THE HEALTHCARE DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION LEADER

Your weekly newsletter on health IT and digital health

An eventful start to the new year

Monday, January 11, 2021

“I came in from the wilderness, a creature void of form”

-Bob Dylan, Shelter from the Storm

The barbarians were at the gate trying to storm the capitol this past week. Unlike in 4th century Rome, these were not enemies of the state. These were fellow Americans. They failed to take the Capitol – this time. Rome fell – after repeated assaults – because it was a state in deep decline. We have to believe America in the 21st century isn’t Rome in the 4th century. We have no other option.

Back in 2018, I wrote a piece titled: Amazon in healthcare – disruption in motion or a nothing-burger? We got our answer this past week. Haven Healthcare, a joint venture (-ish) initiative launched with great fanfare three years ago by Amazon, JP Morgan, and Berkshire Hathaway and headed by celebrity doc Atul Gawande decided to shutter its doors. The announcement wasn’t entirely surprising. There were plenty of red flags along the way that indicated all wasn’t well with Haven. I share my thoughts in this piece.

Elsewhere, all seems well with the digital health technology landscape. A newly released report from Mercom Group points to the strong VC funding environment for telemedicine, with $14.8 billion in equity raised across 637 deals, as well as $6.8 billion in debt and public market financing across 26 deals.

The year started with a big M&A announcement – United Health Group to acquire Change Healthcare for $7.84 billion.

All indications are that 2021 will be a good year for healthcare IT and digital health. However, we have a new administration coming in with a majority in Congress and Senate that will usher in some policy changes. We include a couple of pieces in this newsletter on the legislative outlook for the year.

Have a great week.

Paddy

Damo Consulting offers branding solutions for technology firms looking to gain visibility and access to healthcare executives and CXOs.Drop a line toinfo@damoconsulting.net for more details.

Our Top 10 Podcasts of the Year 2020

This Week in Digital Health Markets

We are selectively featuring guest posts in our newsletter from senior leaders in healthcare and technology. Reach out to us if you would like to contribute a blog to one of our upcoming newsletters.

Jeff Bezos, Jamie Dimon and Warren Buffett tried to solve health care. 3 years later, their company has shut down

Haven Healthcare to close down. CNN Business

Amazon, Berkshire Hathaway, JPMorgan End Health-Care Venture Haven

The healthcare venture launched by three of the world’s most prominent companies – Amazon, Berkshire Hathaway, and JPMorgan – is folding about three years after its founding. The Wall Street Journal

There were plenty of red flags that spelled the demise of Amazon, JPMorgan healthcare venture, experts say

Unclear structure, absence of strategy, execution gaps, lack of commitment and more. I share my thoughts in this article on the closing down of Haven Healthcare. Fierce Healthcare

UnitedHealth Group to Buy Change Healthcare for $7.84 Billion >UNH CHNG

The new year starts with a big acquisition – UHG acquires Change Healthcare. The Wall Street Journal

Mercom: Telemedicine investments led 2020’s $14.8B in digital health fundraising

Mercom Capital Group released its tally of 2020’s digital health funding: $14.8billion in equity raised across 637 deals, as well as $6.8 billion in debt and public market financing across 26 deals. MobiHealth News

With New Majority, Here’s What Democrats Can (and Can’t) Do on Health Care

2021 may be a year dominated by healthcare policy changes. The New York Times

Six healthcare policies Democrats could push with control of the Senate

Democrats will have much more latitude to pursue their healthcare agenda with a trifecta government. Modern Healthcare