US Senate Confirms Mark Cruz to Lead Indian Health Service

The U.S. Senate confirmed Mark Cruz, a citizen of the Klamath Tribes, as the director of the Indian Health Service (IHS) in a 51-47 vote on Friday. Cruz will lead the federal agency responsible for healthcare delivery to approximately 2.8 million Native American and Alaska Native patients, filling a leadership vacancy that has persisted since … Read more

How Surviving Leukemia Shaped a Duke Health CEO’s Approach to Care

Dr. David Zaas has been appointed CEO of the Duke University Health System, where he plans to prioritize patient-centered digital access and workforce development. A former transplant physician and researcher within the system, Zaas intends to address national healthcare challenges—including provider shortages and declining public trust—by expanding rural residency programs and integrating ethical artificial intelligence … Read more

State Health Plan Increases Costs for Older Workers and Retirees

The Shifting Landscape of State-Sponsored Healthcare: What Employees Need to Know The model for state-funded healthcare is undergoing a radical transformation. As public health plans across the nation grapple with billion-dollar deficits and rising medical inflation, the era of “set it and forget it” coverage is rapidly coming to an end. For hundreds of thousands … Read more

New Obesity Drug Leads to 85-Pound Weight Loss in Clinical Trial

The landscape of obesity treatment is undergoing a seismic shift. For decades, the medical community relied on lifestyle interventions—diet and exercise—with limited pharmacological support. Today, we are entering the era of “triple-hormone” therapy, led by experimental breakthroughs from pharmaceutical giants like Eli Lilly. The Rise of Triple-Action Weight Loss Medications While current market leaders like … Read more

RFK Jr. fires leaders of group that sets guidelines for health screenings

The New Era of Preventive Care: What Happens When Science Meets Politics? For decades, the blueprint for preventive healthcare in the United States has been guided by a relatively quiet, expert-driven process. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) acted as the gold standard, determining which screenings—from mammograms to colonoscopies—were scientifically proven to save lives … Read more

Could proposed WakeMed-Atrium deal become catalyst for broader hospital reform? :: WRAL.com

The Battle Over Healthcare Access: Why “Certificate of Need” is the New Frontline For decades, a quiet regulatory framework known as Certificate-of-Need (CON) laws has dictated how healthcare expands in many states. On the surface, these laws are designed to prevent the over-saturation of medical services and keep costs from spiraling. However, a growing movement … Read more

Settled suit means cheaper EpiPens, millions for NC taxpayers :: WRAL.com

North Carolina Secures $11 Million Settlement with EpiPen Manufacturer North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson and State Treasurer Brad Briner announced a settlement with EpiPen manufacturer Viatris (formerly Mylan) on Thursday, securing $11 million for the state. The agreement addresses allegations of anti-competitive practices that led to significant price increases for the life-saving allergy medication. … Read more

Poll shows Americans are cutting back on basics to afford health care

The Rising Cost of Healthcare: A Looming Crisis for Affordable Care Act Enrollees For millions of Americans, the promise of affordable healthcare through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is increasingly out of reach. A recent survey reveals a stark reality: escalating costs are forcing individuals to make difficult choices, impacting not only their health but … Read more

NC lawmakers turn critical eye toward spending on autism therapies, child care :: WRAL.com

North Carolina’s Dual Crisis: Child Care and Medicaid Funding on a Collision Course North Carolina lawmakers are grappling with a complex web of challenges as the 2026 legislative session approaches. Escalating Medicaid costs, particularly for autism therapies, are colliding with a severe child care shortage, creating a precarious situation for families, businesses, and the state’s … Read more

Trump wants to deploy a hospital ship to Greenland alleging people aren’t receiving care

Trump’s Greenland Hospital Ship Proposal: A Sign of Shifting US Arctic Policy? President Trump’s recent announcement regarding a hospital ship to Greenland has sparked confusion and criticism, but also highlights a growing, if sometimes unconventional, US interest in the Arctic region. Whereas the immediate proposal faces logistical hurdles and has been rejected by Greenland’s Prime … Read more