Taking the Pulse, A Health Care and Life Sciences Video Podcast | Episode 187: South Carolina Hospitals and Healthcare Industry Trends with Thornton Kirby, SCHA President
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (P.L.119-21) (the “OBBB”) passed by slim margins in the U.S. Senate (51-50) and U.S. House (218-214) and was signed into law by President Trump on July 4, 2025....more
On February 25, House Republicans narrowly passed a budget resolution that requires the House Energy and Commerce Committee to find $880 billion in spending cuts over the next 10 years. Budget realities—including the fact...more
For episode 187, Heather and Matthew welcome back a favorite recurring guest of the show, Thornton Kirby, President of the South Carolina Hospital Association. Thornton shares exciting updates on recent SCHA initiatives,...more
1. No Significant Regulatory Reform in Alabama. Unlike many states in recent years, Alabama’s Certificate of Need (CON) laws remain essentially unchanged. While it is not unusual for bills to be introduced making...more
A scandal of the U.S. health system may be far worse than imagined, with the medical debt sold to collection agencies alone amounting to a staggering $140 billion. The $140 billion estimate came from researchers who...more
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Office for Civil Rights (OCR), the Office of the Inspector General (OIG), and other Federal and State agencies and...more
With crisis comes uncertainty, and even the best-intentioned regulations can leave those combating the current COVID-19 public-health emergency out in the cold. Many have asked whether the recent Declaration under the...more
In light of findings from the COVID-19 outbreak at a nursing home in Kirkland, Washington, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced that it will suspend all routine facility inspections and surveys...more
A Virginia hospital has found an eyebrow-raising solution to some of its struggles with elderly, poor, and sick patients who take up beds and medical resources that might generate more revenue and less headache for the...more
Both the House and Senate took this week off, so no legislation moved on Jones Street. Legislators are scheduled to return next week and finish work on bills in conference. ...more
In a decision issued on November 21, 2017, the D.C. Circuit affirmed the district court determination that the Affordable Care Act (ACA) bars judicial review of CMS’s determination to grant or deny a hospital’s Stark Law...more
Uncertainty and pressures continue to mount for healthcare providers, creating a new operating environment – Uncertainty around Medicaid and other programs, the shift to value-based care, margin pressures, the need to search...more
On November 8, 2016, the future of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) became more uncertain. Republicans in Congress have been working to repeal the ACA since it was passed in 2010, and now, with control of...more
The ancient Chinese curse – “May you live in interesting times” – certainly springs to mind these days. What does the election of Donald Trump mean for the healthcare industry, the Affordable Care Act and current healthcare...more
Given that Republicans will soon control both Congress and the White House, hospitals may be concerned that expenditures that have helped reduce the ranks of the uninsured will be ratcheted down. However, forward-thinking...more
Is this any way to treat the most needy? Los Angeles prosecutors have announced a $450,000 settlement with yet another of the city’s hospitals accused of “patient dumping,” the practice of hustling individuals, particularly...more
Key Findings - ..ACA enrollment reached 11.3 million by the end of the third open enrollment period, surpassing HHS expectations. Three-quarters of the enrollees were from the 38 states that use the healthcare.gov...more
This Week: The House is not in session this week... The Senate returns today... Committees in the Senate will hold hearings on co-ops and mental health... Vice President Biden will attend the World Economic Forum in...more
This Week: Energy and Commerce Holds Two-Day Hearing on SGR Replacement…CDC Report Finds Providers Making Progress on Lowering Rates of Hospital Infections…Montana Governor Introduces Plan for Medicaid Expansion....more
In this Report: - Key Findings - Industry Trends – Hospitals - Industry Trends – Physician Practices - Government/Regulatory – Ohio - Government/Regulatory – U.S. - Transactions ...more
On Friday, November 28, 2014, CMS issued a Final Rule providing that, for purposes of the hospital-specific limitation on Medicaid disproportionate share hospital (DSH) payments, the definition of “uninsured” will now be...more
In this issue: - North Carolina’s Medicaid RAC Program – Don’t Let Your Guard Down - A Primer on Medicare Requirements for Physician Supervision of “Incident to” Services - Hospital Options for Unused...more
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has reported that at the close of April, an additional 6 million Americans have enrolled in Medicaid and related health programs for the poor since the launch of coverage...more
As 2013 draws to a close, we are pleased to look back on the year that was and highlight some of the key developments in the ever-changing field of health law. While a great deal of attention was focused on the implementation...more
Under the Dome: Inside the Maine State House is a weekly update that provides a high-level overview of recent activity at the Maine State House. Governor’s Fourth and Fifth Vetoes of the Session Sustained - Last week,...more