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Research suggests women living in states with abortion bans bear higher health insurance costs
Ten states with near-total abortion bans were compared with five states that did not implement bans, including Pennsylvania.
Health minister decries bill subsidizing NHI premiums for most seniors
Health Minister Shih Chung-liang (石崇良) has warned that newly passed legislation fully subsidizing National Health Insurance (NHI) premiums for most seniors would increase the financial burden on younger generations.
MS&AD Insurance Group Holdings (TSE:8725) Highlights Its US Business, Is The Upside Already Priced In?
MS&AD Insurance Group Holdings (TSE:8725) put its U.S. operations in the spotlight at its recent Investor Relations Day, giving shareholders fresh detail on how that overseas unit fits into the wider insurance group. The recent Investor Relations Day lands after a strong run in the share price, with a 1-day share price return of 2.49%, a 7-day share price return of 5.05% and a 90-day share price return of 14.70% that points to building momentum. A 1-year total shareholder return of 63.73% and...
Twenty Hours a Week at an Amazon Warehouse for Health Insurance at 60? Here Is the Math a Retired Paralegal Will Run
A 60-year-old paralegal with $350,000 saved and five years until Medicare faces a decision that could quietly reshape her entire retirement, and the answer turns on a warehouse job that pays less than half what she used to earn.
Health insurance is the sleeper midterms issue: Why premiums are spiking
Americans are bracing to pay significantly more for health insurance next month, whether they have Affordable Care Act plans or get insurance through work. Premiums for some people could be t…
Health insurance is the sleeper midterms issue: Why premiums are spiking
Americans are bracing to pay significantly more for health insurance next month, whether they have Affordable Care Act plans or get insurance through work. Premiums for some people could be t…
Georgia Affordable Care Act health insurance premiums set to rise dramatically
Georgia marketplace health insurance premiums under the Affordable Care Act could skyrocket as high as 29 percent next year.
Health insurers balk at paying for newborns' RSV immunization in the hospital
Many infants are leaving the hospital without getting immunized against RSV. Why? Because many insurance companies won't pay for the shots while the newborn is in the hospital.
Double-Digit Health Insurance Rate Increases Finalized for 2027
Health insurance rates in New Jersey’s individual market, which includes Get Covered New Jersey, will increase by an average of 19.8% for 2027, according
Local health insurance broker highlights changes coming to Medicare, healthcare policies in 2027
As over a million Coloradans review their healthcare plans for Medicare’s open enrollment period — running from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7 — a local health insurance broker is preparing
Travelers earnings rise as commercial insurance pricing stabilizes
Travelers reported higher third-quarter earnings Friday as commercial insurance pricing stayed largely stable and investment income rose.
Having insurance doesn’t mean you can get a mental health appointment
Americans with commercial insurance are generally told they have access to a strong network of mental health providers. But when researchers called providers listed in those networks, securing an appointment was usually difficult or impossible, according to a new study.Researchers, posed as “secret shoppers” looking for appointments for issu...
Can AI solve our mental health access problem?
Last week I asked you what worries you most about AI in health. It was close, but your top answer was “AI giving bad health advice.” Last week’s poll results: You’re in good company. This concern was top of mind at a conference I joined at Stanford last week, where researchers, clinicians, and people who build AI systems spent a day debating trust and safety in health AI. Stepping back, I’m also hearing your emerging concerns about AI’s impact on our well-being generally. I see this as a matter of public health, and we’ll take it in pieces as we learn together. Today we’ll focus on AI chatbots used for therapy for mental health. Early this month, Governor Newsom vetoed Senate Bill 903, California’s most ambitious attempt to regulate AI use for mental health. It’s at the center of active debate, and raises the questions patients, family members, citizens, and voters will face as AI moves deeper into health care. Let’s work through it. What is “AI-based therapy”? It’s really two things: purpose-built mental health apps designed to deliver structured support, and general chatbots like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini that people increasingly use for emotional support—even if they weren’t built for it. Spoiler alert: I don’t know whether the shift toward AI therapy is good or bad. The evidence isn’t there yet. But I do know it’s already happening, and I have some ideas about how we can roll it out with safety in mind. The therapy dilemma, in a nutshell Mental health challenges are common, and strain health and well-being across populations. Therapy (interactive dialogue with a trained, empathetic practitioner) helps many people heal. The demand for licensed therapists far exceeds the supply in California, and AI-based therapy can narrow that gap. AI-based therapy remains novel, unproven, and not well tested. Right off the bat, we can see we’re dealing with trade-offs here. Since the main driver of demand for therapy from a robot is lack of access to therapy from a human, we’ll start there. It’s too hard to find and afford a human therapist California is short roughly 55,000 licensed, non-prescribing therapists and counselors, about 40% of what we need. Psychiatrists, who rely on talk therapy as a complement to prescribed medications, are even more scarce. Eight counties have none, and density ranges from 1.7 per 100,000 residents in San Benito County, to 68.1 in Marin County. My wife is a psychiatrist in Marin, and even here access is tight. If it’s hard in the best-supplied county, imagine rural Sierra County, or the San Joaquin Valley. In 2024, more than half of Californians who tried to make a mental health appointment struggled to find a provider who took their insurance, compared with 14% for physical health care. When Senate staff posed as “secret shopper” patients and called 120 mental health providers in Medicare Advantage networks, they landed an appointment less than once for every five tries. Insurers pay behavioral health clinicians about 22% less than medical and surgical clinicians for comparable office visits. On top of that, billing denials and prior authorizations hit hardest at the solo and small practices common in mental health. Psychiatrists opt out of Medicare at the highest rate of any specialty. In many places, a cash practice for therapy fills quickly with patients paying $250 or more an hour, with no insurance paperwork at all. Families who can pay cash find providers more easily. Those who rely on insurance, including Medi-Cal enrollees, older adults, rural residents, and non-English speakers, compete for what’s left. So we can’t pretend the human system works, and we can’t blame people for turning to AI for support when they’re in distress. AI is filling the gap It’s estimated that roughly a quarter of AI users use it for mental health support. If you have internet, it’s available 24/7, it’s cheap, and it speaks your language. Uninsured adults are about twice as likely as insured adults to do it (30% vs. 14%). It feels anonymous in ways that may enable people to ask things they’re unsure or embarrassed about. The largely hidden, personal use makes it hard to study whether it’s actually helping people with their mental health issues, but researchers are trying. Does AI therapy work? A 2026 analysis of nearly 40 randomized trials found chatbots showed a real but small reduction in depression symptoms. But most of these trials were compared to an alternative of no therapy, not a human therapist. So the benefit of AI therapy is probably real, but modest, and mostly untested against the alternative of human contact. We need more studies. Serious concerns OpenAI’s own estimate is that more than a million ChatGPT users each week show signs of suicidal planning or intent. These are high stakes encounters, and AI doesn’t always get it right. That’s partly because a chatbot can sound like a therapist, but it has no license, no duty of care, and it’s not clear who to hold accountable when it gets things wrong. AI is also designed to help users in whatever task they’re seeking to accomplish. People may feel like they’re getting therapy, but they’re mainly getting a convincing conversation. It’s easy for an AI companion to wander into gray areas, like playing along with “creative writing” that may be about the user’s own suicidal intent. Courts are driving safety conversations A wave of lawsuits have been filed on behalf of families claiming that chatbots pushed people they loved toward self-harm, including teens who died by suicide. The first settlements came this year. OpenAI is headquartered in San Francisco, and dozens of cases alleging that ChatGPT drove users to suicide or self-harm are now before a San Francisco judge. Character.ai has filed for bankruptcy after several states brought lawsuits accusing the chatbot of pushing dangerous content to kids. But the technology seems to be improving. Last month, an independent evaluation found that newer AI models “almost never endorse suicide.” That’s progress, but our societal appetite for even one preventable death is very low. So how do we move forward? Finding a middle ground Earlier this month the governor vetoed Senate Bill 903, a bill designed to place guardrails on the use of AI for therapy. The bill would have prohibited any AI-based platform from being advertised as psychotherapy, and would have required a licensed professional to review and approve each encounter where AI was used to support therapeutic decisions. Newsom called it overly broad, since even routine screening questions would have needed clinician sign-off. Knowing we’re already short on mental health providers, requiring human review of AI encounters may not relieve our access problems. Still, the answer isn’t no oversight. Here’s one feasible short term solution. Rather than reviewing each encounter, a licensed clinician can design the guardrails: what counts as a crisis, what triggers an immediate handoff to a human, and what gets sampled for audit each month. The AI runs inside that structure. Conversations get checked, failures get reported, and a real clinician owns the framework. Medicine already has models to learn from. The FDA process for rolling out newly approved medications is an example. After a product reaches patients, we keep watching for adverse events. Patient-facing AI needs the same “digital pharmacovigilance”: systematic tracking of harms, near misses, and the types of groups that get hurt and why. It’s also critical that users know that they can reach a human if they’re in crisis. Most chatbots now include messages like these: Bottom line The rush to use unproven AI tools for mental health support is mostly a workaround, a sign of a health system people can’t get into. We need better access to proven care from licensed clinicians. That takes reimbursement that makes accepting insurance viable, and a bigger workforce. But, built and tested well, AI could be part of the answer. It could be the 2 a.m. check-in when no one else is awake, or a way for patients to practice skills their therapist taught them. It could be the first step to get someone the right level of care, and take paperwork off clinicians’ plates so they spend more time with patients. None of this is simple. The SB 903 veto doesn’t end the debate, and the legislature will be back. In the meantime, those of us using these tools need to stay informed, ask hard questions, and hold the companies building them accountable. I’ll try to do my part, and we’ll keep learning together. Love,Matt P.S. If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health challenges, emotional distress, substance use problems, or just needs to talk, call or text 988- you’ll reach a real person— or chat at 988lifeline.org 24/7. Dr. Matt Willis is the author of Your Local Epidemiologist in California. A California native, he’s served as a primary care physician, CDC epidemiologist, and public health officer for Marin County, where he guided the pandemic response. He lives in Marin with his family and their dogs, Teddy and Ramona. Thank you Cynthia He, MD, PhD, and Parnika Saxena, MD, for their guidance in preparing this article. Cynthia works in an outpatient mental health clinic, treating patients who have Medi-Cal or, sometimes, no insurance. Parnika works in an inpatient psychiatric unit, treating patients with public or private insurance or self-pay ability. All opinions are their own and do not represent their employers.
Prichard finance committee meeting raise questions about employee health insurance and potential pay
During Thursday’s finance committee meeting, a committee member questioned Mayor Carletta Davis about confusion surrounding the city’s health insurance plan with Blue Cross Blue Shield.
Prichard finance committee meeting raise questions about employee health insurance and potential pay increases
Prichard finance committee meets as city budget runs more than two weeks overdue
Here's why NJ consumers face double-digit Obamacare premium hikes
The five companies offering health insurance in New Jersey under the Affordable Care Cat, or Obamacare, are charging double-digit hikes.
Employees of Russellville-based Arkansas Tech University to face 14% health insurance premium hike in 2027
RUSSELLVILLE -- Faculty and staff at Arkansas Tech University are set to see double-digit increases in their health and dental insurance premiums in 2027 after the hikes were presented to the Board of Trustees on Thursday.
Why your health insurance is dropping GLP-1 coverage
Coverage for these anti-obesity drugs was finally becoming more common. Not anymore.
Workers Aren’t Driving Employer Health Costs. 90 Percent of the Increase Came From Prices
Workers used just 2 percent more medical care, but employers paid nearly 19 percent more. New data reveals where the money went.
Nasdaq reports network disruption, US equities data feeds impacted
Nasdaq is experiencing a network disruption at its Carteret, New Jersey facility affecting US equities data feeds and causing intermittent data gaps.
ASG discusses student health insurance, campus safety
Miami University’s Associated Student Government (ASG) passed a resolution involving student health insurance and discussed campus safety concerns at its meeting on Oct. 13.
CT distributes $10M in health insurance assistance to more than 7,600 paraeducators
Connecticut is distributing $10 million to help more than 7,600 public school paraeducators pay their health insurance costs.
Marsh targets more cost cuts; reports revenue increase
Marsh on Thursday increased its annual cost savings target under its Thrive restructuring program by 50% to $600 million, as the brokerage reported higher third-quarter revenue and profit despite a 6%
Liberty Mutual to acquire Brazilian surety business
U.S.-headquartered Liberty Mutual Holding Company Inc. has agreed to acquire Brazilian firm Austral Seguradora SA, Coverager reported. The acquisition, which includes Austral’s surety…
Online Sports Betting Linked To Rise In Depression And Anxiety Treatment
By HealthDay Staff HealthDay ReporterTHURSDAY, Oct. 15, 2026 (HealthDay News) — More people are receiving treatment for depression and anxiety in states that legalized online sports betting. Researchers from Johns Hopkins University reviewed health insurance records from 2016 to 2023, comparing ...
Interactive: Could the No Surprises Act be driving up health insurance costs?
The No Surprises Act ended many unexpected medical bills, but critics say costly arbitration awards may be adding pressure to insurance premiums.
Free Lamanda Park Workshop Hands Would-Be Business Owners a 17-Item Checklist
Starting a business in Pasadena comes with a list: a name, a legal structure, insurance, financing and a city business license that has to be renewed every year. A two-hour workshop Saturday at a Pasadena branch library aims to put that list in order. SCORE Los Angeles, the nonprofit presenting the session, says attendees will leave with a 17-item checklist of steps for getting a business established. The Pasadena Public Library is sponsoring the workshop, according to SCORE. The listing says the session is meant for people thinking about starting a business and for those who have recently started one. SCORE wrote that the program “cuts through the confusion and chaos” of figuring out what it takes to start a business. According to the listing, it covers the legal requirements for a start-up business, along with other practical steps worth taking. Beyond those basics, the session covers taxes, the elements of a business plan and marketing, according to the listing. It also weighs the pros and cons of different legal structures, examines the major causes of business failure and offers ways to avoid legal problems. Attendees will hear how SCORE can help new businesses succeed. Some of the rules a new owner must follow are local. The city’s Department of Finance requires that annual license to be displayed prominently at the place of business. Businesses that sell tangible goods also need a state seller’s permit showing their Pasadena address, and any business that prepares or sells food needs approval from the Pasadena Health Department, according to the department. Even charities are covered: “Charitable non-profit businesses are required to obtain a business license,” the department’s guidance says. SCORE lists two instructors for the workshop. Dick Mader, a SCORE mentor who serves on the chapter’s board of directors, started a media distribution
Rep. Terri Sewell hosts healthcare panel with former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi
Sewell talked about the role the Affordable Care Act has played in keeping health insurance affordable in Alabama.
Va. lawmakers, Spanberger grapple with loss of federal healthcare funds for trans youth
Federal Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program money can no longer be used for certain gender-affirming care to young people in Virginia and other states, after a new U.S. Department of Health and Human Services rule took effect on Oct. 13.
Geopolitical disruption is moving faster than insurance programs
As clients reroute supply chains and change suppliers, coverage gaps are widening
Idaho lawmakers tee up bill to reform prior authorization, and more health insurance issues
A panel of Idaho lawmakers that studied issues in the health insurance market formalized plans to draft legislation on a range of issues.
Arizona employee health insurance costs are 'out of control,' lawmakers say
Rising healthcare costs and limited state budget reserves could lead to higher employee premiums, greater cost-sharing and other changes to the plan.
Zodoc acquires health tech company Sohar Health for automated benefits eligibility checks
Zocdoc acquired insurance technology co | Zocdoc acquired insurance technology company Sohar Health as it pushes to evolve beyond an appointment-booking marketplace into broader healthcare access infrastructure.
This is Where Health Insurance Will Cost You the Most—and Least—Around the World
The SIP Health Cost Index ranks the average cost of private health insurance in 60 countries, including Singapore, Morocco, and Malta.
Some EGF businesses reporting lower operation costs compared to last year
Visits with 12 local businesses give details about workforce needs, increased insurance and material costs and the state's Earned Sick and Safe Time mandate.
Mon County Commission approves 2027 health insurance strategy
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — The Monongalia County Commission approved a new employee health insurance contribution strategy Wednesday that officials say will help limit rising costs while maintaining coverage options for county
Amwins unveils battery, EV coverage
Amwins Global Risks said Tuesday it has expanded its specialist commercial and industrial insurance facility to cover battery energy storage systems and electric vehicle infrastructure.
Drake Bell urges followers, ‘Do not become an actor,’ after SAG health insurance denial
The “Drake & Josh” alum did not hit the minimum earnings requirement to secure benefits.
Drake Bell urges followers, ‘Do not become an actor,’ after SAG health insurance denial
Drake Bell did not make the required minimum earnings to secure health benefits with SAG-AFTRA, so he urged people to avoid becoming professional actors.
SPECIAL REPORT: Tough Business
A string of vacant restaurant buildings shows that many restaurants in the region are struggling — and several are closing By Stefan Yablonski [caption id=attachment_11132 align=alignright width=401] Smokey Bones Bar & Fire Grill on Route 31 in Clay closed its doors in April. It had been in operation since at least 2008.[/caption] By their nature, most restaurants have a limited life. An astonishing 60% go out of business within three years of opening, largely due to fundamental flaws in the planning of the operation. But even restaurants that experience years of success almost always face eventual closure. The restaurant business is very hard and because of both personal factors and external factors beyond anyone’s control, restaurants don’t last forever. For many restaurants, age is a big factor, according to Kenneth Walsleben, professor of practice, entrepreneurship and emerging enterprises at Syracuse University. “The owners have been at it for 20 or 25 years, if not longer, they want some time to themselves,” he said. Such was the case for Jocko’s Famous Ritz Diner in Oswego. Jocko Reitz bought the building in the late 1970s from Robert Shapiro. However, when he stepped away from the business, it eventually closed. [caption id=attachment_11142 align=alignright width=402] For nearly 80 years, Vona’s Restaurant passed through three generations of family in Oswego. It closed its doors on Dec. 31, 2025.[/caption] For nearly 80 years, Vona’s passed through three generations of family in Oswego. Vona’s Restaurant officially closed its doors on Dec. 31, 2025, when no family member wanted to take over. It is on the market. The Ruby Tuesday in Oswego operated for about two decades before permanently closing in April 2026. The restaurant faced multiple temporary health department closures in 2024 and 2025 due to persistent fruit fly and foundation pest issues. Management posted a final closure notice on the doors in mid-April 2026 and the building was put up for sale. The same pattern has been happening in Onondaga County. The big building once used by Smokey Bones Bar & Fire Grill on Route 31 in Clay remains empty, more than six months after the restaurant closed its doors in April. It had been in operation since at least 2008. [caption id=attachment_11130 align=alignright width=401] Ruby Tuesday in Oswego operated for about two decades before permanently closing in April 2026.[/caption] Just down the road from Smokey Bones, the popular Outback Steakhouse closed in August 2024. Another restaurant took its place, La Cocina Mexican Restaurant, but it closed shortly after. The building sits empty. Other very popular restaurants in the northern suburbs of Syracuse have recently closed. Among them, Fireside by the River in Baldwinsville and Primo Nestico’s Bistro Bar in North Syracuse. “I haven’t really paid attention to the Syracuse area. There has always been some turnover, but there probably has never been a tougher time to be a restauranter than now. It’s just brutal,” Walsleben said. In the first year, roughly 20% to 25% of restaurants close or change hands, according to the National Restaurant Association. [caption id=attachment_11122 align=alignright width=401] Outback Steakhouse closed in August 2024. Another restaurant took its place, La Cocina Mexican Restaurant, but it closed shortly after. The building sits empty.[/caption] “Depending on what statistics you look at, you’ll find that any business has a high mortality rate in the first year. That is just the nature of entrepreneurship,” Walsleben said. “There are certain ones that are getting hit hard while others are more fruitful. “And when you look at the restaurant industry you have to factor in labor which is a large part — typically a third of your expenses — and those costs are going up. And there is always turnover which means investing money to train people. Then you’ve got food costs, which is also a third of the typical restaurant budget. Since the pandemic labor has gone up 41%, food costs have gone up 35%. That’s a big tight squeeze righty there. That’s two-thirds of your budget that has gone up 35% to 40% in the last few years. And then the only way you can make that work is to raise the prices.” The National Restaurant Association reports menu prices are up 36% since February of 2020. In a survey released by the association, more than eight in 10 restaurant owners reported that their food, beverage and labor costs are now higher than before the pandemic. You have to deal with the reality of are the customers willing to pay for that? Walsleben added. Restaurants historically have very thin margins; their profit margin is about 5%. “You have a third that goes into food, a third that goes into labor and about 28%, 29% that goes into everything else — overhead, insurance etc. So that brings you down to your 5% leftover,” he said. “Everything is going up. Customer expectations are going up and people aren’t going to spend that much more. So, you have a tight squeeze here,” Walsleben continued. “Restaurants who use delivery apps, they pay a fee to those guys. Those guys don’t work for free. So, you can kind of see where the squeeze comes from.” Stuck in the middle There are pockets of opportunity; the two extremes of the market can make a profit. But the middle gets squeezed out. “If you are a low-end fast-food kind of place, there is room for that. People have changed their budgets. They are still going out, but they are not spending more,” according to Walsleben. “The high end remains positive. If you have a restaurant that brings a specific experience … a great food product or you are catering to high end customers who aren’t so budget conscious, those patrons are going to expect a high-end experience. They expect excellent food every time. They are expecting excellent service. If you can meet those expectations there is room for you at the top. It’s just the guys in the middle are getting the squeeze from both ends. Tough competition, customer expectations, costs are up. Menu items, you can’t raise the prices as much as you need to. That is why you are seeing a lot of restaurants baling out.” The ones that can adapt quickly are the ones who are doing OK. “Success is heavily dependent on the strength of a restaurant’s concept development and the planning of its execution. Eventually things aren’t always new. Things change. So, if you are in the restaurant business you have got to change your menu — keep things new, fresh and update your meals. It is very fickle industry. One year carbs are out, the next year berries are out. Everybody’s diet changes — constantly chasing the latest phase. You have got to adjust your menu and move with those modifications. If you have a static menu that you have used the last couple years that hasn’t changed except for the pricing, you’ve got a problem,” he said. A lot of times these buildings are singular purpose, he added. “You have a commercially viable kitchen and you got a seating area. There is not a lot of other businesses that cater to that type of a layout. So, it’s pretty common to see another restaurant slide in,” he said. One of the things a banker learns early on is you don’t lend money to restaurants … because they fail so quickly. It is very hard to predict who the winners will be. So, if you are a restaurant in addition to all the other challenges, it is very difficult to get loans, according to Walsleben. “You might work really well in the kitchen. But that doesn’t mean you are a great businessperson,” he said. “Restaurants can fail because the owner didn’t know how to manage things properly. There are a lot of challenges. “There is opportunity at the high end and the low end. But in the middle, that’s the death valley. There are just so many things working against you. You really need to have something that will pull people in and continue to pull people in because you to constantly have to change. Think about a theme and a product that is unique to the area people don’t travel that far these days you have to be able to deliver it in an innovative fashion and keep updating to keep people coming in the door.” Out of Business? How Fast? Do nine out of 10 restaurants fail in their first year, as commonly claimed? No. Survival analysis of 1.9 million longitudinal microdata for 81,000 full-service restaurants in a 20-year U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics non public census of business establishments in the western US shows that only 17% of independently owned full-service restaurant startups failed in their first year, compared with 19% for all other service-providing startups, according to ResearchGate. The median lifespan of restaurants is about 4.5 years, slightly longer than that of other service businesses (4.25 years). However, the median lifespan of a restaurant startup with 5 or fewer employees is 3.75 years, slightly shorter than that of other service businesses of the same startup size (4.0 years). What Makes a Restaurant Successful? Opening and maintaining a successful restaurant is not as easy as creating a great menu and serving excellent food. It takes more than that, according to local restaurant owners who have been in business for decades in the region. They all agree that there are some guidelines to running a successful restaurant. • Quality food: Successful restaurants know exactly what they serve and who they serve it to. Delivering the same great taste every single time builds loyal customers. • Smooth operations: Friendly greetings and attentive staff make guests feel welcome from the moment they walk in. Hiring staff for personality and training for skill ensures reliable, caring service. • Smart marketing: Exceptional food and experiences naturally get people talking and sharing online. Word of mouth can help entice customers. Consistent social media and targeted advertising brings in new and repeat guests also. The menu is what keeps patrons coming back to Mimi’s Diner in Fulton, located at 201 N. Second St. “We locally source our produce and our meats. Our chicken and biscuits is a popular, popular special,” said Richard Tagliareni, the third-generation owner and general manager. “It’s all homemade. We have consistently served quality food.” His grandfather started the business more than 55 years ago. Mimi’s is engrained in the community. They cater to the community and are very involved in everything from the schools to local events. The first Mimi’s Drive-In opened in Mexico. Then a second in Oswego and then Fulton. Fulton’s Mimi’s is the only one left. “The last couple of weeks have been kind of slower than normal. October is usually a busier month for us People will start coming back around again. Also, the price of gas is affecting some things,” Tagliareni added. “We try to keep our prices in line. You go out to eat, you’re going to spend about a hundred bucks or so for two people for dinner. You come here to Mimi’s you are probably for two people for dinner it’s between $50 and $60. We are trying to keep our prices in line. We did have to increase our prices a little bit but things are looking OK.” For the Press Box, 29 E. First St., Oswego, it’s also about great food and a family atmosphere. “Our sports bar and restaurant was established in 1984,” said Alison Canale Scanlon, manager. “I think putting the time into everything makes a big difference and treating people like family when they walk into your restaurant. That’s how we have always operated since 1984.” “It’s the family oriented aspect,” she added. “Consistency, quality and presentation of our food — that’s the secret to a successful restaurant. We try to be very consistent with it. We treat people like family when they come in; because we know how we want to be treated when we go to a restaurant. We treat people the same or better.”
Mom-and-Pop Business Owners Grapple with Harsh Times
Report shows small business owners in NYS less optimistic about the economy. Taxes, inflation, labor costs and competition from larger businesses are major concerns right now, they say By Aaron Gifford [caption id=attachment_11067 align=alignright width=300] Ashley Ranslow is director for New York state at The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB).[/caption] Owners of mom-and-pop businesses in New York state have been less optimistic lately than their peers in other parts of the country, a recent report indicates. The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), based on a survey of 11,000 of its members in the Empire State, reported that taxes, inflation, labor costs and competition from larger businesses are major concerns right now. “Indeed, while taxes are a major problem in New York and the United States overall, New York small businesses notably are struggling more with the state’s onerous, multi-level tax burden,” Ashley Ranslow, NFIB’s director for New York state, said in the July report. Compared with surveys of business owners in other states, far fewer New York respondents rated their businesses as in excellent or good health. The report also said labor costs here are about 25% higher than the national average and are the “single most important problem” facing businesses. One respondent to the New York-specific survey complained that too much red tape, taxes and laws that restrict high-yielding companies have stifled their operation’s growth. Others said high disability and workers’ compensation insurance costs, alarming increases in utility rates and excessive building regulations are discouraging. Statewide, New York has a gross domestic product of $2.53 trillion (third in the nation, followed by Texas, $2.90 trillion; and California, $4.25 trillion), a per capita income of $90,500 (sixth) and an unemployment rate of 4.6% (34th). There are 2.4 million small businesses that employ 3.9 million people. [caption id=attachment_11112 align=alignright width=451] Member of the Greater Liverpool Chamber of Commerce gather at one of the several functions the chamber organizes monthly. “Everyone in this business community encourages each other to shop local. Everyone just wants to see each other succeed,” says Megan Wilmot, the chamber director[/caption] “New York state boasts one of the largest, wealthiest and most diverse cities in the world — and that’s still only about half the state’s population,” the report said. “In other words, the state is both its iconic city and so much more — geographically, demographically, economically. But New York is not without its challenges, challenges that include notably high taxes and other weaknesses that impact the small business environment,” it said. The report includes an optimism index that compares responses from New York (NFIB) members with those of their peers in other states across several categories. This ranges from plans to increase employment to expectations for higher sales, to plans to increase inventory or expand. The scores for Empire State business owners were lower in most categories, but they did score higher than the national average in noting that they have current employment openings, and that they are hopeful that the economy will improve. “The metrics so far paint a picture of a state with a series of challenges for small businesses, from a slightly below national average Optimism Index to a more seriously below national business health to very substantially below national Employment Index. What is going on with businesses that are creating these differences?” the report stated. In Central New York, the regional labor force comprises nearly 398,000 workers. The median household income here is $71,463, and the gross domestic product for the region last year totaled $61.3 billion, according to the CenterState CEO economic development and research organization. About half of the region’s labor force works for small and mid-sized businesses, although the number of people employed in that sector has decreased by 7% since 2010, according to CenterState’s 2026 economic forecast report. “While record-high employment in large-scale enterprises provides a strong foundation for Central New York,” the report says, “the long-term health of communities depends on a thriving small business sector to serve as a stabilizer.” Area employers identify several barriers to Central New York’s anticipated growth, including lack of specialized or skilled workers, government regulations, unaffordable housing options and long-term construction disruptions. In the city of Syracuse, the number of jobs in retail trade decreased by 1,500 or 4.7% between July 2025 and this past July. By contrast, the number of jobs in the leisure and hospitality sector increased by 2.5% or 700 jobs, in the same annual period, according to the New York State Department of Labor. Still, there’s plenty of interest for new businesses across Central New York. U.S. Census figures show that the number of applications for new businesses in all four counties increased significantly in the past 20 years. In Cayuga County, there were 324 applications in 2005 compared to 470 last year. In Madison County, the number increased from 385 to 480; Onondaga County, from 2411 to 4132; and Oswego County, from 553 to 836. Downtown Cazenovia is exemplary of Madison County’s trend: In the past year, the village welcomed a bait shop, a thrift store, a vitamin infusion center, a pizzeria, a Pilates studio and an Italian restaurant. A candy store is scheduled to open on the main drag in the months ahead. Oswego’s list of interesting new businesses in the past year includes a bubble tea shop, a hot dog eatery in Fulton, a specialty grocery store that features New York state products in Mexico, a beauty and esthetics studio in Hannibal and a hardware and farm supply store in Sandy Creek. In Onondaga County, the Liverpool area has also enjoyed a steady stream of new shops and eateries in recent years. That suburban community is unique in that, unlike neighboring communities, most of the restaurants are family-owned and not part of a national chain. [caption id=attachment_11116 align=alignright width=300] Megan Wilmot is the executive director of the Greater Liverpool’s Chamber of Commerce.[/caption] Megan Wilmot, executive director of the Greater Liverpool Chamber of Commerce, said independent business owners in her community maintain a strong sense of pride in holding their own against national companies. The chamber helps boost morale with red carpet events, ribbon cuttings, coffee hours and five-year anniversary celebrations for participating businesses. “We have built such a strong community,” Wilmot said. “Everyone in this business community encourages each other to shop local. Everyone just wants to see each other succeed.” In Syracuse, the downtown retail occupancy rate last year was about 82%, a slight improvement from 2024, according to the Downtown Syracuse Committee’s most recent annual report. Buildings with the largest amount of vacant space included The Galleries, One Park Place, and Equitable Towers, though not all of those spaces are designated for retail use. New businesses that opened in downtown Syracuse last year: Better with Time Clothing, Dakshin Curry & Biriyani, Havana Tattoo Society, Milano Bean Café, Miss Daisy, Pausa Coffee, Sweets for Babe, The Society CNY and Yafah Beauty Studio. The Destiny USA mall’s occupancy rate decreased from 80% in 2023 to 72% by the end of 2024, according to Integra Realty Resources. That leaves more than a quarter of the mall’s retail space vacant. “Looking ahead, the retail market is expected to see minimal rent growth, with vacancy rates likely remaining stable in community and neighborhood centers but continuing to rise in enclosed malls,” Integra’s report said. “New construction activity is low and redevelopment plans for former malls like Shoppingtown and Great Northern are still in the planning stages. The proposed Micron chip plant may spur development, but challenges remain in finding co-developers for large-scale projects.” Nationally, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce expects that small businesses will remain resilient and see their sales and revenues eventually improve. That organization, in a recent national survey, found that 25% of small business owners expect the economy to improve in 2027, while 45% indicated that they plan to increase employment in the next 12 months. And 69% said they believe their small business is in good shape and 70% said they are comfortable with their current cash flow. Thirty-one percent of small businesses reported raising their prices in July and 28% are planning to raise their prices within the next three to four months, the report said. Twelve percent indicated that this is a good time to expand their business. “Small business owners voice optimism for future revenues and hiring,” the report said. “High costs continue to be a wet blanket on reinvestment.” The NFIB reported in July that Main Street, despite gas price hikes, “is OK … for now.” Its small business economics trend report said sales across the country have been strong compared to last year, but continued inflation and higher prices from mom-and-pop establishments are causing some “cracks” to show. “If costs stay this high for much longer, reduced investment will have a tangible economic impact,” the report said. “The status quo is OK, but the outlook? The outlook is uncertain.”
Zocdoc Acquires Sohar Health to Make Insurance Easier to Navigate for Patients and Providers
/PRNewswire/ -- Zocdoc, the healthcare access infrastructure that connects patients to great care, today announced it has acquired Sohar Health, a healthcare...
Is healthcare on Florida's ballot? Many voters say it's a top priority
An Orlando woman survived after a brain tumor that grew unchecked for seven years because she couldn't get the insurance necessary to see a doctor. She now supports candidates who favor Medicare for all.
Insurance pro challenges Smith-Wade-El in 49th House District
Four years after his election to the Pennsylvania House, Lancaster Democrat Izzy Smith-Wade-El again faces a Republican challenger in Millersville Borough resident Vanessa Acosta.
Drake Bell blasts SAG-AFTRA after not qualifying for health insurance
Representatives for SAG-AFTRA have not publicly responded to the former Drake & Josh star's criticism.
Drake Bell Slams SAG-AFTRA After Losing Health Insurance: ‘Do Not Become a Actor’
Drake Bell is putting SAG-AFTRA on blast. The 40-year-old former Nickelodeon star took to his Instagram Story on Tuesday (October […]
Drake Bell Slams SAG-AFTRA After Not Qualifying for Health Insurance
Bell, who rose to fame on 'Drake & Josh,' has turned his focus to music in recent years.
Drake Bell Calls Out SAG-AFTRA After Losing Health Insurance & Urges People To "Not Become An Actor" Or "Join SAG"
Drake Bell is calling out SAG-AFTRA after revealing he didn't have health insurance because he didn't qualify.
Firefighters union pushes back on proposed health insurance increases for city-parish workers
Proposed health insurance increases for city-parish workers and retirees are drawing pushback ahead of a Metro Council vote scheduled for Wednesday.
Drake Bell Slams SAG-AFTRA for Losing Health Insurance: Don't Be Actor
Drake Bell has slammed SAG-AFTRA after losing his health insurance, writing 'Do not become an actor.'
Drake Bell Blasts SAG-AFTRA After Losing Health Insurance: ‘Do Not Become an Actor. Do Not Join SAG’
“Drake & Josh” actor Drake Bell is putting SAG-AFTRA on blast after he revealed he does not qualify for health insurance. On his Instagram Story on Tuesday, Bell posted a screenshot of the SAG-AFTRA h...
Early planning, documentation key to university property claims: Experts
Universities should involve claims specialists early and carefully document expenses to maximize business interruption insurance recoveries, presenters said Monday at the University Risk Management &
Aon names Siccardi to new global execution role
Aon on Tuesday named Leonora Siccardi global chief execution officer for its risk capital and human capital businesses, a newly created position aimed at coordinating strategy and operations across…
Senator Liz Boldon Denounces Health Insurance Plans, Speaker Demuth, Governor Walz and Minnesota Department of Commerce for Failure to Protect Home Care Nursing Coverage
SAINT PAUL, Minn. — In late 2025, several insurance companies informed Minnesota families that they would be imposing coverage limits on home care nursing services – in-home care for children with complex medical needs and disabilities. Despite a 2010 state law mandating that these services “shall be covered” by health plans for families also enrolled
Sen. Dornink: Democrats misguided health care policies driving another year of higher health insurance rates as the ACA fails to deliver on its promise
Senate Republicans sounded the alarm on another round of double-digit health insurance rate increases announced by the Department of Commerce, saying state Democrats raised costs and taxes, drained the Health Care Access Fund that was supposed to hold premiums down, and opposed one of the most successful tools to lower premiums through the reinsurance program....
Aviva appoints Slabbert to dual leadership roles
U.K.-headquartered Aviva plc has appointed Johan Slabbert as managing director of its global corporate and specialty business and chief executive of Aviva Syndicates, effective Dec. 1…
Men without private health insurance less likely to catch breast cancer early, get treatment, report finds
Around one out of every 100 breast cancer diagnoses is found in a man, according to the CDC.
Opinion | Wyoming health insurance task force deserves another year on the job
"BearCare” catastrophic coverage plan wasn’t found to be as helpful as expected to reduce costs, but there are many ideas to explore, columnist Kerry Drake writes.
The New Affordability Fight in the Midterms: Home Insurance Prices
Extreme weather is driving up insurance rates, impacting races from California to the nation’s central Tornado Alley.
Small group health insurance market rates announced
Media Release, Office of Superintendent of Insurance (OSI) Santa Fe, NM – The New Mexico Office of Superintendent of Insurance (OSI) has approved 2027 health insurance premium rates for the small group health insurance market. As of March 2026, over 31,000 New Mexicans were enrolled in a small group plan. The average increase across small group plans is 19.8%. These rates take effect on January 1, 2027. The carriers offering small group coverage in New Mexico in 2027 are: Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Mexico (HealthCare Service Corporation) Presbyterian Health Plan Presbyterian Insurance Company UnitedHealthcare of New Mexico UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company Key Factors Driving the Rate Increases The primary factors that contributed to the 2027 increases are: Claims Experience - Higher than expected 2025 New Mexico claims experience, which is the foundation for the 2027 rate development. Cost Trend - Higher utilization and inflation impacted healthcare costs services, which impacts medical services and pharmaceutical costs nationwide. Risk Pool Changes - Nationwide, businesses with healthier employees are opting for alternative health coverage not under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). This results ina smaller and less healthy small group ACA risk pool. Final approved rates will be posted on the OSI website. To view the carrier rate sheets and rate increase specifics, visit the Office of Superintendent of Insurance website here. The Rate Review Process Conducted by OSI The OSI rate review process focuses on approving rates for health insurance plans that are actuarially sound, not excessive, inadequate, or unfairly discriminatory and ensuring health insurance rates comply with all state and federal laws. For more information, visit the Office of Superintendent of Insurance website at https://osi.state.nm.us/en/. *** About the Office of Superintendent of Insurance The Office of Superintendent of Insurance (OSI) is New Mexico’s regulatory agency responsible for overseeing a wide range of insurance products, including private health and life insurance, auto, home, business, and title insurance. OSI regulates private health plans in the individual, small group, and large group markets, ensuring that premium rates are fair, companies are financially sound, and health care insurance coverage is reliable. While OSI does not have authority over self-funded health plans, where an employer assumes the financial responsibility for paying employee health care claims, Medicaid, Medicare, or TRICARE, OSI plays a vital role in protecting consumers by reviewing premium rates, monitoring insurance company conduct, and licensing producers (formerly known as insurance brokers and agents).
Montanans shopping for health insurance face rising costs, shrinking subsidies, fewer choices
Open enrollment for the federal Health Insurance Marketplace starts Nov. 1. People with those plans faced higher premiums this year because of declining financial help from the federal government. Many Montanans chose lower levels of coverage or canceled their plans altogether.
North Dakota health insurance premiums set to rise in 2027
Insurance commissioner says rising health care costs are driving the increases
Why Lee Health's insurance standoff stands out from others across the US
More than 30 health systems across the country are currently in disputes with insurance companies, and many of those battles center around Medicare Advantage.
Big Mistakes my American family made moving to the Netherlands
When my American family left the United States to move to the Netherlands, we made mistakes with insurance, taxes, and more that cost time and money.
CVS Health’s Valuation Suggests Opportunity, but Can Earnings Deliver?
CVS Health Corporation (NYSE:CVS) operates across several areas of healthcare, including health insurance, pharmacy benefit management, and retail pharmacy services. Although its diverse range of businesses provides it with access to a variety of revenue sources, increasing medical costs, pressures relating to reimbursement, and ongoing regulatory scrutiny are still affecting its profitability. For investors, the main […]
Women’s health R&I in Europe: growing investment, persistent gaps, and the case for a coordinated response
The evidence points to a clear but incomplete shift in women’s health R&I: political attention and investment are growing across Europe, but funding, eviden
WVU Medicine Student Health flu vaccine clinics planned
The flu vaccine clinics are open to faculty, staff, students, alumni, and community members. No appointment is needed, but participants must bring their insurance cards.
Health affordability task force considers utility model
CHEYENNE — The Health Insurance Affordability Task Force discussed models Tuesday that could reduce the cost of health insurance in Wyoming, in addition to unanimously agreeing that the task force
I’m 55 and serious health issues run in my family. Should I get long-term care insurance, or is it just a scam?
It sometimes gets a bad reputation, but experts believe long-term care insurance can be worth buying.
Annette Taddeo targets Blaise Ingoglia with corruption claims in new ad for CFO race
'I’ll lower the insurance rates crushing our families and make sure guilty politicians go to prison.'
Op-Ed: Collaboration needed in effort to rein school health insurance costs
NJEA president Steve Beatty in op-ed addresses 34.4% increase in medical benefit rates for school employees.
Insurance moves: XS Brokers, RLI and Starkweather & Shepley
They include a new managing partner and a new claim counsel head
Commentary: I opened a primary care practice. Now I see why doctors are giving up.
Traditional health insurance pressures doctors to work at volume, or if they add layers of bureaucracy that independent physicians can't easily handle, writes Dimitri Coupet, who says it's time to consider formalizing a direct payment of care model.
Health insurance rates rise across Colorado, with the biggest increases hitting the Western Slope
Health insurance premiums for Coloradans using the state’s Affordable Care Act marketplace are increasing by an average of 10% in 2027, lower than preliminary rates showed in June. Western Slope residents, however, are set to...
Science can reverse heart disease. DC prefers cheap statins
Centralized medical algorithms push generic statins to millions, while federal insurance limits advanced, personalized heart care.
Fire Remains Costliest Cause of Business Interruption Globally as Claim Severity Surges
Average business interruption claims now run 70% higher than property damage claims and continue rising sharply, Allianz Commercial found.
Confused by a Trump check? Here’s why some Oregonians are getting $500
The Trump administration has started sending $500 health insurance refunds to eligible Oregonians.
Trump's Medicaid cuts strip refugees and other legal immigrants of their health coverage
New restrictions have stripped Medicaid coverage from certain legal immigrants, including refugees and victims of human trafficking, as part of broader federal changes to the health insurance program that are expected to force millions off their coverage.
CHOICE Arrangements: A Path to Health Coverage for Small Business Employees - Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council
An emerging alternative is gaining momentum – and the history of HSAs shows why policymakers should help it grow. By Karen Kerrigan – For most small business owners, the health insurance story is painfully the same: premiums keep climbing, choices can be limited, and providing quality coverage for employees becomes more difficult every year. According […]
CHOICE Arrangements: A Path to Health Coverage for Small Business Employees - Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council
An emerging alternative is gaining momentum – and the history of HSAs shows why policymakers should help it grow. By Karen Kerrigan – For most small business owners, the health insurance story is painfully the same: premiums keep climbing, choices can be limited, and providing quality coverage for employees becomes more difficult every year. According […]
Minnesota health insurance premiums could jump as much as 21% in 2027
Without the reinsurance program, however, insurers' proposed average would have been 57.9%.
Task force ditches Wyoming-run health insurance plan idea, mulls unorthodox service models
by Katie Klingsporn, WyoFile A legislative task force studying health insurance affordability in Wyoming has declined to advance a proposal to create a
Elon Musk’s Ex-Wife Claims He Cut Daughter’s Health Insurance
Elon Musk’s estrangement from daughter Vivian Jenna Wilson is getting another deeply personal airing, this time from her mother. In […]
Expected Isaias losses unlikely to tip the market: Brokers
Preliminary projected insured loss estimates for Hurricane Isaias range in the mid-single-digit billions, as it moves toward the Eastern Gulf Coast on Friday, according to a reports by reinsurance…
Insurance professionals urged to adapt as industry changes
Insurance professionals should build their personal brands, develop skills that remain valuable as the industry changes and be prepared to take risks in managing their careers…
Pumpkin disclaimer: personality not included
The scariest thing in the Halloween candy aisle may be that we actually need the fine print regarding faceless Reese’s Peanut Butter Pumpkins.
Carpenter’s heart attack after restraining donkey ruled compensable
A New York appeals court on Thursday upheld workers compensation coverage for a carpenter who suffered a heart attack after helping restrain a donkey at his employer’s owner’s residence.
Proponents Press For Mental Health Parity
At Friday presser criticizing the Trump administration for letting insurance companies not adequately cover mental health and addiction treatment.
California comp report signals pressure for higher employer costs
California employers could face higher workers compensation insurance costs as rising claim frequency, litigation expenses and persistent underwriting losses put pressure on rates…
Eric O. Leavitt named chair of CIAB board
Eric O. Leavitt, executive chairman and CEO of Leavitt Group, will become chair of the Council of Insurance Agents & Brokers’ board of directors for 2026-2027, the association said Thursday.
Insurance Australia Group, RAC challenge $942M merger rejection
Insurance Australia Group Ltd. and RAC Insurance Pty Ltd. have lodged applications for a tribunal review of their blocked 1.3 billion Australian dollar ($942 million) takeover deal…
Business interruption losses climb 30% in two years: Allianz Commercial
Rising business interruption losses are increasingly hitting companies, with fire and explosion driving the costliest claims at roughly 2.9 billion euros ($3.3 billion) as the average value of claims…
Local health insurance agent has Visalia covered - The Sun-Gazette Newspaper
Insurance agent Teresa Navarro celebrates her new Visalia office, where she plans to help people find healthcare plans amid increasing
Travel Health Insurance Requirement Implemented
As of October 6, 2026, all travelers to Kenya must obtain travel health insurance through the government-sanctioned provider prior to entry and must present proof of coverage upon arrival. The Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) portal (for ETA-eligible nationals) and the eCitizen portal (for non-ETA-eligible nationals) have been updated with this requirement. The insurance costs approximately USD 44 and is valid for one year, including for repeat trips to Kenya during the insurance policy's validity period. Previously, travelers could rely on private or employer-provided health insurance and did not need to provide proof of coverage before entering the country. This change will not affect the above applicants' processing times. However, travelers should obtain the required insurance before traveling to avoid delays or bars to entry. Notably, Tanzania recently adopted a similar mandatory inbound travel insurance requirement, potentially signaling an emerging trend in the East African region.
Health policy expert warns California's Medi-Cal spending crisis could drive up insurance costs for families
Paragon Health Institute President Brian Blase discusses California's Medicaid spending, eligibility concerns and the potential impact of higher taxes on privately insured families.
Health affordability task force considers utility model
CHEYENNE — The Health Insurance Affordability Task Force discussed models Tuesday that could reduce the cost of health insurance in Wyoming, in addition to unanimously agreeing that the task force
ACIC launches E&S carrier for coastal commercial property
ACES Specialty Insurance will begin writing in Florida, Texas and South Carolina on December 1, adding a direct market for catastrophe-exposed placements
We’re Investigating Prior Authorization. Help ProPublica Understand Your Health Insurance Denial.
ProPublica is looking into the ways health insurers’ use of prior authorization impacts patients. We need your help to figure out if the process is still leading to delayed or missed treatments, tests, medical equipment or medication.