health care costs

Despite COVID-19’s economic devastation, the US health insurance industry could emerge unscathed.

Genomic diagnostic tests—which produce results in hours rather than weeks—offer the first sea change in diagnostic testing since the 19th century Petri dish method.   A clutch of start-ups are hard at work developing their own versions. One touts a “coffee maker-size”…

Cancer patients have better chances of survival than ever—but managing cancer as a chronic illness can bring a lifetime of “financial toxicity.”   Breast cancer is the costliest malignancy, with medical costs slated to reach $16.5 billion in the US this year.   For…

In the 1990s, Taiwan shifted to a single-payer health system. Early on, there were enormous wins: comprehensive, affordable benefits for every citizen which continue to contribute to longer, healthier lives.  The downside: Growing costs challenge the system’s financial…

In the 1990s, Taiwan shifted to a single-payer health system. Early on, there were enormous wins: comprehensive, affordable benefits for every citizen which continue to contribute to longer, healthier lives.  The downside: Growing costs challenge the system’s financial…

Nigeria is hemorrhaging doctors to countries with better infrastructure, less corruption, and bigger bankrolls for competitive salaries. More than half of Nigeria’s 75,000 doctors practice abroad. Those who stay grapple with frequent power cuts, paltry…

Get ready to be outraged.  The Lown Institute’s 3rd Annual Shkreli Awards came out yesterday. The tributes to pharma bro Martin Shkreli call out the 10 “worst actors in health care.” Here’s a couple: 

Diabetes management can take a back seat during humanitarian emergencies—but a new DRC study pokes holes in the idea that diabetes care is too expensive and complicated for emergency settings. A Médecins sans Frontières-supported outpatient diabetes program in North Kivu's…

How did Los Algodones, Mexico get the nickname “Molar City?” The Baja town has under 5,000 residents—and some 600 dentists. The dental tourism hub is dominated by one provider, Sani Dental, which lures Americans—and some Canadians—with slick clinics and English-speaking…

Americans’ hefty medical bills would be unthinkable for people in similarly wealthy countries. In the US, deductibles on job-based health insurance plans have tripled in the last 10 years, straining budgets to the point that 1/2 of Americans delayed medical care last year…