Medicaid cuts could be needed to pass GOP budget

WASHINGTON DC (WLAX/WEUX) – An estimated 79 million Americans could be facing disruptions in healthcare if Medicaid cuts are utilized to pass President Trump's 'Big Beautiful Bill'
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The Hill

19 minutes ago

• The Hill

Why tariffs are already driving some healthcare premiums higher

Related video above: How patients and doctors can reduce healthcare costs (NEXSTAR) – Despite the focus on the price of cars, iPhones and other consumer goods, the Trump administration's tariffs are starting to drive up prices in an entirely different industry – healthcare. On Monday, Matt McGough, with nonprofit health policy organization KFF, wrote that several individual insurance companies have already notified state regulators that they will be raising premiums to offset the potential impact of tariffs on pharmaceuticals. Trump hasn't yet targeted pharmaceuticals with tariffs, but has repeatedly brought it up, including on Monday aboard Air Force One. 'We're going to be doing pharmaceuticals very soon,' Trump said, according to Reuters. 'That's going to bring all the companies back, into America.' In a May filing, the Independent Health Benefits Corporation (IHBC) said it was submitting a premium rate change of 38.4% for 2026, 'primarily due to increased costs due to inflation and tariffs, and changes in risk adjustment.' An IHBC spokesperson told Axios that roughly 3% of that increase was to directly account for the impact of tariffs, specifically on drug prices. McGough notes that there are other insurers who either haven't specifically mentioned the potential effect of tariffs or who declined to include an offsetting increase in 2026 premium rates. 'A large proportion of medical goods currently comes from international sources, including pharmaceuticals, medical devices and personal protective equipment, as well as other low-margin, high-use essentials like syringes, needles and blood pressure cuffs,' Tina Freese Decker, board chair of the American Hospital Association, wrote in a May post. 'Tariffs on these items could impact patient care by jeopardizing the availability of vital medications and essential health care devices. They also could raise costs for hospitals and heighten shortages and supply chain disruptions.' Meantime, millions of Affordable Care Act (ACA) enrollees could see an over 75% average increase in premiums if Biden-era subsidies aren't extended by Congress before they expire at the end of the year, according to KFF estimates. How much tariffs are weighing on the calculations of insurers will become a bit more clear on Aug. 1, Axios notes, when proposed 2026 premium rates are posted.

Newsweek

an hour ago

• Newsweek

The Key to Better Sleep Is in Your Gut, Says Gastroenterologist

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Around 25 million U.S. adults suffer from insomnia. At the same time, more than 3.9 million Americans are taking probiotics, usually for gut health, according to the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA). And gut health could be the key to better sleep. A study published in the journal Engineering examined a specific probiotic strain called Lactobacillus helveticus CCFM1320. This probiotic produces a compound known as SAM (S-adenosylmethionine), which helps regulate the body's internal clock and supports the production of melatonin, a hormone that promotes sleep. The researchers found that this probiotic could significantly improve sleep quality. The Gut as a Second Brain Neuroscientist Dr. Chelsie Rohrscheib, the head of sleep at Wesper, a national home sleep disorder diagnostics company, told Newsweek: "The gut essentially acts as a secondary nervous system and creates and releases many crucial neurotransmitters, such as serotonin, which also help to regulate nervous system activity. "This allows for two-way communication between the gut and the brain, called the gut-brain axis. Healthy gut microbes are essential to keeping the gut healthy and functioning, and there is ample evidence that gut microbiota dysregulation can negatively impact the activity of the gut-brain axis. Because the brain is highly sensitive, this can lead to poor sleep quality." Stock image of a woman taking pills from her nightstand before bed. Stock image of a woman taking pills from her nightstand before bed. Liudmila Chernetska/iStock / Getty Images Plus Is CCFM1320 a Game-Changing Strain? To test the effectiveness of CCFM1320 in humans, scientists from Jiangnan University conducted a four-week study with 60 volunteers who experienced sleep difficulties. Participants were divided into two groups: one received the probiotic, while the other took a placebo. Results showed that those who consumed the probiotic had better sleep scores, lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol, and a healthier balance of gut bacteria. Additionally, the probiotic boosted the expression of genes involved in producing and utilizing SAM, a key factor in sleep and overall health. Strain-Specific Benefits Dr. Michel Bass, a board-certified gastroenterologist and the Founding Medical Director at Oshi Health in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, emphasized the importance of strain specificity: "Not all probiotics are created equal. This study identified CCFM1320 as uniquely beneficial for sleep quality. This isn't a generic 'take-any-probiotic' situation—it's about strain-level specificity," Bass told Newsweek. "That's where a lot of public messaging needs to evolve. Just like different medications target different conditions, different strains do different things. And this one appears to enhance melatonin synthesis via SAM methylation—a novel pathway." Probiotic Supplements vs. Fermented Foods Stock image of an assortment of fresh vegetables and meats. Stock image of an assortment of fresh vegetables and meats. esilzengin/iStock / Getty Images Plus While fermented foods like yogurt, kimchi, and kefir are beneficial for general gut health, Bass explained that they may not provide targeted probiotic strains at therapeutic levels. "If someone wants to improve things like sleep quality or reduce stress hormones like cortisol, a strong, well-researched supplement—especially one with proven strains like CCFM1320—is usually more effective," he said. "That said, eating fermented foods is still a great daily habit and can complement targeted probiotic supplements." Jason Eastty, owner of Healthspan Longevity in Westborough, Massachusetts, and a nutrition specialist, added that overall good nutrition can combat poor sleep. "Having a nutrient deficiency—like low iron, magnesium, or vitamin D—can throw off your gut microbial balance, leading to poor sleep. Clinical trials have shown that correcting these deficiencies helps microbial diversity and improves sleep efficiency," Eastty said. He also emphasized that a whole-foods diet rich in fiber—from fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, seeds, and whole grains—is essential to feeding the "good" bacteria in your gut.

Miami Herald

2 hours ago

• Miami Herald

Fed study blasts few healthcare options in top U.S. tourism states

Romantic getaways. Family memories. Great escapes. We Americans love a good vacation. Don't miss the move: Subscribe to TheStreet's free daily newsletter You might be one of the millions lured this – and every – summer by a bold oceanfront, a lakeside fire pit or leafy mountain paths found in these popular tourism states. Related: Major health care company files for bankruptcy to sell assets Or maybe other seasonal adventures like world-class skiing, lush spring gardens or the simply fabulous foliage each autumn draw you and yours to these renowned venues any time of year. 'Cause there's also a ton of history, culture and sports to explore plus delicious local chow for the foodies. But beyond the cheery facades that welcome visitors are sad and scary realities that full-time residents face regarding year-round healthcare access in their rural communities. A new study by the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston spells out the first-hand accounts of mothers, children, elders and others challenged by distance, income, resources and other economic problems to receive healthcare that so many fellow Americans take for granted. The solutions don't seem to be short-term, straining hopes and accelerating chronic, life-threatening medical crises."Yep. It's a great place to visit but you wouldn't want to live here." Visitors to these states have heard this refrain from locals for decades, all the way back to the last century. Proximity to health care is an increasing concern in rural communities across America. As a result, patient care suffers. So do patients. Greater distances from primary care providers, community hospitals and trauma centers are linked to higher rates of fatal accidents, fatal heart attacks and infant mortality, according to Federal Reserve Bank of Boston senior policy analyst Riley Sullivan. Rural healthcare facilities are finding it more difficult to attract the skilled workforce to fill jobs at every level of skill. Reasons include lack of affordable or available housing and high costs of living magnified by the many, many miles from larger towns and bigger cities. Plus healthcare providers across America maintain that inadequate insurance, Medicaid or Medicare reimbursement rates are leading to major losses at private, public and not-for-profit facilities. Related: Major bankrupt healthcare provider closes distressed hospitals Overall, U.S. hospitals are finding that they have no choice but to cut services due to these acute financial challenges. Some even close because all options have simply run out, leaving their communities in medical deserts facing life-or-death choices 24-7. Boston Fed principal economist and policy advisor Mary Burke, who studies regional labor force participation rates, said all these issues add up to big strains on healthcare systems in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont. Sullivan's study showed: Northern Light Health, Maine's second-largest health care system, lost a staggering $156 million in 2024. Northern Light Inland Hospital in Waterville (known for its ski resorts) closed earlier this year. In New Hampshire, Catholic Medical Center in Manchester reported monthly losses ranging from "$2 - $3 million," before it was sold in February Vermont, a state-mandated though disputed analysis found that its hospitals will need to find between $700 million and $2.4 billion to break even by 2028. "I think that when you look around the country in rural areas and you find thriving health care systems or hospitals, what you see are thriving communities, where economic development is strong," said Dr. Sunil Eappen, CEO of The University of Vermont Health Network. Economic development is the key to reversing these trends in Vermont and its two northern neighbors. Tourism dollars, though in the millions, just aren't enough. Eappen, also a member of the Boston Fed's Board of Directors, said potential catalysts – including improved infrastructure and more housing – would help stop the bleeding of healthcare access. But ultimately, it all comes down to one thing. "We need another 100-150,000 young people to move in who are working and paying into a commercial insurance population," Eappen said. "We need more people to move in." Related: Major hospital chain owner files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy The Arena Media Brands, LLC THESTREET is a registered trademark of TheStreet, Inc.