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Private equity's role in health care is under increasing scrutiny

Apr 8, 2024
A Senate committee and two federal agencies are taking closer looks at how private equity’s ownership of hospitals and physician staffing companies is affecting health care.
"About 25% of emergency room departments are staffed by private equity-owned physician companies," said Sabrina Howell of NYU’s Stern School of Business.
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End of internet subsidies for low-income households threatens access to telehealth

Apr 2, 2024
A federal program that helped pay for more than 23 million low-income households’ internet access runs out of money soon.
Nonprofit groups like Link Health worked to sign up patients and community members for discounted internet service through a national program that's set to run out of funds this spring.
Courtesy Link Health

Has legislation to stop surprise medical bills worked?

Yes and no. Patients have avoided millions of surprise bills, but a plan to cut wider health care spending has seen mixed results.
"Ultimately, this law is protecting more people from the kinds of medical debt that you're covering on the show, but that protection may come at a price: higher insurance premiums for millions," said Dan Gorenstein, executive editor at Tradeoffs.
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How medical debt can exacerbate pain and suffering

As part of a live event, we break down the medical debts that some Americans owe and the shame, guilt and uncertainty that can come with it.
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How can we build a better health care system?

Experts say 3 million people in the U.S. have more than $10,000 in medical debt each.
"Whatever you do, don't put [medical debt] on a credit card," said RIP Medical Debt's Allison Sesso. "Once you put it on a credit card, it's consumer debt — it's not medical debt anymore."
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Health and Wealth: Why Americans are drowning in medical debt

Almost a third of all working adults in the United States are carrying some kind of medical debt — that’s about 15% of all U.S. households.
Medical debt is the leading cause of bankruptcy in the United States and affects almost a third of working Americans.
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Nursing leaders are leaving their jobs amid broader industry shortage

Mar 5, 2024
Close to one third of hospital nurse leaders may leave in the next year, per a survey from AMN Healthcare, a major healthcare talent acquisition firm.
Nearly a third of hospital nurse leaders may leave in the next year, a survey from AMN Healthcare finds.
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Health care tops list of voters' economic worries

Feb 22, 2024
While inflation is moderating, some health-related costs are still climbing.
Health care affordability and inflation are top concerns for voters this year.
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British doctors seek jobs abroad amid discontent over NHS pay

Feb 19, 2024
As doctors prepare for another strike to protest their salaries and working conditions, some weigh opportunities in the U.S. and Canada.
Junior doctors plan to go on strike Saturday, another in a series of work stoppages.
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How California's expansion of health coverage is affecting low-income undocumented immigrants

Jan 8, 2024
The eligibility expansion benefits the immigrants but may also bring savings to the entire system.
In California, all low-income undocumented immigrants are now eligible for coverage under the state’s version of Medicaid. Some of that expansion expense may bring savings elsewhere.
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