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November 12, 2026

Takeaways from the most recent news in the technology and policies shaping healthcare.

Finance

Pennsylvania Revokes Sharon Regional Hospital License

The Pennsylvania Department of Health has revoked the license of Sharon Regional Medical Center and ordered the hospital to close effective Nov. 17, according to a Nov. 4 order obtained by Becker's Hospital Review. The trigger was basic: the hospital's electricity provider, Penn Power, sent notice Oct. 26 that it would shut off power over an unpaid bill.

A hospital that cannot keep the lights on cannot safely treat patients, and regulators moved quickly to force an orderly closure rather than risk a sudden loss of power. The utility notice signals the kind of severe cash crunch that leaves operators unable to cover even routine operating costs.

Sharon Regional's situation reflects a broader strain on financially distressed hospitals, particularly those under struggling ownership and in smaller communities. When these facilities fail, patients lose nearby access to emergency and inpatient care, and staff lose jobs with little warning. The closure removes a key provider from western Pennsylvania's Mercer County region.

More in Finance

Finance

McLeod Health Operating Income Drops 9.7% as Costs Rise

McLeod Health's operating income fell 9.7% to $137.5 million in fiscal 2026 as expenses grew faster than its 8% revenue increase.

Why it matters: It shows that even revenue-growing health systems are losing margin as costs outpace reimbursement.

Finance

Novartis Lp(a) Drug Lowers Risk Marker but Fails on Outcomes

Novartis's pelacarsen lowered the cardiovascular risk marker Lp(a) but failed to reduce heart attacks or strokes, undermining a major industry strategy.

Why it matters: A failed outcomes trial for a leading Lp(a) drug threatens billions in cardiovascular research built on the assumption that lowering the marker prevents events.

Finance

Novo's Ziltivekimab Flops, But Cardiologists Stay Bullish

Novo Nordisk's ziltivekimab missed in the ZEUS cardiovascular trial, but cardiologists say the anti-inflammatory approach to heart disease remains valid.

Why it matters: Anti-inflammatory therapy is one of the biggest bets in cardiovascular medicine, and how the field reacts to a high-profile failure shapes billions in future R&D.