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Economic Times
19-06-2025
- Health
- Economic Times
US healthcare almost broke, Medicare and Social Security's trust funds will have no money by this date
ETHealthWorld The Medicare hospital insurance trust fund is expected to deplete in 2033, three years earlier than last year's projection. Social Security's combined trust funds will run out by 2034, a year earlier than previously forecast. The financial health of America's two most critical safety-net programs, Medicare and Social Security, is deteriorating faster than expected. An annual report released Wednesday, June 18, by program trustees shows that rising health care costs, demographic pressures, and a new law expanding Social Security benefits have accelerated the timeline for when the programs become out of money and cannot pay full benefits. The Medicare hospital insurance trust fund is now expected to run out of money in 2033, three years earlier than projected just last year. Meanwhile, Social Security's combined trust funds, which support retirement and disability benefits, will be depleted by 2034, a year earlier than previously forecast. At that point, beneficiaries would see a significant reduction in monthly payments unless Congress updated projections concern the long-term solvency of these programs, which tens of millions of Americans depend on for health care and income security. The report highlights that Medicare's hospital insurance (Part A) trust fund faces a steeper decline due to higher-than-expected health care expenses in 2024. The fund posted a surplus of $29 billion last year, but deficits are expected to begin after 2027, leading to full depletion by exhausted, Medicare will only be able to cover 89% of inpatient care costs, such as hospital visits, hospice services, and post-hospital nursing care. Currently, about 68 million people are enrolled in Medicare, including Americans over age 65 and those with severe illnesses or Security's combined trust funds, which support retirees and disability recipients, are projected to be depleted by 2034, one year earlier than last year's forecast of 2035. After that date, the program would only be able to pay 81% of scheduled benefits, if no changes are made. This accelerated timeline results in part from the Social Security Fairness Act passed in January 2025. This law repealed the Windfall Elimination Provision and Government Pension Offset, increasing benefits for some workers. Trustees confirmed that this legislative change worsened the trust fund's depletion. Trustees of both programs urged lawmakers to act swiftly. 'Medicare still faces a substantial financial shortfall that needs to be addressed with further legislation,' the report said. Frank Bisignano, the newly appointed Social Security Commissioner, said that stabilizing the trust funds is a top priority for the Trump administration, which has so far pledged not to cut benefits. Despite this, experts warn that without new revenue or cost controls, both programs risk serious disruption. Nancy Altman of Social Security Works argued that lawmakers must decide: raise revenue or cut benefits. 'There are two options for action,' she said. 'Any politician who doesn't support increasing Social Security's revenue is, by default, supporting benefit cuts.' AARP CEO Myechia Minter-Jordan added that with over 69 million Americans relying on Social Security, 'the stability of this vital program only becomes more important.'The Congressional Budget Office has repeatedly warned that an aging population is the main driver of rising debt related to Social Security and Medicare. The last major Social Security reform occurred about 40 years ago, when the eligibility age was raised from 65 to 67. Medicare eligibility remains at age legislative proposals are currently being considered to address the trust funds' financial outlook. However, none have yet been passed.
India.com
19-05-2025
- Health
- India.com
COVID-19 resurgence in Singapore, Thailand, Hong Kong: Things you must know about JN.1 variant
It was just a few years ago when the world was hit by a major pandemic of COVID-19, infecting millions and causing widespread disruptions. But after a long lull, the world tried to re-adjust to the post-pandemic reality. However, once again, an alarming situation has caused a buzz. Several parts of Asia, like Hong Kong, Singapore, China and Thailand, are seeing a sharp surge in the number of coronavirus cases. Driven by the new Omicron sub-variant like JN.1 and its descendants, it is spreading like wildfire. Health care officials and professionals have given a heads-up on an alarming situation and have been staying on high alert. They have also warned people to be more cautious and be vigilant about hygiene. From 11,000 cases last week of April to over 14,000 cases in early May 2025, the infection has seen a surge. However, until now, there has been no evidence on whether the latest variant is more transmissible or severe than the prior one. According to the report by New18, the subvariants of JN 1, like LF.7 and NB.1.8, are currently the most common variants and account for two-thirds of the recorded cases in Singapore. India is also not left behind in being affected by these cases, currently, there are about 93 active COVID-19 cases in India as of May 19. Even though the jump in India is not as high as of now, however, doctors do believe that India could witness a similar surge, considering the drop in immunity of the population. 'The recent surge in countries like Hong Kong and China is being linked to waning antibodies, and the same could hold true for India,' Dr Vikas Maurya, Senior Director and Head of Pulmonology at Fortis Shalimar Bagh, told ET HealthWorld. He further added, 'It is possible that India might see a similar spike. In China, the rise in cases is attributed to decreased antibodies or immunity over time — the same could happen here. Many people in India were vaccinated a long time ago. If their immunity has dropped, more individuals could catch and spread the infection'. Dr. Sandeep Budhiraja, Group Medical Director, Max Healthcare, also emphasised the unusual timing of this spread because he believes that respiratory issues are typically not at peak in summer. 'What is disturbing is that this wave is increasingly affecting populations in Southeast Asia during the summer months — a time when respiratory viruses typically don't peak,' Budhiraja added. 'COVID-19 has never truly disappeared — it has lingered in an endemic form, occasionally causing local or regional outbreaks. As immunity diminishes over time, especially among vulnerable groups like the elderly or those with comorbidities, the virus finds an opportunity to spread,' Budhiraja said. The BA.2.86 variant is a descendant of the JN1 variant. It is also called Pirola and was initially seen in August 2023. In December, the World Health Organisation labeled it a 'Variant of Interest.' It possesses approximately 30 mutations that make it evade immunity more efficiently compared to most prior variants. While BA.2.86 did not achieve dominance, JN.1 evolved greater transmission capacity through further mutations, according to Johns Hopkins University. Yale Medicine also adds that JN.1 is slightly different from its parent strain because it has a single mutation in its spike protein, which could potentially give it an advantage in evading the immune system, although this would require further research. Symptoms are mostly the same as previous strains. Individuals affected by JN.1 might have sore throat, fever, cough, runny or stuffy nose, tiredness, body pain, and sometimes loss of smell or taste. Most of the mild infections are self-manageable at home, but individuals with low immunity should remain cautious.
Time of India
07-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
RGCIRC launches campaign for early oral cancer detection, Health News, ET HealthWorld
Advt By , ETHealthWorld Join the community of 2M+ industry professionals Subscribe to our newsletter to get latest insights & analysis. Download ETHealthworld App Get Realtime updates Save your favourite articles Scan to download App New Delhi: Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute & Research Centre (RGCIRC), Rohini, New Delhi, in association with Merck Specialities Private Limited has launched the 'Two-Minute Action for Oral Cancer Protection' campaign with the hashtag # campaign aims to tackle the alarming rise in oral cancer cases by encouraging individuals to perform a quick self-check using mirrors that are almost always available to one and all. The stated message of the campaign is: Look, Feel, and to the institute, mirror checks can help identify early signs of oral cancer , potentially enabling timely part of the initiative, mirrors will be placed in hospital waiting areas to encourage visitors to perform (Prof) Sudhir Kumar Rawal, Medical Director, RGCIRC said, 'Head and neck cancer is very common in India. These types of cancers are lifestyle-related, and linked to the rampant use of tobacco and alcohol in society. The treatment of this cancer, especially when detected early, is much more effective.'Dr. A.K. Dewan, Director, Surgical Oncology, RGCIRC stated, 'Gutkha, smoking, alcohol consumption, poor oral hygiene, and certain viral infections, especially Human Papillomavirus (HPV) are key risk factors contributing to the rising incidence of throat cancers.''There should be awareness on the common early signs and symptoms of oral cancers like white patches, red patches, referred ear pain, and nonhealing ulcers.' said Dr. Mudit Agarwal, Unit Head & Senior Consultant, Head & Neck Oncology, RGCIRC.
