As the Federal Trade Commission celebrates another victory in challenging a hospital merger, a policy advisor from Stanford University argues that U.S. policies intended to limit healthcare costs by restricting the supply of hospitals are actually exacerbating the very issue they were meant to address.

Connecticut, Maryland, and Vermont will be the first states to participate in CMS's new population health-focused payment model aimed at addressing chronic disease, behavioral health and overall improvement of care management for states' populations.

Four of the largest for-profit health systems saw operating margins improve year over year for the first quarter, but margins remain volatile for much of the nonprofit hospital sector. 

Hospitals may see more lawsuits related to reimbursement regulations after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the Chevron doctrine on June 28, overturning the precedent of deferring to federal agency interpretations during disputes, according to Moody's Investor Services.

Gov. Roy Cooper and the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services are using the state's Medicaid program to push hospitals to relieve $4 billion in medical debt for about 2 million low and middle-income people.

From HFMA announcing the 2024 MAP Award winners to three health systems naming new leaders, here are 10 RCM headlines to know from June: 

Chicago-based Howard Brown Health is laying off 43 employees, representing 7 percent of its workforce.

Miami-based Cano Health has emerged from Chapter 11 as a reorganized private company focused on providing quality care in the Florida market.

Median hospital margins increased to 5% year to date in May, but long term trends show persistent month over month instability, according to Strata Decision's Monthly Healthcare Industry Financial Benchmarks.

The board of directors for Portland-based Oregon Health & Science University has approved a 2025 fiscal year budget that moves forward plans to cut more than 500 positions, according to Oregon Public Broadcasting.

Renton, Wash.-based Providence has agreed to pay $12.3 million to support women's health, behavioral health and community benefit services in Southern Sonoma County instead of reopening the family birthing center at its Petaluma (Calif.) Valley Hospital. 

Since January 2005, 192 rural hospitals have closed or converted, according to data compiled by the University of North Carolina's Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research. 

Multiple hospitals and health systems have suffered downgrades to their financial ratings this year amid rising expenses, ongoing operating losses and challenging work environments.

Tampa, Fla.-based Moffitt Cancer Center's vice president of revenue cycle, Lynn Ansley, said her more than 600-person department has seen an increase in overall productivity and engagement since it shifted to fully remote work during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The nation's largest payers reported billions in profits in 2023. Yet, denials continue to rise.

Nineteen independent Minnesota hospitals have launched Headwaters High-Value Network, a collaborative aimed at strengthening rural healthcare and helping its members maintain their independence.

St. Louis-based Ascension will no longer offer individual health plans on the Texas ACA marketplace past 2024. 

Leaders at Memorial Hermann Katy (Texas) Hospital are investing in facility upgrades and ramping up hiring as they look to advance the level of trauma services provided at the facility, Community Impact reported June 26. 

Moody's Investors Service downgraded the ratings of Valhalla, N.Y.-based Westchester County Health Care Corp. and Charity Health System to "B1" from "Ba1."

Farmington, Conn.-based UConn Health expects to hit more than $1 billion in patient care revenue in fiscal year 2025,