Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly reshaping healthcare, promising to tackle high costs, long wait times, and inconsistent outcomes. From cutting treatment expenses by 50% to developing next-generation drugs faster and cheaper, AI offers hope for a more efficient, accessible system. However, challenges like data privacy and algorithm bias remain hurdles to widespread adoption. With AI already streamlining diagnostics and administrative tasks, could it be the cure the U.S. healthcare system desperately needs?
Author: Abhay Panchal
Oura, the maker of smart health-tracking rings, has secured $200 million in Series D funding, pushing its valuation to $5.2 billion. The funding, led by Fidelity Management and glucose-monitoring giant Dexcom, will fuel Oura’s expansion into AI-driven innovations, product development, and potential acquisitions. Building on its recent partnership with Dexcom, Oura aims to integrate blood sugar monitoring into its devices, enhancing health insights for users. With 2.5 million rings sold and a doubling of revenue in 2024, Oura continues to lead the wearables market while scaling its reach through major retailers and partnerships with military research programs. What groundbreaking features…
President Joe Biden signed a short-term spending bill, avoiding a government shutdown but delaying long-term decisions on key healthcare policies. Telehealth and acute hospital-care-at-home waivers were extended only until March 31, 2025, falling short of the originally proposed multi-year extensions. Physicians face a 2.8% Medicare payment cut starting January 1, which critics argue effectively amounts to a 6.4% reduction when inflation is considered. Additionally, reforms for prior authorization and pharmacy benefit managers were excluded, sparking frustration among healthcare advocates. What does this mean for the future of healthcare access and provider sustainability? Dive into the full article for deeper insights…
Gastroenterology is witnessing a wave of strategic partnerships in 2024, reshaping care delivery, technology integration, and data-driven advancements. From AI-assisted endoscopy systems and virtual GI care models to enhanced research collaborations and outpatient surgery centers, these 16 notable partnerships highlight how the industry is leveraging innovation to improve patient outcomes and streamline operations. What do these collaborations reveal about the future of GI care?
Under mounting pressure to adapt to shifting healthcare dynamics, hospitals and health systems are preparing for transformative changes in 2025. Insights from 14 industry experts forecast groundbreaking advancements—from AI-powered care delivery and virtual health expansions to enhanced price transparency and value-based care models. What do these predictions mean for the future of patient care, efficiency, and innovation?
John Saran, a partner at Holland & Knight, says now that the election is over and uncertainty has been addressed, healthcare clients are generally optimistic and are anticipating a return to normal when it comes to deal making in 2025.
In this episode of The Real GI Doc Show, Dr. Fred Gandolfo introduces direct access colonoscopy, a streamlined process enabling healthy adults aged 45–75 to undergo routine colon cancer screenings without a pre-procedure visit. He highlights its efficiency in reducing unnecessary office appointments, saving time, and lowering costs. Dr. Gandolfo emphasizes colonoscopy’s role as the gold standard for colon cancer prevention, particularly in light of rising cases in younger populations, and explains how polyp removal significantly reduces cancer risk. He also clarifies that patients with complex medical conditions, such as heart disease or those on blood thinners, may require additional…
A recent study has introduced an integrative risk score that effectively predicts the future onset of Crohn’s disease. This tool combines genetic, environmental, and clinical factors to assess an individual’s likelihood of developing the condition. By evaluating these combined risk elements, healthcare providers can identify high-risk individuals earlier, potentially leading to proactive monitoring and preventive strategies.
In this podcast episode, Larry Kosinski, MD, founder of SonarMD, discusses reclaiming GI services for patients and physicians, developing new tools for IBD patients and more.
Pfizer has received FDA accelerated approval for BRAFTOVI (encorafenib) combined with cetuximab and mFOLFOX6 to treat metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) with a BRAF V600E mutation, as confirmed by an FDA-approved test. The approval, part of the FDA’s Project FrontRunner initiative, is based on the Phase III BREAKWATER trial, which showed a 61% response rate with the BRAFTOVI regimen compared to 40% in the control arm. Further trials are ongoing to confirm long-term clinical benefits. Pfizer continues global regulatory discussions to expand approvals and is exploring next-generation BRAF inhibitors for broader cancer treatments.