Butler (Pa.) Health System has been downgraded from a "BBB" to a "BBB-" with a negative outlook, Fitch Ratings reported Dec.11.

StoneBridge Healthcare, a hospital turnaround firm, is looking to enter a management contract with Delaware-based WoodBridge, a nonprofit organization, to acquire West Reading, Pa.-based Tower Health for $706 million, the Philadelphia Business Journal reported Dec.12.

Salem (Mo.) Memorial Hospital's board voted to reduce certain service lines and explore affiliations with other health systems, according to a news release shared with The Salem News on Dec. 11. 

Fort Lauderdale, Fla.-based Broward Health has filed plans for a freestanding emergency department in Lighthouse Point, the South Florida Business Journal reported Dec. 11.

Greenville, S.C.-based Prisma Health transformed a $67.6 million operating loss (-1.2% margin) in fiscal year 2022 into a $67.1 million gain (1.1% margin) in FY 2023, according to financial documents published Dec. 8.

Healthcare leaders have been talking about the transition to value-based care for years, but without significant movement away from fee for service. That could all change in the next three years.

Medical groups today are working harder than ever to survive.

On the evening of Dec. 11, the U.S. House voted in favor of moving The Lower Costs, More Transparency Act forward.

San Diego-based Scripps Health reported a $36.6 million operating loss (-0.9% margin) for the fiscal year ended Sept. 30, down from an operating gain of $49.3 million (1.2% margin) in the prior fiscal year, according to financial documents published Dec. 8.

PeaceHealth will close its Lacamas Clinic in Camas, Wash., on Dec. 15.

Lewiston, Maine-based St. Mary's Health System, a member of Tewksbury, Mass.-based Covenant Health, is laying off 31 employees and reducing working hours for additional employees.

It's the season of giving, and many hospitals and health systems across the country have recently been the recipients of large sums of money to help with projects and improvements. 

North Arkansas Regional Medical Center in Harrison, Ark., is closing some care locations amid rising costs, KY3 reported Dec. 1.  

Franklin, Tenn.-based Community Health Systems is looking to offer $750 million in senior secured notes due 2032.

Kaiser Permanente is laying off 115 IT positions nationwide, with the majority in Northern California, The San Francisco Standard reported Dec.8.

Exceptional Community Hospital in Lubbock, Texas, is now accepting Medicare, Medicaid and all commercial insurance plans, everythinglubbock.com reported Dec. 8.

The House could vote this week on The Lower Costs, More Transparency Act, which would require hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, labs, imaging service providers and pharmacy benefit managers to meet new price transparency requirements, among several other provisions.

Franklin, Tenn.-based Community Health Systems was downgraded from "B-" to "CCC+," Fitch Ratings said Dec. 8. 

As economic conditions further stress healthcare organizations’ margins, leaders are reevaluating their approach to optimize their revenue cycle organizations. Ideally, focus should be on improving yield and cost in tandem — but increasing costs, diminishing reimbursements, and evolving consumer trends make it difficult to strike that balance.

MedPAC drafted its 2025 payment update recommendations Dec. 8, according to the American Hospital Association.