By Christie Teigland PhD – The CDC recently reported a nearly 30% decline in opioid-related deaths in 2024. It’s a promising milestone but it’s far from a full recovery. Our own research into opioid use disorder shows that the crisis is not over, as high hospitalization rates and persistent gaps in follow-up care continue to put patients at risk of potential overdose, and subsequently, death.
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By Brady Bizarro Esq. – In a move that’s already generating buzz across the healthcare landscape, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. recently announced that the country’s largest health insurers have agreed to voluntarily streamline the controversial prior authorization process.
By Marge Ciancetta – Among the most impactful changes released by CMS each year in the Medicare Advantage and Part D Final Rule are adjustments to the Star Ratings program. As a result of the most recently finalized changes, CMS projects a 0.69% decline in overall quality bonus payments for 2026.
By Chris Emper – Although not focused on healthcare, the bill does include 115-pages of healthcare provisions, most of which are focused on reducing future Medicaid spending as a mechanism to reduce the overall budgetary impact of the bill.
By Parthasarathy Sathyaji – In today’s fast-moving healthcare world, diagnostic labs play a crucial role in helping doctors make accurate and timely decisions. But many labs still face day-to-day struggles like paperwork, delays, and communication gaps. That’s where a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) can make a big difference.
By Steven Posnack & Jawanna Henry – We are pleased to announce that the beta version of an interactive, searchable map for TEFCATM participation is now available. The map released recently is another example of our commitment to transparency.
By Helio Matsumoto – Breaking the Vendor Lock-In Cycle: The Path Toward Healthcare IT Liberation Today – America’s healthcare systems are struggling. While headlines focus on nursing shortages and rising costs, a larger crisis is unfolding behind the scenes in server rooms and IT departments across the country.
By Trish Rivard – On July 4, 2025, President Trump signed the ‘Big Beautiful Bill Act’ into law. Under the law’s new Medicaid and Affordable Care Act marketplace policies, federal funding will decrease by $1 trillion while the uninsured population will increase by 11.8 million over the next decade.
The thought leaders in our community are good about sharing their thoughts on the issues of today. Here are the top read and shared guest posts of July that we think deserve sharing again.