Explore

Rolling Stone Rolling Stone
Trump Isn’t Satisfied With RFK Jr.’s Dedication to Conspiracy Theories

Trump Isn’t Satisfied With RFK Jr.’s Dedication to Conspiracy Theories

The Wall Street Journal reports that the president is pushing Kennedy to establish links between vaccines and autism
Rapid Read Rapid Read
North Carolina State Health Plan Reinstates Blue Cross NC Amid Rising Costs

North Carolina State Health Plan Reinstates Blue Cross NC Amid Rising Costs

The North Carolina State Health Plan (SHP) has decided to reinstate Blue Cross Blue Shield NC as its third-party administrator starting January 2028. This decision comes after a previous switch to Aetna in December 2022. The SHP, which is the largest purchaser of medical and pharmaceutical services in North Carolina, covers nearly 750,000 individuals, including teachers, state employees, and retirees. The board has also approved new premium rates for 2027, with increases ranging from less than $2 to around $8 for individual coverage. The plan aims to address a looming $58 million financial gap by 2027, despite the premium increases. Additionally, the SHP has introduced a tiered network strategy to categorize healthcare providers, which is expected to offer lower costs for members using preferred providers like Novant Health and UNC Health.
Rapid Read Rapid Read
Oregon Faces Medicaid Funding Cuts Amid New Eligibility Requirements

Oregon Faces Medicaid Funding Cuts Amid New Eligibility Requirements

The Oregon Health Authority anticipates a loss of approximately $9.4 billion in federal Medicaid funding over the next decade due to changes in eligibility requirements. A new mandate requires nondisabled enrollees aged 19 to 64 to prove they are working, volunteering, or in school for at least 80 hours a month. This change affects over 60% of the state's current Medicaid recipients. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that more than 5 million Americans could lose insurance by 2034 under these rules, with about 200,000 Oregonians potentially losing coverage.
Rapid Read Rapid Read
Cyclospora Outbreak Raises Concerns Over U.S. Food Safety Monitoring

Cyclospora Outbreak Raises Concerns Over U.S. Food Safety Monitoring

A recent cyclospora outbreak linked to Taco Bell has heightened concerns about the U.S. food safety monitoring system. The outbreak, which has affected multiple states, comes amid federal budget cuts that have reduced the scope of pathogen tracking. The Trump administration's budget reductions have impacted the Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network, limiting mandatory tracking to only salmonella and E. coli. This has raised alarms among food safety experts who warn that reduced monitoring could lead to more severe outbreaks. The Department of Health and Human Services maintains that food safety efforts remain robust, with plans to increase funding in the next budget cycle.
USA Today USA Today
'Almost an insult': Republican senator slams CDC over autism, vaccines website

'Almost an insult': Republican senator slams CDC over autism, vaccines website

Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-Louisiana, who Trump successfully sought to defeat, is slamming a CDC website over its content regarding autism and vaccines.
Rapid Read Rapid Read
UHealth and UnitedHealthcare Contract Dispute Puts Medicare Patients at Risk

UHealth and UnitedHealthcare Contract Dispute Puts Medicare Patients at Risk

A contract dispute between the University of Miami Health System (UHealth) and UnitedHealthcare is threatening to disrupt in-network care for thousands of patients in South Florida. The disagreement centers around reimbursement rates, with UHealth accusing UnitedHealthcare of underpaying doctors, while UnitedHealthcare claims UHealth is demanding excessive payments. If unresolved, UHealth doctors and facilities will become out-of-network for UnitedHealthcare members as early as August 1 for commercial, ACA Marketplace, and Medicaid plans, and September 1 for Medicare Advantage plans. This could affect access to care at key facilities like the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center and Bascom Palmer Eye Institute.
Rapid Read Rapid Read
Virginia Hospitals Report 49% Increase in Self-Paying ER Visits Amid Medicaid Cuts

Virginia Hospitals Report 49% Increase in Self-Paying ER Visits Amid Medicaid Cuts

The Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association (VHHA) has reported a significant rise in the number of self-paying emergency room visits in Virginia, with a 49% increase from 2022 to 2025. In 2025, 405,584 ER visits were classified as self-pay, marking a four-year high. This surge is occurring ahead of the implementation of H.R. 1, a budget reconciliation legislation that is expected to cut Medicaid funding by nearly a trillion dollars over a decade. The VHHA attributes part of this increase to the end of COVID relief subsidies that helped people maintain insurance through the Affordable Care Act marketplaces. As a result, many did not renew their plans, leading to a higher uninsured rate. Over the past four years, Virginia hospitals have recorded over 1.35 million self-pay ER visits, accounting for nearly 10% of all emergency department encounters.
Rapid Read Rapid Read
Federal Bill HR-3415 Proposes Mandatory Nurse-to-Patient Ratios to Enhance Hospital Care

Federal Bill HR-3415 Proposes Mandatory Nurse-to-Patient Ratios to Enhance Hospital Care

A new federal bill, HR-3415, aims to establish mandatory minimum nurse-to-patient ratios in hospitals across the United States. The legislation seeks to improve patient safety and care quality by ensuring that hospitals maintain a specific number of licensed nurses per patient in various units. For instance, the bill proposes a 1:1 ratio in trauma and operating rooms, a 1:2 ratio in intensive care units, and a 1:4 ratio in medical-surgical units. Hospitals will be required to implement staffing plans within a year, with the nurse-to-patient ratio rules taking effect in two years, or four years for rural hospitals. The bill also mandates transparency in staffing, allowing patients to access information about nurse staffing levels. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will oversee compliance, conducting audits and imposing penalties for non-compliance.
Rapid Read Rapid Read
Therapist Shortage Highlights Systemic Issues in U.S. Mental Health Care

Therapist Shortage Highlights Systemic Issues in U.S. Mental Health Care

The U.S. is facing a significant shortage of therapists, with long waiting lists and limited availability for those seeking mental health services. This shortage is exacerbated by systemic issues such as underinvestment, poor insurance reimbursement rates, and a fragmented mental health ecosystem. Mental health professionals lack collective political power, making it difficult to advocate for better working conditions and funding. The situation is further complicated by private insurers' reluctance to cover mental health services, leading to financial disincentives for providers.
Rapid Read Rapid Read
Senator Tim Kaine Introduces Bill to Enhance Chronic Pain Research

Senator Tim Kaine Introduces Bill to Enhance Chronic Pain Research

Senator Tim Kaine has introduced the Advancing Research for Chronic Pain Act of 2026, a legislative proposal aimed at improving the study and dissemination of information regarding chronic pain. The bill mandates federal health officials, in collaboration with agencies like the CDC and NIH, to utilize existing research data to better understand the prevalence and origins of chronic pain, which is defined as pain lasting more than three months. The initiative seeks to identify research gaps and gather deidentified population data to address these gaps, focusing on demographics, risk factors, and the effectiveness of treatments. The bill also proposes the creation of a public website, the Chronic Pain Information Hub, to consolidate and share research findings. The Secretary of Health and Human Services is required to report to Congress within two years on the progress and findings of this initiative.
Palm Beach Post Palm Beach Post
1.6 million eggs recalled. Is Florida one of the states affected?

1.6 million eggs recalled. Is Florida one of the states affected?

Nearly 1.6 million eggs have been recalled due to potential salmonella contamination. Here's what to know on the egg recall.
Rapid Read Rapid Read
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham Authorizes $250,000 for New Mexico Flood Response

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham Authorizes $250,000 for New Mexico Flood Response

Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham of New Mexico has authorized up to $250,000 in emergency funds to assist communities affected by recent flooding. The funds are designated for the New Mexico National Guard to support areas like Gallup and Zuni Pueblo with temporary housing, food, and healthcare. This executive order aims to provide immediate relief to residents as they begin the cleanup process following the floods.