• 6/07 - Orange County ZOOM Table - "The Hospital @ Home: An Opportunity or Threat?" - Featuring Roger Massengale, CEO of Eitan Medical, NA, and Chief Commercial Officer of Eitan Medical


• 6/13 - Silicon Valley ZOOM Table - "Lessons from Onboarding New Team Members to Minimize Fatal Errors" - Featuring Arup Roy-Burman, MD, CEO of Elemeno Health


• 6/15 - Bay Area ZOOM Table - "True Grit: What It Takes to Rebuild America's Rural Hospitals" - Featuring Nick Smith, Principal, and Sydney Diekmann, Sr. Consultant, Wipfli Healthcare Practice (Minneapolis)


• 6/16 - Los Angeles ZOOM Table - "Anthem, Elevance Health & More: What's in a Name?" - Featuring David Pryor, MD, Regional VP, Medical Director, Anthem, Inc.


• Explore Membership in ABL's Executive Round Tables >>>

• ICYMI: The Video Recording of ABL's Recent Round Table Presentation - "Cybercrime. How Not to Be Next" - Is Now Available on the Password-Protected "MEMBERS ONLY" Section of the ABL Website, Under "Presentations"
• Addiction Research Institute (Gene Barduson) Launches Podcast
• Angle Health (Andy Leeka) Partners with Ideon to Power Seamless Benefits Enrollment & Management
• Biospectal (Eliott Jones) Featured in International Video & at Harvard University
• Choice in Aging CEO Debbie Toth Honored for Distinguished Advocacy
• Donor Network West CEO Janice Whaley Featured at Fortune Brainstorm Health & in Article
• Eitan Medical (Roger Massengale) Increases Semi-Automated Production Capacity & Achieves Updated Certification
• El Camino Health (Cecile Currier) Hospitals Earn 'A' in Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grades for Spring 2023
• FOMAT Medical Research (Nick Focil) Celebrating 10 Years of Achievements
• Illumination Foundation Names Pooja Bhalla, DNP, as CEO + Raises $, Wins Award
• The Innovation Institute Appoints Mike McKinnon as President and CEO
• Kaiser Permanente's (Marcos Vasconcelos) Risant Health Captures National Attention
• Life Adjustment Team (Cynthia Sampson) Discusses Coordinating Care for Patients with Mental Health Issues
• LigoLab (Suren Avunjian) Explores Technologies of the Future Lab + Shares Success Story
• MedWand CEO Bob Rose Co-Leads Panel on Connecting Devices with Services
• Mission Hospice (Dolores Miller) to Present Drumming Circle for Grief Workshop
• Nelson Hardiman (Harry Nelson, JD) Contemplates Future of Healthcare Privacy, Telehealth & More
• PreludeDx (Dan Forche) Announces DCISionRT Validated to Have ≥ 95% Sensitivity, Specificity & Accuracy/ Reproducibility
• Providence Digital Innovation Group (Marcee Chmait) Hails the Power of Digital to Fuel Evidence-Based Care
• Onward (Steve Grau) Chosen for AgeTech Collaborative Accelerator Program
• Select Data (Ed Buckley) Discusses Using AI to Streamline Patient Referral Intake
• Wipfli (Jeff Johnson, Steve Rousso & John Dao) Examines Rural Health, Revenue Cycle Management, & EHR Implementation
• Zymo Research (Yap Ching Chew) Unveils New Full-length 16S Sequencing Service

• Eckert & Ziegler Appoints Frank Yeager to Executive Board & Receives Manufacturing Authorization for GMP-grade Lutetium-177
• GIDEON Informatics (Uri Blackman) on: Economic Impacts of Disease Outbreaks

Frank Yeager, who is responsible for Eckert & Ziegler Isotope Products, was recently appointed to the Executive Board of Eckert & Ziegler AG (EZ). [An impressive accomplishment for a non-German!] ALSO, EZ Radiopharma GmbH has received the manufacturing authorization for Lutetium-177 in GMP grade from the German authority. The approval is the basis for the marketing authorization of Lutetium-177 as a drug, AND for use of this radioisotope as a starting material for the manufacture of radiopharmaceuticals, enabling EZ to further its successful strategy as one of the world's leading isotope suppliers. (SGV)

Curious about the connection between infectious diseases and economics? Prof. Rodolphe Desbordes from SKEMA Business School used GIDEON as a data source for his paper exploring the economic impacts of disease outbreaks - Read this case study to learn more. PLUS, read GIDEON's recent posts: Types of Infectious Disease Tests: An Overview and Infectious Diseases Conspiracy Theories: How to Fight Them? (WLA)

Healthcare providers say ChatGPT gives better health advice than other generative artificial intelligence platforms, according to a report from health IT company Tebra. Here is which platform each of the 500 providers surveyed said gave the "best advice": 1. ChatGPT: 44%; 2. Google Bard: 42%; 3. Microsoft Bing AI: 14%.
"After examining the medical guidance provided by ChatGPT, 46% of healthcare providers reported feeling more optimistic about the use of AI in healthcare," the report found. "This represents a significant shift in perspective, with 95% of those surveyed indicating a more positive attitude towards AI technology in healthcare." (https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/disruptors/chatgpt-bard-bing-ai-which-gives-the-best-health-advice.html)

Scientists have found a drug that could combat drug-resistant infections - and they did it using artificial intelligence. Using a machine-learning algorithm, researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Canada's McMaster University identified a new antibiotic that can kill a species of bacteria, Acinetobacter baumannii, which is often found in hospitals and can lead to pneumonia, meningitis and other serious infections. (https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2023/05/27/scientists-use-ai-to-discover-antibiotic-to-fight-deadly-hospital-bug/70262067007/)

Google has been hinting at big changes to its search engine since April to rival Microsoft-backed ChatGPT. At an investor meeting May 10, the company unveiled the Search Generative Experience. Google's search engine now has conversational features, according to The Wall Street Journal. The Search Generative Experience integrates artificial intelligence to provide responses for a range of queries, welcomes follow-up questions and includes a new interface. Google's signature list of relevant websites and article links to queries may soon be obsolete, in favor of mixed media posts and videos. Google aims to make query responses "visual, snackable, personal, and human," according to the Journal. (https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/digital-marketing/google-supercharging-search-with-generative-ai.html)

MEANWHILE, Google is Using Generative AI to Synthesize Medical Imaging Data by adding capabilities to its generative AI model, Med-PaLM 2, in which it can synthesize information from medical imaging. Med-PaLM 2 will take data from X-rays and mammograms to see if it can help communicate with clinicians about data routinely used in patient care, according to a May 10 YouTube video from Google. The news comes shortly after the company touted the AI model as an "expert" at answering medical exam questions. Med-PaLM 2 was found to have 85% accuracy when it comes to answering medical licensing exam questions. The generative AI model is not yet publicly available. (https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/disruptors/how-google-is-using-generative-ai-to-synthesize-medical-imaging-data.html)

A new report on generative artificial intelligence from research and consulting firm Accenture shows how advances in large language AI models - the technology that powers applications like ChatGPT - can transform the future of healthcare. According to the report, the positive impact of generative AI on human creativity and productivity will be massive:
>> 98% of healthcare providers and 89% of healthcare payer executives agree that advancements in generative AI are ushering in a new era of enterprise intelligence.
>> 40% of all working hours in healthcare could be supported or augmented by language-based AI.
>> Half of healthcare organizations plan to use ChatGPT for learning purposes, and more than half are planning pilot cases this year. (https://www.healthcareitnews.com/news/generative-ai-could-augment-40-healthcare-working-hours)

Hippocratic AI, a generative AI company developing safety-focused large language models for healthcare, launched with $50 million in seed funding, co-led by General Catalyst and Andreessen Horowitz. Hippocratic AI is initially concentrating on non-diagnostic, patient-facing applications. The company is focusing on ensuring proper bedside manner for patient well-being and reinforcement learning from human feedback through a panel of healthcare professionals. The company said the aim is to reduce healthcare costs, expand access to care and increase the supply and availability of healthcare workers. (https://www.mobihealthnews.com/news/hippocratic-ai-launches-50m-build-large-language-model-healthcare)

Financial uncertainty and the high cost of medical expenses have caused many people to forgo medical treatment, a Federal Reserve report released in May found. The report found 23% of adults had major, unexpected medical expenses, with the median amount between $1,000 and $1,999, and 16% of adults had debt from medical care for themselves or a family member, though not necessarily accrued in the past year. In 2022, 28% of adults went without some form of medical care because they could not afford it. The following were the top five medical services Americans did not undergo due to cost (Survey participants could vote for more than one option): 1) Dental care: 21%. 2) Physician or specialist visit: 16%. 3) Prescription medication: 10%. 4) Follow-up care: 10%. 5) Mental healthcare: 10%. (https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/hospital-physician-relationships/the-top-5-medical-services-americans-are-skipping.html)

Every fall, during open-enrollment period, over 100 million families can choose a health plan. Anyone who receives health insurance through their employer, Medicare, Veterans Affairs, the exchanges, is invited to participate in this national ritual. In the end, for most people (who have no chronic conditions and don't anticipate needing an expensive medical procedure), one simple type of plan makes the most sense. So, most insureds should: 1) Choose a plan instead of succumbing to inertia. 2) Realize that for most people "the best choice is a high-deductible health plan (HDHP) paired with a health savings account (HSA)." (https://www.wsj.com/articles/health-insurance-deductible-hsa-9a8a8b98?mod=hp_trending_now_article_pos5)

Eli Lilly's announcement that its experimental drug, Donanemab, slowed declines in Alzheimer's patients' ability to perform daily tasks means there could soon be two drugs available on the market for people with early stages of the debilitating disease. That is great news for patients after billions of dollars and years of studies failed to produce a single treatment that could slow the disease's progression. The results are good for not only Eli Lilly but also Biogen, whose new drug Leqembi has an accelerated approval from the FDA. [Of course, getting CMS and health plans to pay for them may be challenging.] (https://www.wsj.com/articles/eli-lillys-results-signal-arrival-of-blockbuster-new-drug-class-bf7802cd?mod=hp_lista_pos3)
ALSO, read "Eli Lilly Drug Slows Alzheimer's in Large Study": https://www.wsj.com/articles/experimental-drug-slows-alzheimers-in-large-study-eli-lilly-says-192425a7?mod=hp_lista_pos2

Private insurance companies that contract for Medicare will continue to pay for remote patient monitoring, Politico recently reported. The Medicare Administrative Contractors [MACs], which serve fee-for-service patients across most of the country, decided to keep reimbursing for devices that monitor patient vital signs from home, according to an email obtained by the news outlet. Politico called it a "significant win for the telehealth industry." Groups such as the American Medical Association, the Alliance for Connected Care and the Connected Health Initiative had advocated for the coverage continuation. (https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/telehealth/medicare-payers-vow-to-keep-covering-remote-patient-monitoring.html)

Oscar Health will exit the Covered California marketplace at the end of this year after failing to meet performance metrics in the state, executives announced during a recent first-quarter earnings call. The insurer plans to exit the state - where it said it had expected to have 35,000 members at the end of this year - after consistently recording medical loss ratios over 100%, executives said. Newly appointed CEO Mark Bertolini said on the call that Oscar would "pause" implementation in California with the intention of reentering the state in the future after reshaping its product offerings and strategy. (https://www.healthcaredive.com/news/oscar-health-exit-california/649949/)

Providence may be on its way to being in the black following a difficult 2022, according to recently reported financial results. Providence, which operates 51 hospitals and 1,000+ clinics in seven states, cited inflation, labor shortages, delayed reimbursements and supply chain disruptions as reasons for its quarterly losses. The health system is addressing patient discharge issues affected by post-acute care staff shortages and is working to increase surgical capacity, the company said. Providence has also renegotiated some payment rates with health insurance companies. Last year, Providence announced plans to reduce its seven operational divisions to three, cutting executive leadership roles and reducing shared services. (https://www.modernhealthcare.com/finance/providence-revenue-operational-losses-hoag)

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency and HHS recently said it would temporarily extend telemedicine flexibilities for the prescription of certain controlled medications granted under the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency, which expired on May 11. Subsequently, the DEA allowed an extension of six months, through Nov. 11, 2023, and, in tandem with HHS' Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, promising a grace period for virtual prescribing of certain controlled medications to last at least until November 2024. (https://www.healthcareitnews.com/news/dea-officially-extends-remote-epcs-flexibilities-6-months) ALSO, Read Telehealth Gets 11th Hour Federal Reprieve as the Public Health Emergency Ends May 11, 2023, from Nelson Hardiman.

HHS, through CMS, is proposing steps to further drive down prescription drug costs in Medicaid and build on President Biden's executive order to lower Americans' prescription drug costs. Under CMS' latest proposal, Medicaid would have increased access to the drugs actual costs and be able to hold drug manufacturers accountable for what Medicaid programs pay for drugs. ABL's NOTE: Lack of transparency has raised concerns about PBMs using spread pricing arrangements to increase their profit margins by charging an MCO more for a drug than the amount a PBM pays a pharmacy. To address this issue, CMS is proposing that contracts between states, Medicaid-managed care plans, and third-party contractors, such as PBMs, reflect transparent reporting of drug payment information among third-party contractors. This proposal will help ensure that taxpayer dollars are actually going to pay for drugs and not increased profits. (https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2023/05/23/biden-harris-administration-announces-proposal-advance-prescription-drug-transparency-medicaid.html)

An initial investment of $5 billion, collectively referred to as Project NextGen, will accelerate and streamline the rapid development of the next generation of vaccines and treatments through public-private collaborations. Based at HHS and led by the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority and the NIH's National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Project NextGen will coordinate across the federal government and the private sector to advance the pipeline of new, innovative vaccines and therapeutics into clinical trials and potential review by the FDA for authorization or approval, and commercial availability for the American people. (https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2023/05/11/fact-sheet-hhs-details-5-billion-project-nextgen-initiative-stay-ahead-covid.html)

The Medicare Comprehensive Error Rate Testing program projected error rate for skilled nursing facilities showing a significant increase in 2022 (15.1%, up from 7.9% in 2021). Therefore, CMS has instructed each of its Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs) that review SNF Medicare claims to initiate a five-claim probe and educate medical review for each SNF in the MAC's jurisdiction. CMS surmises that the source of the increase in improper payments may lie with the change from resource utilization group (RUG) IV to the patient driven payment model (PDPM) and has noted that the primary root cause of SNF errors is missing documentation. (https://www.sheppardhealthlaw.com/2023/05/articles/centers-for-medicare-and-medicaid-services-cms/cms-takes-steps-to-lower-snf-medicare-payment-error-rates/)

On May 15, 2023, California Governor Newsom signed into law Assembly Bill 112 (AB 112), which is designed to provide critical relief to qualified struggling hospitals across the state. AB 112 creates the $150 million Distressed Hospital Loan Program, which is intended to provide zero-interest cash flow loans to qualified not-for-profit and public hospitals experiencing financial distress, as well as qualified government entities representing hospitals that closed after January 1, 2022. Hospitals across California, particularly those in underserved areas or serving vulnerable populations, have been hit hard by rising costs, budget cuts and strains on resources caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. By securing access to necessary capital, hospitals may be able to sustain their operations, maintain staffing levels, and continue delivery of care to their communities. (https://www.sheppardhealthlaw.com/2023/05/articles/hospitals/update-to-a-lifeline-amidst-turbulent-times-california-lawmakers-approve-emergency-loans-for-struggling-hospitals/)

Bills to limit the number of patients a nurse can care for at one time have been re-introduced in the Michigan Legislature. The package would also reduce a hospital's ability to mandate nurses to work extra shifts. Senator Sylvia Santana (D-Detroit) said stretching nurses too thin has negative consequences for public health. This week's bills are similar to ones introduced in the past, with the exception of updates to ratio levels. Despite receiving bipartisan support, the policies have stalled in the Legislature in past years. (https://www.michiganradio.org/politics-government/2023-05-11/lawmakers-re-introduce-bills-to-set-limits-on-nurse-to-patient-ratio)

In four months, California's first CARE Courts will be in session. Seven counties opted for an Oct. 1 rollout of the law that orders each county to create special courts, whose judges have the authority to order treatment plans for individuals with untreated schizophrenia and related disorders. Even though the plans are not compulsory, the courts hope for compliance as the law tries to straddle a line between voluntary and mandated treatment. The CARE Act, signed into law by Gov. Newsom last September, requires counties to come up with the bureaucratic mechanisms that will support the goal of easing an epidemic of severe mental illness on the streets and in communities.. Among the many challenges with the CARE Act is developing a manageable workflow for disparate groups - from individuals appearing in court to the clerks who will process them to insurance companies. The first group - San Diego, Orange, Riverside, San Francisco, Stanislaus, Tuolumne and Glenn - reflects the geographic and demographic diversity of California. Their courts will serve as a template for Los Angeles and the 50 other counties. (L.A. County will open its court on Dec. 1; the rest of the state has until Oct. 1, 2024.) (https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2023-05-21/counties-scramble-care-court-preparations)

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