In a sweeping transformation of the U.S. labor market, the health care sector has become a major driver of job growth, surpassing long-dominant industries such as manufacturing and retail. According to recent labor data, health care accounted for approximately one-third of all new employment gains over the past year. This trend highlights a structural shift that has been developing for decades and continues to reshape the U.S. economy.

Long-Term Shift from Manufacturing to Medical Fields

Since 2000, the health care workforce has grown from 9 percent to 13 percent of total U.S. employment. This growth has proven resilient through multiple economic downturns and is largely attributed to the nation’s aging population, the expansion of public insurance programs, and rising demand for health services. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects continued expansion, though potential policy changes could alter that trajectory.

Impact of Proposed Federal Budget Changes

Provisions in the Senate’s current tax and spending bill propose significant cuts to federal health care programs. Medicaid—which represents about one-sixth of total health care spending—would be reduced by roughly $1 trillion over the next decade. Additional cuts of $82 billion would impact Medicare and Affordable Care Act subsidies. Experts suggest these changes could place strain on providers, particularly rural hospitals and academic medical centers, despite the bill’s inclusion of a $50 billion rural relief fund.

Health Care as a Middle-Skill Career Anchor

As traditional middle-skill manufacturing jobs have declined, health care roles have filled the void. Occupations such as registered nurses and physician assistants have seen accelerated wage growth, driven in part by state-level decisions to expand responsibilities for these roles amid medical school bottlenecks.

Drivers of Growth in the Health Care Sector

Three key factors have fueled the expansion:

• Broader access to care: The uninsured rate fell from 14 percent in 2000 to 8 percent in 2023, aided by Medicaid expansion and marketplace subsidies.

• Increased utilization: Chronic conditions and an aging population have heightened demand.

• Economic shifts: As consumer spending on other goods has declined due to efficiency gains, health care—still largely reliant on human labor—has absorbed more household expenditure.

Today, Americans spend more on health care than on groceries or housing.

Geographic Footprint and Global Reach

Health care is now the largest employment sector in 38 states. Former industrial cities like Pittsburgh and Cleveland have adapted by shifting to health-centered economies. Hospitals frequently rank as top employers in rural areas. The sector also exports services and education through medical tourism, international students, and globally distributed pharmaceuticals developed through U.S. clinical trials.

Lingering Pandemic Effects and Workforce Challenges

Though health care employment has grown rapidly, the sector has yet to fully recover to its pre-pandemic trajectory. Nursing schools are operating at capacity, and behavioral health remains particularly strained. Virtual care and mental health services have created new demand, especially as employers expand coverage for counseling and therapy.

Outlook: Technology, Policy, and Efficiency

Future growth in health care employment is not guaranteed. Proposed federal budget reductions could reduce the number of insured individuals by 17 million by 2034, potentially affecting demand for services. Simultaneously, efficiency gains—from outpatient procedures to pharmaceutical innovations and artificial intelligence—may reduce reliance on administrative roles.

Some experts caution that continued expansion of the health care workforce must be balanced against long-term cost sustainability. While employment in the sector serves important economic and public health functions, high expenditures have implications for both public budgets and private insurance premiums.

This post is intended for informational purposes only and reflects current labor and policy trends as reported by The New York Times. No projections or endorsements are implied.

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A devastating flash flood swept through Central Texas early Friday, July 4, 2025, resulting in at least 68 confirmed fatalities and leaving 11 young girls and one counselor from a summer camp unaccounted for. The flooding, which occurred after torrential rainfall, caused the Guadalupe River to rise dramatically, overwhelming homes, camps, and roads in Kerr County.

Sudden Rise in River Levels After Torrential Rain

According to officials, a month's worth of rain fell in less than two hours across South Central Texas. The Guadalupe River rose 22 feet within two hours near Hunt, where the river forks. The river eventually reached 29.5 feet before a gauge was overtaken by floodwaters and stopped transmitting.

Flash flood warnings were issued in advance. AccuWeather issued a flash flood warning at 12:44 p.m. CT on Thursday, followed by a National Weather Service flood watch at 1:14 p.m. CT. Meteorologists had predicted up to 7 inches of isolated rainfall.

AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist Jon Porter cited the region’s terrain and moisture access as major contributors to the rapid flooding. “The Guadalupe River went from probably just a typical lazy river… to a wall of water with height rises of 30 feet of fast-moving water in less than an hour,” Porter said.

Search-and-Rescue Efforts Ongoing

Rescue teams, including over 1,000 local, state, and federal responders, continue to search the affected areas, particularly along the Guadalupe River. Texas Governor Greg Abbott emphasized that operations would continue nonstop: “They will be nonstop, seeking to find everybody who is unaccounted for.” Drones and helicopters are being used to search debris-clogged riverbanks. A disaster declaration has been issued for 15 counties.

Texas Rep. Chip Roy and Gov. Dan Patrick also confirmed ongoing efforts, with Patrick noting that Camp Mystic—located near the river and home to more than 750 campers—sustained catastrophic damage. The camp currently has no water, power, or internet access.

Camp Mystic and Reports of Missing Campers

Among the missing are 11 girls and one counselor from Camp Mystic, a Christian summer camp nearly a century old. Campers were staying in low-lying areas when the flooding struck. While children at other camps were reported safe, communications from Camp Mystic were delayed due to a lack of phones and devices.

Gov. Abbott visited the site and described water levels reaching the tops of cabins. A 13-year-old camper told the Associated Press that rescuers used a rope to guide girls across a bridge as water surged around them.

Families of at least four campers have confirmed deaths. CNN identified the deceased as 9-year-olds Janie Hunt, Lila Bonner, and Renee Smajstrla, and 10-year-old Sarah Marsh. Several children remain missing, including 9-year-old Lainey Landry, 10-year-old Greta Toranzo, and Blakely McCrory.

Impact and Historical Context

The floodwaters peaked at 29 feet on Friday morning, marking the second-highest recorded level in the region. Evacuations were issued in Kerrville and Comfort, and the National Weather Service classified the flooding as life-threatening.

President Donald Trump posted on social media that the federal government is working with Texas officials in response to the disaster.

The current flooding surpassed levels from a 1987 event in which 10 teenagers died near Comfort. Flash floods in the area remain a severe hazard, with the National Weather Service warning that just 6 inches of moving water can impair vehicle control, and 18 inches can sweep vehicles away.

Continued Threat and Forecast

The Texas National Guard and Department of Public Safety have been deployed as the region braces for more rain. As of Sunday, six million people remain under flood watches, particularly in areas north and west of Austin. While rain is expected to lessen, the risk of flash flooding persists.

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INSTANDA, a leading global provider of policy administration and distribution technology, has announced a comprehensive brand refresh that signals its evolution from a bold insurtech startup into a trusted global partner for insurers and MGAs. The new brand identity represents more than updated visuals — it reflects INSTANDA’s expanded role in reshaping the insurance ecosystem across the property and casualty, life, and health sectors.

A Bold Statement of Growth and Purpose

Marking a decade of innovation and market expansion, the rebrand launches under the banner: "Build the Future You and Your Customers Want." This refreshed ethos underscores INSTANDA’s mission to equip insurers with the agility and speed needed to meet rising customer expectations, regulatory demands, and competitive pressures.

“Our rebrand is more than just aesthetics — it captures the essence of who we are today,” said Tim Hardcastle, co-founder and CEO of INSTANDA. “We’ve grown into a committed global partner, enabling insurers and MGAs to navigate today’s challenges and deliver exceptional customer value in a rapidly shifting landscape.”

Technology That Enables Strategic Advantage

INSTANDA’s cloud-native, fully configurable platform helps clients capitalize on high-growth areas in commercial lines, niche personal lines, and health insurance. By modernizing product portfolios, launching new offerings in weeks, and supporting scalable digital ecosystems, INSTANDA empowers insurers to innovate with precision and confidence.

A Call to Action for the Insurance Industry

Reflecting on the company’s sharpened identity and broader vision, Derek Hill, co-founder and Group Chief Revenue Officer, emphasized the strategic implications of the rebrand.

“What sets this brand evolution apart is its focus on meaningful impact,” Hill said. “We’re at a pivotal moment in insurance, where ambitious, agile insurers will outpace those relying on legacy systems. Our message to the industry is clear: the time to modernize is now, and INSTANDA is here to help you write the future your customers expect.”

To learn more about INSTANDA’s new brand identity and explore its capabilities, visit http://www.instanda.com About INSTANDA Since 2015, INSTANDA has empowered insurance companies across the world to rapidly adapt to customer and market demands with its no-code policy administration and distribution platform. Designed for seamless integration and unmatched configurability, the platform empowers insurance companies to rapidly create, manage, and optimize insurance products and customer journeys. Discover how INSTANDA is redefining insurance innovation at instanda.com. Stay informed and ahead of the curve — explore more industry insights and program opportunities at ProgramBusiness.com.