Nearly half of U.S. adults—122.4 million people—are living with high blood pressure (BP), a leading preventable risk factor for heart disease, stroke and premature death, according to the 2025 American Heart Association Statistical Update.
The Health Resources and Services Administration released new data showing HRSA-funded health centers served over 32.4 million patients in 2024 — the most patients ever served in the Health Center Program’s 60-year history.
On July 31, 2025, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services issued a final rule for updates to Medicare payment policies and rates for skilled nursing facilities under the Skilled Nursing Facility Prospective Payment System for fiscal year 2026.
The CMS Making Health Tech Great Again initiative is announced. “Let’s stop waiting and let’s definitely stop faxing. Let’s start building. The right data at the right time can mean the difference between loss and hope. The time is now. Are you in?”
This program is designed to support communities severely affected by homelessness and to gain insights on effective ways to identify patients, complete treatment, cure infections, and reduce reinfection by Hepatitis C (a liver disease caused by the Hepatitis C virus).
CMS announced that 33 states, plus the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, will participate in the Cell and Gene Therapy Access Model, a bold new approach to delivering cutting-edge treatments for people on Medicaid living with sickle cell disease.
Through the Wasteful and Inappropriate Service Reduction (WISeR) Model, CMS will partner with companies specializing in enhanced technologies to test ways to provide an improved and expedited prior authorization process relative to Original Medicare’s existing processes, helping patients and providers avoid unnecessary or inappropriate care and safeguarding federal taxpayer dollars.
The American Medical Association and 79 leading medical societies reaffirm their support for vaccination as the best way to protect against the flu, COVID-19, and RSV and their potentially serious complications.
The American Medical Association House of Delegates convened recently at its Annual Meeting to adopt new policies aimed at strengthening medical education and bolstering the future physician workforce. The new policies include efforts to address medical student and physician burnout, support trainees during licensure exams, and advocate for physician-led care.
CMS is expanding access to vital care for American Indian and Alaska Native communities by approving Medicaid State Plan Amendments in several states. Indian Health Service and Tribal clinics in Minnesota, New Mexico, Oregon, South Dakota, Washington, and Wyoming are now authorized to provide Medicaid clinic services beyond the physical clinic site, including in homes, schools, and other appropriate community locations.
Dr. Scott, an otolaryngologist from Kentucky, highlighted the broken Medicare physician payment system, out of control prior authorization, and an epidemic of physician burnout – pillars of the AMA’s Why We Fight campaign – while also touting immediate remedies required.
The grant honors the late Karlene Kerfoot, PhD, RN, FAAN, symplr’s Chief Nursing Officer, whose passion for nursing and technology continues to shape healthcare. In partnership with AONL and The DAISY Foundation, the education grant recognizes a nursing leader for pioneering contributions advancing technology in nursing with a focus on innovation and leadership to improve patient care.
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