- There was a 34% drop in bariatric surgeries from 2022 to 2024, while GLP-1 use increased by 140%.
- Why the Medicare Advantage plan launched by Cosco and SCAN may make sense.
- Capretta on nonnetwork health insurance.
- States that banned the use of Food Stamps to purchase sodas saw a 13 percent drop in soda purchases among SNAP users. (A drop of two standard soda cans perp month.)
- The first year of the ACA marketplace exchanges, premiums increased by 49%. Since then, they have doubled.
Category: Health Insurance
Saturday Links – 22 August 2026
- By reducing provider taxes and excessive state-directed payments, the reforms in the Big Beautiful Bill are projected to lower prices for Americans outside Medicaid – a benefit between $502 billion and $875 billion over the next ten years.
- New UBI study: participants reduced their work somewhat and there was no long run increase in happiness.
- Can AI deliver first-rate concierge care?
- Health wearables are a $44 billion global industry. (NYT) The problem: most are not integrated with the patient’s electronic medical records.
- California is about to make whistle blowing to expose welfare fraud illegal.
Cancer Drug Doses Could be Safely Lowered, Saving Money, Reducing Side Effects
Cancer therapy is often an excruciating process with numerous debilitating side effects. It is also expensive. Yet, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves dose and regimens of cancer drugs that are longer – and more costly – than what some experts say is necessary.
Thursday Links – 20 August 2026
- America is experiencing its biggest prescription drug price deflation in generations.
- The good news: New CMS guidance requires Medicaid and CHIP, Medicare Advantage and exchange insurers to post certain metrics, such as a list of all services requiring prior authorization, to the plans’ public-facing websites in an easily accessible location.
- The bad news: More needs to be done.
- Two approaches to fixing Medicaid.
- Why have prescription drug prices seen the biggest drop in 60 years?
- LLMs size you up. If it thinks you are low socioeconomic status and you ask about travel options, it may filter out more expensive flights – without you asking it!