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. Charlie Gard dies at 11 months
Eleven-month-old Charlie Gard, the infant with an incurable medical condition whose parents sought to obtain treatment in the U.S., died July 28 –– one week before his first birthday
2. Amazon reportedly launched a secret healthcare team called 1492
Amazon reportedly has a secret healthcare team exploring new technology opportunities in healthcare, including both hardware and software projects.
3. HCA acquires second hospital from CHS in 2 weeks
Nashville, Tenn.-based HCA Healthcare agreed to acquire Highlands Regional Medical Center, a 126-bed hospital in Sebring, Fla., from subsidiaries of Franklin, Tenn.-based Community Health Systems July 21.
4. 'Skinny' repeal fails with McCain's decisive vote in 2 A.M. Senate session
The GOP’s "skinny" repeal bill was rejected in an early morning Senate session July 28 due to a deciding vote by Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., who, along with Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, and Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine., sided with Democrats to vote against the bill.
5. Manager didn't enforce sick day policy: Chipotle's explanation for norovirus outbreak
A poorly enforced sick-leave policy caused the recent norovirus outbreak at a Chipotle Mexican Grill in Sterling, Va.
6. CHS expects $137M net loss in Q2, says divestitures will continue
Community Health Systems ended the second quarter of 2017 with a net loss of $137 million, marking the fifth consecutive quarter the company has posted a loss, according to a preliminary earnings statement released July 26.
7. RWJBarnabas signs letter of intent with Rutgers to form academic healthcare system
Officials at West Orange, N.J.-based RWJBarnabas Health and New Brunswick, N.J.-based Rutgers University signed a letter of intent to create one of the state's largest academic healthcare systems.
8. Adventist Health closes Washington hospital
Roseville, Calif.-based Adventist Health closed Walla Walla (Wash.) General Hospital, along with its affiliated home health division and medical group, July 24.
9. Scabies outbreak affects more than 20 employees, 2 patients at Lahey Health hospital
More than 20 employees and two patients at Winchester (Mass.) Hospital — part of Burlington, Mass.-based Lahey Health — recently contracted scabies.
10. Wyoming hospital at risk of losing Medicare, Medicaid funding
Cheyenne (Wyo.) Regional Medical Center may lose its Medicare and Medicaid contracts after a survey by the Wyoming Department of Health found deficiencies.
11. Financial concerns prompt Johns Hopkins-owned hospital to eliminate staff through buyouts
Sibley Memorial Hospital in Washington, D.C., which is owned by Baltimore-based Johns Hopkins Medicine, sought to close a projected budget gap through voluntary employee buyouts.