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Even as COVID-19 wanes, lawyers representing the health care sector predict their days in court aren't about to end soon, as lawsuits abound questioning public health policies and hospitals' authority on mask and vaccine use.

During the Consumer Financial Protection Board hearing, panelists identified deferred interest credit cards as a prime culprit saddling patients, who tap financing for "gaps" in health care coverage, with medical debt.

The hospital chain, which announced last week that the breach affected 11 million patients, "knew or should have known" that the private information it collects is "highly sought after by criminal parties," plaintiffs wrote in one complaint filed last week.

Behavioral health startup Octave, which aims to expand access and reduce costs, plans to fill the large unmet need for in-network behavioral health services, including adult individual, couples and family therapy with virtual and in-person services.

Excessive drinking during the COVID-19 pandemic increased alcoholic liver disease deaths so much that the condition killed more Californians than car accidents or breast cancer, according to KFF.

The role of brokers has been even more important as they help employers design benefits strategies that curb costs and attract and retain top talent.