A group of 350 health-focused organizations and societies has urged Congress to make Medicare telehealth flexibilities introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic permanent, or at least extend them for two years. In a letter to congressional leaders, the organizations emphasized the importance of telehealth for Medicare beneficiaries, particularly those with chronic conditions or in rural areas, and highlighted the potential impact on health care access and infrastructure.

Staff engagement in the US remains stagnant, with only 32% of employees feeling engaged at work, according to Gallup research. The cost of disengagement has reached about $2 trillion in lost productivity. Employees cite issues such as a lack of a sense of belonging, poor leadership transparency, insufficient resource investment and inadequate performance management as reasons for their detachment.

Walmart has expanded its employee discount program to offer team members 10% savings on nearly all groceries year-round, instead of just certain items during the holiday season. The change, requested by employees, covers 95% of regularly priced items and is expected to benefit Walmart workers, many of whom rely on Medicaid and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits.

Pay transparency is growing among US employers, with a Willis Towers Watson survey revealing that 82% of surveyed companies are currently communicating, planning to communicate, or considering communicating pay ranges to employees. Approximately 39% already share pay ranges internally, and 13% intend to do so soon. While these figures point to increasing openness about pay, less than half disclose details on how base pay is determined or progresses, and only 39% explain how pay ranges are structured.

The Labor and Treasury departments, along with HHS, have indicated they might not enforce a rule limiting short-term health insurance to three months, potentially allowing policies to last up to 36 months, as was permitted during the first term of President Donald Trump. The move could help small employers manage health costs by suggesting departing workers buy short-term plans, but state regulations vary, with some banning such policies.

Affluent consumers seeking financial advisors rely on referrals from family and friends, but 96% also conduct online research, a Wealthtender survey indicates. The survey shows these consumers value transparency in fees and services, professional certifications and positive online reviews when selecting an advisor. Respondents also expressed comfort with artificial intelligence for tasks such as market analysis and fraud monitoring but preferred human oversight for final decisions.

CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz is calling on Medicare beneficiaries to help combat fraud, which costs taxpayers billions of dollars each year. Oz advises beneficiaries to protect their Medicare information, be wary of unsolicited offers and regularly check their claim statements, and he encourages them to report suspicious activity to Medicare immediately.

The FDA declared an end to a shortage of sodium chloride 0.9% injection products, thanks to collaboration with the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response as well as industry partners. Efforts included widening production capacity and stabilizing the supply chain. FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary emphasized the importance of reliable medical product availability for patient care. The FDA continues to monitor other IV fluid shortages, and it resolved an earlier shortage of intra-aortic balloon and control systems.

Heat-related illnesses are a significant risk for workers in hot environments, with the CDC reporting an average of 702 heat-related deaths annually in the US. Common illnesses include heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke, with symptoms ranging from muscle cramping to confusion and unconsciousness. Employers should take steps such as planning work around cooler parts of the day, ensuring acclimatization, encouraging hydration and mandating breaks.