With Medicare and Medicaid reimbursements expected to drop, hospitals are already bracing for a 6% to 7% reduction in per-visit payments this year alone.
"Amid inflation, economic volatility and shifting social expectations, our survey shows organizations are prioritizing cost control more than ever," says Chana Bieker, senior vice president at Brown & Brown.
"While many Americans are satisfied with their coverage options for 2026, many are facing significant cost increases and less rich benefits," said Derrick Duke, CEO of eHealth.
A perfect storm of Supreme Court decisions, aggressive litigation and emerging technologies is exposing HR executives to unprecedented legal liability, according to a recent report from Mercer.
Employees across the spectrum, from hourly staff to executives, have financial obligations and money stress, said Jason Rahlan from Dayforce. "Employees aren't asking for a handout. They want access to the money they already earned."
Upwork's new report shows businesses are turning to freelance talent in droves. Seventy-eight percent of companies plan to hire independent workers in the next three months, outpacing demand for full-time knowledge roles.
