The nation's COVID-19 testing capacity has greatly expanded since the start of the pandemic, but testing access and turnaround times still vary across the U.S., Kaiser Health News reported Oct. 14.

In the years ahead, many industry leaders believe that most outpatient joint replacements will be performed in ASCs.

Implementing the No Surprises Act, the federal government's attempt to cut down on surprise billing practices, could slow the growth of healthcare premiums.

A recent Commonwealth Fund study found that Medicare Advantage and traditional Medicare enrollees have comparable healthcare experiences and concerns about costs.

The World Health Organization on Oct. 14 named 26 scientists from around the globe to serve on its new Scientific Advisory Group for the Origins of Novel Pathogens. 

Walgreens said Oct. 14 it has agreed to make a $5.2 billion investment in VillageMD, which will make it the majority owner. 

Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine could soon be approved for children ages 5-11. When promoting vaccination to parents of young children, it's important that communication professionals emphasize data to ease safety and efficacy concerns, as well as encourage parents to have conversations with people they trust.

Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson is letting two bills that allow employees to opt out of COVID-19 vaccination mandates to become law without his signature, he announced Oct. 13.

Fitbit is awarding six organizations, including UCHealth and Scripps Research, more than $300,000 for various research projects focused on improving health equity, the company said Oct. 13. 

The following leadership moves by women have been reported since Oct. 7:

Franklin, Tenn.-based Community Health Systems and Indianapolis-based Indiana University Health are opening new hospitals in Indiana before the end of the year. 

Workers at Catholic Health's Mercy Hospital of Buffalo (N.Y.) have been on strike for about two weeks amid their union's labor dispute with hospital management.

The FDA released new voluntary sodium targets for commercially processed foods Oct. 13, a move the American Heart Association applauded and said could save the healthcare industry $40 billion.

UnitedHealth Group released its third-quarter results Oct. 14, demonstrating double-digit growth throughout its portfolio.

Researchers at LSU Health in Shreveport, La., detected B.1.630 — a rare COVID-19 variant — in two samples from Baton Rouge last week, the academic medical center announced Oct. 13. 

Stephen Klasko, MD, will retire as CEO of Philadelphia-based Jefferson Health and president of Thomas Jefferson University at the end of the year, a news release shared with Becker's on Oct. 14 said. 

U.S. physicians routinely are seeing their higher-cost claims downcoded by insurers, a strategy a family physician in Cincinnati called a revenue grab, according to Medscape. 

Kansas City, Mo.-based St. Luke's Health system is raising its minimum wage to $17.50 an hour and giving all its employees $2,000 "thank you" bonuses, NPR affiliate KCUR reported Oct. 13.

Shane Strum became president and CEO of Fort Lauderdale, Fla.-based Broward Health in March, and he brought with him a state-level perspective.

Two of the nation's biggest healthcare providers are leading a new innovation coalition focused on transforming healthcare delivery outside of the four walls of a hospital.