| Editor's Choice: Economics | California’s decision to restrict the use of the title “doctor” in clinical settings underscores a growing disconnect between healthcare policy and the realities of modern care delivery. In an op-ed, health policy professor and former Virginia legislator, Dawn M. Adams, DNP, and Marissa J. Levine, MD, a public health physician and former Virginia health commissioner, argue that rigid physician-centric hierarchies no longer reflect how patients actually receive care. California’s decision to restrict the use of the title “doctor” in clinical settings underscores a growing disconnect between healthcare policy and the realities of modern care delivery. In an op-ed, health policy professor and former Virginia legislator, Dawn M. Adams, DNP, and Marissa J. Levine, MD, a public health physician and former Virginia health commissioner, argue that rigid physician-centric hierarchies no longer reflect how patients actually receive care. | | |
| The third round of the Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program includes treatments for HIV and diabetes, among other conditions. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services also released a list of the top 50 medications it deems strong candidates for future negotiations based on current prices and patient utilization. The third round of the Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program includes treatments for HIV and diabetes, among other conditions. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services also released a list of the top 50 medications it deems strong candidates for future negotiations based on current prices and patient utilization. | | |
| Several states use taxpayer dollars to help struggling residents pay down medical debt. One is considered a leader of the movement—by critics as well as proponents. Several states use taxpayer dollars to help struggling residents pay down medical debt. One is considered a leader of the movement—by critics as well as proponents. | | |
| The bill announced by two Democratic members of the state House of Representatives would guarantee coverage to everyone in the commonwealth—but many of the details have yet to be revealed. The bill announced by two Democratic members of the state House of Representatives would guarantee coverage to everyone in the commonwealth—but many of the details have yet to be revealed. | | |
| The health system said it offered a “historic” 21.5% raise as part of a new contract, but it’s been unable to reach an agreement with union officials. Workers are expected to walk off the job starting Jan. 26. The health system said it offered a “historic” 21.5% raise as part of a new contract, but it’s been unable to reach an agreement with union officials. Workers are expected to walk off the job starting Jan. 26. | | |
| Traditional fee-for-service Medicare saw a slight dip in improper payments, which are usually associated with documentation errors and now outright fraud. CMS also released data on Medicaid and the CHIP program. Traditional fee-for-service Medicare saw a slight dip in improper payments, which are usually associated with documentation errors and now outright fraud. CMS also released data on Medicaid and the CHIP program. | | |
| The Missouri complaint mirrors those brought by the Federal Trade Commission, the state of Texas and Philadelphia-based Jefferson Health, among others, in that it’s focused on alleged collusion between pharmacy benefit managers and drug companies to control the price of insulin. The Missouri complaint mirrors those brought by the Federal Trade Commission, the state of Texas and Philadelphia-based Jefferson Health, among others, in that it’s focused on alleged collusion between pharmacy benefit managers and drug companies to control the price of insulin. | | |
| Rural hospitals face greater challenges than their metropolitan counterparts in keeping medical equipment operational, because there's rarely a vendor technician around when they need one. Rural hospitals face greater challenges than their metropolitan counterparts in keeping medical equipment operational, because there's rarely a vendor technician around when they need one. | | |
| As of January 3, 2026, data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services shows that, while 22.8 million Americans used Affordable Care Act exchanges to buy medical coverage, that’s 1.2 million fewer enrollees than last year. As of January 3, 2026, data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services shows that, while 22.8 million Americans used Affordable Care Act exchanges to buy medical coverage, that’s 1.2 million fewer enrollees than last year. | | |
| Research from healthcare data analytics firm Trilliant Health found that negotiated rates carry a higher price tag for common services, calling into question the value of transparency regulations. Research from healthcare data analytics firm Trilliant Health found that negotiated rates carry a higher price tag for common services, calling into question the value of transparency regulations. | | |
| |
|
| ![]() | |
|
