate rates of 25‑33% of revenues are unsustainable and threaten...
How Do Non-Mydriatic Retinal Cameras Improve Eye Exams
Non‑mydriatic retinal cameras capture high‑resolution images of the eye’s back without dilating the pupil, eliminating the need for stinging drops and post‑exam visual blur. The technology speeds image capture to a few seconds, allowing clinics to see more patients while...
Meiji Seika Pharma Invests in Centivax to Develop Next Generation Universal Vaccine Platform
Meiji Seika Pharma announced a strategic investment in U.S. biotech Centivax to accelerate its universal influenza vaccine, Centi‑Flu 01, currently in Phase 1 trials. The partnership leverages Meiji’s pharmaceutical expertise and Centivax’s computational immune‑engineering platform to target conserved viral regions, aiming for...
‘It’s Dangerous, and That’s the Message’: Aussie Study Finds Vaping Likely Causes Cancer
An Australian scientific review concluded that vaping likely increases the risk of lung and oral cancer, marking the most definitive link to date. The analysis relied on short‑term laboratory and human exposure studies because long‑term cohort data are unavailable. While...
Top-Paying Healthcare Settings for Travel Nurses and How to Land Them
Travel nurses can command top-tier pay by targeting high‑acuity settings such as trauma centers, intensive care units, operating rooms, and specialized labor‑delivery or NICU units. Specialized certifications like CCRN, TNCC, and RNC‑OB dramatically increase bargaining power, while geographic flexibility lets...
Spotify For The Body: Personalized Health Scans With Sensor-Driven Data
Spotify co‑founder Daniel Ek has launched Neko Health, a full‑body scanning startup, with its first U.S. clinic slated for New York. The service combines advanced imaging of vascular, organ and metabolic systems to flag serious conditions, reporting 1.2% of scans...
Advanced eClinical Training Partners with Emory University’s HeartStart Program to Deliver Medical Assistant Training for Pre-Medical Students
Advanced eClinical Training (ACT) has partnered with Emory University’s HeartStart program to launch a customized Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) training pathway for pre‑medical students. The inaugural cohort will include 50 learners who will receive certification preparation, simulation‑based patient‑care training, and...
Biogen Bounces Back With FDA Nod for High-Dose Spinal Muscular Atrophy Drug
The FDA approved a high‑dose formulation of Biogen’s SMA drug Spinraza, cutting the loading phase from four to two injections and adding a four‑month maintenance schedule. The new regimen, backed by the DEVOTE study, showed significant motor‑skill gains versus sham...
Duke Health Names Familiar Face as New CEO
David Zaas will re‑join Duke Health as chief executive on May 1, 2026, after a decade leading Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist, where he oversaw eight hospitals and 27,000 employees. Zaas previously spent nearly two decades at Duke Health in various senior...
AI Is Fueling a New Arms Race in Healthcare: Here’s How We Stop It
Artificial intelligence is sparking an adversarial arms race in healthcare utilization management, pitting provider‑centric approval bots against payer‑focused denial algorithms. The clash threatens patient access, inflates provider burnout, and undermines trust. Simultaneously, regulators are pushing for real‑time, FHIR‑based authorizations under...
Triple Therapy Momentum: Caterina Brindicci of AstraZeneca on Breztri in Asthma
AstraZeneca is testing its COPD triple‑inhaler Breztri Aerosphere in uncontrolled asthma. Phase III KALOS and LOGOS trials showed 76‑90 mL improvements in FEV₁ and a 14% reduction in severe exacerbations versus standard ICS/LABA therapy. The studies enrolled about 4,300 patients across 20...
Future-Proofing Network Connectivity for Healthcare Innovation
Healthcare providers are aligning network connectivity strategies with broader digital transformation goals to support telehealth, cloud‑based EHRs, AI diagnostics, and connected devices. Executives emphasize that the challenge extends beyond bandwidth to building secure, resilient, and adaptable architectures. Cox Business highlights...
Red Light Therapy’s Regulatory Implications
Red and near‑infrared light therapy, known as photobiomodulation, has shifted from clinics to the consumer health market, prompting a surge in device sales and investor interest. In the United States, products reach consumers via distinct FDA pathways: 510(k) clearance for...
Human E3‑ome Atlas Maps 672 High‑Confidence Enzymes, Redefining Biology and Drug Targets
An international team of more than 40 scientists released the human E3‑ome, a curated atlas that consolidates 672 high‑confidence E3 ligases from over 1,100 candidates. The resource offers a gold‑standard reference for basic research and drug discovery, addressing long‑standing inconsistencies...
USDA Unveils New Food Pyramid Emphasizing Whole Foods, Cutting Processed Items
The U.S. Department of Agriculture rolled out a redesigned food pyramid that pivots toward whole, minimally processed foods and away from refined, ultraprocessed staples. The shift arrives as more than 70% of American adults are overweight or obese and one‑in‑three...
Study Shows Mentally Active Sitting Can Reduce Dementia Risk by Up to 7%
Researchers at Sweden's Karolinska Institute reported that an hour of mentally active sitting—such as knitting, puzzles or office work—lowers dementia risk by up to 7% compared with passive screen time. The 20‑year longitudinal study of 20,811 adults links cognitive engagement...
Unmasking Menopause Myths: Share Your Overlooked Symptoms
What Women Are Told vs What's Actually Happening: What’s one symptom you’ve been told is “just menopause”… but never fully explained? I’m reading every response.
Duikers May Be Vectors for Mpox Transmission
Duikers — a variety of small antelopes prevalent in Central and West Africa — may be playing a role in the spread of #mpox, @kakape reports. https://t.co/ujCbLNpmyV
Traci Miller on How Hybrid Hub Models Redefine Pharma Partnerships
Hybrid hub models are evolving from basic administrative functions into coordinated ecosystems that link manufacturers, distributors, specialty pharmacies, and service providers. This shift transforms vendor relationships into strategic partnerships involving dozens of stakeholders. Automation and digital intake are compressing prior‑authorization...
ZIP‑Code Life Expectancy Gaps Should Drive Prevention Priorities
If health systems and payers started treating ZIP-code level life expectancy variation as a population health management problem, it could fundamentally change how we prioritize prevention and SDOH investment. #aging #healthyaging #longevity #healthspan https://t.co/ECpwfCeSUC
Volunteering to Clarify Medicare vs Medicaid for The Pitt
I volunteer to explain to the producers/writers of The Pitt the differences between Medicare and Medicaid...(seems they could use it).
Insufficient Source Data to Report on Novartis‑Excellergy Deal
The requested story about Novartis acquiring Excellergy for up to $2 billion cannot be produced because none of the provided source material contains any details about this transaction.
Colleagues Honor Late Harvard Immunology Pioneer Barry Bloom
Barry Bloom, former dean of @HarvardChanSPH & a leading immunologist, recently died at the age of 88. Two colleagues, @mlipsitch & Yonatan Grad, have written a lovely tribute of the man and his work. https://t.co/q5r37uSWVr
Beware: Longevity Tourism Sells Unproven, Risky Therapies
“Longevity tourism” Plenty of folks willing to travel & pay for “stem cells as magical thinking” and a growing panoply of unproven & sometimes dangerous “#longevity” therapies. Caveat emptor. By @PeterWardJourno in @Slate https://t.co/jq9rPrcRK2
New Hope for Children with Severe Epilepsy
Scientists at Manchester University have identified a recessive RNU2‑2‑related neurodevelopmental disorder as one of the most common genetic causes of childhood epilepsy. The condition, which manifests with seizures and severe delays in speech and walking before age one, has been...
Oracle's Language Services Prevent Miscommunication‑Driven Readmissions
Language barriers can lead to misunderstandings within the clinical setting, contributing to avoidable readmissions. With Oracle’s language services solutions, we can help to ensure that no patient’s care instructions are lost in translation. https://t.co/zslQNyt7IO
Finding CDC Director Who Pleases Kennedy and Senate Proves Tough
Finding someone to run #CDC who can both earn Sec. Kennedy's support AND get confirmed by the Senate seems to be proving to be a challenge. If/when that happens, the new director will have plenty of challenges of her/his own,...
One‑in‑Five Australians Regret Delaying Private Health Insurance as Cost Pressures Mount
A recent poll shows one in five Australians regret postponing private health insurance, citing cost‑saving shortcuts that could trigger a surge in future enrollment. The finding comes as households grapple with higher fuel, food and housing expenses, prompting insurers to...
Why CREST-2 Trial Results Should Inform, Not Replace, Clinical Judgment
The New England Journal of Medicine released the CREST‑2 results, a pair of parallel randomized trials that compared intensive medical management (IMM) alone with IMM plus either carotid stenting (TFCAS) or carotid endarterectomy (CEA) in patients with asymptomatic high‑grade carotid...
UnitedHealth Plunge Erases $267 Million of Buffett’s $1.57 Bn Stake
Berkshire Hathaway’s newly disclosed 5.04 million‑share position in UnitedHealth Group, valued at $1.57 billion in August 2025, has been hit by a 17% slide in the insurer’s stock, creating an unrealized loss of roughly $267 million. The loss highlights the pressure on UnitedHealth’s...
Glucose Control in Gestational Diabetes Tied to Offspring Obesity
A large Kaiser Permanente cohort study found that women with gestational diabetes who achieve stable, optimal glucose levels have offspring obesity risk similar to those without gestational diabetes. Women whose glucose control improves slowly or remains suboptimal face 1.3‑to‑1.6 times...
Module 3, Section 1: HitID Screens
The module introduces HitID screens, outlining key strategies for early-stage drug discovery. It references recent literature on medicinal chemistry optimization, successful hit‑to‑clinical transitions, DNA‑encoded library (DEL) approaches, ultra‑low‑molecular‑weight crystallographic screening, and fragment‑based drug discovery (FBDD). By consolidating these sources, the...
Zongertinib a ‘Breakthrough’ for NSCLC with HER2 Mutations
Zongertinib (Hernexeos) received FDA accelerated approval for first‑line treatment of HER2‑mutant advanced NSCLC, based on Beamion LUNG‑1 data presented at the European Lung Cancer Congress. In previously untreated patients (cohort 2), the drug achieved a 76% objective response rate and a...