healthcare

A nationwide public sector strike is planned for Tuesday, September 29, across France, affecting teachers, healthcare workers, firefighters and public transport workers. In Paris, a demonstration is set to march from Place de la République to Place de la Nation via Bastille. The RATP transport network is among services expected to be disrupted, and travellers should expect delays and cancellations.

A viewpoint published by Chief Healthcare Executive argues that artificial intelligence is already transforming medical practice, and that medical education needs to change accordingly. The piece calls on educators to rethink how future doctors are trained so they can work alongside AI tools. It adds to a growing debate among healthcare leaders about whether curricula are keeping pace with rapid technological change in clinical settings.

The US Department of Justice has asked the Supreme Court to take up a case that could narrow legal protections for transgender people. The filing is being read as an effort to roll back established interpretations of sex discrimination protections. Civil rights groups warn the case could strip away safeguards in employment, healthcare and education, while supporters argue the current reading of federal law goes too far.

Wards at a hospital have been closed following a scabies outbreak, according to BBC and Yahoo News reports. Scabies, a contagious skin infestation caused by mites, spreads quickly in healthcare settings, and closures are typically used to allow deep cleaning and prevent transmission between patients and staff. Details on which hospital is affected, how many cases have been confirmed, and when the wards will reopen have not yet been made clear.

Singapore has crossed the threshold of a super-aged society, with 21.4% of citizens aged 65 or older in 2026, up from 20.7% last year and 13.7% a decade ago. The milestone puts it among countries like Japan where more than one in five residents is a senior, raising questions about healthcare costs, the shrinking workforce and support for the elderly.

Law firm analysis addresses the implications of executive actions taken in August 2026 on birthright citizenship in the United States, focusing on how the measures affect immigration law and health law, including access to coverage and benefits for children born in the country. The commentary suggests lawyers and clients are still working through the practical consequences of the actions.

Dozens of Tennessee medical professionals have written to Governor Bill Lee urging that healthcare workers should never take part in executions, regardless of the method. The appeal follows a botched lethal injection in the state in May, which renewed scrutiny of how Tennessee carries out the death penalty. The medical professionals argue that participating in executions violates the ethical obligations of medicine, and they want the governor to commit to keeping clinicians out of the process.

California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed legislation creating a label for foods that are not ultra-processed, part of a broader package of health bills that his office describes as advancing the state's nation-leading healthcare strategy. The move makes California the first US state to adopt such a labeling standard, and comes as lawmakers and health advocates nationwide push for greater transparency around ultra-processed foods and their links to chronic disease.

Indonesia's government will provide a $1.1 billion capital injection into BPJS Kesehatan, the state agency that runs the country's universal health insurance scheme. The move is aimed at strengthening the insurer's finances as it covers the medical costs of hundreds of millions of Indonesians under one of the world's largest single-payer health programs.

Interest in the word 'läkare' — the Swedish term for doctor — is high in Sweden right now. No single event is confirmed behind the spike, but the query ranks at the top of searches in the region with hundreds of engagements. People may be looking for information on booking appointments, healthcare availability, or medical news, though the exact trigger remains unspecified.

The Trump administration has asked the US Supreme Court to let it enforce limits on gender-affirming care for transgender inmates in federal prisons. The request asks the justices to allow the policy to take effect while legal challenges proceed, and it lands amid ongoing national battles over transgender healthcare and prison rights.

A robot designed to draw blood from patients is drawing attention as automation spreads into healthcare. The development raises questions about accuracy, patient comfort and the future role of medical technicians if machines can perform routine procedures like venipuncture.

The Supreme Court has cancelled the bail of a Shiv Sena municipal corporator, ordering the leader to surrender within three days. The court observed that the medical profession must be protected, saying a clear message should go out that doctors and the healthcare sector cannot be threatened or harmed. The ruling stems from a case involving alleged offences against medical practitioners, and it has drawn attention in Indian political and legal circles.

Doctors, nurses and therapists employed by LifeLong Medical Care walked off the job across the East Bay, disrupting care at the community health network's clinics. The strike affects facilities serving low-income and uninsured patients in Berkeley and neighboring cities. Details on the workers' specific demands and the duration of the walkout were not immediately available.

A new projection puts the increase in women's health spending at $527 billion, according to a report covered by Chief Healthcare Executive. The figure points to significant growth expected in the sector, spanning care, products and services aimed at women. Healthcare industry watchers are citing the number as a signal of where investment and policy attention may be headed.

NASA says work aboard the International Space Station opened the week with advanced health research, while the orbital outpost waits for the arrival of the upcoming Crew-13 mission. Experiments underway are focused on how the human body responds to extended time in space, findings that could benefit astronauts on longer missions and improve healthcare on Earth.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is looking at adopting new technologies to reduce improper payments and fraud across its programs. The agency oversees vast federal health spending, so curbing erroneous or fraudulent payouts is a longstanding priority. The report has drawn attention in federal technology and healthcare policy circles as agencies weigh modernization of payment oversight.

Clinicians at LifeLong Medical Care have gone on strike in Richmond, California, after contract negotiations between the union and the health provider reached an impasse. The work action means patients may see disrupted services while picketing continues. Labor disputes at community health centers have drawn attention as staff push for better terms amid strained healthcare working conditions.

Laboratory Corporation of America, known as Labcorp, has reached a settlement with the state of Alaska over a data breach that affected 82,958 residents. The agreement was reported by the Juneau Empire. Details of the settlement terms, including any payments or commitments to improved data security, have not been widely detailed in initial coverage of the agreement.

Researchers at Brown University's School of Public Health have published a new tracker mapping private equity involvement in healthcare across the United States. The tool aims to document which hospitals, physician practices and other providers are owned by private equity firms. It comes amid growing scrutiny of buyout firms' role in medical care and its effects on costs and quality.

Reuters reports that Amazon and GoodRx are launching subscription-based prescription drug services aimed at US consumers as health insurance coverage slips. Both companies are positioning discounted medication plans as an alternative for households facing rising premiums, reduced employer benefits, or gaps in coverage, deepening Big Tech and digital pharmacy competition in the American healthcare market.

The Dutch benefits agency Dienst Toeslagen is sending letters to 225,000 households about their zorgtoeslag, the healthcare allowance. Dutch media are highlighting a potential pitfall for 2026, warning recipients to pay close attention to the letter so they do not lose entitlement or face an unexpected repayment. The mailing is drawing attention because benefit changes take effect next year.

HealthPartners and Essentia Health have announced a combination aimed at improving access, quality and affordability of care. The deal brings together two major health systems, and both organisations say the goal is to better serve patients across their regions. Details on structure and timeline have not yet been fully laid out.

A new analysis finds that a majority of Oklahoma's behavioral healthcare workforce is made up of part-time workers. The finding points to deep staffing strains in a state already facing shortages of mental health and substance abuse professionals, raising questions about access to care and whether full-time positions can attract and retain clinicians.

A federal bill modeled on Oregon's state law has been introduced in Washington DC that would ban the corporate practice of medicine nationwide. The legislation would prevent non-physician entities from owning or controlling medical practices, a restriction currently in place only in varying forms at the state level. The proposal has drawn attention from healthcare providers, investors and law firms assessing its impact on practice ownership and private equity involvement in medicine.

The National Federation of Independent Business brought small business owners to the US Capitol for a healthcare summit focused on health coverage costs and policy affecting small employers. Participants are expected to meet with lawmakers and discuss rising premiums and healthcare access as key concerns for small businesses.