Insurers want to speed up the system by dropping approval checks for some treatments. One big player, UnitedHealthcare, plans to remove 30% of prior authorization rules by 2026. This means simpler access to outpatient operations, diagnostic tests, therapies, and chiropractic care. Currently only 2%
The Oregon Health Authority released its latest report showing that about 21, 000 fewer residents joined the state’s health insurance marketplace this year compared to last. The drop comes after a series of policy shifts that have made plans more expensive and harder to access. During open enrollme
Texas recently changed how it certifies minority-owned businesses, leaving over 15, 000 companies in limbo overnight. Before the change, these businesses could compete for state contracts worth billions. Now, most have lost their certification, forcing them to start from scratch. The shift came thro
The upcoming Fox reboot of “Baywatch” will be one of the few big‑budget shows that actually shoots on the West Coast this year. Its scenes will be filmed along Venice Beach and inside Fox Studios, a sharp contrast to the trend of productions moving away from Los Angeles. The shift is part of a larg
ProPublica has filed a federal lawsuit in New York, claiming that the U. S. Department of Education is keeping important records hidden from the public. The complaint says the department has ignored four Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests that asked for details about civil rights investigati
A shift is happening in pediatric care. Many doctors are choosing to follow the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) vaccine schedule instead of the CDC's. This change comes after the CDC updated its guidelines this month. The AAP added a new RSV vaccine to its recommendations. The group is stickin
Health insurance costs are going up again, and it's hitting people's wallets hard. Workers, those on Obamacare, and Medicare users are all seeing bigger price hikes this year. Employers are facing a 9% increase in health benefit costs, the biggest jump in years. Meanwhile, the benchmark Affordable C
The clean energy sector faced a tough year in 2025. The industry saw both wins and losses. Many projects were completed and connected to the electric grid. This was crucial as the demand for electricity keeps rising. Data centers and lower utility bills are driving this demand. The year started wit
California is seeing a small but steady rise in population for the third year in a row. The increase is tiny, just 0. 05%, but it's a step forward after the big drop during the pandemic. People are still leaving the state, though. More Californians moved out than moved in from other states. The onl
Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is under fire for its handling of teacher misconduct cases. A child advocate and a former student recently spoke out, urging the school board to take stronger action. Tania Haigh, president of KIDS TOO, a child advocacy group, told board members that the current approach
