National health expenditures are projected to grow 5.8% annually from 2024 to 2033, reaching $8.6 trillion and representing 20% of the US economy, according to a report in Health Affairs. The aging population is expected to drive spending, with the highest growth in Medicare at 7.8% annually. Medicaid and private insurance spending are also expected to rise, though at slower rates.

The Change Healthcare cyberattack in February 2024 exposed significant vulnerabilities in the health care sector. The breach affected 190 million people, led to cash flow problems for health care providers and cost UnitedHealth Group $3.1 billion. The incident underscores the need for robust cybersecurity measures in health care.

Brain-computer interfaces are nearing commercialization, with several companies developing wireless implants that allow people with paralysis or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis to control devices using only their thoughts. These systems detect brain signals related to movement or speech and translate them into actions like moving a cursor or generating synthetic speech, although challenges relating to data processing and FDA approval remain. Experts believe the first practical BCI products could be available within a few years.

Eleven people have been charged in a Russia-based scheme to defraud $10.6 billion from Medicare. The scheme involved purchasing legitimate medical equipment companies and then using the stolen personal information of more than 1 million Medicare beneficiaries to bill for equipment that was never delivered, according to prosecutors. The defendants allegedly laundered proceeds through shell companies and cryptocurrency.

The National Institutes of Health continues to screen grants under directives a judge has deemed illegal, causing confusion among employees. The NIH has started reinstating projects and halted further terminations, but the situation remains uncertain.

The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation is launching a demonstration project in Arizona, New Jersey, Ohio, Oklahoma, Texas and Washington requiring prior authorization for conventional Medicare coverage of 17 health services, starting Jan. 1, 2026. Inpatient-only, emergency and urgently needed services are excluded. The CMS is seeking companies with experience using AI and other tools to manage prior authorization and clinicians who can review coverage determinations.

A study in The Lancet Regional Health -- Europe found that 26% of women under mental health care who died by suicide had experienced domestic violence. Women who had experienced domestic violence had higher rates of PTSD, self-harm and substance misuse, and were more likely to have faced financial and housing challenges.

An evidence review published in the Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry found that exercise programs may help improve mood disorders in children and adolescents. The review, which analyzed data from 375 clinical trials, found that anxiety improved with low-intensity resistance exercise and depression i