A federal court has backed Oregon's efforts to keep a closer eye on major healthcare business deals, rejecting a legal challenge brought by the state's hospital lobby group. The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a lower court's ruling, finding that a state law that gives the Oregon Health Authority the power to review — and even block — hospital mergers and other major healthcare transactions is not unconstitutionally vague.
A recent court filing alleges that more than $1 billion in payments were made to insiders of the now-bankrupt Steward Health Care, including its former CEO and a private equity firm.
AdventHealth has chosen a new leader for its flagship facility in Orlando. The healthcare provider announced this week that it had named Abel Biri to lead AdventHealth Orlando along with having executive oversight of AdventHealth for Children. He succeeds Rob Deininger, who was recently appointed president/CEO for the East Florida Division of AdventHealth.
Beacon Health System has officially acquired Southwest Michigan's Ascension Borgess hospitals, Tuesday, July 1. Beacon, an Indiana-based nonprofit, announced the plan to purchase in April. The acquisition includes four hospitals, 35 outpatient clinics and an ambulatory surgery center. The acquired hospitals include: Ascension Borgess Hospital in Kalamazoo; Ascension Borgess Allegan Hospital; Ascension Borgess-Lee Hospital in Dowagiac; Ascension Borgess-Pipp Hospital in Plainwell.
Javon Bea Hospital-Rockton is seeing a "temporary suspension" of services as of today. 13 WREX has confirmed that the hospital building will no longer be open for medical services starting at 6 a.m. today. A Mercyhealth spokesperson tells 13 WREX that services at the hospital and its "standby" emergency department will officially be suspended at 6 a.m. Tuesday after years of concerns over the future of Rockford's original hospital and the only ER in the city west of the Rock River. No employees have been laid off. Signage around the hospital has been removed and large dumpsters and trailers were being loaded with contents from inside the hospital.
Federal officials on Monday said that they busted a series of health fraud schemes spanning medical supply, telehealth and genetic testing companies, as well as opioid trafficking, that involved more than $14.6 billion in improper charges.