Three years ago, upon purchasing an optometry practice in Southern California, Hunter Morgan immediately began serving patients covered by Medicaid, the government-funded health insurance program for low-income individuals. Despite the previous owners’ decision to not accept Medicaid patients, Morgan believed it was his duty to assist those in need. However, after just five months, he was forced to cease treating Medicaid patients due to the inadequate reimbursement rates. Despite charging $175 for eye exams, Medicaid only provided around $40, making it financially unsustainable for Morgan to cover expenses such as staff salaries and rent in the affluent beach community of…

Reddit, an online message board, took an unconventional approach leading up to its planned initial public offering (IPO) this week. Instead of adhering to the typical practice of exclusively selling shares to large investors, Reddit extended an invitation to some of its dedicated users to participate in purchasing shares.This decision marks Reddit’s alignment with a small but expanding movement among companies to adopt a more democratic approach to distributing IPO shares. The objective is to recognize and reward loyal users and customers by offering them the opportunity to invest in an IPO, alongside institutional investors.Cody Slach, senior managing director of…

Intermittent fasting, a widely practiced approach for weight management by restricting food consumption to specific time frames, faces scrutiny following an unexpected discovery from research presented at a medical conference.The study, unveiled in Chicago, revealed a surprising 91% increase in the risk of heart disease-related mortality associated with confining meals to an eight-hour daily window. The American Heart Association released only an abstract, leaving scientists speculating about the study’s methodology. Prior to its release, the study underwent scrutiny by other experts, as stated by the AHA.Lifestyle interventions aimed at weight loss are being scrutinized amidst the emergence of new drugs…

In January, Norway’s economy surged at a significantly faster rate than anticipated, indicating that the fossil fuel-rich Nordic nation is managing the impact of rising living costs better than expected.According to data released by Statistics Norway on Monday, the mainland gross domestic product, excluding the offshore industry, grew by 0.4% from December, surpassing both the highest economist estimates surveyed by Bloomberg and the central bank’s projection of a 0.2% decline.The increase was primarily driven by the wholesale and retail trade sectors, followed by the electricity industry, as reported by the statistics office.This latest data suggests that policymakers at the central…

Chinese companies have taken the lead in the electric vehicle (EV) sector, prompting major global automakers to set aside their differences and confront this challenge. Two of Japan’s largest car manufacturers, Nissan and Honda, announced on Friday their decision to collaborate on EV development in response to the growing threat posed by dominant Chinese EV giants like BYD.This partnership, unusual for two of Japan’s top automakers and historical rivals, was deemed necessary by Honda’s president, Toshihiro Mibe, who emphasized the urgency of adapting to the changing industry landscape to avoid being overtaken. According to Mibe, companies failing to adjust risk…

You’ve likely heard about the challenges of obtaining homeowners insurance in regions like Florida and California, which are particularly susceptible to natural disasters such as hurricanes and earthquakes. These areas serve as poignant reminders of the tangible impacts of climate change on our daily lives.However, it’s not just coastal states like Florida and California that face issues with obtaining affordable homeowners insurance—or even securing coverage at all. A survey conducted by ValuePenguin in February revealed that over a quarter of American homeowners with insurance are concerned that their properties may become uninsurable in 2024. Furthermore, 72% of policyholders experienced rate…

Olivia Munn, sharing on Instagram, disclosed that she underwent a double mastectomy last year due to an aggressive and fast-moving form of breast cancer. Despite considering herself “lucky” to have narrowly avoided a missed diagnosis, she stressed the importance of genetic testing, particularly for mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, which elevate the risk of breast and ovarian cancers.Taking a proactive approach to her health, Munn underwent genetic testing in February 2023 to screen for 90 cancer-related genes, all of which yielded negative results for her and her sister Sara. She highlighted the significance of her OB/GYN, Dr. Thaïs…

Tesla and BYD, propelled by China’s robust EV market, have reached significant heights but are now seeking growth beyond China due to its slowing pace. Tesla, after instigating a price war in China last year, eyes Southeast Asia as its next frontier for expansion.Southeast Asia is anticipated to witness substantial growth in battery storage and electric vehicle adoption in the forthcoming years, according to Rohan Patel, a senior executive in public policy and business development at Tesla.In response to a user’s post celebrating the initial deliveries of Tesla’s Model Y in Malaysia, Patel highlighted the region’s potential for growth. Last…

On Monday, mobile and online sports betting launched across North Carolina, marking a significant development nine months after legislation authorized such activity statewide. Various licensed gambling operators, including prominent names in the legalized gambling industry, initiated betting services, with some hosting special events to showcase the new options in the state. With this rollout, North Carolina becomes the 30th state, along with the District of Columbia, to introduce mobile sports betting, as reported by the American Gaming Association.Customers residing within the state’s boundaries now have the opportunity to place bets on professional, college, or Olympic-style sports.Speaking at a public event…

In China, electric vehicles featuring built-in fridges and in-car karaoke systems are now considered outdated. Instead, automakers are introducing unconventional add-ons such as beds and cooktops to revitalize sluggish sales.Major EV manufacturers are experiencing a domestic demand slowdown as consumers tighten their budgets, compounded by geopolitical tensions affecting export prospects. Meanwhile, smaller players are relying on innovative thinking for survival, anticipating a potential wave of industry consolidation as China seeks to rein in the excesses resulting from years of generous subsidies.These high-tech offerings underscore the risk for Western manufacturers if they fail to keep pace in capturing market share in…