Why do Americans pay three times the average for healthcare services? It’s partly because offering discounts on healthcare services is prohibited under the Anti-Kickback Statute and Civil Monetary Penalties Law. As a result, patients can only depend on the price information given by healthcare providers, which is often influenced by insurance firms. And prices are ramped up since the majority of medical services are covered by insurance policies. Legalisation of medical discounts may give Americans better control over their healthcare expenditures. Read full article here
Research
Improving media literacy could boost trust towards the news, IMPRESS report suggests
The UK media is regulated by the likes of IPSO and Ofcom. The report by press regulator IMPRESS highlights the link between low levels of media literacy and trust in the news. The study found that three quarters of those who did not know if journalists were regulated did not trust the news. It suggests that improving media literacy is one way to stem the erosion of trust, and shows that audiences have an appetite for information on news processes. Stakeholders need to collaborate in order to rebuild trust in the news, and independent media is well placed to do this. Read full article here
Merv
February 1, 2023
