HEALTHCARE COSTS

Jun 18 2026CRIME

A Murder Trial That Might Test the Limits of a “Mental Breakdown” Defense

The case centers on Luigi Mangione, who is charged with shooting UnitedHealthcare chief Brian Thompson outside a Midtown hotel last December. His lawyers plan to argue that he was in an “extreme emotional disturbance, ” a legal strategy that could lower the charge from murder to manslaughter if juro

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Jun 12 2026HEALTH

Why Some Older Adults Struggle to Get the Care They Need After a Hospital Stay

There’s a hidden cost to Medicare Advantage plans that many people don’t see until they need extra care after a hospital stay. Private insurers often say no to requests for rehabilitation or long-term care, leaving older adults in a tough spot. More than half of all requests for these services get r

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Jun 11 2026HEALTH

Doctors and Hospitals: Who Really Benefits When Practices Join Big Systems?

A decade ago, most doctors ran their own clinics. Today, over half work for large hospital networks instead. That change didn't happen by accident—hospitals bought up countless small practices. The big question is whether this shift helps patients or just raises costs. Most of the time, prices for

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Jun 10 2026HEALTH

Breast Lesion Testing: Costs and Choices in Italy

Doctors in Italy often face tough calls when dealing with breast lesions that fall in the middle ground—not clearly cancerous, but not harmless either. These so-called B3 lesions create uncertainty because their risk of turning serious isn’t fully known. For years, the go-to move has been surgical r

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May 18 2026POLITICS

Reducing School Costs Through State‑Wide Health Coverage

School districts in Maine are facing a sharp rise in health insurance expenses. In one district with more than 600 staff members, premiums have climbed by over $1 million, pushing the total employer outlay to nearly $10 million. These figures only represent the portion paid by schools; employees the

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May 06 2026HEALTH

How Childhood Weight Affects Australian Healthcare Spending

Kids carrying extra weight don’t just face health risks—they also push up medical bills. A fresh look at Australian data shows children with overweight or obesity cost more to treat than those in a healthy weight range. On average, the healthcare system spends about $140 extra per year for an overwe

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May 01 2026HEALTH

Shifting How Hospitals Get Paid: What It Means for Doctors and Patients

In China, the way hospitals earn money is changing. The old system paid doctors for every test and treatment they gave, called Fee‑for‑Service (FFS). Now the government is moving toward a new model known as Diagnosis‑Related Groups (DRGs), where hospitals receive one set payment for each patient’s d

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Apr 25 2026BUSINESS

Hidden Costs in Health Plans: Why Employers Should Take Charge

Employers often feel helpless when it comes to high health insurance bills. A fresh look shows that the real problem lies in how claims data is handled by middlemen. If companies could see every claim that goes through their plans, they would know which doctors and hospitals give the best value.

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Apr 23 2026OPINION

Virginia weighs risky dental cuts in budget squeeze

Virginia lawmakers face tough choices as they look for ways to balance the state budget. One proposal under review would limit Medicaid dental coverage for adults—a move that might seem like quick savings but could actually cost more in the long run. Research shows that when states cut dental benefi

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Apr 21 2026POLITICS

Healthcare Sticker Shock: Why New Drugs Cost So Much, Even with Price Talks

Drug prices have been climbing again, even after some big promises about keeping costs down. A recent Senate report dug into how companies that struck deals with the White House still hiked prices on hundreds of medications. And the numbers are shocking: new drugs often launch with price tags over $

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