Nicole Ortiz

Commonwealth Fund ranks which states are best, worst for health and climate change preparation Regions prone to extreme weather events like heat waves, hurricanes, and severe winter weather scored the worst.

A September study from @commonwealthfund.org ranked states on how prepared they are for extreme weather events and resulting healthcare needs across things like air quality, extreme heat, and flood risk. I wrote about what that might mean for providers.

www.healthcare-brew.com/stories/2025...

UCI Health’s new all-electric hospital reinforces system’s commitment to sustainability The facility focuses on reducing its direct carbon emissions by cutting reliance on fossil fuels.

The University of California, Irvine Health will be opening its new all-electric hospital on Dec. 10, which it says is the first facility in the US that doesn't use natural gas at all. This even includes having electric-only appliances in its kitchen.

www.healthcare-brew.com/stories/2025...

As #ClimateWeekNYC wraps, #HealthCare proves #Sustainability is smart for the planet & business. 🏥💚

Highlights from our Benchmark Report trends analysis + @nicoleortiz.bsky.social Healthcare Brew story:
✅ $203M saved
✅ 185K MT GHG avoided
✅ 140% ↑ in resilience
✅ 50% cutting plastic

Trend report suggests sustainability is still important to hospital leaders Despite changes in the federal government, some health systems are committing to sustainability initiatives and reaping cost-savings.

Nonprofits Health Care Without Harm and Practice Greenhealth recently released their annual trend report on sustainability initiatives. What the report found was, despite changes on a federal level, hospital leaders are still committed to these initiatives.
www.healthcare-brew.com/stories/2025...

New study analyzes plastic waste in healthcare, suggests potential solutions Researchers estimate plastic waste could increase 35%–40% by 2040 if things remain the same.

It probably doesn't surprise anyone to hear that healthcare has a huge single-use plastic problem. But a recent survey shows just how bad it is—as well as estimations on how much worse it can get. I wrote about study findings below.

www.healthcare-brew.com/stories/2025...

Serena Williams as Ro’s celeb ambassador could mark ‘a big shift’ in pharma advertising Pharma isn’t known for big-name celebrity appearances, but Ro’s approach could change the landscape.

Serena Williams is mostly known for being the GOAT in tennis, but recently, she also became known as a satisfied GLP-1 user. I spoke with Ro about its new partnership and influencer marketing agency Obviously about how Big Pharma's marketing might evolve. www.healthcare-brew.com/stories/2025...

Americares provides grants to help 13 clinics, community health centers combat extreme heat As temperatures climb due to climate change, patients are at an increased risk for heat-related illness or death.

Americares is awarding grants to 13 free clinics and community health centers to help them buy supplies to combat extreme heat. The nonprofit is also awarding an additional eight grants so facilities can get supplies when extreme heat is forecasted.

www.healthcare-brew.com/stories/2025...

This healthcare company takes part in marketing upfronts. Is it working? PatientPoint is using the TV industry’s favorite pitch forum—upfronts week—as a marketing tool.

I went to my first #upfronts this year for healthcare company PatientPoint. Though it didn't have the usual excitement of more traditional presentations, it did have influencer Dr. Mike and a pitch on why Big Pharma might want to advertise on its screens. www.healthcare-brew.com/stories/2025...

Leading PBMs face increasing scrutiny from states Iowa is the latest to impose limits on how PBMs can operate in the state.

ICYMI: I looked at what Iowa's new law against pharmacy benefit managers means for the major players CVS Caremark, United's Optum Rx, and Cigna's Express Scripts.

www.healthcare-brew.com/stories/2025...

Experts outline potential long-term impacts of environmental health research, staffing cuts Funding for research was already slow, but recent layoffs and grant cancellations could make for an even longer process.

I spoke with Mount Sinai's environmental chair and Health Care Without Harm about the potential long-term impacts of research and staffing cuts that have been happening since January.

www.healthcare-brew.com/stories/2025...

Trump signs EO to lower drug prices, industry response is mixed Pharma companies love the news, but analysts express concern over how it may impact payers and hospitals.

President Trump signed an executive order this morning saying he would cut drug prices to compete with the lower costs other countries offer.

So far, the response from the healthcare industry has been mixed. Read more in my story below.

www.healthcare-brew.com/stories/2025...

Optum faces legislative pushback in Hudson Valley region New York representatives are speaking out about the health system’s prior acquisitions and quality of patient care.

Another update on Optum's "corporate takeover" in the Hudson Valley: NY Congressman Pat Ryan organized an inquiry into patient care after receiving complaints from Optum patients, which he's sent to the FTC, DOJ, and HHS for further investigation. www.healthcare-brew.com/stories/2025...

How the ACA has transformed healthcare—and what its future may hold Massive federal budget cuts spell uncertainty for the ACA.

15 years ago, we got the Affordable Care Act. Seems like every year, GOP politicians try to scale it back.

Now, that may just happen.

www.healthcare-brew.com/stories/2025...

Excited to share that I'll be at this year's Association of Health Care Journalists conference (with the ENTIRE Healthcare Brew team!) as one of the New York Health Journalism fellows.

Healthcare Brew | Subscribe Healthcare Brew covers pharmaceutical developments, health startups, the latest tech, and how it impacts hospitals and providers to keep administrators and providers informed.

Healthcare Brew is an honoree for this year's Webby Awards in the Websites and Mobile Sites - Health, Wellness and Lifestyle category. 🔥

vote.webbyawards.com/PublicVoting...

So, why don't ya just subscribe already so you can say you knew us when?!?

👉🏼 www.healthcare-brew.com/subscribe

Walgreens sells to private equity firm Sycamore Partners After some will they/won’t they speculation, the sale officially went through on March 6.

Walgreens announced it will sell to private equity firm Sycamore Partners last week, ending a will they/won’t they speculation that’s been going on since December.

I spoke to experts about what it means for retail pharma and PE in healthcare overall.

www.healthcare-brew.com/stories/2025...

Later today, I’ll be serving as a part of the Media Jury in the Connect: Smart Health virtual pitch panel, where I’ll be judging health tech startups as they pitch their ventures. Excited to see what these startups bring to the table!

Lawmakers, health experts call on FDA to pull Hims & Hers Super Bowl ad Advocacy group and bipartisan letters urged the FDA to take action and pull the ad from running during Sunday’s game.

Guess I can’t escape writing about #SuperBowlLIX ads even if I’m not reporting on marketing! Lawmakers and health advocates have called on the FDA to remove Hims & Hers’ 60-second spot for potentially “misleading patients.” www.healthcare-brew.com/stories/2025...

Hudson Valley officials, hospital union discuss ‘corporate takeover’ United Healthcare Workers East discussed workplace changes following Optum and Summit Health acquisitions.

I attended a town hall where 1199SEIU workers from Optum and Summit Health discussed the "corporate takeover" of Hudson Valley facilities.

Attendees on the call discussed their own personal experiences and workplace experiences that affect patient care.

www.healthcare-brew.com/stories/2025....

Coffee with a Journalist: Nicole Ortiz, Morning Brew, Inc Nicole Ortiz is a Healthcare Editor at Morning Brew, Inc. Nicole shares insights on her editorial preferences, well-researched pitches that correctly target her current role at Healthcare Brew, and ti...

I was a guest on @onepitchsaas.bsky.social's Coffee With a Journalist podcast where I discussed what sorts of pitches I'm looking for (and not looking for!) at Healthcare Brew.

Find the full convo here: blog.onepitch.co/coffee-with-....

The letter signed by >15,000 physicians re: RFK Jr
www.documentcloud.org/documents/25...

Senate report says PE-backed hospitals prioritize profit over patients Private equity firms Apollo Global Management and Leonard Green & Partners were the focus of the report.

A yearlong Senate investigation concluded that PE-backed hospitals prioritized investment payouts over patient care. The report focused on PE firms Apollo Global Management and Leonard Green & Partners (LGP).

My story for Healthcare Brew here: www.healthcare-brew.com/stories/2025....

it’s realistic!! they’re training us for real life farming

the other day i watched a mouse eat pasta in a tiktok, and that inspired me to change my dinner plans and order pasta for dinner.

anyway, i guess this is my first bluesky ... post? tweet? what are we calling these things?

this is a tragedy