December 2025 Issue of Becker’s Hospital Review
ON THE COVER
Patrick O’Shaughnessy, DO, president and CEO, Catholic Health
America’s hospitals are entering a defining moment. The next five years will test not only the financial resilience of health systems but also their capacity to transform — fast.
John Couris, president and CEO, Tampa General Hospital
Becker’s asked C-suite executives from hospitals, health systems, academic medical centers and universities across the U.S. to share their outlook on the future of hospital consolidation.
Pete November, CEO, Ochsner Health
Becker’s asked C-suite executives from hospitals, health systems, academic medical centers and universities across the U.S. to share their outlook on the future of hospital consolidation.
Melinda Hancock, CFO, Sentara Health
Becker’s asked C-suite executives from hospitals, health systems, academic medical centers and universities across the U.S. to share their outlook on the future of hospital consolidation.
Erik Wexler, president and CEO, Providence
There is a lot of anxiety in healthcare right now as many health system executives expect slim margins to tighten in the next few years amid increasing need for organizational transformation.
Jordan Ruch, CIO, AtlantiCare
Health system leaders agree on one thing: technology won’t fix healthcare’s biggest problems on its own.
CMS ups hospital outpatient rates 2.6%, expands site-neutral payments in 2026: 14 notes
CMS on Nov. 21 finalized its Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System and Ambulatory Surgical Center Payment System rule for 2026, enacting reforms to boost price transparency and expand outpatient access.
A cautionary tale for hospitals as Medicaid work rules expand
A new federal law set to take effect in 2027 is raising red flags for hospitals — particularly safety-net and rural providers — as it introduces sweeping changes to Medicaid eligibility.
Tech isn’t healthcare’s silver bullet
Health system leaders agree on one thing: technology won’t fix healthcare’s biggest problems on its own.
Health system C-suites embrace ambiguity
America’s hospitals are entering a defining moment. The next five years will test not only the financial resilience of health systems but also their capacity to transform — fast.
Inside Providence’s plan for 340B rebate disruption
The federal government’s recently approved 340B rebate pilot could reshape one of hospitals’ most relied-on drug discount programs, replacing upfront savings with delayed reimbursements and forcing covered entities to shoulder new financial and administrative risks. As the Jan. 1 start date nears, Renton, Wash.-based Providence is bracing for what it calls the program’s most disruptive shift in decades.
Why University of Utah Health created its 1st chief innovation role
Salt Lake City-based University of Utah Health has formalized a new era of innovation leadership, naming James Hotaling, MD, as its inaugural chief innovation officer.
Hospital CEO exits up nearly 12% year over year: 4 things to know
Hospitals reported 95 CEO exits from January through September 2025 — a nearly 12% increase from 85 recorded during the same period in 2024.
Top health system leaders’ outlook for the next era of consolidation
Becker’s asked C-suite executives from hospitals, health systems, academic medical centers and universities across the U.S. to share their outlook on the future of hospital consolidation.
Health system CEOs turn anxiety into innovation
There is a lot of anxiety in healthcare right now as many health system executives expect slim margins to tighten in the next few years amid increasing need for organizational transformation.
UnitedHealth’s Optum sours on affiliated physician model
During an Oct. 28 earnings call, UnitedHealth Group executives said the company has overrelied on its network of more than 90,000 affiliated and employed physicians and plans to switch to a direct employment model.
16 best large healthcare workplaces for women: Fortune
San Diego-based Scripps Health is the top large healthcare workplace for women, according to the “Fortune Best Workplaces for Women 2025” list.
CFO / FINANCE
CMS ups hospital outpatient rates 2.6%, expands site-neutral payments in 2026: 14 notes
CMS on Nov. 21 finalized its Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System and Ambulatory Surgical Center Payment System rule for 2026, enacting reforms to boost price transparency and expand outpatient access.
Inside Providence’s plan for 340B rebate disruption
The federal government’s recently approved 340B rebate pilot could reshape one of hospitals’ most relied-on drug discount programs, replacing upfront savings with delayed reimbursements and forcing covered entities to shoulder new financial and administrative risks. As the Jan. 1 start date nears, Renton, Wash.-based Providence is bracing for what it calls the program’s most disruptive shift in decades.
Georgia’s cautionary tale for hospitals as Medicaid work rules expand
A new federal law set to take effect in 2027 is raising red flags for hospitals — particularly safety-net and rural providers — as it introduces sweeping changes to Medicaid eligibility.
New York system to eliminate some non-patient facing roles
Rochester (N.Y.) Regional Health plans to eliminate a “limited number” of non-patient-facing roles as part of a broader effort to cut costs and build a more sustainable operational model, rochesterfirst.com reported Oct. 29.
CEO/STRATEGY
The rise of humble hospital C-suites
In an era of unprecedented turnover and mounting financial pressure, the most successful healthcare executives are discovering that leadership no longer begins, or ends, in the boardroom but instead lies with those who ask the best questions and learn from the frontlines.
Health system C-suites embrace ambiguity
America’s hospitals are entering a defining moment. The next five years will test not only the financial resilience of health systems but also their capacity to transform — fast.
Hospital CEO exits up nearly 12% year over year: 4 things to know
Hospitals reported 95 CEO exits from January through September 2025 — a nearly 12% increase from 85 recorded during the same period in 2024.
THOUGHT LEADERSHIP
Top health system leaders’ outlook for the next era of consolidation
Becker’s asked C-suite executives from hospitals, health systems, academic medical centers and universities across the U.S. to share their outlook on the future of hospital consolidation.
INNOVATION
Health system CEOs turn anxiety into innovation
There is a lot of anxiety in healthcare right now as many health system executives expect slim margins to tighten in the next few years amid increasing need for organizational transformation.
West Virginia system launches mobile medical unit
Huntington, W.Va.-based Marshall Health Network and the Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine at Marshall University have launched a 38-foot mobile medical unit to expand care across the system’s 40-county service area.
Health systems mark tech firsts
Health systems across the U.S. are marking digital milestones, from launching hospital-at-home programs to introducing new AI tools and leadership roles, as they notch a series of technology “firsts.”
Why University of Utah Health created its 1st chief innovation role
Salt Lake City-based University of Utah Health has formalized a new era of innovation leadership, naming James Hotaling, MD, as its inaugural chief innovation officer.
CMO/CARE DELIVERY
Which healthcare settings are hiring more, fewer physicians: Report
Hospitals and academic medical centers are posting a larger share of physician job postings, but financial uncertainty in the market could dampen their recruiting efforts, according to a recent report from AMN Healthcare, a recruiting firm.
UnitedHealth’s Optum sours on affiliated physician model
During an Oct. 28 earnings call, UnitedHealth Group executives said the company has overrelied on its network of more than 90,000 affiliated and employed physicians and plans to switch to a direct employment model.
Nemours Children’s creates nation’s 1st at-home pediatric program
Since June, Jacksonville, Fla.-based Nemours Children’s Health has cared for more than 120 children with complex medical conditions at home through a first-of-a-kind program.
CIO/HEALTH IT
Tech isn’t healthcare’s silver bullet
Health system leaders agree on one thing: technology won’t fix healthcare’s biggest problems on its own.
18 health systems listed as ‘Most Wired’
The College of Healthcare Information Management Executives has recognized 18 hospitals and health systems as having achieved Level 10 status in its 2025 Digital Health Most Wired survey.
WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP
16 best large healthcare workplaces for women: FortuneSan Diego-based Scripps Health is the top large healthcare workplace for women, according to the “Fortune Best Workplaces for Women 2025” list.
