Stability of Health Insurance Coverage amidst Legislative Changes
Recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention highlights the stability of health insurance coverage among Americans. As of 2025, 8.3%, or approximately 28 million individuals, remain uninsured. This figure shows a marginal increase from 8.2% in the previous year and is projected to rise further.
In a legislative move, Congress passed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act in 2025, delaying cuts to health programs until post-2026 midterm elections. Despite this, analyses indicate a decline in insurance coverage is already underway. The Trump administration attributes this trend to intensified efforts against fraud within federal health programs.
Regulatory updates have been issued for the No Surprises Act by the federal government, involving crucial changes. The final rule, collaboratively developed by the Health and Human Services, Labor, and Treasury departments, includes revisions to the Independent Dispute Resolution process. This process is crucial for insurers and out-of-network providers in resolving claims disputes under the act.
A recent report from the Office of the Inspector General at the Department of Health and Human Services revealed concerns over unnecessary vascular procedures by nearly 140 physicians. These practices have led to significant Medicare expenditures, raising red flags about billing tactics among certain healthcare providers.
In industry developments, HCA Healthcare is set to acquire The College of Health Care Professions, which trains over 8,000 students for healthcare careers. This acquisition is currently awaiting regulatory approval. Meanwhile, Teladoc Health has partnered with Walmart to deliver virtual healthcare services through Walmart's platform, offering services like virtual urgent care and dermatology consultations.
Legal updates indicate potential benefits for Clover Health. The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Georgia has directed the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to review Clover Health's Medicare Advantage star ratings, citing improper application of 20 quality assessment measures.
Looking to address the physician shortage in California’s Central Valley, the University of the Pacific plans to open a medical school at its Stockton campus by fall 2030. Similarly, Santa Clara University and Sutter Health are announcing new ventures. In local health services, Des Moines’ Broadlawns Medical Center has launched a Mobile Memory and Wellness Clinic, and Harford County has started construction on a new Emergency Services Special Operations facility in Hickory.