Here are seven updates:
DOJ works to block payers' $338M lawsuit against the ACA
The Department of Justice filed two motions to dismiss a lawsuit brought on by Moda Healthcare and Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina for losses they suffered under the Affordable Care Act. The DOJ says the government should not be held responsible for the payments as Congress had "directly spoken" about limiting the use of federal dollars in the risk-corridor program, and the government did not give a definitive deadline for repaying insurers.
Surgery Partners adds Dr. Teresa DeLuca to board of directors
Surgery Partners named Teresa DeLuca, MD, to its board of directors. She is an assistant clinical professor of psychiatry at Mount Sinai's Icahn School of Medicine in New York City. In addition to her board role, Dr. DeLuca will serve on Surgery Partners' audit committee.
AmSurg's Sheridan continues to expand in California through Fidere Anesthesia Consultants acquisition
Sheridan, AmSurg's physician services division, acquired California-based Fidere Anesthesia Consultants. Fidere Anesthesia Consultants has 38 physicians spanning seven facilities that provide both inpatient and outpatient anesthesia services.
Aetna partners with Baptist Health and St. Vincent HealthCare to provide value-based aid
Jacksonville, Fla.-based health systems Baptist Health and St. Vincent HealthCare employees will soon have a value-based care insurance option available to them through a partnership with Aetna. Aetna has piloted the approach in several other regions to the tune of 6.2 million members. Aetna said 40 percent of its provider base is utilizing a value-based approach. It aims to increase that number to 75 percent by 2020.
Physicians' political beliefs may impact treatment decisions
A New Haven, Conn.-based Yale School of Medicine study found a physician's political beliefs may affect his or her treatment decisions on various politicized health issues. Democratic physicians reported being more likely to advise patients against storing firearms in the home. On the other hand, Republican physicians were more likely to speak to patients about the mental health risks associated with abortion and encourage patients to limit marijuana use.
Nation's 'most successful' co-op Baltimore's Evergreen Health to be acquired and turned for-profit
A group of private investors are going to acquire and convert Baltimore-based Evergreen Health and convert it into a for-profit insurance company. The co-op needed the deal to remain in business. Evergreen had reported a profit in the past, but insurance rules requiring it to make a $24 million risk-adjustment payment was its downfall.
Tenet to settle kickback allegations with $514M to government, Georgia & South Carolina
Dallas-based Tenet Healthcare will pay the federal government, Georgia and South Carolina $514 million to settle kickback allegations. The allegations involve Tenet hospitals paying kickbacks for obstetric referrals in Georgia and South Carolina. Tenet plans to pay the $514 million with cash and its revolving credit facility.
More healthcare news:
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How metric-driven decisions can bring 'revolutionary' innovation back to healthcare
Allergan buys rights to AstraZeneca's IBD treatment drug for $250M: 3 notes