Stay in the know with Becker's Hospital Review's weekly roundup of the nation's biggest healthcare news. Here's what you need to know this week.
1. Trump picks Price, Verma as heads of HHS, CMS: 9 things to know
President-elect Donald Trump is nominating a "dream team" to lead the top federal healthcare agencies. Rep. Tom Price, MD, R-Ga., chairman of the House Budget Committee, is Mr. Trump's official pick for secretary of HHS, and Seema Verma, president, CEO and founder of health policy consultancy SVC, is his nomination for CMS administrator.
2. 3,600+ physicians: 'The AMA does not speak for us' in supporting Price for HHS
More than 3,600 physicians signed an open letter railing against the American Medical Association's support for Rep. Tom Price, MD, R-Ga., chairman of the House Budget Committee, as secretary of HHS. The physician group wrote the AMA's backing of the nominee contradicts any support for patient well-being.
3. House approves 21st Century Cures Act: 5 things to know
The House on Nov. 30 overwhelming approved the 21st Century Cures Act, a broad-reaching measure that increases funding for research into cancer and other diseases, expands access to treatment for mental healthcare and combats the rising epidemic of opioid abuse, according to The New York Times.
4. OIG recovers $5.6B from providers in FY 2016
HHS' Office of Inspector General recovered more than $5.66 billion from healthcare providers and programs in fiscal year 2016, including about $953 million in non-HHS matters resulting from the OIG's work in areas such as Medicaid restoration, according to the OIG's Semiannual Report to Congress.
5. Anthem starts Cigna deal defense
Anthem officials testified for the company's $54 billion acquisition of Cigna Nov. 29, arguing the resulting entity would be innovative and not compromise health insurance marketplace competition, according to The Wall Street Journal.
6. Broward Health interim CEO ousted over anti-kickback accusations
Fort Lauderdale, Fla.-based Broward Health dismissed interim CEO Pauline Grant. The board removed Ms. Grant after an independent counsel review showed potential violations of the Anti-Kickback Statute, according to a hospital statement.
7. Ascension CEO to meet with Trump transition team
Anthony Tersigni, EdD, President and CEO of St. Louis-based Ascension, is scheduled to meet with President-elect Donald Trump's transition team on Dec. 7 to discuss repairing America's healthcare system, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
8. Texas reports first local Zika case
Texas state health officials announced the first case of Zika likely spread by local mosquitoes in the state.