All articles tagged with #health care policy
Britain's House of Commons rejected a bill to legalize assisted dying for terminally ill individuals, in a 286-270 vote. The decision was driven by concerns over safeguards and potential pressures on vulnerable groups. Supporters say the issue will be revisited after the next general election, leaving the U.K. outside a growing list of European countries and 14 U.S. jurisdictions that permit some form of assisted dying.
A Washington Post Well+Being report follows Stephanie Halver, who was told her preventive breast MRI was risk-appropriate and preapproved by her insurer, yet she was billed $1,200. Unlike mammograms, preventive breast MRIs aren’t universally covered at zero cost, since the USPSTF does not require coverage for such MRIs, highlighting gaps and confusion in insurance coverage for breast cancer screening.
Hospitals that also own insurance plans (the payvider model) are becoming more common, potentially improving care coordination but raising concerns about incentives to game risk-adjustment payments and inflate costs. Early data suggest affiliated Medicare Advantage plans can have higher premiums and prices than unaffiliated ones, though explanations vary and many questions remain about overall costs, care quality, and competition. More research is needed to understand the trade-offs.
With employer health-benefit costs projected to rise about 6.7% in 2026, Fortune argues that before asking workers to pay more, large employers should press hospitals to show they’re using current capacity efficiently rather than simply expanding capacity. The piece cites real-world gains from better patient-flow management—Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center reportedly saved about $137 million annually by reorganizing capacity, while The Ottawa Hospital observed fewer deaths and about $9 million in annual savings—demonstrating that scheduling, capacity, and patient flow are operational questions that can curb inflation without compromising care.
Eight Republican-led states—Arkansas, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio and Utah—will require earlier proof of medical frailty to remain on Medicaid, adopting stricter work rules than the federal baseline and skipping the 2027 grace period. Democrats warn the tighter rules will leave sick people uninsured and strain clinics, while conservatives argue tighter verification closes fraud loopholes and reduces waste.
A government inspector general report finds that for-profit Medicare Advantage insurers—CVS Health (Aetna), UnitedHealthcare and Humana—denied about 80% of long-term hospital care and inpatient rehab requests, raising concerns that some elderly patients may have been refused medically necessary care and prompting CMS to review coverage practices.
A detailed profile of Xavier Becerra tracing his methodical, debate-first leadership style from a 1990s freshman challenging the Ways and Means chair to a gubernatorial frontrunner, highlighting his policy stances on immigration and health care, his tenure as California attorney general and HHS secretary, and the tensions with Pelosi and the White House that have shaped his career and current bid.
Health Secretary RFK Jr. will be grilled in a marathon congressional hearing over his vaccine policies, leadership changes at the agency, and the department’s budget, as vaccines debates and midterm politics shape the questions.
Lorena Alvarado Hill, a Florida teacher’s aide, was billed for medical care after her government-subsidized insurance was canceled over a 1-cent premium, leading to thousands in bills; she fought back under state and federal law and ultimately had her balances reduced to zero, highlighting flaws in automated billing and the need to monitor small debts.
The Washington Post’s The Post's View argues that RFK Jr.’s push to loosen peptide regulations contradicts FDA scientists’ warnings that many peptides are ineffective and potentially dangerous, accusing him of hypocrisy for promoting an experimental wellness trend while doubting vaccines.
Susie Wiles, the White House chief of staff and longtime Trump confidante, has been diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer. President Trump said the prognosis is excellent and that Wiles will continue to work while undergoing treatment.
Surgeon general nominee Casey Means faced questions from the Senate Health Committee about her views on vaccines, pesticides, and RFK Jr.’s vaccine stance, while lawmakers scrutinized her past business ties and potential conflicts of interest as they weigh her nomination.
A Washington Post poll finds health care costs are Americans’ top pocketbook worry, surpassing food and rent, with rising premiums and out‑of‑pocket costs shaping concerns ahead of the 2026 midterms.
Trump rolled out a “Great Healthcare Plan” centered on cost-cutting ideas but stopped short of presenting a full replacement for the Affordable Care Act, marking a policy push ahead of the midterm elections without delivering a detailed ACA substitute.
Republican senators say a long-sought bipartisan plan to extend the ACA's enhanced premium tax credits for two years has stalled, with a key fight centering on Hyde language and White House buy-in. The proposal would extend the open enrollment period, set an income cap at 700% of the federal poverty level, require a minimum premium, impose a $100,000 fraud penalty, and in the second year allow funds to go into HSAs. Democrats blame Republicans for the halt, while some House and Senate leaders discuss a vehicle for the extension, leaving subsidy relief uncertain as enrollment deadlines approach.