Transcript: The Price of Care
MS. WINFIELD CUNNINGHAM: Hello, and welcome to Washington Post Live. I'm Paige Winfield Cunningham, a health care reporter here at The Post, and today we have two segments on health care costs and what's cooking in health care policy these days. Later, we'll hear from Jeanne Lambrew and Larry Levitt, where we'll take a deep dive into the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
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CBS News
32 minutes ago
- CBS News
Staff at Pappas Rehab Hospital in Canton claim state is failing to keep promise to pause closing
The I-Team has been following the proposed closure of the state-run Pappas Rehabilitation Hospital for Children in Canton, Massachusetts for months. The hospital serves kids with special needs. After the I-Team's initial investigation, Governor Healey put the closing plans on hold, but staff and families say they are seeing signs the hospital's days may be numbered. Nurses and teachers took to the streets protesting what they claim is the state's failure to keep its promise to pause the closing of Pappas Hospital. Denise MacKinnon is a nurse at the hospital and says she's upset about what she sees happening. "There's never been a pause" "There's never been a pause," MacKinnon told the I-Team. "They continue to discharge patients to other facilities or to home. Now they are sending the younger children out. They are getting rid of every single patient." The state-run facility is home to severely disabled children and young adults. Staff say with all the programs and specially designed therapies, the kids thrive. Which makes the possibility of shutting it down devastating for the families who need it. Ann MacDonald is a former patient who says for the kids who live there, leaving Pappas would be akin to making them homeless. Calling it unacceptable for the children who have no voice. In January, Governor Healey decided to close Pappas to save money. Calling it a redirecting of services of care. Staff says discharges continue But after a public outcry and an I-Team report, Healey reversed course and agreed to reconsider closing Pappas. Still, staff say, despite what the governor said, it appears the state is still going forward with the closing. "We haven't seen a long-term admission since before the closure was announced in January," said Kim Daley, a teacher at Pappas. "And discharges continue at a very fast pace." In a statement Pappas Chief Medical Officer Dr. Khelda Jabbar told the I-Team: "While the relocation and expansion of Pappas Rehabilitation Hospital for Children into Western Massachusetts Hospital is paused, both facilities continue to operate, which includes admitting, discharging, and relocating patients when clinically appropriate, as decided by the admission committee and the multidisciplinary team, respectively. These functions are part of daily facility operations. At Pappas, from the time a patient enters, the team works to find an appropriate placement for the child to live in the community once the course of inpatient treatment is complete. This community placement work is unrelated to the pause or future of the facility." Political support Keeping Pappas open has the backing of political leaders, concerned that there is not a plan or a comparable facility where these kids would have the same opportunities to grow and become independent. Staff members say they believe the Department of Health wants to shut down Pappas. They hope their allies in the Massachusetts Senate and House of Representatives will protect and fund the hospital. The Department of Health says in 2025, Pappas did not admit any new long-term care patients, but did provide temporary respite care to more than a dozen whose caregivers needed a break. It also discharged nine residents. Last month, the House and Senate included language in the proposed Fiscal 26 budget to fully fund Pappas.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Electronic Health Records (EHR) Market Valued at USD 33.45 Billion in 2024, Set to Grow at 4.59% CAGR Through 2032
EHR industry is booming due to rising digitalization, regulatory mandates, and demand for streamlined patient data access. Key players like Epic Systems, Cerner (Oracle), and Allscripts dominate with innovative, cloud-based solutions. Growing investments in telehealth and AI integration continue to accelerate market expansion across hospitals and ambulatory care settings. San Francisco, USA, June 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The was valued at USD 33,451.20 million in 2024 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 4.59% from 2025 to 2032. This growth is driven by the global shift toward digital healthcare infrastructure, government mandates for record standardization, and the rising demand for efficient patient data management across hospitals, clinics, and ambulatory care centers. EHR systems are digital versions of a patient's paper chart, offering real-time, patient-centered records that make information instantly and securely available to authorized users. They are critical for improving coordination between care providers, minimizing medical errors, and enhancing overall clinical outcomes. Government initiatives worldwide are playing a key role in promoting EHR adoption. Programs such as the U.S. HITECH Act, the EU's digital health transformation goals, and India's Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission are pushing healthcare providers toward digitization. At the same time, the rise of value-based care, telehealth, and mobile health applications has increased the need for interoperable and cloud-based EHR systems. The market is witnessing significant technological advancements, including integration with AI, predictive analytics, and mobile platforms, which enable better clinical decision-making and patient engagement. However, challenges such as high implementation costs, data privacy concerns, and interoperability issues between different systems remain key hurdles, particularly in emerging markets. North America dominates the global EHR market, backed by strong digital infrastructure and initiatives like the U.S. HITECH Act, which allocated over $35 billion to promote EHR adoption. Meanwhile, Asia-Pacific is emerging as the fastest-growing region, fueled by rising healthcare investments—India's health budget rose 13% in 2023—and national digitization drives like China's 'Healthy China 2030.' Supportive policies, growing urbanization, and expanding patient volumes are accelerating EHR integration across the region, attracting global players and investors alike. Unlock in-depth insights and forecasts – Get your FREE sample report of the EHR market today: Key Players- Detailed Competitive Insights Cerner Corporation GE Healthcare Veradigm LLC Epic Systems Corporation eClinicalWorks Greenway Health, LLC NextGen Healthcare, Inc. Medical Information Technology, Inc. CPSI AdvancedMD, Inc. Allscripts Healthcare Solutions MEDHOST Athenahealth McKesson Corporation Siemens Healthineers Oracle Corporation Market Dynamics Drivers Government Mandates and Incentives: Many countries are accelerating Electronic Health Records (EHR) adoption through targeted policies. In the U.S., CMS's Promoting Interoperability Program ties Medicare reimbursements to EHR usage. Germany's Hospital Future Act allocated €4.3 billion for digital upgrades, while Australia's My Health Record achieved over 90% population coverage. India's Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission aims to create a unified health ID system, promoting seamless data exchange. These initiatives are driving global healthcare digitalization and fostering integrated patient care systems. Rising Demand for Streamlined Healthcare Delivery: For example, Mayo Clinic uses integrated EHRs to reduce duplication, streamline workflows, and access real-time patient data—cutting documentation time and improving care coordination across departments and specialties. Growth in Telehealth and Remote Monitoring: The global shift toward telemedicine post-COVID-19 has increased the need for centralized digital records that can be accessed remotely. This trend is pushing both public and private healthcare providers to invest in cloud-based and interoperable EHR systems. Data-Driven Decision Making in Healthcare: As data becomes a core asset in personalized medicine and value-based care models, EHRs serve as critical repositories of patient history, lab reports, medications, and imaging data. Challenges High Implementation and Maintenance Costs: The cost of deploying EHR software, training staff, and maintaining IT infrastructure can be prohibitive for small healthcare facilities, especially in developing nations. Interoperability and Data Security Concerns: Although EHRs are designed to improve information sharing, achieving true interoperability across different systems remains a challenge. Moreover, the sensitive nature of health data makes security and compliance with data protection regulations (like HIPAA and GDPR) a critical issue. Opportunities Integration with AI and analytics in EHRs enables predictive insights—such as Mount Sinai Hospital using AI models within EHRs to identify sepsis risk early, improving response time and patient outcomes. This innovation is driving demand for intelligent, data-driven systems. Mobile and Cloud-Based EHRs: The adoption of mobile health apps and cloud platforms enables real-time access to health data, especially beneficial in rural and underserved regions. Regional Insights North America North America holds 42.50% of the global EHR market, driven by the U.S.'s early adoption and digital health funding. Epic Systems powers major hospital networks like Kaiser Permanente, while Canada's Infoway initiative accelerates EHR integration, ensuring secure, interoperable data across provinces. Europe Europe is a mature yet fragmented market for EHRs. Countries like Germany, the UK, and the Netherlands are progressing well in EHR integration, while others lag due to privacy concerns and inconsistent digital policies. The EU's push toward unified health records under the European Health Data Space initiative could streamline EHR adoption across member states. Asia-Pacific The Asia-Pacific region is projected to witness the fastest growth during the forecast period. Rapid urbanization, increased healthcare spending, and the digitalization efforts in countries like India, China, and Australia are major contributors. Government-backed programs such as India's Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission and China's Smart Healthcare initiative are significantly driving EHR deployment. Latin America & Middle East Both regions are gradually embracing EHR systems. Brazil, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE have initiated digital health reforms. However, budget constraints and a lack of infrastructure remain key barriers. International partnerships and private investments are expected to unlock growth potential in these markets. TABLE OF CONTENT 1. Electronic Health Records Market Overview 1.1. Study Scope 1.2. Market Estimation Years 2. Executive Summary 2.1. Market Snippet 2.1.1. Electronic Health Records Market Snippet By Product 2.1.2. Electronic Health Records Market Snippet By Type 2.1.3. Electronic Health Records Market Snippet By Business Model 2.1.4. Electronic Health Records Market Snippet By Application 2.1.5. Electronic Health Records Market Snippet By End Use 2.1.6. Electronic Health Records Market Snippet by Country 2.1.7. Electronic Health Records Market Snippet by Region 2.2. Competitive Insights 3. Electronic Health Records Key Market Trends 3.1. Electronic Health Records Market Drivers 3.1.1. Impact Analysis of Market Drivers 3.2. Electronic Health Records Market Restraints 3.2.1. Impact Analysis of Market Restraints 3.3. Electronic Health Records Market Opportunities 3.4. Electronic Health Records Market Future Trends 4. Electronic Health Records Industry Study 4.1. PEST Analysis 4.2. Porter's Five Forces Analysis 4.3. Growth Prospect Mapping 4.4. Regulatory Framework Analysis 5. Electronic Health Records Market: Impact of Escalating Geopolitical Tensions 5.1. Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic 5.2. Impact of Russia-Ukraine War 5.3. Impact of Middle East Conflicts 6. Electronic Health Records Market Landscape 6.1. Electronic Health Records Market Share Analysis, 2024 6.2. Breakdown Data, by Key Manufacturer 6.2.1. Established Players' Analysis 6.2.2. Emerging Players' Analysis 7. Electronic Health Records Market – By Product 7.1. Overview 7.1.1. Segment Share Analysis, By Product, 2024 & 2032 (%) 7.1.2. On-premises 7.1.3. Web & Cloud-Based EHR 8. Electronic Health Records Market – By Type 8.1. Overview 8.1.1. Segment Share Analysis, By Type, 2024 & 2032 (%) 8.1.2. Acute 8.1.3. Outpatient 8.1.4. Post Acute 9. Electronic Health Records Market – By Business Model 9.1. Overview 9.1.1. Segment Share Analysis, By Business Model, 2024 & 2032 (%) 9.1.2. Licensed Software 9.1.3. Technology Resale 9.1.4. Subscriptions 9.1.5. Professional Services 9.1.6. Others 10. Electronic Health Records Market – By Application 10.1. Overview 10.1.1. Segment Share Analysis, By Application, 2024 & 2032 (%) 10.1.2. Cardiology 10.1.3. Neurology 10.1.4. Radiology ……… Reasons to Invest in the EHR Market Essential Role in Modern Healthcare Systems EHRs are no longer optional but a fundamental part of modern healthcare. As hospitals strive to improve patient care, safety, and efficiency, EHRs serve as a backbone for digital health ecosystems. Regulatory Push and Compliance Standards Investment in compliant EHR systems helps healthcare providers align with stringent data protection laws while avoiding penalties and securing patient trust. Increasing Healthcare Expenditure Globally, healthcare budgets are expanding. A significant portion is being directed toward digital infrastructure, making EHR vendors prime beneficiaries of government and institutional funding. Rising Adoption of Cloud and AI Technologies EHR vendors integrating cloud capabilities and AI features offer enhanced scalability, analytics, and patient engagement. These smart EHRs are more future-proof and attractive to investors. Long-Term Cost Benefits for Healthcare Providers Despite initial costs, EHR systems lead to long-term savings by reducing administrative workload, avoiding duplication of tests, and minimizing errors. Future Outlook The Electronic Health Records (EHR) market is poised for a tech-driven evolution, with AI integration, cloud-based platforms, and interoperability leading the way. By 2032, real-time data exchange, as seen in the U.K.'s NHS Federated Data Platform and India's Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, will become standard. Growing cybersecurity investments and patient-centric innovations are redefining EHR functionality. With global healthcare systems embracing value-based care, the market is set for intelligent, adaptive, and patient-connected growth worldwide. Discover the Full Study : Explore More Research Titles in the Healthcare Category by AnalystView Market Insights: CRISPR-Based Diagnostics Market- Pain Management Therapeutics Market- Immunohistochemistry Market- Disposable Blood Pressure Cuffs Market- Clinical Trial Central Laboratory Services Market- AI for Predictive Healthcare Market- Healthcare Analytics Market- Patient Handling Equipment Market- Sterilization Equipment Market- Mayank Agrawal mayank@ 11923 NE Sumner St STE 750924 Portland, Oregon, 97220, USAError in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
RFK Jr. appoints longtime anti-vaccine ally Lyn Redwood to HHS position
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has hired an anti-vaccine advocate and longtime ally to a position at the Health and Human Services Department, a person familiar with the matter confirmed to ABC News. Lyn Redwood served for years as president of Children's Health Defense, the anti-vaccine organization founded by Kennedy. Her exact role at HHS is unclear. Andrew Nixon, a department spokesman, told ABC News he had no comment. Meanwhile, Redwood is expected to deliver a presentation at the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) meeting on Thursday using a report on thimerosal that is currently available online, which contains misleading information and cites a source that apparently does not exist, according to one author, who told ABC News he is falsely cited in the report. MORE: Why is thimerosal back on the CDC's agenda when it's barely in flu shots anymore? Thimerosal is a preservative in vaccines meant to prevent contamination. It's currently used in about 4% of flu shots but was removed from routine childhood vaccines in 2001. "To the best of my knowledge, the study in rats referred to in the planned CDC presentation by Lyn Redwood listing Berman RF as first author does not exist," Robert F Berman, Ph.D., professor emeritus at the University of California Davis, said. "I have not published a paper with that title or with that set of co-authors in the journal Neurotoxicology in 2008. Also, none of my research has made any statements about possible thimerosal effects on microglia in the brain or resulting in neuroimmune effects," Berman said. That citation has since been removed from the revised presentation online. The Washington Post was first to report Redwood's appointment to HHS. Redwood has held a longstanding belief that mercury exposure through thimerosal-containing vaccines causes autism. Specifically, she has directly attributed her son's autism to mercury exposure from childhood vaccines as recently as October 2024 in a podcast with RFK Jr. Decades of research has found no link between autism and vaccines or any vaccine preservative, including thimerosal. MORE: What to expect from the upcoming CDC vaccine advisory committee meeting with RFK Jr.'s new members "Thimerosal was removed from all routine childhood vaccines in the US out of an abundance of caution - it is still used as a preservative in much of the world. Many studies have demonstrated that it is safe and has no association with neurodevelopmental disorders," Dr. Sean O'Leary, chair of the American Academy of Pediatrics' Committee on Infectious Diseases and AAP's liaison to ACIP, told ABC News. A thorough report of existing evidence by the Institute of Medicine in 2004 concluded, "the body of epidemiological evidence favors rejection of a causal relationship between thimerosal-containing vaccines and autism." The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also says, "research does not show any link between thimerosal and autism." While this preservative is not used frequently in the U.S., if it is removed or no longer recommended in those remaining flu shots, doctors worry it could lead to unnecessary gaps in vaccine access and the potential for harm by not protecting these people. "Any decrease in the number of flu vaccines available will likely result in fewer people being vaccinated and subsequently, more hospitalizations and deaths. Its removal could also signal to the general public unwarranted safety concerns," O'Leary said. MORE: CDC vaccine advisory panel to study child immunization schedule, delays RSV shot vote At least one vaccine expert said she shuddered Wednesday at the idea of Redwood joining HHS. Fiona Havers, a 13-year CDC veteran who worked on vaccine policy, told ABC News in a statement, 'Lyn Redwood is well-known for spreading vaccine misinformation. It is troubling that Redwood may now have an official role within HHS and will potentially be in a position to interfere with official messaging about vaccine safety.' ABC News has reached out to Redwood for a comment. Redwood and Kennedy have long been close. In a conversation between the two of them on Kennedy's podcast last year, Kennedy credited Redwood with being the figure who 'coordinated' the 'stalking crusade' by mothers who convinced Kennedy to begin looking into the potential harms of vaccines in the early 2000s. Redwood was also involved in Kennedy's recent presidential campaign, coordinating volunteer and petition-gathering trainings in Georgia, her home state, according to sign-up pages on the campaign's website.
