News and updates

News

Current reporting, policy developments, studies, and stories documenting what is happening in healthcare now.

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Healthcare, right now.

A focused selection of recent reporting and evidence on affordability, access, accountability, and reform.

Medical Economics · Affordability

U.S. Healthcare Affordability Hits a Five-Year Low

New affordability findings show mounting pressure from premiums, deductibles, and out-of-pocket costs.

Forbes · Insurance Reform

Senate Democrats Release Memo on Making Health Insurance More Affordable

A policy memo outlines potential reforms aimed at lowering coverage costs for consumers.

The Independent · Cost of Care

92% of Surveyed U.S. Adults Have Delayed or Abandoned Care Because of Cost

A survey of 1,507 adults documents how medical costs are pushing people to delay or abandon care.

KFF Health News / NBC Boston · Patient Billing

Hospitals Are Asking Patients to Pay Before Receiving Care

Hospitals are increasingly requesting advance payment based on estimated deductibles and patient responsibility.

Canadian Affairs · International Policy

Quebec Had to Allow More Private Health Care. Here Is What Happened

A look at how court-driven changes expanded private care and what followed for access and the public system.

Commonwealth Fund · Public Opinion

What Americans Want Fixed in Health Care

A survey of more than 25,000 U.S. adults finds healthcare and insurance costs dominating public concern.

Commonwealth Fund · Global Comparison

U.S. Health Care From a Global Perspective 2026

An evidence-based comparison of U.S. spending, access, health outcomes, and performance across peer countries.

CMS · Prior Authorization

Moving Prior Authorization Into the 21st Century

CMS explains reforms intended to reduce delays, improve data exchange, and ease administrative burden.

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