We have rounded up some reports and surveys from around the industry that we thought were of interest.
AMA survey spotlights top priorities, challenges in 2026 state health policy
Physician organizations are preparing for a dynamic state legislative landscape this year with health policy changes poised to reshape coverage, oversight, care delivery, and public health across the health system, according to a new survey (PDF) released by the American Medical Association (AMA).
Civitas Networks for Health® Impact Report
Civitas is proud to share the first-ever Civitas Networks for Health® Impact Report, highlighting the collective progress, growth, and real-world impact of our national networks.
Health Insurance Benefits at Private Employers, Estimates from MEPS-Insurance Component: 2008-2024
Average employer-sponsored health insurance premiums increased by 2.5 percent for family plans, 3.7 percent for single plans, and 4.9 percent for employee-plus-one coverage from 2023 to 2024. A new research findings report, using data collected from AHRQ’s Medical Expenditure Panel Survey–Insurance Component, highlights trends in offers, enrollment, and costs of insurance available through private employers. It also compares findings from small and large firms—in 2024, deductible amounts were about 25 percent higher in small versus large firms, with deductibles for small-firm family plans averaging $5,087 compared with $3,920 at large firms, and single-plan deductibles averaging $2,474 compared with $2,007. Explore recent changes in private health insurance and how they compare between small firms with fewer than 50 employees and large firms with 50 or more employees as far back as 2008.
Hospital Employees View Patient Safety Culture Differently According to Their Role
Higher proportions of healthcare executives view patient safety at their facilities positively, compared with clinicians and care aides, according to an AHRQ-supported study in the Journal of Patient Safety. Using data from AHRQ’s 2021–22 Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture—including more than 245,000 respondents from 371 hospitals—the study found that significantly higher proportions of executives positively rated all 10 measures than staff in other roles. Physicians had the lowest overall view of patient safety culture, including the lowest proportions of positive ratings of leader support (78%), communication openness (72%), reporting safety events (70%), and learning (66%). Care aides reported the lowest proportions of positive ratings of teamwork (78%), staffing and work pace (39%), and response to error (56%). The authors noted that employees furthest from day-to-day operations had the most favorable views and suggested strengthening cross-role communication and observation to improve the culture of patient safety.
Lessons From CMS Relief Funding After Cyberattack On Change Healthcare
Researchers from University of Minnesota found that more than 300 small, rural hospitals didn’t even apply for relief. At the same time, many larger, for-profit systems received hundreds of thousands in overpayments. The findings are published in Health Affairs.
National Electronic Health Records Survey (NEHRS)
New data from the most recent National Electronic Health Records Survey (NEHRS) is now publicly available. The 2024 survey measures the progress U.S. physicians and their offices have made in adopting electronic health records, exchanging information electronically, and digitally engaging with their patients.
Patient Safety Culture® (SOPS®) Ambulatory Surgery Center Database
Results from AHRQ’s Surveys on Patient Safety Culture® (SOPS®) Ambulatory Surgery Center Survey (ASC): 2025 Database Report are now available. The findings generally reflect strong positive results for safety culture in ASCs, with staffing identified as a key area for potential improvement. Strengths include the overall composite score (85% positive average) and organizational learning and continuous improvement (91% positive average). In contrast, questions about staffing, work pressure, and pace yielded a much lower score (72% positive average), indicating that these tended to be areas for improvement.
