FTC Urges Tennessee to Preserve Ballad Health’s COPA
The Federal Trade Commission has written to Tennessee lawmakers urging them to keep Ballad Health’s Certificate of Public Advantage (COPA) in place, warning that its expiration would leave the state’s dominant hospital system without oversight. The Tennessee legislature is debating House Bill 2278 and Senate Bill 2414, which would let the COPA lapse in 2028 and also postpone the removal of Certificate of Need (CON) restrictions until 2030. Without the COPA, Ballad could operate unchecked, potentially raising prices and worsening care quality, as seen in similar COPA cases. The FTC argues that immediate action on both the COPA and CON reforms is needed to foster competition in Northeast Tennessee.
Zenkuda Superior to Sham in Phase 3 Diabetic Retinopathy Study
Kodiak Sciences reported that its intravitreal biologic Zenkuda (tarocimab tedromer) outperformed sham in the phase 3 GLOW2 trial for diabetic retinopathy. At week 48, 62.5% of patients receiving Zenkuda achieved a two‑step or greater improvement on the Diabetic Retinopathy Severity Scale versus...
Despite Guidelines, Aspirin Is Used in Fewer Than One in Four High-Risk Pregnancies
Researchers at Mass General Brigham analyzed 21,326 women (30,767 pregnancies) and found that only 24% of high‑risk pregnancies received low‑dose aspirin by 2023, despite USPSTF recommending it since 2014. Preeclampsia affects up to 7% of pregnancies and raises both short‑term...
Smarter Documentation Is Changing EMS Operations
Emergency medical services (EMS) agencies are adopting AI tools to streamline documentation, a long‑standing bottleneck. Voice‑to‑text and optical character recognition (OCR) now capture patient data in real time, reducing manual entry and errors. Administrators benefit from AI‑driven search, quickly surfacing...
Maternal COVID-19 Vaccination Protects Infants for up to 6 Months
A Norwegian cohort study of 146,031 infants found that mothers who received mRNA COVID‑19 vaccines during pregnancy reduced their babies' risk of COVID‑19 hospitalization by 36%. The protective effect was strongest in the first five months of life and faded...
Med Student Ursula Gately Connects the Climate to the Clinic
Second‑year Johns Hopkins medical student Ursula Gately will speak at the Hop Talks event on April 7, highlighting how planetary health can be turned into concrete community‑health actions. Gately draws on her personal experience with valley‑fever and her work with the...
It’s Not Just Patients Who Are Sick of Fighting Health Insurers. Doctors Are Frustrated, Too.
Health insurers are leveraging administrative tactics like extensive prior authorizations and prolonged accounts‑receivable cycles to boost profits, resulting in record‑breaking payer margins. Physicians, especially independent surgeons, are confronting millions of dollars in unpaid claims and cash‑flow strain, forcing staff cuts...
Calcium Score Predictive of ASCVD Risk From Elevated Lp(a)
Researchers analyzing data from 11,319 participants across four major cohorts found that elevated lipoprotein(a) levels (>50 mg/dL) and a coronary artery calcium (CAC) score above zero each independently increase the risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). The combination of high Lp(a)...
Patients Want High-Quality Care, Provider Choice, Affordability
Dr. Richard L. Lindstrom argues that patient satisfaction in eye‑care hinges on three core desires: convenient high‑quality access, the ability to choose a provider, and perceived value or affordability. He cites that roughly 20% of U.S. health‑care encounters leave patients...
HIMSS26 Changemaker Reframes Healthcare IT Work as Public Service
At HIMSS26 Changemaker, Colorado Lt. Governor Dianne Primavera urged aspiring healthcare IT professionals to view their work as a public service. She emphasized building technology that is intuitive and directly improves patient experiences. Primavera highlighted the moral responsibility of developers...
Policymaking Needs the Patient Perspective
Colorado Lt. Governor Dianne Primavera, recognized as a HIMSS26 Policy Influencer Changemaker, is championing the integration of patient perspectives into health policy. Drawing on her dual experience as a legislator and a cancer survivor, she advocates for more accessible and...
Wearable Health Devices Expand Clinical Role as FDA Loosens Oversight
The FDA has announced a more flexible oversight approach for low‑risk wearable health devices, effectively lowering regulatory barriers for smartwatches and sensor‑based tools. This shift is accelerating the integration of continuous patient data into both routine and acute clinical care,...
Why “Cleaning” Wipes Are Not Enough: Protecting Patients and Clinicians by Keeping Lead Aprons Truly Clean
Lead aprons, essential radiation shields, are high‑touch items that often harbor dangerous microbes despite routine wipe‑down cleaning. Studies show 84 % of aprons test positive for Staphylococcus aureus and 12 % for MRSA, with biofilms protecting these pathogens from surface disinfectants. Standard...
Revolution Medicines Initiates P-III (RASolute 303) Trial of Daraxonrasib in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma (PDAC)
Revolution Medicines has launched the global Phase III RASolute 303 trial to evaluate daraxonrasib, a direct RAS(ON) multi‑selective inhibitor, in previously untreated metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). The study tests the drug as monotherapy and alongside chemotherapy, with progression‑free survival and overall...
CMS Finalizes Medicare Advantage Star Ratings Overhaul, Sending Billions of Dollars More to Insurers
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services finalized a rule overhauling Medicare Advantage star ratings, cutting 11 administrative metrics and scrapping the health‑equity index while reinstating a bonus system for high‑scoring plans. The changes shift the rating methodology toward clinical...
The Healthcare Burnout Backlash (Pt 2): Positioning AI Pilots for Success Within EHR-Integrated Environments
Healthcare administrators are grappling with AI pilots that operate alongside, rather than within, electronic health‑record (EHR) systems, creating hidden operational risks. While early pilots can move quickly by using separate data environments, the lack of seamless integration leads to traceability,...
When Silos Hinder Innovation—And When They Can Help
Recent research of 294 studies shows that collective innovation outcomes hinge on how a group is structured, not merely on the amount of collaboration. The authors identify three collective types—convergence‑based, divergence‑based, and attention‑based—defined by search dependence and goal alignment. Real‑world...
Apollo Hospitals Gets NCLT Nod for Corporate Restructuring Plan
Apollo Hospitals Enterprise has secured approval from the National Company Law Tribunal’s Chennai bench for its proposed composite scheme of arrangement, which involves restructuring its digital health, pharmacy and related businesses across four entities. The plan calls for spinning off...
Senators Push to Grill Health Insurance CEOs over Record Profits and Denials
Senators Ron Wyden and Bernie Sanders have asked the Senate Finance and HELP committees to hold hearings with CEOs of major health insurers, citing record profits, high premiums, coverage denials, and excessive executive pay. They point to UnitedHealth’s sprawling network...
Kara Health Builds JV With Loma Linda University Health
Kara Health, a California hospice and palliative‑care provider, has formed a joint venture with Loma Linda University Health to launch Loma Linda University Hospice serving the Inland Empire’s Riverside and San Bernardino counties. Under the agreement, Kara will run day‑to‑day...
Serenity Medical Receives FDA Humanitarian Device Exemption for IIH Venous Stent
Serenity Medical has secured an FDA Humanitarian Device Exemption for its River venous stent, the first cerebral venous stent cleared for severe, refractory idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH). The approval follows the River Study, a multicenter trial of 39 patients that...
What Impact Might Medtronic’s New Lab Have on Galway’s Medtech Ecosystem?
Medtronic has expanded its Galway laboratory by almost 50%, adding state‑of‑the‑art LCMS and GCMS instruments to create a single‑roof hub that blends pharmaceutical, engineering and analytical expertise for combination‑product development. The new facility will handle the full product lifecycle—from early...
FDA Publishes New Set of Real-World Evidence Examples
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health released a new collection of 73 real‑world evidence (RWE) examples that illustrate how medical device marketing authorizations have been supported by real‑world data from fiscal years 2020 through...
Gallbladder Volvulus and the Use of Indocyanine Green
A 65‑year‑old woman with a necrotic gallbladder volvulus underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy aided by pre‑operative indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescence imaging. ICG enabled real‑time visualization of the common bile duct, necrotic cystic duct, and thrombosed cystic artery, facilitating safe detorsion and confirmation...
7 Science-Backed Strategies to Prevent Recurrent UTIs, According to Doctors
The article outlines seven science‑backed strategies to prevent recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs) in women, ranging from increased hydration and hygiene to non‑antibiotic medications like methenamine, low‑dose post‑coital antibiotics, vaginal estrogen, cranberry proanthocyanidins, and emerging vaccines. It highlights key risk...
Henlius Receives the NMPA IND Clearance for HLX319 (Biosimilar, Phesgo)
Henlius has received IND clearance from China’s NMPA for HLX319, a biosimilar of Roche’s Phesgo that combines pertuzumab, trastuzumab and hyaluronidase for subcutaneous delivery. The product targets neoadjuvant, adjuvant and metastatic HER2‑positive breast cancer, mirroring Phesgo’s five‑to‑eight‑minute injection without weight‑based...
Is This Healthcare Stock Undervalued Relative to Its Growth Potential?
Oscar Health, a technology‑focused health insurer, has accelerated its ACA marketplace share, reaching 3.4 million members by the end of 2026. The company projects revenue near $19 billion and operating income between $250 million and $450 million, yet its stock trades around $11.92, valuing...
Prediabetes May Need a Tailored Treatment Rethink
Researchers presented new data on 662 U.S. adults aged 18‑40 with prediabetes, revealing that the average five‑year risk of progressing to type 2 diabetes is 7.5%. The risk climbs to 10.9% for those meeting GLP‑1 receptor agonist (GLP‑1RA) weight‑loss criteria, 15.1%...
Walk-In Lab Testing Expands Patient Access and Autonomy in West Virginia
Walk‑in laboratory services are rapidly expanding in West Virginia, allowing patients to purchase routine diagnostic tests without a physician referral. Facilities such as Any Lab Test Now and hospital outreach centers provide transparent, upfront pricing and deliver results through secure...
Well Health Partners with AliveCor for Cardiologist Review
Well Health has teamed with AliveCor to embed Canadian‑registered cardiologists into the Kardia app’s AI‑driven ECG workflow. Canadian users can now request a Clinician Review, receiving a written physician interpretation within 24 hours. The service leverages Health Canada‑cleared AI algorithms...
Annovis Wins US Patent for Buntanetap in Brain Infection Injuries
Annovis Bio has been granted a United States patent for its compound Buntanetap, specifically covering its use in treating brain infection‑related injuries. The patent expands the drug's previously explored Alzheimer’s indication to a novel therapeutic area. This intellectual‑property win bolsters...
Medline: A Lack Of Compelling Risk-Reward Makes Me Cautious
Medline posted strong Q4 momentum and 2025 sales growth, but margin pressure kept profits largely flat. The company projects 8‑9% organic sales growth and modest adjusted EBITDA improvement in 2026, yet margin compression and leverage remain concerns. Recent sales by...
Multipurpose Anti-Viral Pill May Treat Colds, Norovirus, Flu and Covid
Artificial intelligence flagged a long‑neglected breast‑cancer medication as a candidate to block multiple viruses, and subsequent animal studies confirmed it can inhibit coronaviruses, RSV, norovirus, influenza and hepatitis viruses. Model Medicines, a California biotech, is advancing the compound toward a...
Listen: What the Vaccine Schedule Whiplash Means for Your Kids
A federal judge has blocked the Trump administration’s effort to adopt a shortened childhood vaccine schedule championed by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The decision, likely to be appealed, leaves the nation in a policy limbo...
Maui Mental Health Providers Face Stress and Uncertainty About State Jobs
Hawaii’s Department of Health extended the contracts of Maui’s state‑run mental‑health clinic staff for six months, leaving many counselors and caseworkers uncertain about permanent state positions. The extension arrived without clear stipulations, prompting part‑time providers like psychologist Nancy Sidun to...
Freeze‐Drying Tumor Tissues Derived Bio‐Patches With Hair Melanin Nanoparticles Integration for Wound Healing
Researchers have created a freeze‑dried bio‑patch from decellularized colon tumor tissue that incorporates hair‑derived melanin nanoparticles. The patch preserves extracellular matrix proteins, growth factors, and collagen while adding antioxidant and photothermal antibacterial functions. In vitro tests show enhanced cell migration,...
Certain Radiology Subspecialties Less Likely to Score Promotions than Others
A new study of nearly 7,000 academic radiologists reveals stark promotion disparities across subspecialties. Breast imaging and pediatric radiology exhibit the lowest full‑professor attainment rates, while nuclear medicine and musculoskeletal imaging lead. Publication metrics account for only 31‑37% of rank...
Radiology Groups Fight State Proposal to Expand Nonphysicians’ Scope of Practice
Radiology groups, led by the American College of Radiology, are opposing Ohio Senate Bill 324, which would let certified nurse practitioners and physician assistants supervise X‑ray machine operators without traditional licensure. The bill aims to address staffing shortages, but critics...
Zeto Receives US FDA 510(k) Clearance for Zeto New Wave to Advance Outpatient EEG
Zeto has secured FDA 510(k) clearance for its New Wave outpatient EEG system, enabling use in clinics and homes. The device features 21 soft‑tip electrodes covering the full 10–20 system and integrates synchronized video and audio capture. It supports recordings...
The Golden Hour: Saving Lives with Minas Gerais' H145 Helicopters
Minas Gerais' Military Fire Corps has added two Airbus H145 helicopters to its Advanced Air Life Support Service, dramatically enhancing aeromedical rescue across the state’s rugged terrain. The twin‑engine aircraft can transport patients, organs, and perform winch rescues, cutting a...
Merck Initiates P-IIb/III (MALBEC) Trial of MK-8748 for Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Merck has launched the pivotal Phase IIb/III MALBEC trial to evaluate MK‑8748 (Tiespectus/EYE201) in patients with neovascular age‑related macular degeneration (NVAMD). The study pits two intravitreal dose levels of the bispecific TIE2‑agonist/VEGF‑inhibitor against aflibercept 2 mg, beginning with quarterly injections for three...
Travel Smart, Stay Safe: How Medical Concierge Services Are Transforming Global Journeys
Medical concierge services are emerging as essential travel companions, offering rapid appointment scheduling, specialist referrals, and discreet care for international travelers. The model is gaining traction in premium destinations like Switzerland, where privacy and high‑quality healthcare are hallmarks. By handling...
This Is What 3D Printing Was Made For
Researchers at Hospital Clínic de Barcelona’s Neonatology unit have leveraged additive manufacturing to create personalized, 3D‑printed nasal masks for premature infants. Standard masks, offered in only four sizes, often mismatch babies weighing under 2.5 kg, leading to discomfort and compromised ventilation....
Practice Margin: Why Pre-Visit Workflow Is the Ultimate Revenue Protector
Ambulatory practices lose margin not only through clinical inefficiency but also through fragmented pre‑visit processes. Matthew Order of Yosi Health argues that moving intake, insurance verification, and high‑volume phone tasks upstream creates a measurable revenue safeguard. He outlines three structural...
Scientists Say BMI Gets It Wrong for over One Third of Adults
A new Italian study using dual‑energy X‑ray absorptiometry (DXA) found that the body mass index (BMI) misclassifies more than one‑third of adults when compared to direct body‑fat measurements. In a sample of 1,351 white‑Caucasian participants, over 50% of those labeled...
FDB Launches MedProof MCP to Ground AI Agents in Clinical Drug Knowledge
First Databank (FDB) has released MedProof MCP, the first Model Context Protocol server designed to embed AI agents with its clinical‑grade drug database. The open‑source MCP standard lets large language models query trusted medication intelligence in real time, cutting integration...
How Often Can You Take Ibuprofen?
Ibuprofen, sold as Advil and Motrin, is a widely used over‑the‑counter NSAID for pain, fever, and inflammation. For adults, the safe OTC limit is 200‑400 mg every 4‑6 hours, not exceeding 1,200 mg in 24 hours, and it should not be taken more than...
'Generational' Smoking Phaseout in Maldives Faces Cloudy Future
The Maldives government under President Mohamed Muizzu has launched an ambitious tobacco‑control package, expanding smoke‑free zones, banning e‑cigarettes and all tobacco advertising, raising excise taxes, and offering free cessation services. The measures aim to phase out smoking across generations, targeting...
Levothyroxine Shows No Benefit in Older Adults
A new systematic review in BMC Geriatrics finds that levothyroxine offers no measurable benefit for older adults with subclinical hypothyroidism. Patient‑reported quality‑of‑life, cognitive function, physical performance, and major cardiovascular events were unchanged compared with observation or placebo. The analysis also...
Gender-Affirming Care Becomes a Political Indicator for Top Medical Groups
The American Medical Association (AMA) continues to endorse gender‑affirming care, a position it has reiterated over the past decade. Republican attorneys general from twenty states have written to the AMA demanding it oppose such care for minors, citing potential violations...