After four years of payments, children whose parents received $333 a month from the experiment fared no better than similar children without that help, the study found. They were no more likely to develop language skills, avoid behavioral problems or developmental delays, demonstrate executive function or exhibit brain activity associated with cognitive development.
Source: New York Times
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy is considering firing all 16 members of the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force. In case you are wondering, the task force is an all-volunteer group of experts who make recommendations about which preventive services Americans should receive. Preventive services – think immunizations, mammograms, colonoscopies – all have a rating A, B, C, D and I. You can view the recommendations here. Services with recommendations of A and B are free under the Affordable Care Act.
The No Surprises Act (NSA) banned balance billing, where patients were required to pay the balance between what doctors [they did not choose] charge versus what their health plans are willing to pay for a service. In that regard it was relatively effective. Unfortunately, balance bills are not the only surprises patients encounter. At least in theory, patients have some protection from outrageous bills if they ask for a quote several days in advance.