August 12, 2025

Health

Hidden Gene Quadruples Male Dementia Risk 

Axios - America's doctors are working harder and getting paid less. And that could soon translate into less access for some patients.  A new report from consultancy Kaufman Hall shows primary care physicians and specialists are delivering more services since the pandemic. But they're not making more money because of stagnant reimbursements from public and private insurers and inflation.

  • The data helps explain why medical practice bankruptcies hit a six-year high last year — and why some providers are shifting to pricey procedures for cash-paying customers to boost their bottom lines.

A reckoning may not be far off, with millions of Americans projected to lose coverage due to changes in Republicans' tax-and-spending bill.

  • The anticipated drop-off in income is compounded by rising labor costs, which already make up 84% of total expenses for medical groups. And some physicians struggle to find and hold on to good help...

Some medical practices are branching into med spa-like services and investing in Botox supplies and skin-tightening lasers in hopes of capturing wealthy patients seeking elective procedures.  They're finding out that consumers have less disposable income than they expected, and the competition is fierce.

Many doctors have opted to sell their practices to a health system or private equity firm. But critics say that can put power in the hands of for-profit entities that have raised prices and put shareholder value above patients' interests. Read more

Newsworthy News - 

  • Dr. Chauncey Crandall, a respected cardiologist, warns that 2025’s extreme summer heat poses a significant danger of heart attacks and strokes, especially for older adults and those with existing health conditions.
  • Historic heatwaves in multiple regions have led to surging hospitalizations and emergency advisories, straining local healthcare systems.
  • Expert advice emphasizes hydration, avoiding peak heat activity, and vigilance for cardiac symptoms as critical preventive steps.
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