How the No Surprises Act’s nonprofit arbitrators are operating like ‘mini gods’ and getting rich doing it
STAT · Oct. 19, 2026
A STAT investigation finds the federal arbitration system created by the No Surprises Act has become highly lucrative for several nonprofit firms that decide payment disputes between health insurers and providers. The law protects patients from surprise bills, but the dispute process has also created a profitable new layer of health care intermediaries operating with limited accountability and oversight.
ANMP Insights
34% say health insurance companies are the part of the health care system most in need of fixing. (Link)
79% say health insurance companies are a middleman between doctors and patients, and 71% say pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) are middlemen. (Link)
60% say health insurance companies make health care and prescription drugs more expensive, and 49% say PBMs make them more expensive. (Link)
Trump signs an order aimed at boosting women’s health research, a plan backed by the first lady
Associated Press · Oct. 19, 2026
President Trump signed an executive order creating a new women’s health division at the National Institutes of Health and a White House task force focused on women’s health. The initiative targets research gaps across women’s lives, including maternal and mental health, endometriosis, infertility, menopause, heart disease, Alzheimer’s, osteoporosis, and stroke, with an emphasis on accelerating prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.
ANMP Insights
97% say healthcare should focus more on keeping people healthy and identifying problems earlier. (Link)
94% agree the healthcare system should become much simpler and easier for ordinary people to use. (Link)
Only 11% say the American healthcare system generally works well today. (Link)
US is reviving shuttered nuclear plants to meet growing electricity demand and to power data centers
Associated Press · Oct. 16, 2026
AP reports the United States is attempting to restart three decommissioned nuclear power plants in Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Iowa to help meet rising electricity demand, including from large data centers. The Energy Department is backing the projects with up to $4.4 billion in loans; together, the plants could restore about 2.25 gigawatts of generation, enough to power roughly 2 million homes and businesses.
ANMP Insights
71% support the United States building more power plants. (Link)
57% support a power plant being built in their area; support for a nuclear plant 46%, rising to 60% for a described small modular reactor. (Link)
47% prioritize energy from affordable and reliable sources, compared with 44% who prioritize renewable energy. (Link)