Yesterday, Indiana Governor Mike Pence announced his alternative plan to Medicaid expansion.  A Harvard Medical School and City University of New York study released this month concluded that over 750 people in Indiana will die annually because they don't have access to Medicaid.

The “Big 3”  health insurance groups have collaborated to give consumers more transparency on pricing. Aetna (AET), Humana (HUM), and United Health Group (UNH) confirmed that a nonpartisan research organization, the Health Care Cost Institute will help the companies unveil a free online pricing portal that will help keep up with the demands of the newly insured under the Affordable Care Act.

Ironically, as the number of people in the United States with various health insurance policies steadily increases, their ability to have their choice in which doctors and medical groups they can see under their coverage plan has become incredibly limited. That is, unless they are willing to pay a handsome fee in order to have the freedom of seeing any health care provider they so desire.

Across the country, states such as Maryland, West Virginia, and Kentucky have expanded their Medicaid coverage in order to better assist low-income citizens. However, in states like Virginia, right across the border, there are over 400,000 low-income citizens who can’t afford health coverage but don’t qualify for Medicaid or government assisted health insurance.

As a nation we are experiencing real challenges, most importantly with healthcare.  Malcolm Gladwell, a journalist and bestselling author answers questions from David Pearl, M.D. His answers were insightful and covered many of the most urgent issues with the American healthcare system.