Steward Health Care’s dramatic rise and fall mirrors the surge of private equity investments in U.S. healthcare after the 2010 Affordable Care Act. By 2019, private equity health deals had tripled in value to $120 billion, enabling firms to acquire about 460 U.S. hospitals—8% of private hospitals and 22% of for-profit facilities.Once a promising chain with over 30 hospitals, Steward now faces bankruptcy with $9 billion in debt and federal investigations into alleged financial mismanagement. Massachusetts taxpayers may foot a $700 million bill to rescue several of its facilities.What went wrong? Steward’s story highlights the risks of prioritizing profits over…
Author: Abhay Panchal
Colorectal cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer deaths, with rates rising among younger adults. Early detection can prevent cancer or boost survival rates to 92%, but many delay screenings due to costs. After losing her father and grandmother to colorectal cancer, Margaret Stamp turned tragedy into advocacy. Her efforts helped Nebraska pass laws requiring insurance to cover vital colorectal cancer screenings—including polyp removal, pathology exams, and prep medications—eliminating costly barriers to early detection.
GLP-1 medications have revolutionized weight loss, helping millions shed pounds and improve their health. But what happens when the side effects—nausea, vomiting, constipation, and even rare surgical risks—start overshadowing the benefits?Experts reveal strategies to manage these symptoms, from adjusting dosages and tweaking diets to using over-the-counter and prescription remedies. Yet, for some patients, the question remains: Is long-term use sustainable?
Digestive health issues affect 40% of U.S. employees, leading to disruptions in productivity and a staggering $136 billion in healthcare costs annually.Join Megan Antonelli, host of Digital Health Talks, and Bill Snyder, CEO of Cylinder Health, as they explore how digital health solutions are revolutionizing GI care delivery, promoting health equity, and easing the return-to-office transition for employees managing chronic conditions.
Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE) is emerging as a rapidly increasing immune-mediated condition affecting the esophagus. Its diagnosis requires symptoms of esophageal dysfunction along with eosinophilic infiltration (>15 eos/hpf) confirmed via biopsy. The updated American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) Clinical Guideline introduces significant advancements in diagnosis and treatment approaches, focusing on long-term care and monitoring strategies.
Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN) and Lehigh Valley Physician Group (LVPG) have announced that Eastern Pennsylvania Gastroenterology and Liver Specialists (EPGI) became part of LVHN on December 31, 2024, with services under LVHN commencing on January 2, 2025.This integration offers patients access to a larger network of resources and ensures seamless continuity of care across the system. The same clinicians and staff will continue to provide care at the existing office locations, which remain unchanged. EPGI operates four offices in Lehigh, Northampton, Monroe, and Lackawanna counties, two of which are already LVPG locations. The care team comprises nearly 30 gastroenterologists…
In a groundbreaking study, Stanford researchers Dr. Jonathan Chen and Dr. Ethan Goh evaluated whether artificial intelligence (AI) could enhance clinical decision-making. Surprisingly, their findings—published in JAMA Network Open—revealed that AI chatbots outperformed physicians in diagnostic reasoning, even when doctors used the chatbots as aids.The results raise critical questions: Can AI be trusted to diagnose patients? Will it replace doctors, or can it complement human expertise? As AI rapidly evolves, experts emphasize the need for rigorous testing, ethical safeguards, and proper training for both clinicians and patients.
From rising anal cancer rates to AI-driven colonoscopy prep, 2024 saw a wave of advancements and pressing debates in gastroenterology and hepatology. Experts weighed in on FDA approvals, including Rezdiffra for MASH and Shield—the first blood test for CRC screening—while addressing trends like the “sober curious” movement and the alarming rise in metastatic stomach cancer among young adults. As AI chatbots and noninvasive diagnostics gained traction, questions about accessibility and effectiveness lingered.
A groundbreaking study highlights the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in enhancing colorectal adenoma (CRA) detection through fecal immunochemical tests (FIT). Evaluating five AI models—logistic regression, support vector machine, neural network, random forest, and gradient boosting machine—the research demonstrated superior diagnostic accuracy (up to 85% sensitivity) compared to traditional methods. By integrating clinical data and FIT results, AI models like gradient boosting emerged as the most effective tools for improving early diagnosis and screening outcomes.
Mainz Biomed has teamed up with Quest Diagnostics to advance the commercialization of its ColoAlert colorectal cancer screening test. Quest will provide lab services for Mainz’s 15,000-subject ReconAAsense study, aimed at securing FDA approval. If approved, Quest may secure semi-exclusive testing rights for 18 months. ColoAlert, a stool-based PCR test, shows promise in detecting colorectal cancer and advanced adenomas early.