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☆ Big banks are bracing for losses as Americans struggle to pay off debt
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-21 | by ( Jacob Zinkula | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

American consumers and businesses are having a hard time paying off credit card, auto, and commercial real estate debt. Bank CEOs said on recent earnings calls that elevated prices and interest rates continue to weigh on Americans. According to Federal Reserve data, the past-due debt share for credit card, auto, and commercial real estate has recently risen to above pre-pandemic levels. That's because some loans are coming due — forcing businesses to refinance at much higher interest rates. The financial roller coaster of pandemic payments, whipsawing inflation, and high interest rates are especially affecting lower-income Americans.

Persons: —, Wells Fargo's, haven't, Bruce McClary, David Schiff, Schiff, Edmunds, Stephen Biggar, Biggar, Jane Fraser, Brian Moynihan, Charles Scharf, Wells, Jeremy Barnum, There's, I'm Organizations: Bank, Service, Federal Reserve, Business, Bank of America, JPMorgan, Citigroup, Bank of, New, Fed, National Foundation, Credit, Argus Research, Bank of America's Locations: Wells Fargo, delinquencies

☆ High Credit Card Interest Rates Are Loading Americans With Debt
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-02 | by ( Ayelet Sheffey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +11 min

The average credit-card interest rate is now just over 21%, up from about 15% a decade ago. Additionally, as credit-card companies continue to charge high interest rates, more cardholders in debt become delinquent — and that could push the US economy closer to recession. Advertisement'The highest credit-card rates we've ever seen'Until 1978, most states had laws capping interest rates for credit cards and consumer products. Lowering the current high interest rates, and the profits that come with them, has become a priority across the aisle. Ted Rossman, a senior industry analyst at Bankrate, described the feedback loop of high prices and high interest rates as "a tough cycle to break."

Persons: Lana Linge, it's, Linge, isn't, Adam Rust, Bruce McClary, TransUnion, Austan Goolsbee, Rust, You've, you've, Antoinette Schoar, Schoar, David Silberman, GOP Sen, Josh Hawley, Hawley, Democratic Sen, Elizabeth Warren, Michele Raneri, Ranieri, Ted Rossman Organizations: Consumer Federation of America, Federal Reserve, National Foundation, Credit, Federal Reserve Bank of New, New York Fed, Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, Louis Federal Reserve, Federal, Financial, MIT, Center for Responsible Lending, Lawmakers, GOP, Democratic, Reserve, TransUnion Locations: overspending, Federal Reserve Bank of New York, South Dakota, Delaware

A national debt crisisAmericans are facing a credit card debt crisis, with millennials and Gen Z at the forefront of the struggle. If you're a consumer with average credit who tends to carry a credit card balance, McCarthy recommends seeking options for lower-interest repayment. If the Fed lowers interest rates as anticipated, you can expect personal loan interest rates to drop slightly, regardless of your credit score. "Many consumers struggling with high-interest debt have expressed confusion surrounding credit card APRs, and credit card companies are happy to keep it that way." "Many consumers believe that making the minimum payment is an effective way to manage their credit card debt," Elliot said.

Persons: —, Z, James McCarthy, McCarthy, Jeremy Schneider, Schneider, Sophia Bera Daigle, Daigle, you've, Mark Elliot, Elliot Organizations: Federal, Service, Federal Reserve, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, National Foundation, Credit, JPMorgan Chase, Capital Locations: millennials, U.S

☆ Why parents may want to start locking a child's credit at a very young age
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-23 | by ( Cheryl Winokur Munk | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

While locking their credit won't solve all cybersecurity issues related to stolen Social Security numbers, it's one extra layer of protection parents can implement. Parents can take these steps proactively even if there's nothing to suggest a minor's credit has been compromised such as unexpected credit card solicitations or bills received in the minor's name. It can take some time and effort to lock a child's credit, but the outlay is minimal compared with what can be a lengthy and emotional credit restoration process. Locking a child's credit won't protect against all of these, but it's a solid step in the right direction, financial professionals said. To check to see if their child has a credit report, parents can mail a letter with their request to each of the credit bureaus.

Persons: —, Kim Cole, Loretta Roney, It's, Cole, Bruce McClary, McClary Organizations: Social, Social Security, Navicore Solutions, InCharge, Federal Trade Commission, Administration, Foundation, Credit Counseling

☆ Global elections in 2024: A guide in maps and charts
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-08 | by ( Lou Robinson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —As the presidential race in the United States heats up, many other countries around the world are also conducting pivotal elections in 2024. Here’s a closer look at the countries holding elections, in maps and charts. The election took 44 days, with more than one million polling stations, and its voters represented about 12% of the world’s population. In recent European Parliament elections, far-right parties performed well — with the National Rally gaining seven seats — and were particularly popular with young people. In 2023, 76% of Americans aged 18 to 29 said that Biden, 81, is too old to run for president, according to an Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll.

Persons: —, Vladamir Putin, Putin, Masoud Pezeshkian, Saeed Jalili, Le, Emmanuel Macron’s, Ipsos Mori, Biden Organizations: CNN, International Foundation, Electoral Systems, Here’s, European Union, North America, Voters, Emmanuel Macron’s Ensemble, National Rally, Pew Research, Associated Press, NORC, for Public Affairs Research Locations: United States, India, North, Mexico, Latin America, Russian, Iran, Islamic Republic, Pakistan, Bangladesh, France

☆ A summer wave of Covid-19 has arrived in the US
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-28 | by ( Deidre Mcphillips | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —Covid-19 levels have been rising in the United States for weeks as new variants drive what’s become an annual summer surge. That’s enough time to offer protection during the winter respiratory virus season but probably after this summer’s wave has ebbed. On Thursday, the CDC recommended that everyone ages 6 months and older receive an updated Covid-19 vaccine for the 2024-25 season. Unlike flu and RSV, Covid-19 is constantly circulating; it doesn’t offer a reprieve. The changes are meant to “simplify RSV vaccine decision-making for clinicians and the public,” the agency said.

Persons: CNN —, ”, Robert Hopkins, ” Hopkins, Marlene Wolfe, “, Dr, Jerry Weir, Marcus Plescia, Plescia, Sanjay Gupta, ” CNN’s Jen Christensen Organizations: CNN, US Centers for Disease Control, CDC, National Foundation for Infectious Diseases, Stanford University, Emory University, Emory, WastewaterSCAN, FDA, Viral Products, Vaccines Research, FDA’s, Biologics, Association of State, Territorial Health, CNN Health Locations: United States, —, Covid

☆ New Yorkers planted a tiny forest in a spot where the city used to warehouse prisoners and smallpox patients
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-14 | by ( Eliza Relman | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

New York City got its first tiny forest, planted on Roosevelt Island on April 6. AdvertisementVolunteers and supporters gather in Southpoint Park on Roosevelt Island for a ceremony before planting a pocket forest on April 6, 2024. AdvertisementSharon Bean volunteered at the pocket forest planting in honor of her sister, Kat Livingston, an avid gardener who died of cancer in January. SUGi has created pocket forests in 42 cities on six continents since 2019 — the Roosevelt Island forest is the group's 200th. AdvertisementThe tiny forest, also known as the Manhattan Healing Forest, sits at the southern end of Roosevelt Island.

Persons: Akira Miyawaki that's, Elise Van Middelem, Eliza Relman, Curtis Zunigh, Jerry Nadler, Franklin D, Roosevelt, Sharon Bean, Kat Livingston, Judith Berdy, she's, Berdy, Christina Delfico's, Delfico, Van Middelem, We've, SUGi, Bean, Tayana Panova, Panova, Olivia MacDonald Organizations: Service, York, Volunteers, New, Lunatic Asylum, Lenape Center, Manhattan Healing, Navajo Nation, New York Times Locations: York City, Roosevelt, Japanese, New York, Park, Dutch, British, Welfare, Manhattan, New York State, London, Syracuse , New York, New Mexico

☆ Medicare can now cover certain weight loss drugs in a big step for patients
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-21 | by ( Annika Kim Constantino | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Medicare can start covering certain weight loss drugs for the first time — as long as they are approved for an added health benefit, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services said Thursday. Medicare prescription drug plans administered by private insurers, known as Part D, currently cannot cover those drugs for weight loss alone. A provision of a 2003 law established that Medicare Part D plans can't cover drugs used for weight loss, but the program does cover obesity screening, behavioral counseling and bariatric surgery. A CMS spokesperson told CNBC last week that Medicaid programs would be required to cover Wegovy specifically for its new cardiovascular use. Around 1 in 5 state Medicaid programs currently cover GLP-1 drugs for weight loss.

Persons: Ozempic, Eli Lilly Organizations: Novo Nordisk, Medicare, Centers, Services, Drug, Food and Drug Administration, CVS, Aetna, International Foundation of Employee, CNBC, FDA Locations: London, Britain, U.S

☆ Weight loss drug Wegovy is now approved for heart health — but that won't mean broad insurance coverage just yet
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-16 | by ( Annika Kim Constantino | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +12 min

The blockbuster drug — one of a handful of weight loss treatments to skyrocket in popularity over the last year — is now approved in the U.S. for heart health, too. The spokesperson added that state Medicaid programs would be required to cover Wegovy for its new cardiovascular use. But Gremminger said the standard of care for the long-term use of weight loss drugs is "in flux." State employees will no longer have insurance coverage for GLP-1s when used for weight loss at the beginning of next month. Both drugmakers have launched programs to help patients, with or without commercial insurance coverage, afford their weight loss treatments.

Persons: Klesty, John Crable, Wegovy, Jaime Almandoz, Joe Buglewicz, Shawn Gremminger, Hartley, Gremminger, Dale Folwell, We've, Folwell, Phelan M, Eli Lilly, Ceci Connolly, Julie Stich Organizations: Reuters, Novo Nordisk, CNBC, Medicare, Services, FDA, CVS, Aetna, International Foundation of Employee, Drug Administration, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Washington Post, Getty, National Alliance of Healthcare, Taft, Nordisk, Nordisk's Ozempic, GOP, Carolina, Republican Governors Association, AP, Alliance of Community Health, U.S . Health, IFEBP, BMI Locations: U.S, Novo, Dallas, North Carolina, Orlando , Florida

☆ More employers are offering fertility benefits. Could Alabama’s embryo ruling change that?
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-27 | by ( Tami Luhby | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

That’s because more employers are providing fertility benefits to their workers, opening up the costly procedure to many more Americans. However, most employers place limits on IVF coverage. The share of employers providing fertility benefits has likely increased since 2022 for several reasons, said Julie Stich, the foundation’s vice president of educational content. Some employers are providing fertility coverage to prevent these situations. Alabama decisionDespite the Alabama ruling, employers are not likely to drop their fertility benefits since they are important for talent acquisition and retention, said Kate Ryder, founder and CEO of Maven Clinic, which works with employers and health plans to provide fertility and family building programs, among other services.

Persons: CNN —, it’s, Mercer, Julie Stich, “ There’s, ”, Stich, Kate Ryder, there’s, ” Ryder, Harvey Cotton Organizations: CNN, CNN — Alabama’s, International Foundation of Employee, of Columbia, Maven Clinic, Ropes & Gray Locations: Alabama

☆ Opinion | Americans’ Savings Are Shrinking. Should We Be Worried?
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-26 | by ( Peter Coy | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

If there is a recession in the United States this year, it probably won’t be because consumers spontaneously run out of spending power. I’ve put together five charts that show that consumers are in reasonably good shape, although life is getting harder for the most vulnerable groups. Households aren’t “the place to look for economic weakness,” Michael Pearce, the deputy chief U.S. economist for Oxford Economics, a forecaster, told me last week. The personal saving rate fell in December to 3.7 percent of disposable personal income, which except for a dip in 2022 was the lowest since 2008. “In 2023 consumers were still on average somewhat better off financially than they were in 2019, but the trend is negative,” the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau wrote in a December report.

Persons: I’ve, ” Michael Pearce, “, Mike Croxson Organizations: Oxford Economics, Consumer Financial, Bureau, National Foundation, Credit Locations: United States

☆ Raising your credit score can help you save $92 per month, report finds. Here are some expert tips
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-19 | by ( Lorie Konish | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

With consumer prices still rising due to higher inflation, there is one way to save money that you may be overlooking: raising your credit score. Increasing your score from fair (580 to 669) to very good (740 to 799) may help you save $22,263 over the life of your credit and loans, according to a new LendingTree study. Overall, consumers stand to save an extra $92 per month, LendingTree estimates, based on four common debt types: auto loans, credit cards, mortgages and personal loans. "There is little in life that's more expensive than crummy credit," said Matt Schulz, chief credit analyst at LendingTree. "It's a big deal, especially when you consider what else you could do with that extra money," Schulz said.

Persons: LendingTree, Matt Schulz, Schulz, Bruce McClary, McClary Organizations: LendingTree, Finance, Social Security, National Foundation, Credit

☆ Most employer health plans don't cover new blockbuster weight loss drugs, but that's going to change
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-16 | by ( Cheryl Winokur Munk | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +10 min

Many U.S. companies are grappling with health insurance coverage issues for workers when it comes to GLP-1 drugs for weight loss. Still, many benefits experts say it's a matter of when, not if, more employers will cover GLP-1 drugs. Certainly, prescription volumes of GLP-1 weight loss drugs are soaring. Even though GLP-1 drugs are high-priced, they currently represent only 6.9% of annual claims, according to data from the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans. It's going to be harder and harder not to cover these drugs because the benefits seem to be so great."

Persons: Eli Lilly, there's, Julie Stich, Eli Lilly's, Greg Stancil, you've, Stancil, somebody's, James Wantuck, " Stich, Brian O'Connell, O'Connell, Wantuck, Krutika Amin, Amin Organizations: U.S, Nordisk, International Foundation of Employee, Novo Nordisk, Tufts Medical, Medicare, Healthy Aging, Scott Benefit Services, Employers, Accolade, BMI, International Foundation of, Medicaid — Locations: U.S, KFF, North Carolina, GLP, Novo

Some bills would bar financial institutions from discriminating against those who refuse to participate in DEI programs. Meanwhile, Democrats have filed about two dozen bills in 11 states that would require or promote DEI initiatives. The Supreme Court’s June decision ending affirmative action at universities has created a new legal landscape around diversity programs in the workplace and civil society. Rob Standridge, who has authored four bills aiming to hollow out DEI programs in the state, said it has become a salient campaign theme. In a 2023 report, White said Mississippi’s public universities are spending millions on DEI programs instead of student scholarships.

Persons: JACKSON, Republican Oklahoma Sen, Rob Standridge, Standridge, “, Trump, ” Mike Gonzalez, Josiah Magnuson, ” Magnuson, Kevin Stitt, it’s, Sen, Marko Liias, Liias, Ron DeSantis, ”, Shad, White, Becky Currie, Currie, Spencer Cox, Cox, Robin Vos, Jonathan Butcher, ” Butcher, Fentrice, ” Driskell, Trisha Ahmed, David Lieb, Hannah Schoenbaum, Todd Richmond, ___ Michael Goldberg Organizations: Republican, Associated, Democratic, Republican Oklahoma, Heritage Foundation, Rep, Republican Gov, Oklahoma State Regents, Higher Education, ”, Washington, Utah Gov, The Heritage Foundation, Democratic House, Associated Press, America Statehouse News Initiative, America Locations: Miss, Washington, South Carolina, Oklahoma, Florida, Texas, Mississippi, Wisconsin, Minneapolis, Jefferson City , Missouri, Salt Lake City, Madison , Wisconsin

A combination of inflation, increased interest rates, and the end of pandemic-tied relief, such as the moratorium on student loan payments, has led to record credit card debt, experts say. A recent report from credit rating company Moody’s found credit card delinquencies are now well above 2019, or pre-pandemic levels. If you're facing increased credit card debt, while feeling the ongoing effects of inflation, here's what to consider:ASK FOR A RATE CUTPhotos You Should See View All 45 ImagesOne of the first things you should do is ask your credit card company to lower your rates. While the Federal Reserve signaled Wednesday that its first interest rate cut is likely months away, the average credit card interest rate is already far and away higher than the rate set by the Fed. PAY OFF HIGHER-INTEREST DEBT FIRSTKnown as the “avalanche approach,” paying off debt that accumulates interest more quickly will always be more efficient than paying off lower-interest debt first.

Persons: Moody’s, Silvio Tavares, ”, Kia McCallister, Charles Schwab Organizations: —, Federal Reserve, ASK, Fed, National Foundation, Credit, nfcc.org, Federal Trade, Public, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Consumer Federation of America, America, Associated Press, Charles, Charles Schwab Foundation, Inc, AP Locations: realtor.com

☆ The U.S. has no federal bereavement leave. What to know about options at work when someone you love dies
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-26 | by ( Annie Nova | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Fg Trade | E+ | Getty ImagesYour employer may have its own policyAround nine out of 10 U.S. companies offer bereavement leave, according to the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans. Adam Lister | Moment | Getty ImagesThe leave companies provide tend to vary based on who in your life has died. The average for an immediate family member was around five days, compared to roughly one day for a close friend, IFEBP found. Some states offer bereavement leaveIn the absence of a federal bereavement leave policy, some states have established their own program or are trying to do so. A California law guarantees most employees five days of bereavement leave following the death of a family member.

Persons: Julie Stich, Stich, Johnson, Adam Lister, IFEBP, they've, " Stich Organizations: International Foundation of Employee Locations: U.S, California, Illinois

☆ It's both a great time and a terrible time for Volodymyr Zelenskyy to have an election
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-10 | by ( Matthew Loh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

Still, experts on wartime politics and a Ukrainian election watchdog said Zelenskyy's decision to delay the election makes sense. Insider examined three key questions relating to Ukraine's wartime election season. AdvertisementAdvertisementUkrainian leadership must extend martial law every 90 days, and Zelenskyy just signed bills extending martial law until February 14, 2024. AdvertisementAdvertisementOverall, Erben and Kobakhidze wrote, Ukraine's laws correctly recognize that a free and fair wartime election is implausible. Zelenskyy had harsh words on Monday for anyone urging Ukraine to hold a wartime election.

Persons: Volodymyr Zelenskyy, he's, —, South Carolina Sen, Lindsey Graham, Zelenskyy, Opora, Peter Erben, Helmut Norpoth, Norpoth, Erben, Gio Kobakhidze, IFES, Kobakhidze Organizations: Gallup, Service, Washington Post, curfews, The International Foundation, Electoral Systems, Stony Brook Locations: Ukraine, Kyiv, South Carolina, Russia, Ukrainian, Europe, Stony, Russian, Moscow

☆ Three things you can do if your bank deposits were delayed
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-06 | by ( Jeanne Sahadi | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

The situation is not yet fully resolved, and it’s unclear just how many banks were affected, although Bank of America, Chase and US Bank have confirmed they are among them. That would include an overdraft fee from your bank if a payment was made from your account before an expected deposit showed up. But if it’s not, contact your bank and let them know the situation needs to be corrected. You also want to avoid a late fee or penalty interest from a creditor if your payment got delayed. “The key is providing verifiable documentation that the delay was not your fault.”At the moment it’s not clear whether or how every affected bank is notifying their customers.

Persons: ”, Bruce McClary, ” McClary, Thomas Kelly, it’s, McClary, you’re, — CNN’s Matt Egan Organizations: New, New York CNN, Bank of America, Chase, US Bank, National Foundation, Credit, JPMorgan Chase, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Locations: New York, —

☆ 9 Moves to Help You Pay Off Credit Card Debt
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-31 | by ( Kerri Anne Renzulli | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +14 min

More than half of all Americans are currently aren’t managing to pay their credit card bills in full each month, J.D. Power found recently, helping explain why we now owe a record $1 trillion in credit card debt. Request an interest rate reductionCall each of your credit card issuers and ask for a lower APR, advises Todd Christensen, education manager with Debt Reduction Services, a nonprofit debt counseling agency. Work with a nonprofit credit counseling agencyIf you’re struggling to make the minimum credit card payment required each month or already behind, reach out to a nonprofit credit counseling service for assistance. These organizations, typically members of the Financial Counseling Association of America or the National Foundation for Credit Counseling, will review your finances and credit card debt to help you better manage your budget and repayments.

Persons: Kerri Anne Renzulli, Power, you’ve, You’ll, Experian, Beverly Harzog, ”, Todd Christensen, John Ulzheimer, you’ll, you’re, Bruce McClary, Says Organizations: Mint, Debt, Surveys, TK, nab, Consumer Financial, Financial, Association of America, National Foundation, Credit, Credit Counseling Locations: FICO

Credit counseling: You're required to complete two credit counseling courses if you file a Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy. Chapter 7 bankruptcy: Often referred to as "liquidation" bankruptcy, Chapter 7 bankruptcy involves the sale of a debtor's non-exempt assets by a trustee. Often referred to as "liquidation" bankruptcy, Chapter 7 bankruptcy involves the sale of a debtor's non-exempt assets by a trustee. Chapter 11 bankruptcy: Chapter 11 bankruptcy allows corporations, partnerships, and certain individuals to restructure their debts while maintaining operations. Bankruptcy filing cost frequently asked questionsWill it hurt your credit to file for bankruptcy?

Persons: Adrienne Hines, You've, Hines, Will, you've Organizations: United, Courts, National Foundation, Credit Counseling, American Bar Association Locations: Ohio, Chevron

Police officers stand guard at the Constitucion square, ahead of Sunday's presidential election, in Guatemala City, Guatemala August 19, 2023. Guatemalans now represent the largest number of Central Americans seeking to enter the United States. "I hope that everything is calm, that democracy wins, that there is no fraud or political issues ... and that our country gets ahead more than anything," said Ardem Villagran, 58, a merchant in Guatemala City. Outgoing President Alejandro Giammattei has vowed to ensure an orderly vote and transition of power. Reporting by Cassandra Garrison in Guatemala City, additional reporting by Herbert Villarraga; Editing by Drazen Jorgic and Cynthia OstermanOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Pilar Olivares, Bernardo Arevalo, Sandra Torres, Arevalo, Ardem Villagran, Alejandro Giammattei, Engel, Eladio Loizaga, Eric Olson, Olson, Cassandra Garrison, Herbert Villarraga, Drazen Jorgic, Cynthia Osterman Organizations: REUTERS, GUATEMALA CITY, Central, U.S . State Department, of American States, OAS, Seattle International Foundation, Thomson Locations: Guatemala City, Guatemala, GUATEMALA, United States, June's, Central America, U.S

☆ Which arm gets the Covid-19 booster may make a difference, study shows
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-18 | by ( Madeline Holcombe | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —When you go to get your newly updated Covid-19 booster this fall, you might want to choose the arm the vaccine goes in carefully. The immune response may be stronger if your booster goes in the same arm as your last Covid-19 shot, according to a study published August 11 in the journal eBioMedicine. The immune response may be stronger if a Covid-19 booster goes in the same arm as your last shot, a new study suggests. Two weeks after the booster, the number of “killer T cells” was significantly higher in those who had both shots in the same arm, according to the study. This study made Schaffner think about this fall, when he will get vaccines for respiratory syncytial virus, known as RSV, and influenza as well as a Covid-19 booster.

Persons: Martina Sester, Scott Olson, Laura Ziegler, “, ”, William Schaffner, Schaffner Organizations: CNN, of Infection, Saarland University Hospital, Saarland University, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, National Foundation for Infectious Diseases, American Cancer Society, National Institutes of Health Locations: Germany, Nashville

☆ Insurers face long road, high cost to cover obesity drugs after promising Wegovy heart health data
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-09 | by ( Annika Kim Constantino | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

There is likely a long way to go before the U.S. sees increased insurance coverage for obesity drugs. While the trial results demonstrate that obesity drugs may have significant health benefits beyond shedding unwanted pounds, organizations representing U.S. insurers emphasized that the data is still preliminary. "Health insurance providers will continue to analyze new evidence as it becomes available," he added. Ceci Connolly, CEO of the Alliance of Community Health Plans, acknowledged the promise of the data but said "outrageous prices should give everyone pause." The organization represents regional, community-based health plans that cover more than 18 million Americans across the U.S.

Persons: Jim Vondruska, Wegovy, Eli Lilly, David Allen, Ceci Connolly, Jared Holz, It's, Debra Tyler's, Joe Buglewicz, Eduardo Grunvald, George Frey, UCSD's Gunvald, Eli, Ethan Lazarus, Lazarus Organizations: Reuters Novo Nordisk, Novo Nordisk, America's Health, Alliance of Community Health, U.S, Drugs, Pfizer, Medicare, CVS, Aetna, CNBC, Washington Post, Getty, UCSD Health's Center, International Foundation of Employee, University of Texas System, UTS, Novo, Reuters, Obesity Medicine Association, New England, of Medicine Locations: Chicago , Illinois, U.S, Mizuho, Killingworth, Conn, Texas

[1/2] The entrance to the Sandy Hook Permanent Memorial on the 10th anniversary of the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, U.S., December 14, 2022. REUTERS/David 'Dee' Delgado/File PhotoAug 3 (Reuters) - A federal judge on Thursday rejected a gun rights group's challenge to an assault weapons ban the state of Connecticut adopted after a gunman in 2012 killed 20 children and six educators at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown. The National Association for Gun Rights (NAGR) filed a lawsuit in September, arguing the 2013 ban violated the right to bear arms under the U.S. Constitution's Second Amendment, citing a major U.S. Supreme Court ruling last year that expanded gun rights. But U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arterton in New Haven in a 74-page ruling rejected those claims, saying the group failed to establish that assault weapons and large capacity magazines are commonly bought and used for self-defense. Arterton, an appointee of former Democratic President Bill Clinton, cited "persuasive" evidence by the state that assault weapons are instead more often sought out for their militaristic characteristics and are often used in crimes and mass shootings.

Persons: David, Dee, Delgado, NAGR, Janet Bond Arterton, Bill Clinton, William Tong, Hannah Hill, Nate Raymond, David Gregorio, Bill Berkrot Organizations: Sandy, Sandy Hook Elementary, REUTERS, National Association for Gun Rights, U.S, Supreme, New York, Democratic, National Foundation for Gun Rights, Thomson Locations: Newtown , Connecticut, U.S, Connecticut, Sandy, Newtown, New Haven, Bruen, Boston

☆ Here's how one single father spent a decade planning for his dream family via surrogacy
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-09 | by ( Kate Dore | Cfp | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Atlanta single father Jon had his son Theo after a decade of saving and strategizing with employer benefits and advocacy group help. "I worked for a decade to make this family happen," the Atlanta-based single father said. His company didn't initially offer fertility benefits for men. "The tech sector and the financial services sector have been very proactive in offering fertility benefits," said Anthony Brown, an attorney and manager of client services at Circle Surrogacy. The tech sector and the financial services sector have been very proactive in offering fertility benefits.

Persons: Jon, Theo, Jon G, Rebecca Willman, didn't, Anthony Brown, Brown Organizations: International Foundation of Employee Locations: Atlanta, U.S

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