Feb 1, 2019

Dignity Health, Catholic Health Initiatives complete merger

A hospital owned by Catholic Health Initiatives in Colorado. Photo: Craig F. Walker/The Denver Post via Getty Images

Dignity Health and Catholic Health Initiatives officially merged Friday under the new hospital system name CommonSpirit Health, after roughly 2.5 years of negotiations.

The big picture: The organization, which passed reviews from antitrust regulators and Catholic Church leaders, is now one of the largest not-for-profit health systems, with 142 hospitals, 25,000 physicians and $29 billion in annual revenue. However, CHI is still struggling financially, recording $870 million in operating losses over its past two fiscal years. And research suggests the merger won't save a lot on routine costs.

Go deeper

Ursula Perano

1 hour ago - World

U.S. sends Brazil 2 million doses of hydroxychloroquine and 1,000 ventilators

President Trump and Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro. Photo: Chris Kleponis-Pool/Getty Images

The White House announced on Sunday that the U.S. has sent 2 million doses of the anti-malarial drug hydroxychloroquine to Brazil, and that 1,000 ventilators will soon be delivered as well as the South American country becomes the new epicenter of the coronavirus pandemic.

The big picture: The situation in Brazil, which has reported over 498,000 cases of COVID-19 and more than 28,000 deaths, is threatening to spiral out of control as far-right President Jair Bolsonaro faces mounting criticism for downplaying the severity of the virus.

Go deeper (1 min. read)

Axios

Updated 4 hours ago - Politics & Policy

DOJ to treat antifa involvement in protests as domestic terrorism

Barr and Trump. Photo: Doug Mills-Pool/Getty Images

Attorney General Bill Barr said in a statement Sunday that the Justice Department will use its network of 56 regional FBI Joint Terrorism Task Forces to identify the "criminal organizers and instigators" of violence during the George Floyd protests, including antifa and similar groups.

Why it matters: Barr, President Trump and other members of the administration have pinned the blame for riots and looting over the past few days of protests against police brutality on antifa, a loosely defined far-left movement that uses violence and direct-action protest tactics.

Go deeper (1 min. read)

Sara Fischer

Updated 4 hours ago - Politics & Policy

Journalists get caught in the crosshairs as protests unfold

A man waves a Black Lives Matter flag atop the CNN logo outside the CNN Center during a protest in response to the police killing of George Floyd, Atlanta, Georgia, May 29. Photo: Elijah Nouvelage/Getty Images

Dozens of journalists across the country tweeted videos Saturday night of themselves and their crews getting arrested, being shot at by police with rubber bullets, targeted with tear gas by authorities or assaulted by protesters.

Why it matters: The incidents show how easy it can be for journalists to become entangled in the stories they cover, especially during a time of civil unrest.

Go deeper (2 min. read)