Read today’s Kaiser Health News
In other news:
ICYMI: Trump signs order to boost federal oversight of grantmaking: President Donald Trump signed an executive order Aug. 7 that gives political appointees oversight of all federally funded grants.
The order aims to ensure award decisions undergo “more rigorous evaluation by political appointees and subject matter experts,” the White House said in a fact sheet.
How retirees can manage rising healthcare costs: Health care costs for retirees just keep rising. A 65-year-old retiring in 2025 can expect to spend $172,500 on health care costs and medical expenses throughout retirement, according to a new survey from Fidelity. Financial advisors say ignoring that number can be a costly decision for retirees.
Since Fidelity began tracking retiree health care costs in 2002 — when the estimated expense for a 65-year-old was just $80,000 — projected costs have steadily climbed, far outpacing inflation. In the past year alone, Fidelity reported a 4% increase in total expected health care spending for retirees.
About health insurance/insurers
Nearly 6,500 providers reject $2.8B Blue Cross antitrust deal: Mayo Clinic, LifePoint Health and Trinity Health are among nearly 6,500 providers opting out of a major settlement with Blue Cross and Blue Shield insurers.
In December, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama approved a $2.8 billion agreement with providers that sued the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association in 2013 over allegations it and its member companies engaged in anticompetitive conduct.
Health insurance brokers to pay $145M to settle deceptive practice allegations: Two health insurance brokers agreed to pay a combined $145 million to resolve allegations from the Federal Trade Commission that they misled millions of consumers seeking to buy comprehensive health insurance.
About hospitals and healthcare systems
Kaiser Permanente posts $1 billion operating income in Q2: Oakland, Calif.-based Kaiser Permanente recorded an operating income of $1 billion (3.2% operating margin) in the second quarter of 2025, up from $908 million (3.1% margin) during the same period last year, according to its Aug. 8 financial report.
290 hospitals with 5 stars from CMS: CMS publishes its Overall Hospital Quality Star Ratings annually. Star ratings reflect a hospital’s performance across five quality measures: mortality, safety, readmission, patient experience, and timely and effective care. Read more about how CMS calculates star ratings here.
About pharma
Changes in Cardiovascular Risk Factors and Health Care Expenditures Among Patients Prescribed Semaglutide: These findings suggest that, while semaglutide initiation is associated with improved cardiovascular risk profiles in clinical populations, its initiation is also associated with higher health care expenditures, underscoring the need to assess its long-term cost-effectiveness.
About healthcare personnel