A recent report found that approximately one in five health care claims in Massachusetts were rejected in 2024, highlighting the challenges that many people face in accessing health care services due to insurance issues. In response, the state has introduced new regulations aimed at reducing administrative burdens and improving patient access to care. Michael Caljouw, the Commissioner of Insurance for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, discussed these issues on the monthly Health or...

The rising cost of health insurance in the United States is a pressing concern, with premiums for employer-sponsored insurance expected to increase by 9% in 2026. Public spending on Medicare, Medicaid, and Obamacare is also surging. However, this increase is not due to excessive profits among insurers or hospitals, but rather the rising cost of care, driven by higher utilization of medical services, particularly newly developed drugs and outpatient procedures. The hospital industry is often...

The article from Bloomberg highlights the challenges of finding a new doctor in the United States. With the rise of consumerism in healthcare, patients are increasingly expecting a more personalized and convenient experience. However, the process of finding a new doctor remains frustrating and time-consuming. According to a survey, 75% of patients consider finding a new doctor to be a "hassle," and 45% say it's "very difficult" to find one. This is largely due to the lack of transparency and...

The Trump administration's efforts to increase transparency in healthcare pricing have hit a roadblock, as health insurers have found ways to circumvent the rules. The administration had introduced a rule requiring insurers to disclose their negotiated rates with healthcare providers, in an effort to promote competition and lower costs. However, insurers have exploited loopholes in the rule, rendering it ineffective. The rule, which was introduced in 2020, aimed to shed light on the secretive...

As federal healthcare subsidies are set to expire, state and city efforts are underway to lower insurance costs for individuals and families. The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) provided temporary subsidies to make health insurance more affordable, but these subsidies are slated to end in 2023. To mitigate the potential fallout, states and cities are exploring alternative solutions to reduce the financial burden of healthcare on their residents. In Massachusetts, for example, the state has...

A father-daughter medical practice in Honolulu is revolutionizing the way they provide healthcare by cutting out the middle man - health insurance companies. Dr. Curtis Takemoto-Gentile and his daughter Dr. Krishanna Takemoto-Gentile have adopted a direct primary care model, where patients pay a monthly fee for better access to the doctor. This approach allows them to focus on quality over quantity, spending more time with each patient and providing personalized care. The decision to switch to...

The high cost of health insurance and healthcare is a significant burden for millions of Americans, making it difficult for them to afford necessary care for themselves and their families. The expiration of enhanced advance premium tax credits (APTCs) in December has led to a significant increase in health insurance costs, with some individuals and families facing premium increases of up to 15%. This has resulted in many people struggling to afford health insurance, with some being forced to...

U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) and Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) have introduced a bill to extend enhanced health care tax credits, which were established under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). The enhanced credits, set to expire at the end of 2022, have made health insurance more affordable for millions of Americans. The proposed legislation aims to continue these credits as a crucial step towards ultimately repealing the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and replacing it with a more comprehensive...

The UK's private medical insurance (PMI) market is experiencing a surge in claims, particularly for diagnostic tests and scans, as people seek to avoid lengthy NHS waiting lists. According to data from Howden, diagnostic tests and scans are the most common reason for claims across all age groups, except for those over 65. This trend is driven by the ongoing NHS waiting list crisis, with 7.31 million people waiting for treatment, including 1.7 million waiting for diagnostic tests. The data,...

The Commissioner of Securities and Insurance Office in Montana has helped to stop a multimillion-dollar billing scheme that targeted Native Americans on reservations. The scheme, which involved fraudulent claims through the Affordable Care Act, resulted in over $23.3 million in unjustified claims, with an additional $27 million pending. Commissioner James Brown announced that the investigation, which was conducted in cooperation with health insurers, tribal communities, and law enforcement,...

As the Union Budget 2026-27 approaches, Expectations are high among salaried individuals, senior citizens, and high-income earners for significant changes in the new tax regime. With rising living costs, medical inflation, and housing expenses putting pressure on household budgets, tax experts believe the government has an opportunity to fine-tune the system to offer real relief without complicating compliance. The new tax regime, which is now the default option for taxpayers, still lacks key...

Senator John Thune, a key Republican leader, is facing pressure from his party to bypass Democrats and push through a healthcare bill using a process called reconciliation. Reconciliation allows the Senate to pass legislation with a simple majority, rather than the usual 60-vote threshold, but it can only be used for budget-related measures. Thune, who is the chairman of the Senate Republican Conference, is being urged by some of his colleagues to use reconciliation to pass a healthcare bill...

The UK's Health Secretary, Wes Streeting, is set to criticize Reform UK's policy of offering tax relief on private health insurance, estimating that it could cost the country £1.7 billion. Streeting will make the claim at a conference organized by the Fabian Society, a socialist thinktank aligned with the Labour party, and will describe the Reform proposal as a "tax cut for the wealthiest". Reform UK had pledged to offer 20% tax relief on all private healthcare policies if it won power,...

The ongoing federal shutdown, now in its fourth week, has brought attention to the rising costs of health insurance in the US. A recent report by KFF, a health information nonprofit, reveals that over 154 million people with employer-sponsored health insurance face significant price hikes. The average premium for family coverage has increased by 6% to $26,993 per year, marking the first time in two decades that costs have risen by 6% or more for three consecutive years. The report also shows...

President Trump has unveiled an outline of his new healthcare plan, aiming to replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as Obamacare. The plan, which has been in the works for several months, is designed to provide more affordable and flexible healthcare options for Americans. Here are the key points of the new plan: Repeal and Replace Obamacare: The plan seeks to repeal the ACA and replace it with a new system that gives states more control over healthcare. The ACA, which was enacted...

The healthcare industry is witnessing a blame game between big insurers, hospitals, and pharmaceutical companies over high health costs. Major insurance companies, such as UnitedHealth Group and Anthem, are attempting to shift the blame for rising healthcare costs to hospitals and drug makers. This comes as the industry faces increasing scrutiny from policymakers and consumers over the escalating costs of medical care. Insurers argue that hospitals and pharmaceutical companies are driving up...

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has released the 2024 National Health Expenditure (NHE) report, which shows that US health spending grew 7.2% to $5.3 trillion, accounting for 18.0% of the country's gross domestic product. This increase has led to concerns that healthcare is too expensive and that prices must be reduced. However, the report suggests that the issue is more complex, and that the increase in spending is largely driven by non-price factors such as higher demand...

Comparing healthcare systems internationally is a valuable tool for identifying areas of strength and weakness. These comparisons often evaluate various aspects of healthcare, including the delivery of care, patient outcomes, healthcare expenditures, mortality rates, and access to preventive care. However, it's challenging to determine the "best" healthcare system using a single metric, as each country has its unique priorities and strengths. Rankings can provide insights into different...

The United States spends significantly more on healthcare per person compared to other high-income countries. In 2020, the US spent 19.5% of its GDP on healthcare, which is substantially higher than other peer countries. This gap has been widening over the past five decades, with the US spending about 7% of its GDP on healthcare in 1970, similar to other comparable countries. The main drivers of high healthcare spending in the US are inpatient and outpatient care, prescription drugs, and...

The healthcare industry is experiencing a significant transformation with the introduction of technologically advanced products and services by startups. Despite being governed by regulations, these startups are revolutionizing the sector by leveraging technologies like artificial intelligence, blockchain, and data analysis to disrupt inefficient processes. As a result, healthcare professionals can now access patient information more easily, detect diseases early, and promote healthier habits....

North Korea is planning to transition from its nominally free healthcare system to a medical insurance model. The regime has assigned the task of rebuilding the healthcare system to the Cabinet's Health Ministry and Workers' Party departments. The new system will require employees at various agencies and enterprises to enroll in medical insurance, with premiums deducted from their monthly wages. The regime is also considering allowing North Koreans without an official workplace to receive...

The deadline to select an Affordable Care Act (ACA) health insurance plan has passed in most states, leaving millions of Americans to make difficult decisions about their health coverage. The expiration of federal subsidies at the start of the year has driven up health costs, and lawmakers are still debating how to address the issue. The subsidies, which were expanded during the COVID-19 pandemic, offset costs for over 90% of enrollees, but their expiration has left the average subsidized...

The disappearance of Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies has left millions of households facing significant increases in health insurance costs. According to a report by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid, there are 1.4 million fewer people enrolled in insurance through ACA marketplaces compared to January 2025. This decline is most pronounced in states such as Florida, Ohio, North Carolina, and Georgia, where enrollment has dropped by over 260,000 people. The majority of states have reported...

California is facing a mental health crisis, particularly among its young people. A recent study found that 94% of those surveyed between the ages of 14 and 25 reported struggling with mental health challenges, and one-third rated their mental health as fair or poor. However, accessing mental health care is a significant challenge due to a lack of providers, defunding of Medicaid and Obamacare, and insurance companies denying care. The Oakland-based advocacy group Children Now has consistently...

President Trump has announced a new healthcare framework aimed at lowering costs and holding insurance companies accountable. The plan, dubbed the "Great Healthcare Plan," includes provisions that resemble those already in the Affordable Care Act (ACA), such as requiring hospitals and insurers to reveal prices and providing "plain-English" insurance coverage summaries. However, other aspects of the plan appear to be a departure from the ACA. One notable provision is the proposal to "send the...

A recent surge in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations in Minnesota has left many families in the state fearful and anxious about their health and well-being. The operations, which have resulted in the detention and deportation of many undocumented immigrants, have had a ripple effect on the entire community, particularly on families with mixed immigration status. One of the most significant concerns for these families is access to healthcare. Many undocumented immigrants are...

According to a recent report by NewsNation, President Trump's healthcare plan has been criticized for excluding individuals with preexisting conditions. The plan, which aims to replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as Obamacare, has sparked concerns among healthcare advocates and individuals with preexisting medical conditions. The ACA, which was enacted in 2010, prohibits health insurance companies from denying coverage to individuals with preexisting conditions, such as diabetes,...

President Trump has unveiled his new healthcare plan, which he claims will put Americans first and lower the cost of prescription drugs and insurance premiums. The plan, which requires Congressional approval, would allow individuals to purchase their own healthcare options using funds provided by the government. The government would place money into healthcare savings accounts, which individuals could use to buy their own healthcare plans. The plan also includes a website, Trump RX, where...

In a surprising move, President Trump has abandoned the GOP's traditional corporate allies in his new healthcare plan, instead embracing a more populist approach that prioritizes consumer interests over those of the healthcare industry. The plan, which aims to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA), has left many Republican lawmakers and industry leaders stunned. The Trump administration's proposal would significantly reduce the role of insurance companies and pharmaceutical...

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) health insurance marketplace is facing a critical deadline as the open enrollment window comes to a close in most states. Thursday marked the final day for individuals to select a health insurance plan, with about 10 states having later deadlines or extensions. This deadline is crucial for millions of small business owners, gig workers, farmers, and others who rely on marketplace plans for health coverage. The ACA has been a topic of debate in recent months,...

President Trump has unveiled his "Great Healthcare Plan", a collection of initiatives aimed at improving the US healthcare system. The plan, announced at a rally in North Carolina, is a grab bag of proposals that include expanding health savings accounts, increasing transparency in medical billing, and lowering prescription drug costs. Trump touted the plan as a major overhaul of the US healthcare system, claiming it would provide better care at lower costs. He also criticized the Affordable...

Today marks the final day for individuals to select health plans under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in most states. The deadline for open enrollment is December 15th, and with no subsidy deal yet in place, many are left wondering what the future of their healthcare coverage will look like. The ACA, also known as Obamacare, has been a topic of controversy and debate since its inception. Despite efforts to repeal and replace the law, it remains in effect, providing health insurance to millions...

Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey has announced a comprehensive plan to make healthcare more affordable and accessible to residents. The plan includes updated insurance regulations that will eliminate prior authorization requirements for emergency and urgent care services, primary care, chronic care, occupational and physical therapy, and certain prescription drugs. Prior authorization is a process where healthcare providers must obtain approval from insurance companies before providing...

The recent data on healthcare enrollment reveals a disturbing trend: millions of Americans are struggling to afford healthcare due to the significant premium hikes that took effect on January 1. As a result, 1.4 million people have dropped their healthcare plans, while many others are being forced to pay exorbitant prices for inadequate coverage. The premium increases are a direct consequence of the Trump-GOP healthcare cuts, which have left millions of Americans without access to affordable...