Industry news

By: Alan Condon, As seen in Beckers Healthcare

House Republicans released a budget blueprint on Feb.

12 that orders the Energy and Commerce Committee,

which oversees Medicare and Medicaid, to find $880

billion in savings from fiscal years 2025 through 2034.

The budget resolution does not specify how the committee

must cut costs by $880 billion, but Medicare and Medicaid are by far the largest

programs under its oversight. The $880 billion makes up more than half of the $1.5 trillion total cost reductions Republican lawmakers aim to achieve over the 10 years.

In Early February, Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency had gained access to CMS systems, which manage more than $1 trillion in annual payments. DOGE had been examining CMS spending data for potential fraud, abuse or waste but a federal judge on Feb. 8 blocked its access to the Treasury Department’s central payment system.

The Trump administration has said that it will not cut Medicare, but Medicaid and Affordable Care Act subsidies remain vulnerable, and it is difficult to see how the committee could meet its lofty cost-cutting target without significant cuts to federal healthcare programs.

By: Kelly Gooch, As seen in Beckers Healthcare

Boston-based Tufts University and Oakland, Calif.-based Kaiser Permanente

have partnered to form the Food Is Medicine National Network of

Excellence, a national network focused on addressing food insecurity and

improving community health.

The network will develop best practices related to food-based interventions,

such as medically tailored meals, produce prescriptions and nutrition

education, in healthcare and communities, Tufts and Kaiser said in a Feb. 6

news release. The launch comes after Kaiser established its Food Is

Medicine Center of Excellence in April 2024.

The Food Is Medicine Institute at the Gerald J. and Dorothy R. Friedman

School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts and Kaiser Permanente are

the primary drivers of the initiative. Other founding members of the network

include Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina of Durham, CVS

Health in Woonsocket, R.I., Devoted Health of Waltham, Mass., Indianapolisbased

Elevance Health, Geisinger in Danville, Pa., and Pittsburgh-based

Highmark Health.

“Each year, suboptimal diets and food insecurity cause more than 500,000

deaths and cost the U.S. economy $1.1 trillion in healthcare and lost

productivity,” Dariush Mozaffarian, MD, DrPH, director of the institute said in

the release. “By working together, we can scale evidence-based nutritional

interventions that are driving change, improving health and reducing

disparities.”

ACRISURE Blog

The landscape of employee benefits continues to evolve in 2025. With

advancements in technology, shifts in workforce demographics, and

changing societal values, it’s essential for companies to stay ahead of the

curve in offering attractive and meaningful benefits.

In this article, we’ll explore some key employee benefits that could be important

in 2025 and how these benefits can help attract and retain top

talent.*

Six Types of Employee Benefits That Are Important for 2025.

1. Comprehensive Health and Wellness Programs

Holistic Health Coverage: In 2025, employees may look for health insurance

that covers not just physical health, but also mental and emotional

wellbeing. Comprehensive health plans that include mental health services,

telehealth options, and wellness programs are important considerations.

Preventive Care: Emphasis on preventive care will likely grow, with employers

offering insurance benefit plans that include regular health screenings,

fitness programs, and nutrition counseling. These initiatives help employees

maintain their health and may reduce long-term healthcare costs. Dental

and vision utilization continues to increase as employees seek early disease

detection and improving overall health.

Mental Health Support: With increasing mental health awareness, benefits

that include Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs), stress management

workshops, and access to therapists and counselors could be attractive.

2. Providing Voluntary Benefits to Employees

No Cost to the Employer: Voluntary benefits are optional insurance

products or services that employees can choose to purchase through their

employer, often at a group rate. These benefits are typically paid for by the

employee through payroll deductions and can include options such as

dental, vision, disability, and life insurance.