Read today’s Kaiser Health News
In other news:
About health insurance/insurers
Insurance Dynamics During Childhood in the Fragmented US Health System: Based on a microsimulation synthesizing 2015-2019 national data, 61% of US children were ever enrolled in Medicaid or CHIP and 42% were ever uninsured by their 18th birthday. Among children born with Medicaid or CHIP, the share ever uninsured was 59% in states that did not expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act vs 36% in expansion states.
CMS expects Medicare Advantage enrollment to dip in 2026: Average premiums, benefits and plan choices for Medicare Advantage and the Medicare Part D prescription drug program should remain relatively stable next year, CMS said in a Sept. 26 news release. But MA enrollment is projected to decrease 900,000 in 2026.
Despite a slight dip in available MA plans nationally, over 99% of Medicare beneficiaries will still be able to access an MA plan.
About hospitals and healthcare systems
11 Big Tech health system partnerships FYI
Hospital Staffing and Patient Outcomes After Private Equity Acquisition: After private equity acquisition, hospitals on average reduced salaries and staffing relative to nonacquired hospitals, notably in the EDs and ICUs, which are higher-acuity and staffing-sensitive areas. This decreased capacity to deliver care may explain the increased patient transfers to other hospitals, shortened ICU lengths of stay, and increased ED mortality.
33 systems launching physician residency programs FYI
About pharma
Sanofi extends $35 insulin programme to entire US market: Starting Jan. 1, anyone with a valid prescription — whether uninsured, commercially insured or on Medicare — will be able to buy a 30-day supply of any Sanofi insulin for a flat $35. The programme, known as the Insulins Valyou Savings Program, previously applied only to the uninsured.