While it is generally accepted that the shortage of physicians in the U.S. is driven by an aging population of current physicians, an insufficient number of residency slots and increased demand for medical procedures, Rep. Greg Murphy, MD, R-N.C., offered another reason in a Dec. 3 Medical Economics report. 

Here are four recent updates related to certificate-of-need issues in Alabama, North Carolina and Virginia, as reported by Becker's:

Virtual GI services provider Oshi Health has tapped Rebecca Bennett as its vice president of strategic partnerships and network operations. 

Physician incentives have long served as a way to improve patient outcomes and manage costs. But, a Dec. 3 article by the Association for Physician Leadership reportedly found several things that systems can do to improve the design of their incentive programs.

From layoffs to leadership appointments, here are nine updates from CVS Health in the last 60 days:

UnitedHealthcare's CEO, Brian Thompson, was fatally shot on the morning of Dec. 4 while exiting a hotel in New York City, according to the New York Police Department.

The strong majority of practicing physicians — 79% — have never undergone a peer review, according to Medscape's 2024 "Seeking Fairness and Real Guidance: Medscape Physicians and Peer Reviews Report 2024," published Dec. 4. 

While a majority of older adults agree that guidelines limiting colorectal cancer screenings after 75 are acceptable, a strong minority disagreed, according to a recent cross-sectional study conducted by the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor and reported by MedPage Today Dec. 3. 

Throughout his campaign and time as President-elect, Donald Trump has issued several proposals regarding the U.S. supply chain, from plans to raise tariffs up to 100% for certain countries to a complete restructuring of the global supply chain. 

Cape Gastroenterology Specialists, an affiliate of St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau, Mo., has hired Michele Tanz, DNP, to its specialist team. 

Plaza College in New York City has opened a new $1 million certified surgical technologist medical simulation operation room, QNS reported Dec. 3.  

The physician staffing industry is facing significant turmoil, with three major firms either shutting down or filing for bankruptcy in the past two years. 

Dallas-based Tenet Healthcare is reshaping its business model to focus on its ASC arm United Surgical Partners International. 

Here are eight cardiologists who joined new health systems and hospitals, as reported by Becker's in November:

St. Joseph's Hospital Health Center in Syracuse, N.Y., will face allegations that it breached an anti-solicitation clause brought by American Anesthesiology of Syracuse, PC, an affiliate of North American Partners in Anesthesia, the largest anesthesia provider in North America, Bloomberg Law reported Dec. 3

Oakland, Calif.-based Kaiser Permanente is opening a new medical office building in Salinas, Calif., according to a Dec. 3 report from the Monterey Herald.

Meadville (Pa.) Medical Center plans to acquire five physician practices from Dallas-based, financially troubled Steward Health Care, the hospital said in a Nov. 27 news release. 

A Denver-based neuromonitoring company, its founder, a neurosurgeon, and a businessman have agreed to settlements totaling more than $2 million to resolve federal kickback allegations. 

Sam Hazen, CEO of Nashville, Tenn.-based HCA Healthcare, discussed his and HCA's strategies and approaches to AI and other technologies innovating healthcare in an Oct. 1 episode of 3 Takeaways, a podcast hosted by Lynn Thomas. 

A Florida physician assistant pleaded guilty to his role in a conspiracy to defraud Medicare of $7.3 million.