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Creating an effective employee policy template is essential for any organization. It lays the groundwork for a fair and productive workplace. You’ll want to include a clear statement of purpose, thorough employment policies, and a code of conduct. Furthermore, think about incorporating grievance reporting procedures and performance evaluation criteria. These elements not just guide behavior but likewise promote a positive culture. To fully understand how these components work together, consider what’s next in enhancing employee relations. Key Takeaways Clearly define the purpose and legal compliance to ensure policies align with current laws and reflect the company’s mission and values. Establish clear employment policies and employee rights, ensuring clarity, consistency, and regular updates to promote fairness. Include a code of conduct that outlines acceptable behavior, discrimination policies, and social media guidelines to foster a respectful workplace. Implement grievance reporting protocols that provide confidential channels for employees to voice concerns without fear of retaliation. Incorporate performance evaluation procedures that detail expectations, regular feedback, and avenues for continuous improvement and development. Clear Statement of Purpose A clear statement of purpose is essential in an employee policy template since it sets the stage for comprehending the intent behind the guidelines you’ll encounter. This statement should reflect your company’s mission and values, linking the policies to the organization’s overall goals and culture. By including a purpose statement, you promote transparency and trust, allowing employees to see how policies align with your commitment to a positive work environment. Furthermore, a well-articulated purpose helps mitigate misunderstandings and misinterpretations of policies, providing a foundation for consistent application across the organization. It serves as a guiding principle for decision-making and behavior within the workplace, ensuring that you’re aware of the expectations that support your company’s objectives. When looking at company policy examples, always pay attention to how effectively the purpose statement communicates the intent behind the employee policy template, as this can notably impact overall employee engagement and compliance. Comprehensive Employment Policies When creating thorough employment policies, you need to guarantee clarity and consistency so employees fully understand their rights and responsibilities. It’s additionally vital to stay compliant with legal standards and regularly update your policies to reflect any changes in regulations. Policy Clarity and Consistency Establishing clear and consistent employment policies is vital for creating a fair workplace environment where everyone perceives their rights and responsibilities. When drafting your corporate policy examples, use plain language to avoid legal jargon, making it easier for employees to grasp. A well-structured company policy sample can illustrate expectations and guide employees through complex situations. Consistency in applying these policies across all levels of your organization minimizes perceptions of favoritism or discrimination, nurturing trust among staff. Regular updates are likewise important, ensuring your policies reflect current laws and practices. Legal Compliance and Updates To guarantee your employment policies remain effective and legally sound, regular reviews are essential; these updates help you stay compliant with ever-changing local, state, and federal laws. Aim to review your employee handbook at least once a year for thorough updates. Keeping abreast of employment laws protects your company from potential liabilities that could arise from non-compliance. Engaging legal counsel during revisions can help identify any legal pitfalls and guarantee your company policy format aligns with applicable regulations. Furthermore, incorporating employee feedback regarding policy clarity can highlight areas needing improvement. Remember to document all updates, creating a clear record of compliance efforts, which demonstrates your commitment to adhering to legal standards and maintaining a sound workplace environment. Employee Rights and Responsibilities Comprehending employee rights and responsibilities is vital for nurturing a fair and productive workplace. You have the right to work in an environment free from discrimination and harassment, ensuring equal opportunity for all. It’s important to understand job performance expectations and conduct standards, as these define your responsibilities. When issues arise, you can report grievances confidentially, without fear of retaliation, which promotes a safe workplace. Moreover, your employment classification—whether part-time, full-time, or temporary—should be clearly defined, informing you of your specific rights and benefits. Finally, an overview of your rights under labor laws, including those related to pay, leave, and workplace safety, empowers you to advocate for yourself and understand your entitlements within the workplace. Code of Conduct Guidelines Even though the workplace can be diverse and dynamic, a well-defined code of conduct is essential for promoting a respectful and professional environment. This document outlines expected behaviors and ethical standards that you and your colleagues must adhere to. Here are some key elements to include: Discrimination and Harassment: Clearly state policies against any form of discrimination or harassment, ensuring every employee understands their rights. Conflict of Interest: Define what constitutes a conflict of interest and how to avoid it, nurturing transparency in decision-making. Dress Code: Establish guidelines for appropriate attire that reflects the company’s values and maintains a professional appearance. Social Media Usage: Provide policies for responsible online behavior, emphasizing its impact on the company’s reputation. Additionally, include a process for reporting violations, encouraging accountability and allowing issues to be addressed without fear of retaliation. Compensation and Benefits Overview Comprehending the compensation and benefits overview is crucial for every employee, as it outlines how you’re rewarded for your contributions to the company. This section should clearly detail salary structures, including base pay, bonuses, and incentive programs to promote transparency. It’s important to specify the variety of benefits offered, such as health insurance, retirement plans, and additional perks like life insurance. Here’s a quick overview of what to expect: Element Details Salary Structure Base pay, bonuses, incentive programs Employee Benefits Health, dental, vision, retirement plans Pay Period Frequency Bi-weekly or monthly Overtime Policies Compliance with labor laws Enrollment Procedures How to enroll and eligibility requirements Understanding these elements improves your overall job satisfaction, ensuring you’re aware of your rights and benefits. Leave and Time-Off Policies Leave and time-off policies play a crucial role in ensuring you have the necessary flexibility to manage personal and health-related needs during maintaining your responsibilities at work. A well-structured policy should include: Types of Leave: Clearly define vacation, sick leave, personal leave, and federally mandated leaves like FMLA. Accrual Guidelines: Outline how leave is accrued based on employee classification, including caps on carryover. Request Procedures: Specify the steps required to request time off, including notice periods and documentation such as a doctor’s note for sick leave. Impact on Benefits: Communicate how taking leave affects benefits, like the status of health insurance during unpaid leave and the accrual of other benefits. Health and Safety Protocols In terms of health and safety protocols, you need to understand the crucial guidelines for reporting accidents and hazards. It’s important to familiarize yourself with the emergency procedures, like evacuation plans and gathering points, to guarantee your safety during any crisis. Moreover, knowing where to find safety resources can help you respond effectively when risks arise in the workplace. Emergency Procedures Overview Emergency procedures are vital for maintaining a safe workplace, as they provide clear guidelines for various situations, including fires, medical emergencies, and natural disasters. To guarantee everyone knows how to respond effectively, consider incorporating the following elements into your emergency procedures: Designated gathering points during evacuations to facilitate headcounts and guarantee safety. Regular training sessions on emergency protocols to prepare employees for swift responses. Easy access to additional resources, such as first aid kits and emergency contact numbers. Clearly defined reporting procedures that allow employees to notify management or safety officers about incidents without delay. Reporting Accidents Protocol Reporting accidents swiftly is essential for maintaining a safe workplace, as it guarantees that all incidents, no matter how minor, are documented and addressed. You must report any accident or injury to your supervisor immediately to guarantee proper documentation and response. Within 24 hours, a detailed accident report form should be completed, capturing all relevant details to help with investigation and prevention efforts. The company will investigate all reported accidents to identify root causes and implement corrective actions, enhancing workplace safety. Remember, you have the right to confidentiality when reporting accidents, safeguarding your personal information is protected. Regular training sessions will reinforce the importance of this protocol, helping you understand your responsibilities in promoting a safer work environment. Safety Resources Availability Maintaining a safe workplace goes beyond just reporting accidents; it involves ensuring that employees have access to adequate safety resources. To support your safety efforts, consider implementing the following: Clearly defined emergency procedures, including evacuation routes and gathering points. Access to safety resources like first aid kits and safety training materials. Regular safety drills to familiarize employees with emergency protocols. A confidential reporting system for accidents and hazards, encouraging open communication without fear of reprisal. Performance Evaluation Procedures Though performance evaluation procedures are vital for promoting employee growth, they must be structured clearly to be effective. Establishing clear criteria is significant, as it outlines the expected standards for each role, ensuring all employees know what’s required of them. Regular evaluations, whether annually or semi-annually, provide consistent feedback and support ongoing development. Incorporating self-assessments and peer reviews offers a well-rounded view of performance. It’s equally important to document evaluations to track progress, inform promotion decisions, and maintain accountability. Feedback should be constructive, highlighting both strengths and areas for improvement to encourage growth and engagement. Here’s a quick overview of key elements in performance evaluations: Element Description Frequency Clear Criteria Define standards for each role At every evaluation Self-Assessments Employees evaluate their own performance At every evaluation Peer Reviews Colleagues provide feedback on performance At every evaluation Documentation Keep records of evaluations and outcomes Ongoing Employee Grievance Reporting In terms of employee grievance reporting, it’s essential to understand the clear procedures in place for voicing concerns. You’ll find that confidentiality and protection are prioritized, ensuring you can report issues safely. Furthermore, knowing the resolution timeline expectations helps you feel more secure in the process and demonstrates the organization’s commitment to addressing your grievances without delay. Reporting Procedures Overview To effectively address workplace issues, it’s essential for employees to understand the grievance reporting procedures in place. Clear and accessible steps help guarantee concerns are voiced properly. Here are key components of the reporting process: Submission Channels: Reports can be made through written forms, email, or in-person meetings with HR or designated personnel. Seriousness of Reports: Every grievance is taken seriously and investigated swiftly, nurturing trust in the process. Timelines: The organization establishes clear timelines for acknowledging and resolving grievances, assuring transparency. No Retaliation: Retaliation against anyone who reports a grievance is strictly prohibited, reinforcing a supportive work environment. Understanding these procedures empowers you to voice concerns confidently and effectively. Confidentiality and Protection Confidentiality is a vital aspect of employee grievance reporting, as it guarantees that individuals feel safe when voicing their concerns. Your organization should clearly outline procedures for raising issues confidentially, guaranteeing protection from retaliation. Providing multiple reporting channels, like anonymous hotlines, direct communication with HR, or online portals, accommodates different preferences and encourages open reporting. It’s also important to implement training programs that educate you about your rights regarding confidentiality and the significance of timely grievance reporting. Regular audits of grievance procedures can help identify areas for improvement and guarantee compliance with legal standards and company policies. Remember, maintaining strict confidentiality protects the privacy of all individuals involved, limiting information to only relevant parties. Resolution Timeline Expectations Addressing employee grievances quickly and effectively is vital for maintaining a positive workplace environment. To achieve this, you should establish clear resolution timeline expectations: Acknowledge the grievance within 24 to 48 hours of reporting. Complete the investigation and response within 10 to 15 business days, depending on the issue’s complexity. Provide interim updates to the employee throughout the process to guarantee transparency and build trust. Implement expedited timelines for severe issues, like harassment or discrimination, prioritizing employee safety and well-being. Additionally, document all steps taken during the grievance process, including timelines and communications. This documentation serves as an accurate record for compliance and future reference, making sure you handle grievances consistently and responsibly. Technology and Data Security Policies A robust technology and data security policy is fundamental for safeguarding an organization’s assets and sensitive information. It should clearly outline the acceptable use of company technology, including computers, smartphones, and software applications. This protects both organizational assets and sensitive data. You’re responsible for comprehending the importance of data protection, which includes creating strong passwords and changing them regularly to prevent unauthorized access. The policy must detail procedures for reporting security breaches, ensuring you know the immediate steps to take if you suspect a data compromise. It’s also critical to acknowledge the implications of using personal devices for work; these can introduce security vulnerabilities if company protocols aren’t followed. Regular training on technology and data security practices is indispensable, keeping you updated on evolving threats and reinforcing a culture of security awareness within the organization. Regular Update and Feedback Mechanisms Even though keeping your employee handbook up to date might seem like a routine task, it’s crucial for ensuring compliance with evolving laws and workplace practices. To maintain an effective handbook, consider implementing these strategies: Schedule annual reviews to address legal changes and workplace dynamics. Gather employee feedback through surveys or focus groups to assess clarity and relevance. Involve a diverse group of employees in the review process for varied perspectives on policy gaps. Encourage new hires to share insights during onboarding, as they can pinpoint areas needing improvement. Frequently Asked Questions How Often Should Employee Policies Be Reviewed and Updated? You should review and update employee policies at least annually to guarantee they remain relevant and compliant with current laws and regulations. Nevertheless, you’ll want to assess them more frequently if there are significant changes in your organization, such as restructuring or shifts in industry standards. Regular reviews help address potential issues and incorporate employee feedback, promoting a fair and transparent workplace at the same time minimizing legal risks and enhancing overall effectiveness. What Are the Consequences of Violating the Code of Conduct? Violating the code of conduct can lead to various consequences, depending on the severity of the infraction. You might face disciplinary actions, including verbal or written warnings, suspension, or even termination. Repeated violations often result in more severe penalties. Furthermore, such actions can damage your professional reputation and relationships within the workplace. Comprehending and adhering to the code is essential to maintaining a positive work environment and ensuring mutual respect among colleagues. How Can Employees Provide Feedback on Policy Effectiveness? To provide feedback on policy effectiveness, you can participate in surveys or suggestion boxes your company may implement. Attend meetings where policies are discussed, and don’t hesitate to voice your thoughts. Engaging in one-on-one discussions with your manager can likewise be effective. Document your feedback clearly, offering specific examples of what works and what doesn’t. Your insights help shape policies, ensuring they meet the needs of both employees and the organization. Are There Specific Legal Requirements for Employee Policies? Yes, there are specific legal requirements for employee policies that vary by jurisdiction. You need to guarantee compliance with federal, state, and local laws, which often include regulations on workplace safety, anti-discrimination, and employee rights. It’s essential to include policies on harassment, wage and hour laws, and family leave, as these are commonly mandated. Regularly reviewing and updating your policies will help you stay aligned with any changes in legal standards. How Do We Ensure Employee Confidentiality in Grievance Reporting? To guarantee employee confidentiality in grievance reporting, you should implement secure reporting channels, like anonymous hotlines or online platforms. Clearly communicate your confidentiality policies to employees, emphasizing that their identities will be protected. Train managers on handling grievances discreetly and establish strict access controls to sensitive information. Regularly review and update these processes to adapt to any changes in regulations or company practices, maintaining a culture of trust and accountability within your organization. Conclusion In conclusion, an effective employee policy template is vital for cultivating a fair and productive workplace. By incorporating key elements like a clear purpose, thorough employment policies, and a code of conduct, you set the foundation for a positive culture. Regularly updating these policies and seeking employee feedback guarantees relevance and effectiveness. In the end, a well-structured policy not just protects the organization but additionally empowers employees, enhancing overall satisfaction and performance in the workplace. Image via Google Gemini This article, "10 Essential Elements of an Effective Employee Policy Template" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

A study of 50,807 German health queries finds Google AI Overviews cite YouTube most, as Google pulls some health summaries after a Guardian report. The post Google Health AI Overviews Cite YouTube More Than Any Hospital Site appeared first on Search Engine Journal. View the full article

If you want to boost your sales, focusing on effective upselling techniques is crucial. Enhancing communication skills, utilizing role-playing, and leveraging data analytics can greatly impact your sales performance. Furthermore, incorporating probing questions helps uncover customer needs, during real-time feedback aids in continuous improvement. These strategies form a thorough approach to excelling in upselling. To explore how these techniques can be integrated into your sales training, continue to the next section. Key Takeaways Enhance communication skills by utilizing open-ended questions and active listening to better understand customer needs and preferences. Utilize role-playing scenarios to practice upselling techniques and address common customer objections in a supportive environment. Leverage data analytics to identify upselling opportunities and track success rates in real time for informed decision-making. Incorporate probing questions during interactions to uncover customers’ true needs, allowing for tailored upsell suggestions. Emphasize real-time feedback mechanisms to continuously improve upselling techniques and foster a culture of ongoing skill development. Enhance Communication Skills for Better Customer Engagement Effective communication skills are often essential for improving customer engagement during the upselling process. To succeed, you should focus on personalized interactions, as 70% of customers appreciate when their specific needs are addressed. Upselling training should emphasize the use of open-ended questions, enabling you to gather insights that tailor your suggestions effectively. Active listening is another important skill; studies show it can boost customer satisfaction by 20%, increasing upsell success rates. Moreover, keep in mind that body language and tone of voice play significant roles in face-to-face conversations, with 93% of communication effectiveness stemming from non-verbal cues. Presenting a positive demeanor can make a difference. Incorporating these upselling tips into your daily interactions not only improves customer relationships but also boosts your confidence in identifying upsell opportunities. Prioritize these communication techniques to create a more engaging and effective upselling experience. Utilize Role-Playing Scenarios to Build Confidence Building on the importance of effective communication skills, role-playing scenarios provide a valuable opportunity for sales professionals to improve their upselling techniques. By simulating real-life sales situations, you can practice and refine your skills in a safe environment, which studies show can boost your sales abilities by up to 25%. Engaging in these exercises helps you identify common customer objections and develop customized responses, increasing your confidence in actual interactions. Additionally, incorporating feedback sessions after role-playing allows you to learn from mistakes and continuously improve your techniques. Regularly integrating role-playing into training cultivates a collaborative culture and guarantees your team remains adept at spotting upselling opportunities. Benefits of Role-Playing How to Implement Improves confidence Schedule regular sessions Identifies objections Use realistic scenarios Boosts customized responses Encourage feedback Cultivates skill development Create a supportive environment Leverage Data Analytics to Track Success and Identify Opportunities When you leverage data analytics, you can gain valuable insights into your upselling strategies and identify opportunities for improvement. Implementing analytics tools allows you to track upselling success rates in real time, enabling you to adjust your tactics based on sales performance metrics. By analyzing customer purchasing patterns, you can discover upsell opportunities, such as which products are frequently bought together or follow specific purchases. A/B testing different upselling techniques can reveal which approaches yield the highest conversion rates, allowing you to refine your strategies effectively. Moreover, customer feedback collected through analytics highlights areas for improvement, ensuring your product recommendations align with customer needs. Regularly reviewing sales data helps identify trends and seasonal patterns, allowing you to time your upselling efforts more effectively, eventually maximizing potential revenue. Incorporate Probing Questions to Understand Customer Needs How can you effectively reveal your customers’ true needs and preferences? Start by incorporating probing questions into your sales approach. These questions are crucial for identifying pain points and challenges that may not be immediately apparent. Open-ended questions encourage customers to share their preferences and concerns, helping you gain a deeper awareness of their requirements. By actively listening to their responses, you can tailor your upsell suggestions to meet their specific needs more effectively. Training your sales team to ask strategic questions at key moments during the sales process improves the likelihood of successful upselling outcomes. Furthermore, effective probing can disclose hidden opportunities, revealing unmet needs or desires that customers mightn’t initially express. Building rapport through active listening makes customers more receptive to pondering upgraded options, finally boosting your upselling success. Emphasize Real-Time Feedback for Continuous Improvement Emphasizing real-time feedback is vital for continuously improving your upselling strategies. By implementing mechanisms for immediate feedback, you can quickly identify successful techniques and areas needing improvement. This allows your sales team to adapt effectively and boost overall performance. Regular feedback collection from customers during interactions can reveal significant insights into their preferences, enabling you to tailor your approach more precisely. Utilize performance tracking tools for instant feedback on upselling attempts. Incorporate role-playing sessions with real-time critiques to build confidence and skills. Cultivate a culture of continuous improvement through regular feedback loops. Analyze customer interactions to refine upselling techniques based on actual results. Frequently Asked Questions What Are the 5 P’s of Successful Selling? The 5 P’s of successful selling are Product, Price, Place, Promotion, and People. You need to comprehend your product’s features and benefits clearly, while simultaneously considering competitive pricing. Place refers to where you’ll sell your product, ensuring it’s accessible to your target market. Promotion involves marketing strategies to attract customers. Finally, the People aspect focuses on building relationships with customers, emphasizing the importance of grasping their needs and providing excellent service throughout the sales process. What Techniques Do You Use to Upsell? To effectively upsell, focus on comprehending your customer’s needs through probing questions. Highlight the benefits of premium options rather than just features, showing how these upgrades solve specific problems. Create urgency with limited-time offers to encourage immediate decisions. Utilizing social proof, like testimonials, can likewise influence purchasing choices positively. Finally, train regularly on effective communication techniques to improve your ability to make persuasive recommendations that resonate with customers. What Is the 25% Rule of Thumb for Cross-Selling? The 25% rule of thumb for cross-selling suggests that the total cost of additional products shouldn’t exceed 25% of the original item’s price. For example, if a customer buys a shirt for $40, the cross-sell items should collectively cost no more than $10. This guideline helps guarantee offers remain relevant and affordable, enhancing customer satisfaction and trust, which increases the likelihood of them considering additional purchases without feeling overwhelmed. What Are the 5 Rules of Suggestive Selling? The five rules of suggestive selling include: first, understand your customer’s needs by asking open-ended questions. Second, highlight the benefits of your suggestions to demonstrate how they solve problems. Third, introduce suggestions at the right moment, when the customer is most engaged. Fourth, use social proof, like testimonials, to validate your recommendations. Finally, maintain a consultative approach, presenting suggestions as helpful solutions rather than aggressive sales tactics to build trust. Conclusion Incorporating these five crucial upselling training techniques can greatly improve your sales team’s effectiveness. By improving communication skills, engaging in role-playing, utilizing data analytics, asking probing questions, and emphasizing real-time feedback, you can create a more productive sales environment. These strategies not just help identify customer needs but also promote a culture of continuous improvement. As a result, you’ll likely see increased customer satisfaction and revenue growth, eventually benefiting your business’s bottom line. Image via Google Gemini and ArtSmart This article, "5 Essential Upselling Training Techniques to Boost Sales" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

If you want to boost your sales, focusing on effective upselling techniques is crucial. Enhancing communication skills, utilizing role-playing, and leveraging data analytics can greatly impact your sales performance. Furthermore, incorporating probing questions helps uncover customer needs, during real-time feedback aids in continuous improvement. These strategies form a thorough approach to excelling in upselling. To explore how these techniques can be integrated into your sales training, continue to the next section. Key Takeaways Enhance communication skills by utilizing open-ended questions and active listening to better understand customer needs and preferences. Utilize role-playing scenarios to practice upselling techniques and address common customer objections in a supportive environment. Leverage data analytics to identify upselling opportunities and track success rates in real time for informed decision-making. Incorporate probing questions during interactions to uncover customers’ true needs, allowing for tailored upsell suggestions. Emphasize real-time feedback mechanisms to continuously improve upselling techniques and foster a culture of ongoing skill development. Enhance Communication Skills for Better Customer Engagement Effective communication skills are often essential for improving customer engagement during the upselling process. To succeed, you should focus on personalized interactions, as 70% of customers appreciate when their specific needs are addressed. Upselling training should emphasize the use of open-ended questions, enabling you to gather insights that tailor your suggestions effectively. Active listening is another important skill; studies show it can boost customer satisfaction by 20%, increasing upsell success rates. Moreover, keep in mind that body language and tone of voice play significant roles in face-to-face conversations, with 93% of communication effectiveness stemming from non-verbal cues. Presenting a positive demeanor can make a difference. Incorporating these upselling tips into your daily interactions not only improves customer relationships but also boosts your confidence in identifying upsell opportunities. Prioritize these communication techniques to create a more engaging and effective upselling experience. Utilize Role-Playing Scenarios to Build Confidence Building on the importance of effective communication skills, role-playing scenarios provide a valuable opportunity for sales professionals to improve their upselling techniques. By simulating real-life sales situations, you can practice and refine your skills in a safe environment, which studies show can boost your sales abilities by up to 25%. Engaging in these exercises helps you identify common customer objections and develop customized responses, increasing your confidence in actual interactions. Additionally, incorporating feedback sessions after role-playing allows you to learn from mistakes and continuously improve your techniques. Regularly integrating role-playing into training cultivates a collaborative culture and guarantees your team remains adept at spotting upselling opportunities. Benefits of Role-Playing How to Implement Improves confidence Schedule regular sessions Identifies objections Use realistic scenarios Boosts customized responses Encourage feedback Cultivates skill development Create a supportive environment Leverage Data Analytics to Track Success and Identify Opportunities When you leverage data analytics, you can gain valuable insights into your upselling strategies and identify opportunities for improvement. Implementing analytics tools allows you to track upselling success rates in real time, enabling you to adjust your tactics based on sales performance metrics. By analyzing customer purchasing patterns, you can discover upsell opportunities, such as which products are frequently bought together or follow specific purchases. A/B testing different upselling techniques can reveal which approaches yield the highest conversion rates, allowing you to refine your strategies effectively. Moreover, customer feedback collected through analytics highlights areas for improvement, ensuring your product recommendations align with customer needs. Regularly reviewing sales data helps identify trends and seasonal patterns, allowing you to time your upselling efforts more effectively, eventually maximizing potential revenue. Incorporate Probing Questions to Understand Customer Needs How can you effectively reveal your customers’ true needs and preferences? Start by incorporating probing questions into your sales approach. These questions are crucial for identifying pain points and challenges that may not be immediately apparent. Open-ended questions encourage customers to share their preferences and concerns, helping you gain a deeper awareness of their requirements. By actively listening to their responses, you can tailor your upsell suggestions to meet their specific needs more effectively. Training your sales team to ask strategic questions at key moments during the sales process improves the likelihood of successful upselling outcomes. Furthermore, effective probing can disclose hidden opportunities, revealing unmet needs or desires that customers mightn’t initially express. Building rapport through active listening makes customers more receptive to pondering upgraded options, finally boosting your upselling success. Emphasize Real-Time Feedback for Continuous Improvement Emphasizing real-time feedback is vital for continuously improving your upselling strategies. By implementing mechanisms for immediate feedback, you can quickly identify successful techniques and areas needing improvement. This allows your sales team to adapt effectively and boost overall performance. Regular feedback collection from customers during interactions can reveal significant insights into their preferences, enabling you to tailor your approach more precisely. Utilize performance tracking tools for instant feedback on upselling attempts. Incorporate role-playing sessions with real-time critiques to build confidence and skills. Cultivate a culture of continuous improvement through regular feedback loops. Analyze customer interactions to refine upselling techniques based on actual results. Frequently Asked Questions What Are the 5 P’s of Successful Selling? The 5 P’s of successful selling are Product, Price, Place, Promotion, and People. You need to comprehend your product’s features and benefits clearly, while simultaneously considering competitive pricing. Place refers to where you’ll sell your product, ensuring it’s accessible to your target market. Promotion involves marketing strategies to attract customers. Finally, the People aspect focuses on building relationships with customers, emphasizing the importance of grasping their needs and providing excellent service throughout the sales process. What Techniques Do You Use to Upsell? To effectively upsell, focus on comprehending your customer’s needs through probing questions. Highlight the benefits of premium options rather than just features, showing how these upgrades solve specific problems. Create urgency with limited-time offers to encourage immediate decisions. Utilizing social proof, like testimonials, can likewise influence purchasing choices positively. Finally, train regularly on effective communication techniques to improve your ability to make persuasive recommendations that resonate with customers. What Is the 25% Rule of Thumb for Cross-Selling? The 25% rule of thumb for cross-selling suggests that the total cost of additional products shouldn’t exceed 25% of the original item’s price. For example, if a customer buys a shirt for $40, the cross-sell items should collectively cost no more than $10. This guideline helps guarantee offers remain relevant and affordable, enhancing customer satisfaction and trust, which increases the likelihood of them considering additional purchases without feeling overwhelmed. What Are the 5 Rules of Suggestive Selling? The five rules of suggestive selling include: first, understand your customer’s needs by asking open-ended questions. Second, highlight the benefits of your suggestions to demonstrate how they solve problems. Third, introduce suggestions at the right moment, when the customer is most engaged. Fourth, use social proof, like testimonials, to validate your recommendations. Finally, maintain a consultative approach, presenting suggestions as helpful solutions rather than aggressive sales tactics to build trust. Conclusion Incorporating these five crucial upselling training techniques can greatly improve your sales team’s effectiveness. By improving communication skills, engaging in role-playing, utilizing data analytics, asking probing questions, and emphasizing real-time feedback, you can create a more productive sales environment. These strategies not just help identify customer needs but also promote a culture of continuous improvement. As a result, you’ll likely see increased customer satisfaction and revenue growth, eventually benefiting your business’s bottom line. Image via Google Gemini and ArtSmart This article, "5 Essential Upselling Training Techniques to Boost Sales" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

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María Corina Machado leaves White House meeting without the US president’s backing to be her country’s next leaderView the full article

Well, this could be awkward for Americans traveling abroad. Beginning on January 21, the U.S. will indefinitely suspend immigrant visa processing from 75 countries as part of the The President administration’s crackdown on immigration. While the suspension only applies to those visas needed for employment or to join family in the U.S.—and not student or tourist visas—it includes many beloved travel destinations for Americans. The countries selected—including the Bahamas, Jamaica, and Thailand—were deemed “high risk of public benefits usage” by the State Department, according to a statement on Wednesday. The ban goes into effect next week, at which time no immigrant visas will be issued to nationals of the 75 affected countries until further notice. “Under President The President, we will not allow foreign nationals to abuse America’s immigration system and exploit the generosity of the American people,” Tommy Pigott, spokesperson for the State Department, posted on the X platform on Wednesday. This announcement follows one from last week, in which the U.S. added seven countries to a list of mostly African nations whose passport holders must post bonds of up to $15,000 to apply to enter the country. EFFECTS ON LEGAL IMMIGRATION This latest crackdown on visas also builds upon prior such bans that affected 40 countries, effectively banning visas for nearly half of the immigrants who came to the country legally in 2024, David J. Bier, director of immigration studies at the Cato Institute, wrote in a blog post. Linking the visa crackdown to concerns about welfare use among legal immigrants is “not good justification” for this type of immigration restriction, partly because immigrant visa recipients are already barred from receiving any federal means-tested public benefits for five years, he said. “President The President is leading the most anti-legal immigrant administration in American history,” Bier wrote. “This is just the latest action to slash legal entries to the United States.” WHAT THE BAN COVERS The list also has notable exceptions, including several countries that are otherwise the subject of scrutiny by the current administration—China, Mexico, and El Salvador, for example. What’s more, it doesn’t target nationals from several countries for which the U.S. processed the most visas in recent years, such as the Dominican Republic, the Philippines, India, and Vietnam. In addition to the exception for tourist and student visas, dual nationals who have a valid passport from a country that’s not on the list are exempt from the pause, according to the State Department. And no visas have been revoked, the agency said. POTENTIAL RIPPLE EFFECT Even though tourism visas aren’t affected, the change in visa policy could have a ripple effect. The U.S. is expected to see a boom in foreign tourism this year, bringing in more than 1.2 million visitors for the matches scheduled for June and July, according to estimates by Tourism Economics. In 2025, the U.S. welcomed 6% fewer foreign than in the previous year, according to figures released this week by the World Travel and Tourism Council. And a survey conducted in October by Global Rescue found that, as a result of U.S. international policy announcements in 2025, some 61% of American travelers believe they’ll be viewed more negatively while traveling abroad. FULL LIST OF AFFECTED COUNTRIES The full list of countries affected by the ban on visas that goes into effect next week is: Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Bhutan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Burma, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Colombia, Cote d’Ivoire, Cuba, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominica, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, The Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kuwait, Kyrgyz Republic, Laos, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Nepal, Nicaragua, Nigeria, North Macedonia, Pakistan, Republic of the Congo, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, and Yemen. View the full article

The average long-term U.S. mortgage rate is now down to its lowest level in more than three years. The benchmark 30-year fixed mortgage rate eased to 6.06% this week, down from 6.16% last week, mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Thursday. One year ago, the rate averaged 7.04%. The last time the average rate was lower was Sept. 15, 2022, when it was at 6.02%. Meanwhile, borrowing costs on 15-year fixed-rate mortgages, popular with homeowners refinancing their home loans, also fell this week, dropping to 5.38% from 5.46% last week. A year ago, that average rate was at 6.27%, Freddie Mac said. Lower mortgage rates boost homebuyers’ purchasing power, good news for home shoppers at a time when the housing market remains in a deep slump after years of soaring prices and elevated mortgage rates have shut out many aspiring homeowners. Uncertainty over the economy and job market are also keeping many would-be buyers on the sidelines. Mortgage rates began easing in July in anticipation of a series of Fed rate cuts, which began in September and continued last month. The Fed doesn’t set mortgage rates, but when it cuts its short-term rate that can signal lower inflation or slower economic growth ahead, which can drive investors to buy U.S. government bonds. That can help lower yields on long-term U.S. Treasurys, which can result in lower mortgage rates. The pullback in mortgage rates helped drive sales of previously occupied U.S. homes higher on a monthly basis the last four months of 2025. Even so, home sales remained stuck at a 30-year low last year, extending the housing market’s slump into its fourth year. Lower mortgage rates have been helpful for home shoppers who can afford to buy at current rates. The median U.S. monthly housing payment fell to $2,413 in the four weeks ending Jan. 11, according to Redfin. That’s a 5.5% drop from the same period a year earlier and near the lowest level in two years. The latest drop in rates comes after President Donald The President announced last week that the federal government would buy $200 billion in mortgage bonds in a bid to reduce mortgage rates. Lower rates spurred a sharp increase in homeowners seeking to refinance their existing home loan to a lower rate last fall, a trend that has continued into this year. Applications for mortgage refinancing loans soared 40% last week from the previous week and accounted for 60% of all home loan applications, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association. Applications for loans to buy a home climbed 16%. “With mortgage rates much lower than a year ago and edging closer to 6%, MBA expects strong interest from homeowners seeking a refinance and would-be buyers stepping off the sidelines,” said MBA CEO Bob Broeksmit. Economists generally expect mortgage rates to ease further this year, though most recent forecasts show the average rate on a 30-year mortgage remaining above 6%, about twice what it was six years ago. Still, rates would have to drop considerably for homeowners, who bought or refinanced when mortgage rates hit rock bottom earlier this decade, to take on a new loan at a far higher rate. Nearly 69% of U.S. homes with an outstanding mortgage have a fixed-rate of 5% or lower, and slightly more than half have a rate at or below 4%, according to Realtor.com. —Alex Veiga, AP business writer View the full article

A surging stock market and a flurry of deal-making padded the profits of Wall Street’s two big investment banks, which both saw a double-digit jump in profits in the fourth quarter. Goldman Sachs’s net earnings rose 12% from a year earlier, posting a profit of $4.62 billion, or $14.01 a share. Meanwhile, Morgan Stanley said it earned $4.4 billion, or $2.68 per share, compared to a profit of $3.71 billion, or $2.22 per share, compared to a year earlier. Wall Street has been bolstered by the The President administration’s deregulatory policies, which have led corporations to seek out mergers and acquisitions, as well as the surge of investor interest in artificial intelligence companies and those who stand to benefit from the mass adoption of technologies like ChatGPT. Fourth-quarter investment fee revenues over at Goldman were up 25% year-over-year and Morgan Stanley saw a 47% jump in revenue in its investment banking division. Both banks said their investment fee backlog, which is a signal of how much deal making is still pending that banks are working on, increased significantly in the fourth quarter. Goldman and Morgan’s results reflect the strong earnings out of the other big banks that reported their results this week. JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America and Citigroup all saw jumps in fourth-quarter profits, but their results were dampened by the ongoing tensions that Wall Street is having with the White House over the issue of the independence of the Federal Reserve and President Donald The President’s interest in capping credit card interest rates at 10%. Along with a strong investment banking performance, Goldman Sachs also agreed to sell off its Apple Card credit card portfolio to JPMorgan Chase last week, effectively exiting its brief experiment in consumer banking. The bank sold the credit card portfolio at a discount to JPMorgan, a sign of how desperately Goldman wanted to exit the business and put the Apple Card behind it. ___ This story has been corrected to show that Morgan Stanley’s investment banking revenues rose 47%, not 22%. —Ken Sweet, AP business writer View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. As is usually the case after Consumer Electronics Show (CES), older flagship tech products drop in price—including TVs like OLED models, QLEDs, and budget-friendly options. In other words, the coming weeks are a great time to upgrade if you're looking for bargains on older flagship models. One of the best deals I've found so far is on the Samsung S85F, an entry-level OLED TV that was already on the low end of the price spectrum before this latest discount. Right now, you can get the 65-inch series for $1,197.99 (originally $1,797.99) or the 77-inch for $1,497.99 (originally $2,997.99 at launch), both the lowest prices they've been, according to price tracking tools. Samsung 65" OLED S85F 4K Smart TV (2025 Model 65S85F) $1,197.99 at Amazon $1,797.99 Save $600.00 Get Deal Get Deal $1,197.99 at Amazon $1,797.99 Save $600.00 77" Samsung S85F Series 4K OLED Smart TV (2025 Model) $1,597.99 at Amazon Get Deal Get Deal $1,597.99 at Amazon SEE -1 MORE Not everyone can afford OLED TVs, since they're the most expensive type of TV technology on the market—but they're worth the big jump in quality when it comes to picture quality and colors. If you've been waiting for a good opportunity to get a decent-sized, well-reviewed OLED for a great price, consider the Samsung S85F, especially if you're a gamer. As expected, Samsung had to make some cuts to make a cheaper OLED, and it made them in the audio department, brightness, and by cutting out Dolby Vision. But the picture quality, colors, and gaming features rival premium OLEDs, which is impressive, especially for the price. This OLED came out in Sept. 2025 and has drastically dropped in price since then. Gamers can use the four HDMI 2.1 ports with support for 4K 120Hz, AMD FreeSync Premium, Nvidia G-Sync, ALLM, and HDR10+ gaming. The lag time is a mere 9.4ms, so you'll get fast, responsive performance. Of course, you also get Samsung’s Gaming Hub with access to cloud gaming apps. Our Best Editor-Vetted Tech Deals Right Now Apple AirPods 4 Active Noise Cancelling Wireless Earbuds — $159.00 (List Price $179.00) Apple Watch Series 11 [GPS 46mm] Smartwatch with Jet Black Aluminum Case with Black Sport Band - M/L. Sleep Score, Fitness Tracker, Health Monitoring, Always-On Display, Water Resistant — $407.47 (List Price $429.00) Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Plus — (List Price $24.99 With Code "FTV4K25") Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 — $279.99 (List Price $349.99) Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ 10.9" 64GB Wi-Fi Tablet (Graphite) — $149.99 (List Price $219.99) Deals are selected by our commerce team View the full article

IDEAS shared have the power to expand perspectives, change thinking, and move lives. Here are two ideas for the curious mind to engage with: I. Ryan Holiday on social intelligence: “Our curiosity, our desire for understanding should extend not just to the person in front of us but to how people function within groups. Both because it is an endlessly fascinating topic and because it’s essential to getting things done.” Source: Wisdom Takes Work: Learn. Apply. Repeat. II. Michael J. Fanuele on inspiring others: “Passion and Reason work against each other. Passion is the energy that wants you jumping out of your seat. Reason wants you to sit and think for a little longer. Adding one decreases the other. “By all means, use your reason and logic and the full force of your big brain in figuring out what’s right and wrong, what you want to do and what you don’t, in composing your strategy. But then, when it comes to moving people to inspiring, I’m sorry, but Passion and Reason are indeed enemies. You’ll have to find the right balance between adding one and subtracting the other.” Source: Stop Making Sense: The Art of Inspiring Anybody * * * Look for these ideas every Thursday on the Leading Blog. Find more ideas on the LeadingThoughts index. * * * Follow us on Instagram and X for additional leadership and personal development ideas. View the full article

An investigation into a sprawling betting scheme to rig NCAA and Chinese Basketball Association games ensnared 26 people, including more than a dozen college basketball players who tried to fix games as recently as last season, federal prosecutors said Thursday. The scheme generally revolved around fixers recruiting players with the promise of a big payment in exchange for purposefully underperforming during a game, prosecutors said. The fixers would then place big bets against the players’ teams in those games, defrauding sportsbooks and other bettors, authorities said. Calling it an “international criminal conspiracy,” U.S. Attorney David Metcalf told reporters in Philadelphia that this case represents a “significant corruption of the integrity of sports.” The indictment suggests that many others — including unnamed players — had a role in the scheme but weren’t charged, and Metcalf said the investigation was continuing. The varying charges against the 26 defendants, filed in federal court in Philadelphia, include bribery, wire fraud, and conspiracy. Concerns about gambling and college sports have grown since 2018, when the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a federal ban on the practice, leading some states to legalize it to varying degrees. According to the indictment unsealed Thursday, fixers started with two games in the Chinese Basketball Association in 2023 and, successful there, moved on to rigging NCAA games as recently as January 2025. The fixers’ scheme grew to involve more than 39 players on more than 17 different NCAA Division I men’s basketball teams, who then rigged and attempted to rig more than 29 games, prosecutors said. They wagered millions of dollars, generating “substantial proceeds” for themselves, and paid hundreds of thousands of dollars to players in bribes, prosecutors said, with payments to players typically ranging from $10,000 to $30,000 per game. Prosecutors named more than 40 schools that were involved in games that were targeted by the scheme. Rigged games included those played by teams in major conferences, such as Big East and Atlantic 10, prosecutors said. Some were games against nationally ranked programs while some were playoff games, including the first round of the Horizon League championship and the second round of the Southland Conference championship. Some of the allegedly targeted teams were Tulane University, Buffalo State University, DePaul University, Robert Morris University, University of Southern Mississippi, Abilene Christian University, Eastern Michigan State University and the University of New Orleans. Players often recruited teammates to cooperate by playing badly, sitting out or keeping the ball away from players who weren’t in on the scheme to prevent them from scoring. Sometimes the attempted fix failed, meaning the fixers lost their bets. To entice players, fixers would text photos of stacks of cash. In one case, a fixer encouraged a player to recruit a St. Louis University teammate by texting him one such photo: “send that to him if he bite he bite if he don’t so be it lol,” the indictment said. Four of the players charged — Simeon Cottle, Carlos Hart, Oumar Koureissi and Camian Shell — played for their current teams in the last few days, although the allegations against them do not involve this season, but the 2023-24 season. Of the defendants, 15 played basketball for Division I NCAA schools during 2024-25 season, prosecutors say. Five others last played in the NCAA in the 2023-24 season while another, former NBA player Antonio Blakeney, played in the Chinese Basketball Association in the 2022-23 season. The remaining five defendants were described as “fixers” who recruited players and placed bets. They include two men who prosecutors say worked in the training and development of basketball players. Another was a trainer and former coach, one was a former NCAA player and two were described as gamblers, influencers and sports handicappers. One fixer reassured another by texting him there were no guarantees “in this world but death taxes and Chinese basketball,” court papers said. At the end of the Chinese Basketball Association’s 2022-23 season, fixers put nearly $200,000 in bribe payments and shared winnings from rigged games into Blakeney’s storage locker in Florida, authorities said. In many instances, the defendants’ wagers on the rigged games were successful. “The sportsbooks would not have paid out those wagers had they known that the defendants fixed those games,” the indictment said. One betting scandal after another has rocked the sports world, where gambling revenue topped $11 billion for the first three-quarters of last year, according to the American Gaming Association. That’s up more than 13% from the prior year, the group said. The NCAA does not allow athletes or staff to bet on college games, but it briefly allowed student-athletes to bet on professional sports last year before rescinding that decision in November. The indictment follows a series of NCAA investigations that led to at least 10 players receiving lifetime bans this year for bets that sometimes involved their own teams and their own performances. And the NCAA has said that at least 30 players have been investigated over gambling allegations. More than 30 people were also charged in last year’s sprawling federal takedown of illegal gambling operations linked to professional basketball. —Marc Levy and Tassanee Vejpongsa, Associated Press Associated Press writer Maryclaire Dale contributed. View the full article

Most of the talk around AI lately seems to center on one thing—getting it to write your emails or blog posts. But as more businesses set boundaries around generative AI, many of us are left wondering: What else can it actually do for me? View the full article

By now, you've no doubt heard about (or experienced yourself) yesterday's massive Verizon outage. For nearly all of Wednesday, roughly two million Verizon customers could not connect to the network, and had to rely on wifi to use their smartphones, which were otherwise stuck in SOS mode. Sure, they could call 911, but they couldn't do much else. It was an ordeal, one Verizon is literally paying for: The company committed to issuing $20 account credits to affected customers. It might not be as much as some of us think the company should offer, but it's something. And if the $20 isn't a comfort, the fact that the outage is over should be—even if you needed to restart your phone this morning to implement the fix. The weirdest part of the whole affair was that Verizon didn't initially offer any details about what caused the outage. The company posted throughout yesterday, issuing updates and responding to angry customers, but never shedding light on why their network was down for so many customers. Finally, a day and a half after the outages kicked off, the company has an answer, albeit a partial one. A software issue caused the Verizon outage, not a cyber attackAccording to a statement Verizon sent to our sister site Mashable, the cause of the outage was simply a problem with the company's software. "This was a software issue and we are conducting a full review of what happened," the company said. "As of now, there is no indication that this was a cyber security issue." That last bit is important, as some customers took the outage as evidence of some type of cyber attack. While those worries seem to be unfounded, considering the current state of the world, I understand those fears. Still, while it's nice to have some sort of explanation, I could do with more details. This wasn't a minor, temporary outage affecting only a limited number of users; customers across the country couldn't connect to Verizon for most of the day. Software issues happen, but they usually don't take down one of the three major carriers in the United States. View the full article

President Donald The President on Thursday announced the outlines of a health care plan he wants Congress to take up as Republicans have faced increasing pressure to address rising health costs after lawmakers let subsidies expire. The cornerstone is his proposal to send money directly to Americans for health savings accounts so they can handle insurance and health costs as they see fit. Democrats have rejected the idea as a paltry substitute for the tax credits that had helped lower monthly premiums for many people. “The government is going to pay the money directly to you,” The President said in a taped video the White House released to announce the plan. “It goes to you and then you take the money and buy your own health care.” The President’s plan also focuses on lowering drug prices and requiring insurers to be more upfront with the public about costs, revenues, rejected claims and wait times for care. The President has long been dogged by his lack of a comprehensive health care plan as he and Republicans have sought to unwind former President Barack Obama’s signature legislation, the Affordable Care Act. The President was thwarted during his first term in trying to repeal and replace the law. When he ran for president in 2024, The President said he had only “concepts of a plan” to address health care. His new proposal, short on many specifics, appeared to be the concepts of a plan. Dr. Mehmet Oz, administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, described it to reporters on a telephone briefing as a “framework that we believe will help Congress create legislation.” It was not immediately clear if any lawmakers in Congress were working to introduce the Republican president’s plan. A White House official who was not authorized to speak publicly and described some details on condition of anonymity said the administration had been discussing the proposal with allies in Congress, but was unable to name any lawmakers who were working to address the plan. Few specifics on health savings accounts The White House did not offer any details about how much money it envisioned being sent to consumers to shop for insurance, or whether the money would be available to all “Obamacare” enrollees or just those with lower-tier bronze and catastrophic plans. The idea mirrors one floated among Republican senators last year. Democrats largely rejected it, saying the accounts would not be enough to cover costs for most consumers. Currently, such accounts are used disproportionately by the wealthiest Americans, who have more income to fund them and a bigger incentive to lower their tax rate. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt was asked at her briefing Thursday whether the president could guarantee that under his plan, people would be able to cover their health costs. She did not directly answer, but said, “If this plan is put in place, every single American who has health care in the United States will see lower costs as a result.” Enhanced tax credits that helped reduce the cost of insurance for the vast majority of Affordable Care Act enrollees expired at the end of 2025 even though Democrats had forced a 43-day government shutdown over the issue. Sen. Bernie Moreno, R-Ohio, has been leading a bipartisan group of 12 senators trying to devise a compromise that would extend those subsidies for two years while adding new limits on who can receive them. That proposal would create the option, in the second year, of a health savings account that The President and Republicans prefer. The White House official denied that The President was closing the door completely on those bipartisan negotiations, and said the White House preferred to send money directly to consumers. Plan follows massive cuts to health programs The President’s plan comes months after the Republicans’ big tax and spending bill last year cut more than $1 trillion over a decade in federal health care and food assistance, largely by imposing work requirements on those receiving aid and shifting certain federal costs to the states. Democrats have blasted those cuts as devastating for vulnerable people who rely on programs such as Medicaid for their health care. The GOP bill included an infusion of $50 billion over five years for rural health programs, an amount experts have said is inadequate to fill the gap in funding. The White House said The President’s new proposal will seek to bring down premiums by fully funding cost-sharing reductions, or CSRs, a type of financial help that insurers give to low-income ACA enrollees on silver-level, or mid-tier plans. From 2014 until 2017, the federal government reimbursed insurance companies for CSRs. In 2017, the first The President administration stopped making those payments. To make up for the lost money, insurance companies raised premiums for silver-level plans. That ended up increasing the financial assistance many enrollees got to help them pay for premiums. As a result, health analysts say that while restoring money for CSRs would likely bring down silver-level premiums, as The President says, it could have the unwelcome ripple effect of increasing many people’s net premiums on bronze and gold plans. Lowering drug prices is a priority Oz said The President’s plans also seeks to have certain medications made available over the counter instead of by prescription if they are deemed safe enough. He mentioned higher-dose nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and peptic ulcer drugs as two examples. It was unclear whether the White House is asking Congress to take steps to make more prescription drugs available over the counter. For decades, the Food and Drug Administration has had the ability to do that. The heartburn drug Prilosec, as well as numerous allergy medications, are among those the FDA has approved for over-the-counter sales. The FDA only approves such changes if studies show patients can safely take the drug after reading the package labeling. Companies must apply for the switch. The White House said The President’s plan would also codify his efforts to lower drug prices by tying prices to the lowest price paid by other countries. The President has already struck deals with a number of drugmakers to get them to lower the prices. As part of that, the drugmakers have agreed to sell pharmacy-ready medicines directly to consumers who can shop online at the White House’s website for selling drugs directly to consumers, The PresidentRx.gov. The PresidentRx did not yet have any drugs listed on Thursday. Oz said drugs will be available on the website at the end of the month. —Michelle L. Price and Ali Swenson, Associated Press AP Health Writer Matthew Perrone contributed to this report. View the full article

After weeks of pressure from both advocacy groups and governments, Elon Musk's X says it's finally going to do something about its deepfake porn problem. Unfortunately, after testing following the announcement, some are still holding their breath. When did the X deepfake porn controversy begin?The controversy started earlier this January, after the social media site added a feature allowing X users to tag Grok in their posts and prompt the AI to instantly edit any image or video posted to the site, all without the original poster's permission. The feature seemingly came with few guardrails, and according to reporting done by AI authentication company Copyleaks, as well as statements victims have given to sites like Metro, posters on X quickly started using it to generate explicit or intimate images of real people, particularly women. In some cases, child sexual abuse material was also reportedly generated. It's pretty upsetting stuff, and I wouldn't advise you to go looking for it. While the initial trend seemed to focus on AI photos of celebrities in bikinis, posters quickly moved on to manipulated images of regular people where they appeared to be pregnant, skirtless, or in some other kind of sexualized situation. While Grok was technically able to generate such imagery from uploaded photos before, the ease of access to it appeared to open the floodgates. In response to the brewing controversy, Musk had Grok generate a photo of himself in a bikini. However, the jokes ceased after regulators got involved. Governments are starting to investigateEarlier this week, the UK launched investigations into Grok's alleged deepfake porn, to determine whether it violated laws against nonconsensual intimate images as well as child sexual abuse material. Malaysia and Indonesia went a step further, actually blocking Grok access in the country. Yesterday, California began its own investigations, with Attorney General Rob Banta saying "I urge XAI to take immediate action to ensure this goes no further." X is implementing blocksIn response to the pressure, X cut off the ability to tag Grok for edits on its social media site for everyone except subscribers. However, the Grok app, website, and in-X chatbot (accessible via the sidebar on the desktop version of the site) still remained open to everyone, allowing the flood of deepfaked AI photos to continue (said photos would also still pose the same problems even if generated solely by subscribers, although X later said the goal was to stem the tide and make it easier to hold users generating illegal imagery accountable). The Telegraph reported on Tuesday that X also started blocking tagged Grok requests to generate images of women in sexualized scenarios, but that such images of men were still allowed. Additionally, testing by both U.S. and U.K. writers from The Verge showed that the banned requests could still be made to Grok's website or app directly. Musk has taken a more serious tone in more recent comments on the issue, denying the presence of child sexual abuse material on the site, although various replies to his posts expressed disbelief and claimed to show proof to the contrary. Scroll at your own discretion. To finally put the controversy to bed, X said on Wednesday that it would now be blocking all requests to the Grok account for images of any real people in revealing clothing, regardless of gender and whether coming from paid subscribers or not. But for anyone hoping that would mark the end of this, there appears to be some fine print. Specifically, while the statement said that it would be adding these guardrails to all users tagging the Grok account on X, the standalone Grok website and app are not mentioned. The statement does say it will also block creation of such images on "Grok in X," referring to the in-X version of the chatbot, but even then, it's not a total block. Instead, the imagery will be "geoblocked," meaning it will only be applied "in those jurisdictions where it's illegal." X's post also says that similar requests made by tagging the Grok account will also be geoblocked, although because the section before this says that the Grok account won't accept such requests from any user, that appears to be a moot point. It's important to note that, while the majority of the criticism lobbed at X during this debacle does not accuse the site of generating fully nude imagery, locations like the UK ban nonconsenual explicit imagery regardless of whether it is fully nude or not. Some users can still generate sexualized deepfakesIt's the biggest crackdown X has made on these images yet, but for now, it still appears to have holes. According to further testing by The Verge, the site's reporters were still able to generate revealing deepfakes even after Wednesday's announcement, by using the Grok app not mentioned in the update. When I attempted this using a photo of myself, both the Grok app and standalone Grok website gave me full-body deepfaked images of myself in revealing clothing not present in the original shot. I was also able to generate these images using the in-X Grok chatbot, and some images changed my posing to be more provocative (which I did not prompt), too. As such, the battle is likely to continue. It's unclear whether ignoring the Grok app or website is an oversight, or if X is only seeking to block its most visible holes. One would hope the former, given that X said that it has "zero tolerance for any forms of child sexual exploitation, non-consensual nudity, and unwanted sexual content." It is worth noting that I am located in New York State, which might not be part of the geoblock, although we do have a law against explicit nonconsensual deepfakes. I've reached out to X for clarification on the issue and will update this post when I hear back. However, when NBC News reached out with similar questions, the outlet was only told "Legacy Media Lies." I can't make any promises as to how the site will reply to my own requests. In the meantime, while governments continue their investigations, others are calling for more immediate action from app stores. A letter sent from U.S. Senators Ron Wyden, Ben Ray Lujan, and Ed Markey to Apple CEO Tim Cook and Google CEO Sundar Pichai argues that Musk's app now clearly violates both App Store and Google Play policies, and calls on the tech leaders to "remove these apps from the [Apple and Google] app stores until X's policy violations are addressed." View the full article

A federal judge on Thursday cleared the way for a New York offshore wind project to resume construction, a victory for the developer who said a The President administration order to pause it would likely kill the project in a matter of days. District Judge Carl J. Nichols, an appointee of President Donald The President, ruled construction on the Empire Wind project could go forward while he considers the merits of the government’s order to suspend the project. He faulted the government for not responding to key points in Empire Wind’s court filings, including the contention that the administration violated proper procedure. Norwegian company Equinor owns Empire Wind. Spokesperson David Schoetz said they welcome the court’s decision and will continue to work in collaboration with authorities. It’s the second developer to prevail in court against the administration this week. The The President administration froze five big offshore wind projects on the East Coast days before Christmas, citing national security concerns. The President has targeted offshore wind from his first days back in the White House, most recently calling wind farms “losers” that lose money, destroy the landscape and kill birds. Developers and states sued seeking to block the order. Large, ocean-based wind farms are the linchpin of plans to shift to renewable energy in East Coast states that have limited land for onshore wind turbines or solar arrays. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul applauded the court decision, telling reporters the projects had been “stopped under the bogus pretense of national security.” “When I heard this I said one thing: I’m the governor of New York, if there is a national security threat off the coast of New York, you need to tell me what it is. I want a briefing right now. Well, lo and behold, they had no answer,” she said. On Monday, a judge ruled that the Danish energy company Orsted could resume its project to serve Rhode Island and Connecticut. Senior Judge Royce Lamberth said the government did not sufficiently explain the need for a complete stop to construction. That wind farm, called Revolution Wind, is nearly complete. It’s expected to meet roughly 20% of the electricity needs in Rhode Island, the smallest state, and about 5% of Connecticut’s electricity needs. Orsted is also suing over the pause of its Sunrise Wind project for New York, with a hearing still to be set. Dominion Energy Virginia, which is developing Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind, plans to ask a judge Friday to block the administration’s order so it can resume construction, too. The President has also dismissed offshore wind developments as ugly, but the Empire project is about 14 miles (22.5 kilometers) offshore and the Sunrise project is about 30 miles (48 kilometers) offshore. The fifth paused project is Vineyard Wind, under construction in Massachusetts. Vineyard Wind LLC, a joint venture between Avangrid and Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners, joined the rest of the developers in challenging the administration on Thursday. They filed a complaint in District Court in Boston. Robin Shaffer, president of Protect Our Coast New Jersey, said the administration was right to stop construction on national security grounds. He urged officials to immediately appeal the adverse rulings and seek to halt all work pending appellate review. Opponents of offshore wind projects are particularly vocal and well-organized in New Jersey. Empire Wind is 60% complete and designed to power more than 500,000 homes. Equinor said the project was in jeopardy due to the limited availability of specialized vessels, as well as heavy financial losses. During a hearing Wednesday, Judge Nichols said the government’s main security concern seemed to be over operation of the wind turbines, not construction, although the government pushed back on that contention. In presenting the government’s case, Associate Attorney General Stanley Woodward, Jr. was skeptical of the perfect storm of horrible events that Empire Wind said would derail their entire project if construction didn’t resume. He disagreed with the contention that the government’s main concern was over operation. “I don’t see how you can make this distinction,” Woodward said. He likened it to a nuclear project being built that presented a national security risk. The government would oppose it being built, and it turning on. Molly Morris, Equinor’s senior vice president overseeing Empire Wind, said in an interview that the company wants to build this project and deliver a major, essential new source of power for New York. ___ The Associated Press’ climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP’s standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org. —Michael Phillis and Jennifer McDermott, Associated Press Associated Press writer Anthony Izaguirre contributed to this report. View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. I've been testing portable projectors for a bunch of different use cases, but few, if any, have come close to the complete package offered by the XGIMI MoGo 3 Pro. It's my favorite of the lot, and right now, you can get a sweet bundle with the XGIMI MoGo 3 Pro portable projector and the PowerBase Stand (which you do honestly need) for $368.99, down from $500 at release. This is its all-time low price, according to price-tracking tools. XGIMI MoGo 3 Pro Bundle With PowerBase Stand $368.99 at Amazon $439.00 Save $70.01 Get Deal Get Deal $368.99 at Amazon $439.00 Save $70.01 The projector has two ports—a USB and a micro HDMI—so you can project from a laptop or phone, or you can simply screen mirror from your devices via the Google TV OS. Also, since the projector is "smart," it already comes with the typical apps like Netflix, YouTube, and Amazon, and you can download more from the Google Play Store and control it with a remote. With 450 lumens and 1080p, it's best used in dark rooms, but you can get away with some ambient light (I make good use of it in my backyard). Where this projector truly shines is with the auto keystone focus feature. If you move it anywhere, it'll autocorrect to make the image look its best, regardless of where it's set up. It's user-friendly and made to be set up quickly, without a lot of fiddling. It also comes with a powerful 5W Harman Kardon speaker, which sounds great—about on par with a speaker like the Echo Dot. One caveat: This projector has no internal battery, which is a huge bummer. You'd need to use a portable charger, plug it into an outlet, or, if you're getting it in this bundle, the PowerBase Stand, which can deliver 2.5 hours of battery life. (If you plan to use it mostly indoors, you can choose just the projector for $318.99.) Our Best Editor-Vetted Tech Deals Right Now Apple AirPods 4 Active Noise Cancelling Wireless Earbuds — $159.00 (List Price $179.00) Apple Watch Series 11 [GPS 46mm] Smartwatch with Jet Black Aluminum Case with Black Sport Band - M/L. Sleep Score, Fitness Tracker, Health Monitoring, Always-On Display, Water Resistant — $407.47 (List Price $429.00) Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Plus — (List Price $24.99 With Code "FTV4K25") Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 — $279.99 (List Price $349.99) Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ 10.9" 64GB Wi-Fi Tablet (Graphite) — $149.99 (List Price $219.99) Deals are selected by our commerce team View the full article

Wikipedia unveiled new business deals with a slew of artificial intelligence companies on Thursday as it marked its 25th anniversary. The online crowdsourced encyclopedia revealed that it has signed up AI companies, including Amazon, Meta Platforms, Perplexity, Microsoft, and France’s Mistral AI. Wikipedia is one of the last bastions of the early internet, but that original vision of a free online space has been clouded by the dominance of Big Tech platforms and the rise of generative AI chatbots trained on content scraped from the web. Aggressive data collection methods by AI developers, including from Wikipedia’s vast repository of free knowledge, has raised questions about who ultimately pays for the artificial intelligence boom. The Wikimedia Foundation, the nonprofit that runs the site, signed Google as one of its first customers in 2022 and announced other agreements last year with smaller AI players like search engine Ecosia. The new deals will help one of the world’s most popular websites monetize heavy traffic from AI companies. They’re paying to access Wikipedia content “at a volume and speed designed specifically for their needs,” the foundation said. It did not provide financial or other details. While AI training has sparked legal battles elsewhere over copyright and other issues, Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales said he welcomes it. “I’m very happy personally that AI models are training on Wikipedia data because it’s human curated,” Wales told The Associated Press in an interview. “I wouldn’t really want to use an AI that’s trained only on X, you know, like a very angry AI,” Wales said, referring to billionaire Elon Musk’s social media platform. Wales said the site wants to work with AI companies, not block them. But “you should probably chip in and pay for your fair share of the cost that you’re putting on us.” The Wikimedia Foundation last year urged AI developers to pay for access through its enterprise platform and said human traffic had fallen 8%. Meanwhile, visits from bots, sometimes disguised to evade detection, were heavily taxing its servers as they scrape masses of content to feed AI large language models. The findings highlighted shifting online trends as search engine AI overviews and chatbots summarize information instead of sending users to sites by showing them links. Wikipedia is the ninth most visited site on the internet. It has more than 65 million articles in 300 languages that are edited by some 250,000 volunteers. The site has become so popular in part because its free for anyone to use. “But our infrastructure is not free, right?” Wikimedia Foundation CEO Maryana Iskander said in a separate interview in Johannesburg, South Africa. It costs money to maintain servers and other infrastructure that allows both individuals and tech companies to “draw data from Wikipedia,” said Iskander, who’s stepping down on Jan. 20, and will be replaced by Bernadette Meehan. The bulk of Wikipedia’s funding comes from 8 million donors, most of them individuals. “They’re not donating in order to subsidize these huge AI companies,” Wales said. They’re saying, “You know what, actually you can’t just smash our website. You have to sort of come in the right way.” Editors and users could benefit from AI in other ways. The Wikimedia Foundation has outlined an AI strategy that Wales said could result in tools that reduce tedious work for editors. While AI isn’t good enough to write Wikipedia entries from scratch, it could, for example, be used to update dead links by scanning the surrounding text and then searching online to find other sources. “We don’t have that yet but that’s the kind of thing that I think we will see in the future.” Artificial intelligence could also improve the Wikipedia search experience, by evolving from the traditional keyword method to more of a chatbot style, Wales said. “You can imagine a world where you can ask the Wikipedia search box a question and it will quote to you from Wikipedia,” he said. It could respond by saying “here’s the answer to your question from this article and here’s the actual paragraph. That sounds really useful to me and so I think we’ll move in that direction as well. ” Reflecting on the early days, Wales said it was a thrilling time because many people were motivated to help build Wikipedia after he and co-founder Larry Sanger, who departed long ago, set it up as an experiment. However, while some might look back wistfully on what seems now to be a more innocent time, Wales said those early days of the internet also had a dark side. “People were pretty toxic back then as well. We didn’t need algorithms to be mean to each other,” he said. “But, you know, it was a time of great excitement and a real spirit of possibility.” Wikipedia has lately found itself under fire from figures on the political right, who have dubbed the site “Wokepedia” and accused it of being biased in favor of the left. Republican lawmakers in the U.S. Congress are investigating alleged “manipulation efforts” in Wikipedia’s editing process that they said could inject bias and undermine neutral points of view on its platform and the AI systems that rely on it. A notable source of criticism is Musk, who last year launched his own AI-powered rival, Grokipedia. He has criticized Wikipedia for being filled with “propaganda” and urged people to stop donating to the site. Wales said he doesn’t consider Grokipedia a “real threat” to Wikipedia because it’s based on large language models, which are the troves of online text that AI systems are trained on. “Large language models aren’t good enough to write really quality reference material. So a lot of it is just regurgitated Wikipedia,” he said. “It often is quite rambling and sort of talks nonsense. And I think the more obscure topic you look into, the worse it is.” He stressed that he wasn’t singling out criticism of Grokipedia. “It’s just the way large language models work.” Wales say he’s known Musk for years but they haven’t been in touch since Grokipedia launched. “I should probably ping him,” Wales said. What would he say? “’How’s your family?’ I’m a nice person, I don’t really want to pick a fight with anybody.” —Kelvin Chan, AP business writer AP writer Mogomotsi Magome contributed to this report View the full article

If you are Verizon customer, like me, you’ve probably been scrambling to make phone calls, send texts, and get online since Wednesday, due to a massive, nationwide service outage. (I am writing this from my local food co-op outside Boston, where I am using the internet in their cafe.) The mobile giant says the issue has now been resolved, however, some customers are saying they’re still without service. Some 1.5 million users reported the prolonged outage on Downdetector, which still had some 893 reports (as of around 2:30 p.m. ET). That’s over 24 hours after customers first started losing service around noon ET on Wednesday, with iPhone users reporting an “SOS” icon, as Fast Company reported. This live map on Downdetector reports continued outages in Boston, New York, Washington, D.C., Atlanta, Tampa, Dallas, and Houston (as of this writing at around 3 p.m. ET). To its credit (literally), Verizon has said it will contact customers and provide them with a $20 credit for the inconvenience. Posting on X, the mobile company wrote on Thursday: “Yesterday, we did not meet the standard of excellence you expect and that we expect of ourselves. To help provide some relief to those affected, we will give you a $20 account credit that can be easily redeemed by logging into the myVerizon app.” How can I get the $20 Verizon credit for the outage? According to the post, customers will receive a text message when the credit is available. However, the credit will not be automatically applied to customers’ accounts, and customers must redeem it through the myVerizon app. Additionally, the credit can also be redeemed by contacting Verizon customer service through phone, chat, or online, according to reporting from Engadget. “On average, this covers multiple days of service. Business customers will be contacted directly about their credits,” the company explained. “This credit isn’t meant to make up for what happened. No credit really can. But it’s a way of acknowledging your time and showing that this matters to us.” Still having trouble connecting? Verizon suggests the following: “please restart your device (power down and power back on). This is the fastest way to reconnect your phone to the network.” View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. If you’ve had the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra on your wishlist, you’re in luck: It's now $1,079.99, a 24% discount off its regular price of $1,419.99. This marks the device's lowest price ever, according to price-tracking tools. With high praise from Lifehacker own review and an outstanding rating on PCMag, the powerful, future-proof S25 Ultra is a top choice for Android users. Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra $1,079.99 at Amazon $1,419.99 Save $340.00 Get Deal Get Deal $1,079.99 at Amazon $1,419.99 Save $340.00 The model on sale includes 512GB storage and a large 6.9-inch AMOLED display with thinner bezels, an updated anti-glare coating, and a 120Hz refresh rate. Softened corners make it more ergonomic to hold, and it’s more durable than its predecessors thanks to an IP68 rating, upgraded Gorilla Armor glass, and a stronger titanium frame. Powering the phone is the speedy Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, which runs the device’s AI features, games, and any other multitasking needs smoothly. The built-in S Pen is still there, tucked into the phone’s body, but it no longer includes Bluetooth functions, so it can’t be used as a remote camera button or slideshow controller, unfortunately. The SnapDragon 8 Elite also improves the phone's battery life; the 5,000 mAh-capacity battery lasts over 14 hours with the screen on constant brightness and location sharing on. You’ll get a full suite of Galaxy AI tools, like converting spoken speech to text, drawing assist, and the digital assistant Google Gemini. While these generational changes are more about refinements than full-on transformation, a $300 discount makes this a great excuse to swap out your own phone with an upgraded Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra. Our Best Editor-Vetted Tech Deals Right Now Apple AirPods 4 Active Noise Cancelling Wireless Earbuds — $159.00 (List Price $179.00) Apple Watch Series 11 [GPS 46mm] Smartwatch with Jet Black Aluminum Case with Black Sport Band - M/L. Sleep Score, Fitness Tracker, Health Monitoring, Always-On Display, Water Resistant — $407.47 (List Price $429.00) Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Plus — (List Price $24.99 With Code "FTV4K25") Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 — $279.99 (List Price $349.99) Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ 10.9" 64GB Wi-Fi Tablet (Graphite) — $149.99 (List Price $219.99) Deals are selected by our commerce team View the full article

The president was barely a year into his administration when a health care debate began to consume Washington. On Capitol Hill, partisan divides formed as many Democrats pressed for guaranteed insurance coverage for a broader swath of Americans while Republicans, buttressed by medical industry lobbying, warned about cost and a slide into communism. The year was 1945 and the new Democratic president, Harry Truman, tried and failed to persuade Congress to enact a comprehensive national health care program, a defeat Truman described as the disappointment of his presidency that “troubled me the most.” Since then, 13 presidents have struggled with the same basic questions about the government’s role in health care, where spending now makes up nearly 18% of the U.S. economy. The fraught politics of health care are on display again this month as millions of people face a steep rise in costs after the Republican-controlled Congress allowed Affordable Care Act subsidies to expire. While the subsidies are a narrow, if costly, slice of the issue, they have reopened long-festering grievances in Washington over the way health care is managed and the legacy of the ACA, the signature legislative achievement of President Barack Obama that was passed in 2010 without a single Republican vote. “That’s the key thing that I’ve got to convince my colleagues to understand who hate Obamacare,” said Sen. Bernie Moreno, R-Ohio, who is leading a bipartisan group of lawmakers discussing ways to extend some of the subsidies. “Let’s take two years to actually deliver for the American people truly affordable health care.” Democrats have heard that refrain before, and argue Republicans have had 15 years to offer an alternative. They believe the options being discussed now, which largely focus on allowing Americans to funnel money to health savings accounts, do little to address the cost of health care. “They’ve had a lot of time,” said Rep. Steny Hoyer, the Maryland Democrat who was House majority leader during the ACA debate. And with that, welcome back to the health care debate that never seems to end. The challenge of reaching consensus The often-tortured dynamics surrounding health care have remained remarkably consistent. Obamacare dramatically expanded coverage but remains — even in the minds of those who crafted the law — imperfect and more expensive than many would prefer. And Washington seems more entrenched in stalemate rather than marching toward a solution. “People hate the status quo but they’re not too thrilled with change,” Rahm Emanuel said as he reflected on the arc of the health care debate that he has watched as a top aide to President Bill Clinton, chief of staff to Obama and Chicago mayor. “That’s the riddle to the politics of health care.” Major reforms inevitably run into a health industry — a broad group of interests ranging from pharmaceutical and health services companies to hospitals and nursing homes — that spent more than $653 million on lobbying in 2025, according to OpenSecrets, which tracks political spending. “Any time you try to figure out how to bring costs down, somebody thinks ‘uh oh, I’m about to get less,’” said Hoyer, who announced last week he will not seek reelection after serving since 1981. When Obamacare was passed, opinion on the law was mixed, although views tended to be more positive than negative, according to KFF polling. But the law has steadily grown in popularity. A KFF poll conducted in September 2025 found that about two-thirds of Americans have a favorable view of the ACA. That’s put The President and Republicans in a bind. The President’s ‘concepts of a plan’ Since the ACA’s passage, Republicans largely dedicated themselves to the law’s destruction. The President issued social media posts calling for a repeal as early as 2011 and spoke in generalities during each of his presidential campaigns about delivering better coverage at lower cost. During his 2024 debate against Democratic rival Kamala Harris, he referred to “concepts of a plan.” One thing he hasn’t done — offer his own formal proposal. During a speech to the Detroit Economic Club on Tuesday, The President said he would soon announce a “health care affordability framework.” Throughout his second term, The President has criticized Obamacare as unfairly subsidizing insurers, a point that could have been addressed had the legislation created a so-called “public option” that would have competed alongside the private sector. Republicans — and a sizable number of Democrats — objected to that approach, arguing it would give the government an outsize role in health care. But in a reminder that the past is never really over, a small group of Democrats is aiming to revive the debate over the public option, even if the prospects in a Republican-controlled Congress are dim. Sens. Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island and Elissa Slotkin of Michigan along with Rep. Jan Schakowsky of Illinois introduced legislation last week that would create a public health insurance option on the ACA exchanges. Last year, a record 24 million people were enrolled in ACA, though fewer appear to be signing up this year as the expired subsidies make coverage more expensive. The Supreme Court has upheld the law and Republicans have failed to repeal, replace, or alter it dozens of times. In the most famous example, Sen. John McCain, an Arizona Republican, cast the deciding vote in 2018 to keep the legislation in place, underscoring the lack of an alternative by noting there was “no replacement to actually reform our health care system and deliver affordable, quality health care to our citizens.” Democrats successfully turned the repeal efforts into a rallying cry in the 2018 midterms and see an opportunity to do so again this year with the expired subsidies. Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., who isn’t seeking reelection, has warned this moment could be even more perilous for Republicans because, unlike the subsidies, voters didn’t lose anything during the 2018 debate. “Us failing to put something else in place did not create this cliff,” Tillis said. “That’s the fundamental difference in an election year.” ACA veterans acknowledge challenges Even those who crafted the ACA concede that the health care system created in its wake has problems. Former Sen. Max Baucus, a Montana Democrat who was one of the bill’s architects as chair of the Finance committee, acknowledged that “nothing is perfect,” pointing to high health care costs. “Bending the cost curve, that has not bent as much as we’d like,” he said. That’s in part why some Republicans have expressed openness to a deal on the subsidies. They see it less as an endorsement of ACA than a bridge that would give lawmakers time to address more complex issues. “We need to get to a long-term solution,” said Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb. Veterans of past health care negotiations, however, are skeptical that lawmakers can produce anything meaningful without the type of in-depth negotiations that led up to the ACA. “It takes a long time to figure all this out,” Baucus said. Asked whether he’s studied that history as he dives into the next chapter of health care talks, Moreno noted that he’s only been in Congress for a year. “I don’t know s—-,” he said. “What that means is I don’t have scars.” —Steven Sloan, Associated Press Associated Press writer Amelia Thomson-DeVeaux contributed to this report. View the full article

A handful of former Fed officials noted that the markets' measured response to a probe into Fed Chair Jerome Powell was a result of pushback from The President allies. View the full article