LND topic: healthcare-costs page 1

healthcare costs

Shifting How Hospitals Get Paid: What It Means for Doctors and Patients

May 1, 2026

In China, the way hospitals earn money is changing. The old system paid doctors for every test and treatment they gave, called Fee‑for‑Service (FFS). Now the government is moving toward a new model known as Diagnosis‑Related Groups (DRGs), where hospitals receive one set payment for each patient’s d

business

Hidden Costs in Health Plans: Why Employers Should Take Charge

April 25, 2026

Employers often feel helpless when it comes to high health insurance bills. A fresh look shows that the real problem lies in how claims data is handled by middlemen. If companies could see every claim that goes through their plans, they would know which doctors and hospitals give the best value.

opinion

Virginia weighs risky dental cuts in budget squeeze

April 23, 2026

Virginia lawmakers face tough choices as they look for ways to balance the state budget. One proposal under review would limit Medicaid dental coverage for adults—a move that might seem like quick savings but could actually cost more in the long run. Research shows that when states cut dental benefi

politics

Healthcare Sticker Shock: Why New Drugs Cost So Much, Even with Price Talks

April 21, 2026

Drug prices have been climbing again, even after some big promises about keeping costs down. A recent Senate report dug into how companies that struck deals with the White House still hiked prices on hundreds of medications. And the numbers are shocking: new drugs often launch with price tags over $

health

Health Savings Accounts: A New Path to Lower Medical Bills

April 19, 2026

The cost of health care under the current plan has risen sharply. People who buy insurance through the federal exchange now face out‑of‑pocket limits that can reach $10, 600 for a single person and double that amount for families. Next year those numbers could climb to $12, 000 for individuals and

politics

How Connecticut’s Healthcare System Makes Money While Patients Pay More

April 13, 2026

Connecticut’s lawmakers are quietly pushing big changes to a federal drug discount program that feels more like a business deal than public policy. A last-minute addition to a routine bill quietly expanded the 340B program, letting hospitals buy drugs at extreme discounts—sometimes for a fraction of

health

Do neck scans always catch hidden spine injuries?

April 11, 2026

When someone gets hurt in a bad fall or crash, doctors first check for neck injuries using a CT scan. This scan is fast and shows broken bones clearly. But sometimes, patients still feel pain even after a clean CT result. So hospitals often order an MRI next, hoping to find soft tissue damage that t

health

Where your kids get the best healthcare might surprise you

April 8, 2026

A new study looks at how well each state supports children’s health, but the results aren’t always what you’d expect. Most kids have insurance, yet families still struggle with big bills—on average, parents pay around $6, 850 a year just to cover their children under work-based plans. That shows hav

politics

Maine Hospitals Need Teamwork, Not Slower Payouts

April 4, 2026

The Bangor Daily News board has backed a bill that would slow how fast commercial insurers pay Maine hospitals. The trustees of St. Joseph Healthcare, who also run the hospital, say this plan could hurt an already weak system. Hospitals in Maine barely stay afloat. The state is 46th out of every U.

politics

Who Pays the Price for Iran?

April 2, 2026

A pair of new attack ads is putting pressure on two Republican lawmakers over their support for the recent military engagement in Iran. One ad targets a Wisconsin congressman who won by a narrow margin last cycle, while the other focuses on a Maine senator facing an uphill battle in her next electio