Month: July 2025
Republicans’ “big, beautiful” law will add $3.394 trillion to deficits during the next decade and lead 10 million people to lose access to health insurance, according to an analysis released Monday by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office. The updated assessment of the sweeping tax and spending cuts law came weeks after nearly every GOP lawmaker ...
A number of Republicans criticized Medicare Advantage during a congressional hearing on Tuesday, suggesting that the privatized Medicare program could be due for an overhaul from Washington. Calls to reform MA from Democrats are nothing new. But members of the GOP condemning MA is notable given the party’s traditional support for the program, in which ...
A new bipartisan bill would mandate that Medicare Advantage (MA) insurers “adequately reimburse” providers for services, citing a trend of health systems pulling out of MA contracts. The Prompt and Fair Pay Act was introduced by Reps. Lloyd Doggett, D-Texas, and Greg Murphy, R-N.C. The legislation would require that insurers pay providers at least what ...
Medicare Advantage (MA) markets are highly concentrated across the country, according to a new study from KFF. As of 2024, 90% of Medicare beneficiaries live in a county where those enrolled in MA had plans sponsored by just one or two insurers, according to the report. The researchers found that 79% of counties were highly ...
UnitedHealthcare is rolling out a new benefit to encourage preventive cancer screenings. The insurer’s new breast and colon cancer detection benefit will be available for eligible commercial plans starting Jan. 1, 2026. Through the program, UHC will cover members’ first diagnostic imaging tests for breast cancer and diagnostic tests for colon cancer. This closes a ...
Oakland, Calif.-based Kaiser Permanente plans to lay off 42 nurses at two outpatient clinics, attributing the decision to shifting volume patterns and patient care needs, according to July 18 reports from local news outlets. The job cuts are set to take effect in 60 days and will affect nurses at clinics in San Rafael and ...
With plenty of policy questions still up in the air, a new report suggests insurers are set to propose steep premium increases for Affordable Care Act (ACA) plans in 2026. Researchers at KFF examined early filings from 105 insurers in 20 markets, including 19 states and the District of Columbia, and found that the medium ...
A four-day workweek with no reduction in pay improves both workers’ health and overall job performance and satisfaction, according to a new study. Working norms were reshaped by the COVID-19 pandemic five years ago, making remote work a necessity for some amid lockdowns. But it also exposed widespread burnout and disengagement among workers across most markets. In ...
Blue Shield of California is conducting a second round of layoffs this year, with 138 more employees being laid off in September. The majority of the layoffs affect employees in Oakland and El Dorado, with the remaining cuts taking place in Long Beach, Woodland Hills, Rancho Cordova, San Diego, Lodi and Redding, according to regulatory ...
The summer surge of COVID-19 is here, with data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showing increases across much of the country. In its latest report, the CDC said the number of cases is now growing or likely growing in at least 26 states and Washington, D.C. COVID-related emergency room visits for young kids ...