Illinois is set to enter 2026 with sweeping changes to state policy as more than 200 new laws take effect at the start of the year, touching nearly every aspect of daily life. The legislation approved by lawmakers spans healthcare access, workplace protections, public safety, education standards, insurance coverage and the growing role of artificial intelligence, marking one of the most expansive legislative updates in recent years. Several of the most consequential measures focus o

A significant legal challenge to the steep increase in H-1B visa fees has suffered a major setback after a US District Court ruled that the federal government acted within its legal authority. The ruling has delivered a blow to business and employer groups that argued the move would restrict access to skilled foreign talent, even as the H-1B visa programme continues to face mounting pressure from stricter regulations and prolonged processing delays across the globe. The decision was i

Several new state laws aimed at improving worker pay, expanding health care protections, and strengthening consumer safeguards are set to take effect across Virginia on Jan. 1, marking one of the most wide-ranging policy updates in recent years. The measures touch on issues ranging from minimum wage increases to medical billing practices and digital protections for children, reflecting priorities lawmakers say are rooted in everyday concerns of residents. Political analyst Leslie Ca

The Occupational English Test, widely known as OET, has become one of the most recognised English-language examinations for healthcare professionals aiming to work, study or qualify in English-speaking countries. Designed specifically for the medical and health sectors, the test evaluates candidates on the type of language skills they will need in real clinical environments rather than in general communication. Managed by the Cambridge Boxhill Language Assessment Trust, a collaboration betwee

Eli Lilly reached a historic milestone on Friday when it briefly surpassed a $1 trillion market capitalization, becoming the first health-care company in the world to enter a territory long dominated by technology giants. The company’s stock hovered near $1,048 per share during morning trading, touching the trillion-dollar threshold before pulling back slightly. It is only the second nontechnology business in the United States to reach this valuation, following Berkshire Hathaway’s climb

The Department of Education’s decision to exclude nursing from its updated definition of a “professional degree” has set off widespread concern among national nursing organizations, which argue the change could significantly restrict access to advanced nursing education and deepen the country’s ongoing workforce shortage. The redefinition comes as part of the federal government’s implementation of President Donald Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” a sweeping measure that r

Santa Clara County’s recently approved sales tax increase has triggered a growing conflict among its supporters, with county officials, law enforcement leaders and community advocates divided over how the revenue should be distributed. The dispute centers on Measure A, a five-eighths-cent sales tax increase approved by 57% of voters, which county leaders described as a critical source of funding for the region’s strained public hospital system. Now, disagreements over future budget alloca

Open enrollment for Covered California began Monday with Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi joining state and local officials in encouraging residents to enroll early in health coverage. The new enrollment period opens against a backdrop of financial uncertainty, as ongoing federal funding debates threaten to reshape the affordability of health insurance for millions across the state. This year’s enrollment marks a critical moment for the state’s health care marketplace. Covered Calif

A senior pharmaceutical executive collapsed during an Oval Office event where former U.S. President Donald Trump was announcing a new initiative to reduce the prices of obesity drugs. The incident caused a sudden interruption to the live broadcast of the announcement, which was centered on a major agreement between the Trump administration and leading pharmaceutical manufacturers. According to eyewitnesses, the executive, later identified as Gordon Findlay of Novo Nordisk, lost his

CVS Health has announced plans to close 16 Oak Street Health primary care clinics across the United States by the end of February 2026, citing the move as part of a broader effort to strengthen its financial position and long-term sustainability. The closures follow a comprehensive review of the company’s clinic operations and come amid a changing healthcare landscape that has placed significant pressure on medical providers. The decision arrives two years after CVS Health acquire

WASHINGTON — Thousands of District residents could soon lose critical dental and vision benefits as Washington, D.C. prepares to overhaul its Medicaid program starting January 1, 2026. The city’s decision to reduce Medicaid eligibility and transition many enrollees into a new system known as the Healthy DC Plan has sparked deep concern among healthcare providers and community advocates. The upcoming changes follow a decision to lower the income threshold for Medicaid eligibility

Thousands of health care professionals across California and Hawaii have walked off the job in what is being called the largest strike in the history of the United Nurses Associations of California/Union of Health Care Professionals (UNAC/UHCP). Beginning at 7 a.m. Tuesday, more than 31,000 registered nurses, pharmacists, physician assistants, rehabilitation therapists, speech-language pathologists, and other advanced care providers are participating in the five-day strike against Kaiser Perm

In East San Jose, the trauma unit at Regional Medical Center is once again alive with activity. Doctors and nurses are back to doing the work they were trained for: cutting crash victims out of their clothes, replacing blood loss from torn arteries, and holding shattered bones together while shouting urgent instructions through the chaos of an emergency room. The noise and intensity may sound alarming to an outsider, but to those who work there, it represents a vital return to function after

US Congresswoman Haley Stevens announced on Thursday, September 25, that she will introduce articles of impeachment against Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr. The move marks an escalation of her opposition to Kennedy’s policies, which she described as creating “healthcare chaos” across the country. In her post, Stevens stated that the time for patience has ended, declaring “enough is enough” and pledging to pursue formal impeachment proceedi

Larry Ellison, the co-founder of Oracle and the world’s second-richest man after Elon Musk, has pledged to donate 95% of his estimated $373 billion fortune. His vast wealth comes primarily from his 41% stake in Oracle and significant investments in Tesla, both of which surged in value due to the AI boom. Ellison first made this pledge in 2010 through the Giving Pledge, a global philanthropic commitment by billionaires to give away most of their fortunes.

If you are an NRI parent moving to the United States or already living there, a common question is whether your child’s Indian vaccination certificate will be accepted. The good news is that in most cases the answer is yes, but there are a few important points to keep in mind. Indian vaccination records are generally recognized in the US as long as they are complete, accurate, and clearly documented. The records should include the child’s name, date of birth, vaccine nam

For Indian families living abroad, ensuring children receive the right vaccinations is one of the most important aspects of healthcare. While India has its own immunization schedule, moving to another country often means adapting to new guidelines and adding vaccines that may not be common back home. Having a complete vaccination checklist helps parents stay organized and ensures their child is protected no matter where they grow up. The foundation of any vaccination plan starts wit

For NRI parents, ensuring their child’s health is a top priority, especially when living in a different country with new healthcare guidelines. Vaccinations play a crucial role in protecting children from preventable diseases, but the schedule and types of vaccines may vary depending on where you live. Understanding which vaccines are essential helps parents make informed decisions and ensures their children remain healthy, no matter where they are growing up. The first and mo

Novo Nordisk has announced a major price cut for its popular diabetes medication Ozempic, offering the drug for just $499 per month for patients in the United States who are uninsured or paying out-of-pocket. This move represents a significant reduction from the previous list price of nearly $1,350, and it is aimed at improving access for patients who otherwise struggle to afford the medication. The drug will now be available at the lower price through the comp

Santa Clara County is urging support for a proposed sales tax increase that it says is critical to keeping its hospital system alive in the face of looming federal funding cuts. The measure, known as Measure A, would add a five-eighths cent sales tax and has been fast-tracked for the November 4 special election ballot. County officials warn that without additional revenue, essential public hospital services, trauma care, and safety net programs could be jeopardi