Breaking News in Healthcare Reform
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“We see these things happen all the time in Medicare Advantage. People waiting for surgeries. People being forced out of the hospital before they’re really well. People not being able to access subacute rehab after a stroke or other injury…. These problems occur in Medicare Advantage at an extraordinary rate, especially compared to Traditional Medicare.”
Medicare Advantage Is Breaking America’s Promise to Seniors
Featuring Dr. Belinda McIntosh, Physicians for a National Health Program
Code WACK! | Podcast Episode 315 | February 2, 2026
“…she and her husband, Jim, dropped their coverage after learning the monthly premium would jump from $250 to $2,500 because the enhanced subsidies expired. Jim, 59, gave up his handyman business and began searching for a job with health insurance.”
When Health Insurance Costs More Than the Mortgage
KFF | Renuka Rayasam | February 2, 2026
“Every dollar invested in high-quality early childhood care and education (ECE) can generate returns of three dollars or more through increased parental labor supply, improved child outcomes, more productive businesses, and the resulting economic growth.”
How to Fix California’s Child Care Crunch
Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research | January 30, 2026
“…federal immigration agents have entered Oregon hospitals ‘without clear rules, without consistent identification, and without regard for protocols’ that doctors, nurses, and first responders rely on to keep patients safe.”
Oregon Lawmakers Push ‘Healthcare Without Fear Act’ to Limit ICE Activity in Hospitals
KATU2 ABC | Vasili Varlamos | January 30, 2026
“Total premium costs for subsidized Obamacare enrollees are expected to increase to an average $1,904 for 2026 from $888 in 2025….”
Obamacare Enrollment Drops to About 23 Million People for 2026
Reuters | Sriparna Roy | January 29, 2026
“After the expiration of ACA subsidies, soaring health care costs have forced some to dip into savings, take on second jobs or go without coverage.”
Health Insurance Costs Are Up. Women and LGBTQ+ People Are Paying the Price.
The 19th* | Shefali Luthra, Barbara Rodriguez, Orion Rummler | January 28, 2026,
“As far as legislation is concerned, there’s no political pathway for any major change to how the health insurance industry works….”
Health Insurers Dodge Trump’s Pricing Crackdown, For Now
Politico | Cheyenne Haslett, Kelly Hooper | January 28, 2026
“The federal government is set to pay $76 billion more on [Medicare Advantage] seniors than it would if those same seniors were in traditional Medicare, in part due to payer upcoding, according to congressional advisory group MedPAC.”
CMS Official Defends Flat Medicare Advantage Rate Proposal for 2027
Healthcare Dive | Rebecca Pifer Parduhn | January 27, 2026
“The three largest PBMs — CVS’ Caremark, UnitedHealth’s Optum Rx and Cigna’s Express Scripts — jointly control about 80% of the market for PBM services.”
CVS Accused of Shutting Out Rival Pharmacy Hubs in House Judiciary Investigation
Healthcare Dive | Rebecca Pifer Parduhn | January 26, 2026
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Shining a light on ongoing inequities in health care
and the impact they have on vulnerable individuals and communities.
Our podcast Code WACK! brings to life the failures of America’s healthcare system with stories, commentary and analysis.
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