Since the No Surprises Act was enacted, misuse and inefficiencies in the Independent Dispute Resolution process have resulted in approximately $5 billion in wasteful spending, according to estimates by the Georgetown University Center on Health Insurance Reforms, and is largely attributed to excessive claims payments, often driven by private equity-supported companies. A survey by AHIP and the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association found that close to 40% of disputes in 2024 were ineligible but still proceeded, leading to excessive claims that have averaged payments of 400% above contracted rates.

The CMS is facing a critical staffing shortage, exacerbated by a recent government shutdown and cuts at HHS, health policy experts say. Increased staffing is needed to ensure effective communication and delivery of Medicare benefits, as nearly half of the CMS workforce was furloughed and a 15% reduction in staff has been noted recently.

Hospital leaders are navigating the rapid rise of artificial intelligence and digitalization with both excitement and caution, as they recognize the need to balance innovation with oversight and empathy. Sutter Health Chief Digital Officer Laura Wilt says it's important to maintain a human touch in health care while leveraging AI to automate administrative tasks and improve efficiency. Tampa General Hospital Chief Digital and Innovation Officer Scott Arnold anticipates that AI agents will significantly differentiate health systems that adopt them, as they relieve staff from repetitive tasks and enhance productivity.

Daylight saving time ends Sunday, offering an extra hour of sleep, but the change can disrupt circadian rhythms and pose potential health risks, including increased incidence of heart attacks. The disruption to sleep schedules possibly exacerbates chronic sleep deprivation, a condition linked to heart disease and obesity. Research from Stanford University suggests that permanent standard time is healthier, aligning better with natural light cycles. The American Medical Association and the American Academy of Sleep Medicine support this view.

Two studies in the journal Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses highlight the significant burden of respiratory syncytial virus in primary care. One study found an incidence of 62.8 cases per 1,000 children in primary care settings before the COVID-19 pandemic, with the highest rates among the youngest children. Another study found that 13.2% of adults 60 and older had RSV, with a similar burden to that of influenza.

Women may need less exercise than men to protect against coronary heart disease, according to a study in Nature Cardiovascular Research. The study of more than 85,000 adults finds that women who engaged in four hours of moderate exercise weekly lowered their heart disease risk by 30%, whereas men needed eight hours for similar benefits.

Home automatic external defibrillators may help improve survival in cases of shockable cardiac arrest, but they are not currently cost-effective, according to a study in JAMA Internal Medicine. The cost per quality-adjusted life-year was $4.5 million, exceeding the $200,000 threshold for cost-effectiveness. Researchers noted that about 70% of the more than 300,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests each year occur at home and less than 10% of people survive to hospital discharge.

Eli Lilly and Co. and Nvidia are joining forces to build a supercomputer and AI factory that aims to revolutionize drug discovery and development. This partnership marks a significant step in integrating AI with pharmaceutical endeavors, targeting a reduction in drug development time and costs. The collaboration will leverage Nvidia's advanced chip technology to enhance Eli Lilly's drug discovery processes.

The Trump administration has issued guidance through the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau saying federal law preempts state laws that keep medical debt off credit reports. The move challenges recent state efforts to protect consumers, with states such as California, New York and Maryland having enacted such measures. Advocates warn that the guidance could hinder future state protections as millions of Americans face significant medical debt.