What Does Vertical Integration Mean? In healthcare, vertical integration occurs when one corporation owns and controls multiple layers of the healthcare system — insurance, pharmacy benefit management, retail pharmacies, and even direct clinical care. While it’s often marketed as “coordinated care” or “cost efficiency,” in practice, it allows a single company to set its own prices, direct its own referrals, and profit at every stage. And in this new, closed system, the patient — the very...

🥧 A delicious Thanksgiving-inspired dessert that’s rich in fiber, omega-3s, and flavor — with almost no added sugar. Ingredients 1 cup unsweetened pumpkin puree 1 cup unsweetened almond milk (or coconut milk) 3 tbsp chia seeds 1–2 tbsp monk fruit or stevia (adjust to taste) 1 tsp pure vanilla extract 1 tsp cinnamon 1⁄4 tsp nutmeg 1⁄4 tsp ginger Pinch of sea salt Directions Whisk all ingredients together in a bowl until smooth. Let sit for 5 minutes, then stir again to prevent clumping....

The holidays are a season of joy, family, and delicious food — but they can also bring an overload of sugar. Excess sugar weakens the immune system, increases inflammation, and contributes to energy crashes, weight gain, and chronic disease. During the colder months, when we spend more time indoors and gather closely with loved ones, maintaining a strong immune system becomes especially important. Sharing is a wonderful part of the holiday spirit, just not when it comes to germs! This season...