VA EHR Barraged with Major Incidents, BCBS Closes $2.67B Antitrust Suit
New data shows that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) EHR system has recorded 500 major incidents since its implementation, and Blue Cross Blue Shield completes its $2.67 Billion Antitrust suit.
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By - A data set released by the VA recorded 498 major incidents and 930 hours of disruptions with the Oracle Cerner EHR implementation since 2020. The latest data is another blow to the VA’s implementation of a modernized EHR system.
Meanwhile, Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) has finalized its multi-billion-dollar antitrust lawsuit after a federal judge signed off on its agreement with claimants in a 2020 case.
Nearly 500 Major Incidents with VA EHR System
A VA dataset obtained by FedScoop through a Freedom of Information Act request revealed that 498 major incidents have occurred since the EHR implementation began in 2020. Altogether, the data showed Cerner’s EHR was either completely offline or partially functional for 930 hours between September 8, 2020, and June 10, 2022. The VA secretary Denis McDonough said “his confidence in the EHR is badly shaken” in a statement to FedScoop. READ MORE.
Musculoskeletal Institute Reaches $4M Data Breach Settlement
The fifth-largest data breach of 2020 has been settled in a Florida court. The Florida Orthopaedic Institute (FOI) reached a $4 million settlement with plaintiffs involved in a class action data breach lawsuit. The original complaint claimed that FOI waited more than two months to report the incident to clients, failing to disclose the seriousness of the attack while consumers’ protected health information was compromised. Members of the class action suit are eligible for $15,000 each and $25 per hour of lost time. READ MORE.
California Provides $100M for Insulin Production
California’s Governor Gavin Newsom recently signed the state’s budget for 2022 and 2023, which includes $100 million for low-cost insulin production. Half of the funding will go directly to manufacturers to develop interchangeable biosimilar insulin products, and the other half will support a domestic insulin manufacturer in California. The new budget for insulin production will increase competition for consumers in the state and drive innovation. READ MORE.
$2.67B Antitrust Settlement in BCBS Case
BCBS concluded its $2.67 billion antitrust settlement after a federal judge approved the agreement between the company and its claimants. Plaintiffs in the case, including individuals and companies who were members of BCBS, alleged that the insurer’s practices were a violation of antitrust law. BCBS denied that its activities were under the purview of antitrust behavior but went on to pay $2.67 billion to settle litigation between the two parties. READ MORE.
HHS, CMS Approve Extended Medicaid Postpartum Coverage
Hawaii, Maryland, and Ohio received CMS and HHS approval to extend their postpartum Medicaid coverage from 60 days to a full year. The three states join 16 others that have decided to grant mothers extended Medicare coverage for the first year after pregnancy.
“The American Rescue Plan forms the bedrock for this opportunity and gives states the foundation to support the health and well-being of postpartum women and families. Now, as part of CMS’ Maternity Care Action Plan, we’re putting even more gears into motion to make improved maternal health a reality for communities across the country,” CMS Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure stated in a press release. READ MORE.
