Physicians' work often has a profound effect on their personal relationships, and that impact can signal a risk of professional burnout, according to a recently published study that also details how this phenomenon varies widely by physician specialty.
A new study led by UW Medicine researchers finds that nearly one-fourth of U.S. physicians with active licenses are aged 65 or older, raising concerns about patient safety and prompting some health systems to adopt policies assessing their fitness to practice.
The United States has the worst-performing health system among all high-income countries. Even the best-performing U.S. states lag international comparators like France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Australia. To move the United States from laggard to leader will require significant — but doable — changes in its healthcare system, including closing remaining gaps in insurance coverage, limiting debilitating out-of-pocket-expenditures, and reviving its failing primary care capabilities.
The Justice Department and four Democratic state attorneys general on Tuesday filed an antitrust lawsuit against the giant UnitedHealth Group in an attempt to block its $3.3 billion deal to take over Amedisys, a large home 'health company. 'Unless this $3.3 billion transaction is stopped, UnitedHealth Group will further extend its grip to home health and hospice care, threatening seniors, their families and nurses,' said Jonathan Kanter, the assistant attorney general who heads DOJ's antitrust division. Antitrust regulators have been reviewing the proposed acquisition amid a federal inquiry into UnitedHealth's sprawling dominance across nearly every segment of health care. As one of the biggest U.S. companies overall, with $372 billion in revenue in 2023.
After 55 years of practice and serving the community, the Children's Medical Center Martinsville has made the difficult decision to close its doors permanently on Jan. 1. The medical center said the announcement came after "unavoidable financial hardship." Patients are still currently able to receive care as the center will continue to provide services through Dec. 31.
Johnson & Johnson has sued a U.S. government agency over a closely watched dispute focusing on payment methods for some hospitals that participate in a federal drug discount program. In its lawsuit, the company argued that HRSA has wrongfully interpreted a federal law concerning the use of rebates in the 340B Drug Pricing Program. J&J recently sought to change payment terms for its Xarelto blood thinner and the Stelara plaque psoriasis treatment.