News Briefs
Hospitals, Medical Device Makers Concerned Over Tariff Impact
A week after declaring "Liberation Day" and levying hefty tariffs on most of the country’s trading partners, President Donald Trump reversed course, announcing he will pause most reciprocal tariffs for 90 days. On its face, the pause is good news for the healthcare industry, as it offers companies some breathing room in which to make supply chain adjustments, analysts told Healthcare Dive. But analysts cautioned that the pause won't last forever, and said providers and medtech companies remain under urgent pressure to reconsider their supply chains.
(Source: Healthcare Dive, 2025-04-10)
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First Quarter Saw Decline in Hospital M&A Activity
Mergers and acquisitions in Q1 reflect market volatility and economic uncertainty surrounding tariffs and potential policy changes from the new administration, according to a Kaufman Hall Mergers and Acquisitions Quarterly Activity Report. Only five transactions were announced in the first quarter, said Kaufman Hall, the lowest number in recent history, below the COVID-19-era low point of seven announced transactions in Q3 2021.
(Source: Healthcare Finance News, 2025-04-09)
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HHS Cuts Could Reduce Number of Healthcare Regulations
The Department of Health and Human Services may begin slashing regulations it considers to be unlawful or to exceed the agency's authority, according to a memorandum sent by the president. Experts speculated the memorandum could rapidly diminish the number of federal healthcare regulations on the books.
(Source: FierceHealthcare, 2025-04-10)
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First Quarter Hospice M&A Rebounded, Report Finds
Hospice acquisitions saw a gentle rebound in Q1 2025. Deal volume is up relative to 2024's slump, but activity has not reached the boom levels of 2020 and 2021.
(Source: Hospice News, 2025-04-10)
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Lenders Returning to SNF Space as Outlook Becomes Positive
Some lenders who've been out of the skilled nursing space or at least hesitant about deal-making there are once again accommodating some riskier scenarios to land the business of strong borrowers, according to financial consultants. That's because the nursing home outlook has largely recovered since the days of the pandemic, presenting new opportunities, experts from consulting firm Breslin, Young & Slaughter, said during a webinar hosted by MonticelloAM.
(Source: McKnight's Long-Term Care News, 2025-04-10)
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V.C. Funding for Digital Health Startups Rose in First Quarter
Venture capital funding for digital health startups increased in the first quarter as the sector notched some large investment rounds among more established companies, according to a report by venture capital firm and consultancy Rock Health. Digital health companies raised more cash across a similar deal count in the first quarter, increasing the average deal size to $24.4 million compared with $15.5 million in the fourth quarter last year.
(Source: Healthcare Dive, 2025-04-09)
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Experts Say Healthcare Increasingly Vulnerable to Digital Threats
Physicians attending the American College of Physicians Internal Medicine Meeting 2025 received a stark message: healthcare is increasingly vulnerable to digital threats, and the ethical implications of artificial intelligence demand urgent attention. During a session called "Hot Topics in Health IT," speakers shared warnings and practical advice about the growing challenges posed by cybersecurity and AI technologies.
(Source: Medical Economics, 2025-04-09)
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CMS Proposes 2.4 Percent Increase in 2026 Hospice Payments
The U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced its proposed 2026 hospice payment rule, which includes a 2.4 percent increase in per diem payments alongside evolving quality reporting measures. The increase represents an estimated $695 million rise in total hospice payments for Fiscal Year 2026.
(Source: Hospice News, 2025-04-11)
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Most Physicians, Administrators Expect AI to Reduce Burnout
Artificial intelligence company Innovaccer conducted a report of healthcare systems that found the vast majority of physicians and administrators are enthusiastic about the use of AI to reduce provider burnout and impact administrative tasks. While a subset of providers and administrators reported they are concerned about the patient privacy implications of AI and the potential to include biased results for some patient populations, 65 percent of respondents think AI is critical to reduce professional burden.
(Source: FierceHealthcare, 2025-04-10)
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Hospital CEO Turnover Remained Stable in First Two Months of Year
Market volatility and the financial climate may be impacting leadership changes across industries, but hospitals have yet to see significant CEO movement to start the year. The first two months of 2025 featured 25 hospital CEO exits, just shy of the 26 over the same period in 2024, according to a report by executive coaching firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas.
(Source: HealthLeaders Media, 2025-04-11)
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