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October 23, 2026

Takeaways from the most recent news in the technology and policies shaping healthcare.

Government

Delaware Phases In Hospital Price Caps, Curbs PE Deals

By Healthcare Technology News ·

Delaware Gov. Matt Meyer signed three healthcare bills on July 20 designed to lower costs and change who can own the state's hospitals, WHYY reported via Becker's Hospital Review.

One law expands charity care eligibility, widening the pool of patients who qualify for free or discounted care. A second delays and phases in hospital price caps rather than imposing them all at once, giving hospitals more time to adjust to limits on what they can charge. A third temporarily blocks private equity firms from acquiring the state's nonprofit hospitals, a move aimed at preserving mission-driven ownership amid growing scrutiny of PE in healthcare.

The package reflects a broader push by states to rein in medical costs and guard against consolidation. Delaware joins states experimenting with price benchmarks and tighter deal review. For hospitals and investors, the message is clear: expect more oversight of pricing and ownership, and build affordability commitments into the plan.

Sources

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Government

Feds Launch False Claims Act Self-Disclosure Pilot

HHS and the DOJ Civil Division have launched a six-month pilot letting healthcare companies self-report potential civil False Claims Act violations and settle through a coordinated civil release.

Why it matters: The pilot reshapes how hospitals and healthcare firms weigh self-reporting against federal fraud enforcement, with real consequences for compliance strategy.

Government

GOP Pushes Fraud Message to Deflect Healthcare Cost Anger

Republicans are elevating healthcare fraud as a midterm message to deflect voter anger over costs, while Democrats say the push targets blue states to justify Medicaid and ACA cuts.

Why it matters: Fraud-focused enforcement could reshape Medicaid and ACA funding, audits, and eligibility for the tens of millions who depend on those programs.

Government

CMS Targets PBM Fees and MA Directory Accuracy in New Rule

CMS proposed a rule on Oct. 16 that would publicly score Medicare Advantage provider directories and mandate flat-fee payment structures for PBMs, with comments due Dec. 15.

Why it matters: Public directory scores and flat PBM fees would reshape how Medicare Advantage plans and drug middlemen operate and get paid.