Global COVID-19 Tracker Published: Mar 10, 2026

https://www.kff.org/covid-19/global-covid-19-tracker/

Over-the-Counter Oral Contraceptive Pills Authors: Karen Diep, Michelle Long, Laurie Sobel, and Alina Salganicoff Published: Mar 10, 2026

https://www.kff.org/affordable-care-act/over-the-counter-oral-contraceptive-pills/

Oral Contraceptive Pills: Access and Availability Authors: Karen Diep, Michelle Long, and Alina Salganicoff Published: Mar 10, 2026

https://www.kff.org/womens-health-policy/oral-contraceptive-pills-access-and-availability/

How Does Cost Affect Access to Health Care? Authors: Shameek Rakshit, Lynne Cotter, Matt McGough, and Gary Claxton Published: Mar 10, 2026

https://www.kff.org/health-costs/cost-of-insurance-and-its-affect-on-access-to-care-slideshow/

Call for Abstracts: Health and Health Care in California 2026 Ends on Tue, Mar 31, 2026 1:00 AM

https://healthaffairs.submittable.com/submit/e9056408-3673-47ab-a03f-d25a91e9a725/call-for-abstracts-health-and-health-care-in-california-2026?utm_campaign=38921761-Authors%202026&utm_source=hs_email&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8gf84caiwcD8qPvGivGMWlxOosYkRnkL4UTG20ai-X65OBmFC1RsgSu2hE-rVaV96E-s7M Health Affairs is planning a theme issue on health and health care in California, to be published in December of 2026. The theme issue will examine developments, trends, and emerging health and health care priorities within one of the largest economies in the world, with a focus on equity and affordability. The issue will also address the larger framework of the federal policy environment and how California is responding. Topics and areas of interest include the following, but are not limited to: Cross-Cutting Topics Medi-Cal and the Safety Net Population Health Challenges and Innovations Federal/State Coverage Expansions and Covered California Health Care Market Competition and Prices Delivery System Organization and Payment Innovation The Health Technology Ecosystem Health Data and Research Infrastructure Environment and Climate Change Implications of California's Demographics and Geography on the Health Care Delivery and Policy Landscape Workforce Challenges The Housing Crisis Abstracts must be submitted via our abstract submission portal no later than 11:59PM (U.S. eastern time), March 30, 2026—abstracts submitted via other channels will not be considered.

HEALTH CARE INDUSTRY ++++++

HEALTH CARE INDUSTRY Modern Healthcare: Elevance Health Expands Out-Of-Network Provider Billing Policy https://www.modernhealthcare.com/insurance/mh-elevance-out-of-network-provider-policy/?utm_campaign=KHN%3A%20First%20Edition&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8O4qIfxyBVJSBh0TX40GyJhtidiLOgWAb3BGRFAty0PpOBeiScPWi3RaoW-TmqsaNiVJRDBhTCrNNIkBx25-IWRVnoug&_hsmi=408164350&utm_content=408164350&utm_source=hs_email Elevance Health is expanding a policy to deduct pay from hospitals that refer some members to out-of-network providers. Beginning June 1, the Blue Cross Blue Shield licensee may reduce California hospitals’ pay by 10% or terminate facilities from its network if hospitals refer commercial members to inpatient or outpatient providers without a contract, according to a notice sent to providers last month. Hospitals must not pass on the financial penalty to patients, the notice said. (Tepper, 3/10) Chicago Tribune: Northwestern Memorial Gets Approval For ICU Bed Expansion https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/03/10/northwestern-memorial-gets-approval-for-96-million-icu-bed-expansion-part-of-larger-growth-plan/?utm_campaign=KHN%3A%20First%20Edition&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_pNINEiFz4nDbE7A6QwxRwsPwzmByL0yIOlmtG6qzmC5HpK8j7DIL69Zp2QN8cRA9oaO4FxbIhxPjdCgRh5X3Y4atcNA&_hsmi=408164350&utm_content=408164350&utm_source=hs_email Northwestern Memorial Hospital may move forward with a $96 million project to add more intensive care unit beds, a state board decided Tuesday — a plan that’s part of a larger growth strategy for the hospital. (Schencker, 3/10) MedPage Today: The Safest Hospitals In The U.S., According To Healthgrades https://www.medpagetoday.com/hospitalbasedmedicine/generalhospitalpractice/120246?utm_campaign=KHN%3A%20First%20Edition&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9bdN4lfZYj9bPMWZ4o1PWEu1Xshx8EBCJsq1s7DDfMyAt5W9NoIySWFzWxao7s_eN4bttZNuyfQcOj6RBIF11O_ZJfmQ&_hsmi=408164350&utm_content=408164350&utm_source=hs_email The nation's safest hospitals, according to annual rankings from Healthgrades, represent the top 10% of hospitals nationwide for patient safety, with the lowest incidences of 13 preventable patient safety events. Patients treated at these 438 hospitals, located across 40 states, were significantly less likely to experience the four most common patient safety indicators, characterized as serious, preventable complications, which account for 78% of all safety events. (Firth, 3/10) Fierce Healthcare: NYU Report Outlines PE Impact On Care Quality, Calls For Reform https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/finance/nyu-stern-report-private-equitys-impact-quality-care?utm_campaign=KHN%3A%20First%20Edition&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz--nVGSXFUYR_wOCv6g1jgS51Im6387OwAnTset33G6IYV4a3E3G9lkXVJz86BMTI4KjsSChmgfDHWK-1gIr9k4m6Imp1A&_hsmi=408164350&utm_content=408164350&utm_source=hs_email Private equity’s influence over healthcare companies’ quality of care warrants new reforms for the firm's investing practices, a new report says. The report, published by NYU Stern’s Center for Business & Human Rights, aimed to document the problems observed in recent years stemming from PE ownership in healthcare, including hospital closures, reduced staffing and compromised healthcare services. (Gliadkovskaya, 3/10) Becker's Hospital Review: Private Equity Invested $1T In Healthcare In 10 Years: Report https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/finance/private-equity-invested-1t-in-healthcare-in-10-years-report/?utm_campaign=KHN%3A%20First%20Edition&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9OgRUqaDiSsMyj4vZxBFv9kS6BZeqSTClYXDCq0xa5Ay89tOpanBN22WpPhllCnlec24NZI0P0CzAlHnN2VUq_uvCLDQ&_hsmi=408164350&utm_content=408164350&utm_source=hs_email Private equity firms have become a major force in healthcare, investing more than $1 trillion over the last ten years, according to a recent report from New York University’s Stern Center for Business and Human Rights. The report, published March 10 and authored by Michael Goldhaber, examines how private equity’s investments have impacted patient care, hospital finances and medical access. (Scheetz, 3/10) Fierce Healthcare: How CVS Is Using 'Agentic Twins' In Developing Consumer Tools https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/payers/look-how-cvs-leaning-agentic-twins-developing-consumer-tech?utm_campaign=KHN%3A%20First%20Edition&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_QFUiC9tRA-6V4kBYIel82QWPGZ85eCo3R13jXc1qj7RDUFhLWEdxLi0s_PIRBJTcluwT7N4OZENaZ5b9_UERRVLzmZw&_hsmi=408164350&utm_content=408164350&utm_source=hs_email CVS Health is making investments in digital health and patient engagement tech across the enterprise, including a partnership with Simile to lean on "agentic twins" to test and pilot new programs. The company has built these digital twins on 2.9 million consented responses from a group of more than 400,000 individuals, representing answers across more than 200 behavioral scenarios. This allows the AI versions to act as accurate stand-ins for the people they're based upon. (Minemyer, 3/10)

MORE ON THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION ++++

MORE ON THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION The Washington Post: Whistleblower Claims Ex-DOGE Member Says He Took Social Security Data To New Job https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2026/03/10/social-security-data-breach-doge-2/?utm_campaign=KHN%3A%20First%20Edition&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8ELV7Rp5qo2dNl636oYR_FTNURp5xH1F9njHm3uW7sI61D7JZqz7SUPY6CcASW3r8Kihx9D7_f3Z5ikMlSjmRNv3aGkg&_hsmi=408164350&utm_content=408164350&utm_source=hs_email The Social Security Administration’s internal watchdog is investigating a complaint that alleges a former U.S. DOGE Service employee claimed he had access to two highly sensitive agency databases and planned to share the information with his private employer — a claim that, if true, would constitute an unprecedented breach of security protocols at an agency that serves more than 70 million Americans. (Kornfield, Dwoskin and Rein, 3/10) MedPage Today: RFK Jr. Reportedly Had Rotator Cuff Surgery https://www.medpagetoday.com/surgery/orthopedics/120238?utm_campaign=KHN%3A%20First%20Edition&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz--NKxd9ySYwsgudNnL4V5BGxLom8mltoyMbsfDUilL6aKjbUQbLVMspK5x3m1lz9wftUM1ehcDHLnQrMztsTqSyYCAl6A&_hsmi=408164350&utm_content=408164350&utm_source=hs_email HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was having rotator cuff surgery Tuesday, a spokesperson told MedPage Today. Kennedy plans to return to the office March 16, the spokesperson said. That person did not provide details about the reason for the procedure or which shoulder was repaired, and did not provide an update on his condition. Since his tenure at HHS began, Kennedy has frequently engaged in various physical activities publicly to promote his "Make America Healthy Again" agenda, including doing pull-ups at an airport event. (McCreary, 3/10) The 19th: The Pediatrician Moms Standing Up For Children In Immigration Detention https://19thnews.org/2026/03/pediatrician-moms-children-health-immigration-detention/?utm_campaign=KHN%3A%20First%20Edition&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz--J9JS1PS1H-fYIN4a0JNKfRYQllic0YNG9wtijDUZp-q7tD6wWXyUfpW4I6amlpN1nj2V0mIfIwWo2hdFupH5AGrANLA&_hsmi=408164350&utm_content=408164350&utm_source=hs_email Dr. Lara Jones still remembers her visceral reaction to the image of Liam Ramos. It wasn’t the most famous one, of the 5-year-old boy in a blue bunny winter hat and superhero backpack with ICE officers behind him. It was one from days later, of Liam slumped in his father’s arms while both were in custody in Texas. (Rodriguez, 3/10) The Guardian: How Trump Turmoil Is Driving More People To The Therapist’s Office: ‘This Is All Upside Down’ https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-interactive/2026/mar/08/political-depression-therapy-trump-era?utm_campaign=KHN%3A%20First%20Edition&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz--sh5ohJn0MRajqiFnks9h5Z-j5xEumZGi1UBCM_Qh3JAJ3gYxMXDII8r51yv6r4okOUciZiEBWEenc_sGetiJoz0SxCA&_hsmi=408164350&utm_content=408164350&utm_source=hs_email When Rebecca McFaul woke up in her small farmhouse in Logan, Utah, on a cold January day, she felt the same way she’d been feeling for months: “A certain kind of terror and horror at it all.” Most of her family lives in Minnesota, and for weeks, she’d watched from afar as families were taken by agents, activists were shot and tear gas hung in the air. A music professor at Utah State University, she’d spent the day with her students, but struggled to focus. Then she came home and read more bad news, this time, a piece in the newspaper about two Maga influencers railing against the dangers of compassion in response to the detainment of 5-year-old Liam Ramos in Minneapolis. “It was such a betrayal on every level,” McFaul said. “Of sisterhood, of motherhood, of decency.” (Sanders, 3/8)