Health Access Network

North Carolina Governor Josh Stein says he will not stand in the way of a planned merger between Atrium Health, the state's largest health care system, and Raleigh-based WakeMed. The combination would create one of the biggest hospital networks in North Carolina, and Stein's decision removes a significant political obstacle to the deal moving forward.

Volunteers and advocates with the American Cancer Society's Cancer Action Network visited Capitol Hill to meet with members of Congress, urging support for cancer research funding and patient-focused legislation. The advocacy day brings grassroots concerns about prevention, treatment access, and federal research investment directly to lawmakers, and is part of the organization's ongoing effort to keep cancer policy on the national legislative agenda.

Sentara Health and Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield are in a contract dispute that could affect patients across Hampton Roads, Virginia. If no agreement is reached, Anthem policyholders could lose in-network access to Sentara hospitals, doctors and facilities. Patients in the region are being warned to watch for updates as negotiations continue between the two healthcare organizations.

Health Access Network is the subject of an investigation into a potential class action lawsuit following a data breach. The probe examines whether the organization failed to adequately protect personal information and whether affected individuals may be entitled to compensation. Further details about the scope of the breach or the number of people impacted have not been confirmed.

Midwest nonprofit health systems HealthPartners and Essentia Health have announced plans to merge, combining two of the region's major care providers. The deal would create a larger integrated health network spanning Minnesota and neighboring states. Industry watchers are weighing what the combination means for patients, costs and hospital consolidation across the upper Midwest.