Morning Headlines 12/18/15

Report To Congress: Challenges and Barriers to Interoperability

ONC’s Health IT Policy Committee publishes its congressionally-mandated report on interoperability, covering the technical, operational, and financial barriers to interoperability.

Most Cerner employees are giving up the right to sue — to stay eligible for merit raises

Cerner has reportedly persuaded 93 percent of its 17,000 employees to sign arbitration agreements with the promise of $500 in stock options for those that agree, and the threat of withheld merit-based raises for those that refuse.

Shkreli, Drug Price Gouger, Denies Fraud and Posts Bail

Turing Pharmaceuticals CEO Martin Shkreli is arrested by the FBI on fraud charges stemming from his time as a hedge fund owner and manager.

HHS wants more states to data-mine for Medicaid fraud

HHS reports that few states have taken it up on its offer to receive federal funding to bolster data-mining programs in state Medicare fraud units, despite fraudulent payment rates continuing to climb.