Rising health insurance premiums and a private equity hospital chain's shift to nonprofit highlight bleak outlook for US healthcare costs

Bob Herman's latest Health Care Inc. newsletter warns that employer-sponsored health insurance is becoming increasingly unaffordable, with premiums climbing sharply. The piece cites a series called "Out of Pocket, Out of Reach" that documents how workers are bearing higher costs, and experts predict the situation will worsen in 2027.

The newsletter also notes a notable development: a large private‑equity owned hospital chain has converted to a nonprofit model. While the move may affect the financial structure of the chain, the article frames it as another sign of strain in the broader health‑care system.

Overall, the commentary paints a grim picture of the U.S. health‑care landscape, emphasizing that rising list prices and insurance costs are creating a challenging environment for both patients and providers.