Proposed federal spending cuts to health care in Republicans’ “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” may increase some families’ medical debts by as much as $22,800, according to a new report from Third Way, a Washington, D.C.-based think tank. The Republican budget bill proposes $1.1 trillion in cuts to health care that target both Medicaid and Affordable Care Act coverage. ...

A group of cybercriminals hacked into data systems at insurance company Aflac, possibly gaining access to sensitive information such as Social Security numbers and health reports, the company said on Friday. Aflac, which boasts millions of customers, “identified suspicious activity” and “stopped the intrusion within hours,” the company said. The company attributed the attack to a “sophisticated ...

Taking longer walks could actually improve back pain, according to a new study. Researchers in Norway investigated how chronic low back pain, a “prevalent and costly condition,” could be reduced by regular physical activity, including accessible walking. The study, published in the journal JAMA Network Open, measured daily walking volume and walking intensity among more than 11,000 ...

Republicans on the Senate Finance Committee have unveiled that chamber’s version of the “big, beautiful” reconciliation package, which includes notable changes from the House’s proposal. The bill will be the subject of intense scrutiny in the Senate, where more moderate Republicans have balked at significant cuts to Medicaid while the party’s more conservative wing has ...

Medicare Part E as outlined in the bill would sustain itself through premiums, with enrollees able to sign up through any state or federal insurance marketplace. Any existing subsidies available for Affordable Care Act (ACA) plans would be applicable to Part E coverage.

Extra subsidies put in place during the pandemic which reduced premiums are in place only through Dec. 31. Without enhanced subsidies, Affordable Care Act insurance premiums would rise by more than 75% on average, with bills for people in some states more than doubling.