Trendline Health | Edition 3
Consolidation Crunch: Mergers, Mandates, and Rural Rescues
Curated insights on healthcare’s biggest moves: Policy shifts, finance, innovation, and leadership trends. Powered by real-time analysis from top sources.
Quick Takes: Senate ends 41-day shutdown without ACA fix (Politico). All 50 states apply for $50B rural fund (CMS). Ascension bets $3.9B on ASCs (Becker’s). Telehealth holds strong (AMA). Drug deals ease GLP-1 pain (Healthcare Dive). Overall themes: Consolidation crunch vs. rural rescues.
Policy & Regulation
Shutdown ends without ACA fix, delaying subsidy relief. All 50 states compete for $50B rural fund amid equity concerns. Deductibles rise, drug deals ease costs, but opioid spending draws scrutiny.
Senate ends 41-day shutdown without ACA subsidy extension. December vote pending.
Read more → Politico
“The ability to vote on the subsidies constituted a major win.”
All 50 states apply for $50B Rural Health Transformation Program. Awards range $550M–$1B+.
Read more → CMS
“Seeing all 50 states come forward... is an extraordinary moment.” — Mehmet Oz
Opioid settlement funds: $2.7B spent in 2024. $615M on treatment, but $12K on gun silencers.
Read more → KFF Health News
“People died for this money... to not spend it better is unconscionable.” — Dr. Stephen Loyd
Novo & Lilly cut obesity drug prices to $245/month for Medicare. Starter dose $149.
Read more → Healthcare DiveACA Marketplace deductibles rise to $1,782 average in 2026. Subsidy cliff amplifies access risk.
Read more → KFF
Growth & Finance
Operators pivot to ambulatory amid merger-driven price hikes. Ascension’s $3.9B ASC deal leads the charge. Trump FTC signals lighter touch on consolidation.
Ascension to acquire AmSurg for $3.9B. 250+ ASCs across 34 states.
Read more → Becker’s Hospital Review
“We have to get ahead in the ambulatory business... that’s where care is going.” — Amber Sims
Outpatient revenue up 33% in 3 years. ASCs now core strategy.
Read more → Kaufman HallHospital mergers raise prices 12.9% on average. Multiple deals: +16.3%.
Read more → KFF Health News
“It’s not competition. It’s more like collusion.” — Barak Richman
Innovation & Tech
Telehealth use remains high post-pandemic. Psychiatrists lead adoption. Private practices lag due to cost and preference.
71.4% of physician practices use telehealth in 2024. Up from 25% in 2018.
Read more → AMA via LinkedIn
Workforce
Nurse staffing elevated to national safety goal. Optum cuts 572 in NJ, ends behavioral health services.
Joint Commission makes nurse staffing a 2026 National Patient Safety Goal.
Read more → ANA
“Adequate staffing is essential to prevent patient harm.” — ANA
Optum to lay off 572 in NJ, cease behavioral health services Nov 30.
Read more → Behavioral Health Business
Sources: All summaries based on linked articles. For deep dives, visit the URLs.
Feedback? Reply to mark@trendlinehealth.com