She added that insurance companies have also been accused of using AI to deny care or coverage. In November 2023, a lawsuit was filed against UnitedHealthcare, claiming one of its subsidiaries denied claims for post-acute care using an artificial intelligence program without human review. The case is ongoing. [...] Additionally, a 2024 Senate subcommittee report found denial rates for post-acute care in Humana and UnitedHealthcare's Medicare Advantage plans and post-acute requests subjected to prior authorization for CVS rose significantly after increased use of automated tools, predictive technologies or AI.

CVS told ABC News in a statement that the company has invested in AI and other technologies to streamline processes and improve experiences for patients, providers and CVS employees. [...] The average single-coverage deductible for workers increased by 43% since 2015, according to KFF, reaching $1,886 in 2025.

Prescription drug spending rose in 2025 by 12.7% to $915 billion and is on track to surpass $1 trillion in 2026, a report from the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) found.

The top 25 brand-name drugs have seen their prices increase by an average of 81% since entering the U.S. market, according to a report this year from AARP's Public Policy Institute.