A story of stroke and recovery
(WMRA – January 12, 2026)

After suffering from a stroke in 2011 in Massachusetts, Rachel Bowman has made progress in her recovery with the support of friends, family, and the Brain Injury Connections of the Shenandoah Valley. WMRA’s Ayse Pirge reports. After several weeks in Massachusetts following her stroke, Rachel Bowman was flown to Virginia, where she was rehabilitated at the Winchester Medical Center.

Adnan Brka selected as chief nursing officer of Johnson City Medical Center
(Ballad Health – January 12, 2026)

Johnson City Medical Center has selected Adnan Brka, RN, to serve as its chief nursing officer. In this role, Brka will oversee all nursing practices at the hospital. He will begin his role Jan. 26. In this position, Brka will work closely with nursing leaders, physicians and hospital leadership to advance clinical excellence and support the delivery of safe, high-quality, compassionate care for patients and families across the region. “Adnan is a respected and proven leader who brings deep clinical expertise, operational insight and a strong commitment to our nursing teams,” said Rebecca Beck, CEO of Johnson City Medical Center. “His commitment to compassionate nursing care is unmatched.” “As someone who has been a part of nursing leadership within Ballad Health, Adnan understands our culture, our values and, most importantly, the needs of our patients and nurses,” Beck added.

Central Va. hospitals recommend masking in health care centers as flu, COVID-19 cases surge
(Virginia Mercury – January 13, 2026)

Virginia experienced a surge in flu in the last weeks of 2025 and at the start of this year, hitting areas of Central Virginia and Northern Virginia especially hard, as noted by local hospital systems and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Central Virginia hospitals on Tuesday announced guidance for masking when people seek care for respiratory illness. Patients with coughing, sneezing, fever or a runny nose are “strongly encouraged” to wear a mask and to notify the front desk of their symptoms when visiting provider offices, urgent care centers or emergency rooms. This recommendation is for people whether or not they’ve had their flu or COVID-19 vaccines recently. Additionally, some hospitals require masking for all patients and visitors. HCA Virginia, Centra, VCU Health, UVA Health, Bon Secours and the Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU made a joint announcement revealing their mask guidelines Tuesday to help reduce spread of illness where the hospital chains operate.

Central Virginia hospitals encourage masking for respiratory symptoms as flu cases rise
(Henrico Citizen – January 13, 2026)

With flu cases and hospitalizations surging across the nation and in Virginia, a number of Central Virginia hospitals and health systems are urging people who may be sick to wear masks in those facilities. In a joint statement issued by HCA Virginia, Bon Secours Mercy Health, VCU Health, Centra, UVA Health and the Children’s Hospital of Richmond, officials also encouraged people with flu-like symptoms to seek care immediately. “Patients who need medical care should not delay treatment due to symptoms,” officials said in the statement.”

Central Virginia hospitals recommend patients mask up at ER, doctor’s office
(Augusta Free Press – January 13, 2026)

A group of hospitals and health systems in Central Virginia are reinforcing masking in care settings to help protect patients, visitors and staff during flu season. Influenza, COVID-19 and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) are all surging in Virginia and across the nation. The joint guidance was sent out today from Bon Secours, Centra, Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU, HCA Virginia, UVA Health and VCU Health. Recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that there have been at least 15 million illnesses, 180,000 hospitalizations and 7,400 deaths from flu so far this season. The Virginia Department of Health indicates a high level of respiratory illness in the state accounting for 23.4 percent of recent hospital emergency department visits.

Central Virginia hospitals update masking guidance amid flu surge
(WTVR – January 13, 2026)

Hospitals across Central Virginia are encouraging visitors with respiratory symptoms to wear masks as the region experiences a surge in flu cases. Healthcare facilities, including doctor’s offices and urgent care centers, are strongly recommending that people with symptoms like coughing, sneezing or fever wear protective masks when seeking medical care. Health officials emphasize that people should not delay treatment due to their symptoms, even during the current flu outbreak. The flu vaccine remains the most effective protection against severe illness, but it’s not 100% effective. Vaccinated individuals can still contract and spread the influenza virus, making additional precautions important.

Explore Health Measures and Rankings in Virginia
(America’s Health Rankings – January 14, 2026)

See which measures have the most impact on Virginia’s 2025 Annual Report ranking and how Virginia ranks on all measures.

HCA’s Reston Hospital Center targeting summer delivery for freestanding ER
(Washington Business Journal – January 12, 2026) SUBSCRIPTION REQUIRED

The $22 million ER will be built on a five-acre site in a fast-growing pocket of Northern Virginia.

Health systems encourage masking at hospitals as flu cases surge
(WBBT – January 13, 2026)

As flu cases continue, several hospitals and health systems in Virginia are reinforcing masking guidance and infection prevention measures. Bon Secours, Centra Health, UVA Health, VCU Health, HCA Virginia and Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU are recommending patients with flu-like symptoms such as coughing, sneezing, fever, or a runny nose, to wear a mask when visiting a clinic, urgent care or an emergency department.

‘Right in the heart of it:’ Area hospitals, health systems encourage visitors to wear masks amid flu surge
(WWBT – January 13, 2026)

Major health systems across the region are strongly encouraging hospital visitors to wear masks as flu cases continue to surge. HCA, Bon Secours, VCU, and UVA Health Systems have issued guidance, although it is not a requirement, unlike during the COVID-19 pandemic. The systems said masking could help prevent the spread of illness to patients and staff.

Riverside Shore Memorial Hospital Auxiliary raises $40,000 at 59^th Annual Hospital Ball
(Shore Daily News – January 13, 2026)

The Riverside Shore Memorial Hospital Auxiliary is proud to announce that its 59th Annual Hospital Ball, held in honor of Beverly Mancuso-Misuna, successfully netted $40,000 to support Riverside Shore Memorial Hospital. This black-tie event brought together community partners, generous sponsors, and devoted volunteers for an outstanding celebration of health care and service on Virginia’s Eastern Shore. All funds raised at the Hospital Ball benefit the shore community by enhancing patient care and services at Riverside Shore Memorial Hospital. For more than a century, the Auxiliary has provided critical leadership support for construction projects, continuing education scholarships for hospital team members, patient comforts, new equipment, and other needs identified by the hospital. Through special events and the carousel gift shop, these contributions make a measurable difference in quality of care for local residents.

University of Mary Washington Adds New Nursing Program
(Northern Virginia Magazine – January 12, 2026)

The University of Mary Washington is adding a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree, with enrollment beginning in the 2026–2027 school year. The new program gained approval from the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia last year. Mary Washington already offers a fully online RN-to-BSN completion program. The digital courses allow registered nurses to complete their Bachelor of Science degree. This new graduate-level program aims at preparing nurses for leadership roles in clinical practice, education, and health care systems. The new MSN hybrid program will include online courses as well as in-person clinical practicum hours. Practicum placements will be planned through the program in partnership with local employers.

UVA Health, other hospitals encouraging masking if have flu-like symptoms
(CBS 19 News – January 13, 2026)

Several hospitals across Virginia have released masking and public health guidance due to a surge in influenza cases. According to a release, flu cases and hospitalizations are surging in Virginia and across the country. Because of this, several hospitals and health systems in Central Virginia, including the University of Virginia Health System, are reinforcing masking guidance and infection prevention measures in health care settings.

UVA infectious disease specialist has eye on three viruses in 2026
(Cville Right Now – January 13, 2026)

Dr. Patrick Jackson, an infectious disease specialist at the University of Virginia who has led numerous trials for treatments and cures, has published an article in the online researcher journal The Conversation of three viruses he’s watching in 2026, those being avian influenza, M-pox and the Oropouche virus. Jackson said in a UVA Health conference call with reporters that avian influenza, or H5N1 subtype, was first discovered back in 1997 in China, and wild birds helped spread it to the United States in 2024. Not only did it result in deaths of flocks of birds, which led to skyrocketing egg prices in 2024, it was discovered to have spread to dairy cattle for the first time.

VCU Health names associate vice president of real estate services
(VCU Health – January 13, 2026)

Bryce Burkett is the new associate vice president of real estate services for VCU Health. In this position, Burkett works directly with the real estate team and is responsible for the design and construction of capital projects for the health system. He began his new role on Jan. 5. Burkett is a health care real estate and construction leader and brings more than 15 years of experience in large, complex systems to VCU Health. During his career he has managed over $1 billion in capital projects across academic health systems and community hospitals. Burkett comes to VCU Health as a highly skilled professional in cross-functional team leadership, relationship building, contract negotiation and contract management.

VHHA Patients Come First Podcast – Julie Dime
(Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association – January 12, 2026)

This episode of VHHA’s Patients Come First podcast features VHHA Vice President of Government Affairs Julie Dime for a conversation previewing the Virginia General Assembly 2026 legislative session when the legislature will work with a new Governor to adopt a two-year state budget and deal with scores of other bills impacting healthcare and more. Send questions, comments, feedback, or guest suggestions to pcfpodcast@vhha.com or contact on X (Twitter) or Instagram using the #PatientsComeFirst hashtag.

Virginia Republicans split over extending health care subsidies
(The Daily Progress – January 13, 2026)

Swing-district Virginia Republicans faced a choice last week on whether to break with GOP leadership in the U.S. House of Representatives and vote with Democrats to extend enhanced federal subsidies for health insurance premiums that expired at the end of last year.

Colorado ranks among the highest states in the country for flu – an emergency room physician describes why the 2025-26 flu season is hitting hard
(The Conversation – January 13, 2026)

Colorado is in the midst of a record-breaking flu season. In the week ending Dec. 27, 2025, 831 people were hospitalized with influenza – the most since the state started tracking flu cases two decades ago. Hospitalizations eased the following week to 737 but still remain higher than prior years. Colorado is among the top five states with the most flu activity in the country, with doctor’s visits for flu-like illness at a 30-year record high, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s weekly influenza surveillance report.

Idaho Gov. Brad Little wants more Medicaid cuts, but not to repeal expansion
(News from the States – January 12, 2026)

Idaho Gov. Brad Little on Monday called for more Medicaid cuts as the state attempts to avoid a projected budget deficit. But notably, he says his plan that calls for spending cuts to balance the state budget doesn’t propose repealing Medicaid expansion — a health insurance public assistance program approved by Idaho voters through a ballot initiative in 2018. Leading up to the 2026 session of the Idaho Legislature, some Republican state lawmakers have said they are considering repealing Medicaid expansion to avoid a budget shortfall. Instead, Little is calling for $45 million in cuts to Idaho Medicaid from the state’s general fund. Those cuts are split between extending 4% cuts to doctor pay rates and a list of options for cuts the governor says he is giving the Legislature. Repealing Medicaid expansion isn’t on that list, the governor’s office says.

Nebraska hospitals face rising costs and potential budget cuts
(KETV – January 12, 2026)

Nebraska hospitals are grappling with rising costs and government-backed insurance issues, leading the Nebraska Hospital Association to emphasize the importance of healthcare during the ongoing legislative session. “Nebraska’s hospitals are facing that challenging headwinds and uncertain futures,” said Jeremy Nordquist, president and CEO of the Nebraska Hospital Association. According to a survey conducted at the end of 2025, 10% of the 90 to 92 hospitals represented by the association are planning service line reductions within the next six months. Nordquist noted that rural clinics are particularly affected by these pressures. Tyler Toline, CEO of Franciscan Hospital in West Point, explained that his hospital had to take over a local independent pharmacy due to changes in federal drug pricing programs and cuts over the past five years.

Rural health transformation program jobs will be temporary, WV health department says
(West Virginia Watch – January 13, 2026)

The staff the West Virginia Department of Health intends to hire to oversee the federally funded Rural Health Transformation Program will be “temporary by design,” and salary ranges for the positions have not yet been finalized, a spokesperson for the agency said. “The Rural Health Transformation Program is intentionally structured as a time-limited, performance-driven initiative, not a permanent expansion of state government,” Gailyn Markham, communications director for the state Department of Health, told West Virginia Watch in an email. Gov. Patrick Morrisey’s office announced Dec. 29 that West Virginia had secured $199 million for 2026 from the Trump administration’s Rural Health Transformation Fund.

This California Strategy Safeguarded Some Medicaid Social Services Funding From Trump
(KFF Health News – January 13, 2026)

When Virginia Guevara moved into a studio apartment in California’s Orange County in 2024 after nearly a decade of homelessness, she needed far more than a roof and a bed. Scattered visits to free clinics notwithstanding, Guevara hadn’t had a full medical checkup in years. She required dental work. She wanted to start looking for a job. And she was overwhelmed by the maze of paperwork needed simply to get her off the street, much less to make any of the other things happen. But Guevara had help. The Jamboree Housing Corp., an affordable-housing nonprofit that renovated the former Stanton, California, hotel Guevara now calls home, didn’t just move her in — it also provided her a fleet of wraparound services. Jamboree counselors helped Guevara navigate the health care system to see a doctor and a dentist, buy a few things for her apartment, and get training to become a caregiver.

ACA Signups Are Down, But Still an Incomplete Picture
(KFF – January 12, 2026)

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) reports that, as of January 3, 2026 for states using the Healthcare.gov platform and December 27, 2025 for state-based exchanges, around 22.8M people have signed up for a plan (or been automatically renewed) during the 2026 Open Enrollment Period, down by about 830k from 23.6M people around the same time last year and down by about 1.5M from the end of Open Enrollment last year. Compared to around the same time last year, plan signs up for state-based Marketplaces in 2026 are 2% lower while plan selections for states using the Healthcare.gov platform are 4% lower.

At least 800,000 Americans are opting out of Obamacare as healthcare costs soar
(Market Watch – January 13, 2026)

It appears that about 830,000 Americans are no longer using Obamacare this year after the expiration of subsidies that made those health plans far more affordable. About 22.8 million people in the U.S. signed up for a marketplace health-insurance plan for 2026 as of Jan. 3, according to the latest update from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. A year ago, the CMS said 23.6 million consumers had registered for an Affordable Care Act plan as of Jan. 4, 2025.

Fewer Americans Sign up for Affordable Care Act Health Insurance as Costs Spike
(U.S News & World Report – January 13, 2026)

Fewer Americans are signing up for Affordable Care Act health insurance plans this year, new federal data shows, as expiring subsidies and other factors push health expenses too high for many to manage. Nationally, around 800,000 fewer people have selected plans compared to a similar time last year, marking a 3.5% drop in total enrollment so far. That includes a decrease in both new consumers signing up for ACA plans and existing enrollees re-upping them.

Health insurance exchange enrollment lags 2025 sign-ups: CMS
(Modern Healthcare – January 12, 2026) SUBSCRIPTION REQUIRED

Health insurance exchange enrollment is trending downward compared with a year ago, according to preliminary data the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services released Monday. Nearly 22.8 million people — including 2.8 million new enrollees — had signed up with about two weeks to go, down 3.5% from a comparable period a year ago. This total reflects enrollments on the federal platform as of Jan. 3, on most state-based exchanges as of Dec. 27 and on Your Health Idaho as of its final deadline on Dec. 15.

Initial Obamacare Enrollment Drops by 1.4 Million
(The New York Times – January 13, 2026)

About 1.4 million fewer people have enrolled in Obamacare coverage this year in the face of soaring premiums, according to an early report, following the expiration of the enhanced subsidies that helped lower the cost of health insurance for millions of Americans.

Low Medicaid rates slowing patient transfers to nursing homes
(Modern Healthcare – January 12, 2026) SUBSCRIPTION REQUIRED

Hospitals are having trouble discharging patients to nursing homes as those operators receive skimpier reimbursements from state Medicaid programs. Some companies are taking fewer Medicaid patients and more patients covered by higher-paying, fee-for-service Medicare or by private insurance. Others are considering adding special clinical services that provide higher reimbursements for more medically complex patients.

AI Governance Needs ROI. Here’s How Leaders Are Prioritizing
(HealthLeaders Media – January 13, 2026)

AI mandates unprecedented collaboration across IT, clinical, and revenue cycle teams to manage the acceleration of change. The AI Institute, the governing body for AI investments at Baptist Health, requires a no-fault contract exit clause if pilot ROI metrics are not met. Baptist Health focuses on pre-bill DRG optimization and autonomous coding for professional billing to improve the bottom line.

Best healthcare jobs in 2026: US News
(Becker’s Hospital Review – January 13, 2026)

For the third consecutive year, nurse practitioner earned the No. 1 spot in U.S. News & World Report‘s annual best jobs rankings. The media company released the rankings Jan. 13, highlighting the best jobs across 17 categories, including healthcare. To determine the best jobs, U.S. News examined data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics to identify jobs with the greatest hiring demand. Analysts then scored jobs using five component measures: future prospects, wage potential, employment, job safety and stability, and work-life balance. The media company said nurse practitioner took the No. 1 spot as the best job in the U.S. and also topped the healthcare list due to the continuous need for professionals in healthcare roles. Following nurse practitioner on the overall best jobs list is financial manager at No. 2, IT manager at No. 3, information security analyst at No. 4 and physician assistant at No. 5. Read more about the methodology here.

Heart Failure Deaths Have Accelerated In US Since Covid Pandemic
(Bloomberg – January 12, 2026) SUBSCRIPTION REQUIRED

The Covid pandemic didn’t just kill people directly. It appears to have accelerated a long-brewing reversal in US heart failure deaths, with mortality climbing faster since 2020 after years of decline, new research shows. The increases have been most pronounced among younger adults and Black Americans, pointing to disruptions in care and worsening conditions such as diabetes, obesity and high blood pressure that intensified during the health emergency, according to a study published Monday in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

Hospital CMO shares keys to success in rural health
(HealthLeaders Media – January 13, 2026)

The staff at rural hospitals tend to live in the communities they serve, which can drive clinical benefits because they know their patients well. Rural hospitals that are part of health systems can keep patients at their rural facility by capitalizing on health system resources such as consultation services. Rural hospitals can promote quality and patient safety by having a committee that conducts case reviews when there are adverse events or other concerns.

Moderna COVID vaccine 53% effective against adult hospitalization in 2024-25 season, data suggest
(CIDRAP – January 12, 2026)

A large observational study using US healthcare claims and electronic health record data suggests that Moderna’s updated 2024-25 COVID vaccine was 39% effective at preventing medically attended illness among adults and 53% effective against hospitalization, particularly those at high risk for severe disease. The study, led by scientists from the vaccine manufacturer and published late last week in Infectious Diseases and Therapy, analyzed outcomes among 596,248 adults who received the updated mRNA-1273 vaccine, which targeted the Omicron KP.2 variant, from August 2024 to April 2025. Vaccinated people were matched 1:1 with unvaccinated counterparts.

More people are living 5 years after cancer diagnosis, new data shows
(ABC News – January 13, 2026)

More people are now reaching the five-year milestone following a cancer diagnosis, according to new data from the American Cancer Society. For the first time ever, seven in 10 people — or 70% — now live five years after their cancer diagnosis, according to the ACS’s annual report released Tuesday and published in the organization’s medical journal. In addition, survival rates have improved dramatically over the past decades for people diagnosed with some of the more fatal cancers, including myeloma and liver and lung cancers, the new data shows. “It’s really an exciting point. If we went back to the 1970s, less than half the people would be cancer-free or surviving at five years,” Dr. William Dahut, ACS’s chief scientific officer, said Tuesday on “Good Morning America” of the improved statistics.

Scientists discover how the uterus knows when to push during childbirth
(Science Daily – January 13, 2026)

Successful childbirth depends on the uterus producing steady, well-organized contractions that move the baby safely through delivery. Hormones such as progesterone and oxytocin play a major role in controlling this process. For years, however, researchers have also suspected that physical forces involved in pregnancy and birth, including stretching and pressure, contribute in important ways. New research from Scripps Research, published in Science, now shows how the uterus detects and responds to these physical forces at the molecular level. The findings shed light on why labor sometimes slows or begins too early and could guide future efforts to improve treatments for pregnancy and delivery complications.

The Growing Role of AI Agents in Healthcare
(HealthTech Magazine – January 13, 2026)

Agentic artificial intelligence is reshaping how some healthcare organizations coordinate care, streamline patient journeys and expand access to critical services. It’s not just a passive tool; it’s supporting information analysis and orchestrating complex workflows across clinical and administrative environments, including improving screening pathways and easing care transitions. “By stabilizing IT infrastructure, agentic AI helps lay the foundation for more advanced, front-end automation,” says Mutaz Shegewi, senior research director for worldwide healthcare provider AI, platforms and technologies at IDC.

The ‘strategic accelerator’ healthcare CEOs need for transformation
(Becker’s Hospital Review – January 13, 2026)

As hospitals across the country navigate financial pressure, workforce strain and rapid digital change, cultural transformation has moved from a soft concept to a strategic necessity. For Rochester, Minn.-based Mayo Clinic Health System, culture is not a side initiative layered onto turnaround efforts. It is the foundation that enables sustainable transformation, said Prathibha Varkey, MD, president of Mayo Clinic Health System and professor of medicine and preventive medicine at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science. “My firm belief is that people, not processes or technology, are the real engine and magic behind healthcare transformation and turnaround,” Dr. Varkey said during an interview with the “Becker’s Healthcare Podcast.”

Why Healthcare’s Stock-Market Winners and Losers Could Soon Trade Places
(The Wall Street Journal – January 13, 2026) SUBSCRIPTION REQUIRED

For the past few years, as Americans poured back into doctors’ offices and operating rooms, U.S. healthcare split into clear winners and losers. Hospitals and other providers—businesses that make money on volume—thrived. Insurers, which bear the risk of paying for that care, didn’t.

A judge orders HHS to restore children’s health funding as a lawsuit continues
(NPR – January 12, 2026)

A federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to restore nearly $12 million in funding to the American Academy of Pediatrics, including money for rural health care and the early identification of disabilities in young children. U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell in Washington, D.C., awarded the preliminary injunction late Sunday, siding with AAP in saying evidence showed the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services likely had a “retaliatory motive” when it terminated grants to the pediatric group in December. “This is not a case about whether AAP or HHS is right or even has the better position on vaccinations and gender-affirming care for children, or any other public health policy,” Howell wrote in her decision. “This is a case about whether the federal government has exercised power in a manner designed to chill public health policy debate by retaliating against a leading and generally trusted pediatrician member professional organization focused on improving the health of children.”

The Senate Has 3 Options In Obamacare Fight
(Forbes – January 13, 2026)

The U.S. House of Representatives has sent two competing bills to the Senate regarding the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare. One, passed by the House in mid-December, definitively ends the enhanced tax credits in favor of “pro-market” policies. The other, passed by the House last week, extends them for three years.

Where ACA subsidies stand: 5 updates
(Becker’s Hospital Review – January 13, 2026)

ACA marketplace enrollment is declining nationally and Congress is struggling to extend the expired subsidies. Five updates on enhanced ACA subsidies: 1. President Donald Trump said Jan. 11 he might veto a bill to extend the subsidies, Bloomberg reported. The House voted Jan. 8 to extend the subsidies for three years, but the measure is not expected to pass in the Senate. A bipartisan group of senators is instead advancing a narrower two-year proposal that would include new income limits, minimum monthly premiums and additional guardrails around enrollment. Legislative text could be finalized as soon as this week, but no immediate relief is guaranteed for providers planning for 2026.