health-care18.44 min read
Costco to Launch Costco-Branded Medicare Plans with SCAN Group
9 days ago•Source: Yahoo Finance
Health Care News
The latest health care stories, summarized by AI
Featured Health Care Stories
View original source
26.29 min•17 days ago
Texas court asked to empower surrogate to secure baby’s life-saving treatment
An Alaskan surrogate in a Texas dispute seeks a Dallas County court’s permission to obtain medically necessary treatment for the fetus she carries after the California couple she surrogates for refuses the procedure. Texas AG Ken Paxton has filed an emergency order backing the surrogate, arguing Texas law recognizes the birth mother as the legal parent and that gestational agreements cannot override state law; he also notified local hospitals to provide care. The case tests surrogacy precedent in Texas, which has allowed intended parents to be recognized before birth, and raises questions about when doctors can treat a child without parental consent in emergencies.
24.385 min•18 days ago
New Perinatal Mental Health Unit Transforms Maternal Care
More Top Stories
2
Red States Tighten Medicaid Work Rules, Demanding Proof of Illness Earlier
Politico•19 days ago
3
Health insurance tether: a quarter of Americans stay in jobs to keep coverage
Yahoo Finance•1 month ago
More Health Care Stories
Texas school vaccination rates fall as exemptions rise, district data now searchable
Texas public and private schools report declining vaccination rates for required immunizations, with statewide increases in exemptions; the Texas Tribune has published a publicly accessible, searchable database showing 2025-26 coverage by district and changes from the prior year, noting campus-level variation and differences by vaccine.
AI-powered ECG clues reveal hidden risk group for sudden cardiac death
A Nature News & Views piece shows a deep-learning model trained on thousands of ECGs and death records uncovers a previously unrecognized high‑risk group for sudden cardiac death by identifying ECG features that may improve risk prediction beyond current tools, potentially guiding targeted use of implantable defibrillators after further validation.
Mercola Reverses on Vitamin K Shots, Endorses Neonatal Prophylaxis
ProPublica reports that Dr. Joseph Mercola has reversed his longtime opposition to newborn vitamin K shots, saying the data show the shot saves lives and advising parents to discuss prophylaxis with their pediatrician. The piece notes rising uptake decline, widespread online misinformation, and broader trust issues in health care, while authorities continue to recommend the shot as safe and effective.
Cash-strapped states brace for costly Medicaid work requirements
States expanding Medicaid say implementing the federal work requirements by the 2027 deadline will require tens of millions for new staff, overtime, and IT system upgrades, with limited federal help to cover costs. Nebraska has already begun enforcing the rules, while others weigh substantial ongoing expenses and potential cuts to other services as Republicans argue the policy could yield long-term savings despite limited near-term relief.
Acting FDA chief seeks pro-life reassurance after Planned Parenthood ties emerge
Acting FDA Commissioner Kyle Diamantas has been telling anti‑abortion leaders he personally opposes abortion while facing questions about past work as outside counsel for a Planned Parenthood Florida clinic (2014–2017) and his later removal from that case for conscience reasons; some filings still list him, prompting skepticism from conservatives. The FDA has pledged a science‑based review of the abortion pill’s REMS and to provide updates, while Diamantas did not respond to questions about the case; the White House defended him amid ongoing debates over mifepristone policy and the agency’s leadership.
GOP reframes Obamacare subsidies into HSAs and high-deductible plans
Republicans are pushing to redirect Obamacare subsidies into tax-advantaged health savings accounts tied to low-premium, high-deductible plans, aiming to lower costs and curb overuse, but risking high out-of-pocket bills for sicker or poorer Americans and creating consumer confusion as new plan options proliferate.
Ballot-driven Medicaid gains face tougher rules and looming coverage losses
Seven states expanded Medicaid via ballot measures, but six are implementing stricter work rules, increased documentation, fewer exemptions, and earlier enforcement, risking large coverage losses. Urban Institute estimates 3–7 million could lose coverage due to work requirements alone, with Nebraska moving ahead on enforcement and some states exploring AI-assisted oversight. The policy split reflects ongoing battles over how to sustain expansion while addressing concerns about eligibility and fraud.
Iran conflict throttles fluoride supply, forcing U.S. water systems to cut fluoride
The Hill reports that the Iran conflict is disrupting the global fluoride supply, prompting U.S. water systems to reduce or halt fluoridation: Maryland’s Baltimore-area systems lowered fluoride from 0.7 mg/L to 0.4 mg/L, and a Pennsylvania town paused fluoridation for weeks. Industry sources cite disrupted supply chains and higher shipping costs, with Israel a minor exporter of fluorosilicic acid; the EPA says it is assisting drinking water systems to address disruptions. About 70% of Americans receive fluoridated water, though there is no federal mandate and some states have moved to limit or ban fluoridation. Comment from major toothpastemakers was not obtained.
Dell Family’s $1B Gift Spurs AI-Driven UT Austin Health Campus
Michael and Susan Dell’s latest $750 million donation pushes their total UT Austin giving to $1 billion, funding the UT Dell Campus for Advanced Research and the UT Dell Medical Center on a 300+ acre site in Northwest Austin. The plan includes integrating AI into care, linking UT Dell with MD Anderson cancer care, and expanding undergraduate scholarships and the university’s supercomputing center, with a 300–500 bed hospital slated to open in 2030 and phased program growth through 2032; this donation will not replace Dell Seton, which focuses on emergencies.
Texas Health Leader Named CDC Chief Medical Officer
Texas Department of State Health Services Commissioner Jennifer Shuford is tapped to be the CDC’s chief medical officer in a Trump administration slate; the appointment would not require Senate confirmation, and her tenure in Texas includes leading the state’s response to the West Texas measles outbreak and COVID-19, reflecting a vaccine-supportive public health stance amid broader debates over vaccine policy.