Top Healthcare News Stories of 2017

It was an eventful year for the healthcare industry in the U.S. A new administration meant new faces at the top of Health and Human Services (HHS), new attempts to govern healthcare, and new initiatives. There were also major happenings around health insurers, drug pricing, and opioids.Above are the top eight healthcare news stories of 2017, as covered by Physicians Practice throughout the year (links to original articles below) 1. Mega Insurance Mergers Called OffLinks: Anthem-Cigna Deal Blocked and Aetna-Humana Merger Denied2. ACA Goes Through the WringerLinks: ACA Repeal Passes First Hurdle, Moves to Senate and Third Time Not the Charm for Obamacare Repeal3. The Rise and Fall of Tom PriceLinks: Price Confirmed as HHS Secretary and Twitter Reacts to HHS Secretary's Resignation4. Opioid Crisis Stays Top of MindLinks: Opioid Prescriptions Falling, CDC Says and Trump Declares Opioid Emergency5. MACRA Rule Exempts a LotLink: MACRA Final Rule: 9 Takeaways for Practices6. Drug Price Transparency Movement Moves to Forefront Link: AMA Pushing for Drug Price Transparency7. MOC Fight ContinuesLink: Physicians Take MOC Trials to the State Level8. CVS Agrees to Buy Aetna Link: Proposed CVS-Aetna Deal Should Scare Primary-Care Practices