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Health & Wellness

Surging Cost of Childbirth in the US – Alarming Growth

TL/DR - The median cost of a vaginal birth in the U.S. is approximately $13,000, which can increase to $20,000 depending on the state and health insurance provider. A range of factors has contributed to this cost, including inflation, technological advances, and a shortage of healthcare workers, causing hospital prices and private insurers and…

Medicaid Enrollment Challenge Persist as Georgia Expands Eligibility

TL/DR - Georgia’s new Medicaid program, Georgia Pathways, has seen slow enrollment, with only 1,300 people signed up. The state projected as many as 370,000 may be eligible for the program, which loosens Medicaid eligibility requirements by admitting adults without children who earn less than 100% of the federal poverty line. However, critics…

Challenging Valuation of Proposed Abortion Amendment by Economists

TL/DR - State economists attending the Financial Impact Estimating Conference (FIEC) are doubtful they can estimate the financial impact of the proposed constitutional amendment on abortion rights by the November deadline. The team of economists is unsure if they can resolve the financial implications of the amendment due to the uncertain future…

2024 Forecast: Employer Coverage for GLP-1 Drugs Set to Soar

TL/DR - The use of GLP-1 medications such as Ozempic and Wegovy for weight loss is becoming increasingly popular, and many businesses plan on covering these drugs for their employees in the future. According to a survey by Accolade, a healthcare firm, 43% of employers plan to cover these drugs by 2024, nearly doubling the current coverage rate of…