In brief: Synthpop gets funding, Break Up bill introduced, NCPA’s Hoey testifies

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – Synthpop, Inc., a health care AI company building agentic automation to eliminate administrative bottlenecks in payer, provider and patient operations, has received a $15 million Series A, bringing the company’s total funding to $23 million. 

Over the past year, Synthpop says it has demonstrated significant traction, processing over 2 million patients and now integrating with eight major EHR systems. 

"Point solutions can't fix operational bottlenecks," said Elad Ferber, CEO of Synthpop. "Providers need a unified system that understands insurance requirements, handles phone calls naturally, and works seamlessly with their existing software. This funding helps us expand our coverage and deepen integrations so providers can scale their operations and expand access to care.” 

The round was led by Ansa Capital, with Marco DeMeireles, its cofounder and managing partner, joining Synthpop’s board of directors. Defy.vc and Peterson Ventures participated in the round, alongside Storm Ventures and strategic investor Bruce Broussard. 

The funding news comes shortly after the airt team – led by Davor Runje and Hajdi Cenan, who built FastStream and FastAgency, and made major contributions to AutoGen, Microsoft’s open-source framework for building agentic AI applications –  joined Synthpop to accelerate its AI workflow capabilities. Synthpop will use this round of funding to continue expanding the team, deepen their product capabilities and further expand into additional health care verticals. 

“Synthpop stood out to us for its ability to automate complex, real-world healthcare workflows with speed, accuracy, and compliance,” said Medha Agarwal, general partner at Defy.vc. “We’ve been impressed by their progress as investors, and we’re excited to double down. Their multi-agent platform delivers immediate, measurable value for providers, dramatically reducing time, cost, and friction across the patient journey. With strong customer adoption and a world-class technical team, we believe Synthpop is building critical infrastructure for a more efficient, human-centered healthcare system, and we’re excited to support a mission that ultimately helps speed up and improve access to care for patients.” 

• Related: AI’s ‘moment’ has arrived for HME providers 

Sens. Warren, Hawley introduce bill to tackle vertical integration in health care  

WASHINGTON – Sens. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., and Josh Hawley, R-Mo., on Feb. 11 introduced the “Break Up Big Medicine Act” to address consolidation in the health care industry that they say drives up prices, squashes competition and fuels corporate greed. 

“There’s no question that massive health care companies have created layers of complexity to jack up the price of everything from prescription drugs to a visit to the doctor,” said Warren. “The only way to make health care more affordable is to break up these health care conglomerates. Our bill would be a monumental step towards ending the stranglehold that corporate giants have on our broken health care system.” 

Warren and Hawley say giant health care conglomerates dominate the American health care system. The three largest pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) manage 80% of prescription drug claims, while just three prescription drug wholesalers control 98% of U.S. drug distribution. These corporate entities are vertically integrated, meaning one company can own or control every part of the health care supply chain—from health insurance companies and PBMs to pharmacists and physicians. 

The Break Up Big Medicine Act addresses these structural conflicts of interest by: 

• Prohibiting a parent company from owning a medical provider or management services organization and a PBM or an insurer; 

• Prohibiting a parent company of a prescription drug or medical device wholesaler from owning a medical provider or management services organization; 

• Requiring that a company violating these conflicts of interest come into compliance within one year of the bill’s enactment; 

• Creating automatic penalties if a company fails to comply in a timely manner, including disgorgement of profits and forced sales of assets; 

• Enabling the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Justice (DOJ), state attorneys general, and private parties to bring lawsuits against violators; and 

• Allowing the FTC and DOJ to review and block future actions that would recreate the conflicts of interest prevented by the bill. 

“Americans are paying more and more for health care while the quality of care gets worse and worse,” Hawley said. “In their quest to put profits over people, Big Pharma and the insurance companies continue to gobble up every independent healthcare provider and pharmacy they can find.Working Americans deserve better. This bipartisan legislation is a massive step towards making healthcare affordable for every American.” 

Read about other recent actions by lawmakers aimed at reining in PBMs: FTC scrutinizes PBM markups & NCPA welcomes passage of PBM reforms 

NCPA’s Hoey testifies on PBMs at congressional hearing 

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – B. Douglas Hoey, CEO of the National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA), testified on Feb. 12 during a House Energy and Commerce Committee Subcommittee on Health hearing examining the prescription drug supply chain.  

Hoey outlined numerous ways large pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) and their largely unregulated role in the supply chain have harmed patients and their access to pharmacy care and urge Congress to halt and dissolve the horizontal and vertical consolidation that has overtaken health care.  

Since Hoey last appeared before the committee in 2017 and warned of these issues, PBM power in the supply chain has only grown due to increased vertical and horizontal consolidation, he said in his written testimony. 

“CVS Health acquired Aetna, Cigna acquired Express Scripts, UnitedHealth Group’s OptumRX acquired Change Healthcare and UnitedHealth Group is now the largest employer of physicians in the country,” he wrote. “Meanwhile, there are more than 4,100 fewer pharmacies today than four years ago. Horizontal and vertical consolidation in health care has not produced the efficiencies and consumer price reductions Americans were promised. Instead, it has created worse outcomes, higher costs, and rationing access for patients, employers, and taxpayers. It has created an uneven playing field for competitors and has directly harmed access to independent pharmacies.”  

Hoey said NCPA and its independent and long-term care pharmacy members applaud recent actions by Congress and the Federal Trade Commission to address PBM issues. He also identified several additional actions they can take –  such as breaking up these entities, prohibiting patient steering, requiring a transparent pharmacy reimbursement model, banning spread pricing, and accelerating implementation of the recently enacted “reasonable and relevant” PBM contract provisions – especially as “PBMs have historically adapted their corporate structures and shifted operational activities (including overseas entities) in ways that reduce transparency and frustrate oversight/reform efforts. 

To view Hoey’s written remarks and recommendations, click here.  

To view the hearing, click here.  

• Related: FTC scrutinizes PBM markups 

Permobil appoints Claes Ruth CFO 

LEBANON, Tenn. – Permobil has named Claes Ruth as CFO effective May 4, 2026. He will be based in Stockholm and join Permobil’s Group Management team. “Claes brings a great blend of financial, operational and strategic leadership experience,” says Chuck Witkowski, CEO. “His sharp analytical mindset and collaborative approach make him an excellent fit for our team. With his background, Claes will help accelerate our growth and deliver sustainable financial results so we can deliver even more groundbreaking solutions to the people who rely on us. We’re excited to welcome him.” Claes joins Permobil from Kry, Sweden’s largest digital health care provider and a major physical care provider, where he most recently served as CFO. Prior to joining Kry as director of Primary Care, he held several senior operational and financial positions at Karolinska Universitetssjukhuset, including managing director of Medical Diagnostics. Before Karolinska, he was CFO at IVBAR and head of Business Transformation at Telenor. “I’m truly excited to join Permobil,” says Claes Ruth. “The company’s mission and its innovation‑driven culture resonate strongly with me. I look forward to contributing to the next phase of growth together with the talented people across Permobil.” Claes succeeds Charlotta Nyberg, who has served as CFO for more than four years.  

ACHC receives six-year renewal by CMS 

CARY, N.C. – The Accreditation Commission for Health Care (ACHC) has received continued approval from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) as a national accrediting organization for its hospice and critical access hospital (CAH) programs. This six-year renewal, effective until 2031, is the longest term available. The achievement affirms that ACHC’s accreditation programs meet or exceed Medicare Conditions of Participation for hospice and CAHs. For agencies expanding into hospice or operating integrated care models, ACHC offers:  

• One accreditor for multiple programs – Streamline compliance across home health and hospice with a single accreditation partner  

• Educational approach – Performance improvement focus versus traditional state surveys, with collaborative problem-solving  

• Specialty distinctions – Optional credentials in Age-Friendly Care, Palliative Care, and Telehealth to differentiate your services  

• Long-term stability – Six-year approval provides operational certainty through 2031. 

ACHC’s learning management system, HealthTrainU, offered through its educational subsidiary ACHCU, recently earned a new five-year accreditation from the International Accreditors for Continuing Education and Training (IACET).  

FR Conversions achieves MQAP certification  

WESTMINSTER, Md. — FR Conversions, a national leader in emergency and mobility vehicle innovation, has achieved certification under the National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association (NMEDA) Manufacturer Quality Assurance Program (MQAP), a nationally recognized program that sets rigorous standards for quality, safety and compliance in the mobility industry. With this approval, FR Conversions becomes an MQAP-recognized manufacturing partner for NMEDA members across its retail mobility product lines. “For our retail mobility business, MQAP is a meaningful benchmark that exemplifies our commitment to being a dependable manufacturing partner as we support NMEDA dealers and the customers they serve nationwide,” said Anoop Prakash, CEO of FR Conversions. “This certification also reinforces the operational rigor and quality focus our teams bring to every vehicle we build.” As part of its ongoing retail mobility strategy, FR Conversions is also announcing several new dealer-focused initiatives designed to simplify operations, improve access to inventory and capital and support long-term dealer growth, including:  

• Stocking package programs for select mobility vehicles, enabling faster access to ready-to-sell inventory  

• Floor plan financing options through participating finance partners to support dealer cash flow and flexibility  

• FR Access, a centralized dealer portal providing real-time inventory visibility, streamlined warranty submissions and marketing resources  

• FR Drive Rewards, an incentive program designed to strengthen dealer engagement and performance  
    

Soleo Health makes move in Missouri 

FRISCO, Texas and CHESTERFIELD, Mo. – Soleo Health has relocated to a new, larger facility in Chesterfield, Mo., underscoring the company’s continued growth in the St. Louis metropolitan area and surrounding regions. The expansion will also further enhance the delivery of exceptional care and support for patients, prescribers, health systems, payers and manufacturer partners. “This expansion increases our capacity to serve more patients and meet the growing demand,” said Drew Walk, CEO at Soleo Health. “It represents a significant investment in the local community through enhanced service capacity, deeper partnerships, and a stronger presence across Missouri and southern Illinois.” The new facility, located at 702 Spirit 40 Park Drive, strengthens Soleo Health St. Louis’ capacity to deliver comprehensive specialty pharmacy services and infusion care. The site is equipped to support a broad range of specialty medications that require high-touch, coordinated care to help patients navigate complex treatment plans. The location will also support corporate functions as the company scales its nationwide footprint and attracts top local talent amid continued rapid growth.  

• Related: Soleo Health to broaden rare disease portfolio with new exec   

NorthShore ‘humbled’ by patient stories 

GREEN OAKS, Ill. – NorthShore Adult Diapers received nearly 500 responses to its inaugural “You’re Our Heroes” contest highlighting customer experiences living with incontinence. The company says the submissions revealed moments of challenge and triumph, humor and heartbreak, and a determination to live fully despite stigma. From the submissions, NorthShore selected five finalists and invited the community to vote for the story that resonated most. The winning entry came from TG, a nurse, who was awarded free NorthShore adult diapers every month throughout 2026. "Reading nearly 500 stories from our community was humbling and inspiring," said Adam J. Greenberg, founder and CEO of NorthShore. "These are real people who refuse to let incontinence define them. Their courage reinforces our mission to help people live with freedom and dignity." TG shared how professional and personal experience have driven them to advocate for better incontinence care. "There's a huge need in the patient population I care for, and many don't even know that high-quality diapers exist," TG wrote. 

Reliable Medical Supply appoints Brendan Swift as VP of national payer partnerships 

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Reliable Medical has named Brendan Swift as vice president of national payer partnerships. In his role, Swift will oversee national payer strategy and partnership development, with a focus on strengthening collaboration, improving service delivery, and advancing contracting and credentialing strategies across the complex rehab technology (CRT) and home medical equipment (HME) markets. “Brendan’s deep industry experience and people-first leadership approach make him a strong addition to our executive team,” said Brandon Boyer, COO. “His commitment to service and quality aligns perfectly with Reliable Medical Supply’s mission to support patients, providers, and partners with exceptional care.” Swift, who joined the organization earlier this month, brings more than 25 years of experience leading strategic payer and provider network operations across the health care industry. He has held leadership roles with several national and regional payers, including Oxford Health Plans, UnitedHealthcare, Coventry Health Care, Aetna and Anthem (Elevance Health), where he led operating teams and network management initiatives while cultivating long-standing payer and provider relationships. 

• Related: Reliable Medical to expand CRT reach, modernize systems with Gauge Capital