Policy

According to KFF’s annual Employer Health Benefits Survey, the average premium for family coverage now stands at $25,572, with workers contributing an average of $6296 annually.

CMS actuaries foresee a gradual rise in per capita health spending, slowing initially but eventually outpacing economic growth.

Hereditary breast cancers are caused by germline mutations, which are genetic mutations inherited at conception and so called because they originate in germ cells, those that develop into reproductive cells and become eggs in female individuals and sperm in male individuals.

Economic incentives and patent protections drive development of innovative medications. Drug prices are determined by consumer demand, not production costs. Therefore, governmental regulation risks future investment in research and development.

The legacy of redlining continues to harm minority health, with Black individuals facing higher rates of health issues, linked to environmental factors and limited access to resources in regions previously redlined.

The 25th International AIDS Conference took place July 22-26 in Munich, Germany, and one of the sessions delved into the potential impact of civil society laws on the 95-95-95 targets as laid out in the UNAIDS Global AIDS Strategy for 2021 to 2026.

Average Medicare drug premiums for older Americans will drop next year for those enrolled in traditional Medicare plans or who have coverage through Medicare Advantage, with opinions divided along party lines on the economic implications.

Systemic racism, including the practice of redlining, has had an enduring effect on health outcomes in people living with HIV, including time to viral suppression.

Catalyst for Payment Reform (CPR) explores stakeholder perspectives in Florida, Michigan, and Nevada, revealing both the challenges and opportunities states face in reforming health care pricing structures.

The House of Representatives unanimously passed the bipartisan Seniors’ Access to Critical Medications Act (HR 5526), which would reverse CMS restrictions on mail delivery of cancer medications to Medicare beneficiaries.

The Senate HELP Committee held a hearing to address the high cost of semaglutide drugs, finding that many patients cannot afford them despite their potential benefits.

September 24 celebrates Familial Hypercholesterolemia Awareness Day, which recognizes the importance of screening measures, education, and advocacy in a lesser-known, underdiagnosed cardiovascular condition.

The Inflation Reduction Act was signed into law on August 16, 2022, and the debate over its Medicare-related benefits and impact on the prescription drug market has been raging ever since.

Maternal navigation for pregnant patients who chronically miss prenatal care appointments is necessary to reduce premature births and associated health care costs.

Accountable care organizations (ACOs) with a major teaching hospital were associated with lower mortality, lower inpatient spending, lower emergency department utilization, and higher overall outpatient spending.

The presidential debate showed the candidates’ differing views on women's health care, an area of medicine that currently faces issues related to patient care and outcomes as well as barriers to access.

The National Comprehensive Cancer Network Policy Summit emphasized the importance of integrating diversity, equity, and inclusion into the oncology workforce to improve cancer care outcomes and address disparities while navigating legal and societal challenges.

In a session at AIDS 2024, the International AIDS Conference, global leaders and community advocates gathered to discuss why stigma and shame continue to attach themselves to an HIV diagnosis and why policy efforts to overcome both must persist.

During the presidential debate, former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris shared their differing visions for the future of the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

The findings may help inform policy changes at the federal level aiming to address unfair and deceptive pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) practices.

Biomarker testing is critical for determining optimal therapy early in the non–small lung cancer (NSCLC) treatment process, but research shows uneven insurance coverage of these tests and inconsistent uptake in cancer centers.

Lung cancer is tied to tobacco smoking in the public consciousness, but a significant proportion of cases are driven by factors like indoor and outdoor air pollution or ancestral genetic variants.

Ali Khawar, Employee Benefits Security Administration, US Department of Labor, believes the final rule will be a benefit to employers and health plans that are trying to do the right thing and offer robust mental health benefits or substance use benefits.

This third and final installment on forever chemicals highlights the present-day initiatives and developments aimed at eliminating forever chemicals, their pervasiveness, and improving public health.

Research presented at the 2024 European Society of Cardiology Congress explored gender-based care and outcomes disparities, with potential implications for health care policy and equitable care of women and men in secondary disease prevention.

According to some reports, the draft rule imposes strict limitations on telehealth prescriptions even as advocates push for extension of current flexibilities.

The authors assessed what attributes make provider networks adequate in the eyes of consumers, including travel times, inclusive care, and language access.

The obesity epidemic is a global crisis, with experts from around the world emphasizing the importance of short-term strategies, long-term solutions, and multidisciplinary collaboration as they advocate for the heart health of their patients.

At the 25th International AIDS Conference, Emmanuel Nazaire Essam, MD, MPH, presented the analysis, "Medicaid Insurance Expansion and Its Association With HIV Outcomes in Nebraska, USA: An Observational Prospective Cohort Study."

Providing health care for Olympic athletes can put a heavy burden on both the competitors and their doctors to deliver that care and to pay for such care in the long term.