Health insurance costs in America are about to soar in 2026—rising faster than inflation, and in some cases at levels not seen in 15 years. Employer plans will climb by 6.5%, but ACA exchange premiums may spike nearly 18%—with some families facing shocking fourfold increases if federal subsidies expire. Medicare isn’t spared either, with steep hikes expected in Parts B and D. As millions risk losing affordable coverage, one question looms: how much more can Americans really bear?
Author: Abhay Panchal
Guardant Health is taking its FDA-approved Shield™ blood test for colorectal cancer into senior living communities through a new partnership with LabFlorida. Instead of invasive colonoscopies or stool kits, residents can now be screened with a simple blood draw—making early detection far more accessible for a population at highest risk. With millions of seniors still missing routine screenings, will this move redefine how preventive cancer care is delivered to aging Americans?
Two new studies in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology and Gastroenterology reveal just how powerfully the gut-brain connection shapes our eating habits. From stress and income to sensory food fears, the findings show that biology and life circumstances intertwine in surprising ways—sometimes driving people toward high-calorie foods, other times pushing them to avoid eating altogether. The research raises a big question: could personalized digestive care finally hinge on treating both the mind and the gut together?
Exact Sciences has launched Cancerguard™, a $689 multi-cancer early detection (MCED) blood test now available nationwide through Quest Diagnostics. Cancerguard screens for 50+ cancers — including colorectal, pancreatic, ovarian, liver, lung, stomach, and esophageal — with 64% overall sensitivity, 68% for six of the deadliest cancers, and 97.4% specificity to reduce false positives. Building on the success of Cologuard®, which transformed colorectal cancer screening, Cancerguard extends early detection to cancers with no recommended routine screening, aiming to shift diagnoses to earlier, more treatable stages and lower mortality.
New research shows that repeating intubation of the sigmoid colon—just one extra pass taking less than two minutes—significantly boosts adenoma detection compared to standard colonoscopy. The study, published in The American Journal of Gastroenterology, found that adenoma detection rates jumped from 14.5% to 24.3% when endoscopists reinserted the scope into the sigmoid colon. Most of the additional polyps found were small tubular adenomas, the kind most likely to be overlooked. What makes this method stand out is its practicality: unlike add-on tools such as Endocuff or water-assisted techniques, it requires no new equipment, extra staff, or funding. For older patients,…
Gastroenterology reimbursement is under pressure. Payer and federal policy shifts in 2025 threaten cuts to gastroenterologists and GI ASCs, with proposals spanning Medicare conversion-factor reductions, site-neutral reforms, bundled payments, and procedural reimbursement changes. GI leaders warn that these moves could restrict patient access and push more cases into lower-cost sites.
Artificial intelligence is giving scammers a new weapon: impersonating trusted doctors to push fake health products. The New York Times reports how leading physicians like Dr. Robert Lustig (UCSF), Dr. Gemma Newman (UK), Dr. Eric Topol (Scripps), and Dr. Caroline Apovian (Harvard) have discovered A.I.-generated videos, ads, and even counterfeit books using their likenesses without consent. These deepfake campaigns promote fraudulent supplements — including fake GLP-1 “liquid capsules” — that appear on major platforms like Facebook, Amazon, and even Google ads, tricking vulnerable patients into wasting money or avoiding real treatment. Despite takedown attempts, the scams keep spreading across borders,…
What’s new Study design (analytical + clinical equivalency) Clinical equivalency (in-lab FIT vs at-home FIT) Interpretation
Emerging studies show that immune system shifts, like anti-GM-CSF autoantibodies, can appear up to six years before symptoms. Environmental triggers such as pollution and microplastics are being linked to rising cases worldwide, while AI-driven prediction models are being trained on blood, stool, and genetic data to map disease risk. Microbiome-based diagnostics are uncovering bacterial signatures that precede flares, and even wearable biosensors are being tested to detect inflammation early through sweat. The Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation is fueling this research with its IBD Plexus data platform—the world’s most comprehensive collection of patient samples. Experts believe that within five years, clinical…
GLP-1 drugs such as Ozempic, Wegovy, and Zepbound are rewriting the rules of obesity care—and virtual startups are racing to meet demand. A new review of 39 companies reveals a spectrum: some offering comprehensive, clinically guided programs with nutrition, behavioral health, and long-term monitoring, and others operating as high-volume “pill mills” with minimal oversight. Physicians remain skeptical—67% warn that telehealth GLP-1 prescribing risks patient safety—yet millions of Americans now turn to these platforms for faster, more affordable, and less judgmental care. With billions in venture capital fueling growth, the question is whether digital health can scale responsibly, or if GLP-1’s…