Cassidy sets key vote on Overton, even as he remains undecided on nominee to lead FDA The vote next week will be closely watched, as key GOP lawmakers have yet to back Overton

https://www.statnews.com/2026/11/11/fda-commissioner-nominee-heidi-overton-senate-committee-vote/ By Margaret MantoNov. 11, 2026 Washington Correspondent

Pharma is a ‘mixed bag’ when providing drug access to low- and middle-income countries, analysis finds Access plans now cover 69% of late-stage pipeline candidates compared with 18% in 2018

https://www.statnews.com/pharmalot/2026/11/10/access-to-key-drugs-mixed-in-poor-countries-cancer-diabetes/ By Ed SilvermanNov. 10, 2026 Pharmalot Columnist, Senior Writer

Democrats take new step toward investigating Trump’s drug pricing deals In letters, Democrats demand that drug companies disclose all details of MFN deals

https://www.statnews.com/2026/11/10/democrats-investigate-most-favored-nation-deals-letters-drugmakers/ By John WilkersonNov. 10, 2026 Washington Correspondent

Low-income parents can’t afford to take chances with nutritious food their picky eaters might reject Higher food costs and reduced government support makes fruits and veggies a bad investment

https://www.statnews.com/2026/11/11/picky-eating-kids-low-income-families-snap-wic/ By Priya Fielding-Singh and Darcy CherlinNov. 11, 2026 Fielding-Singh is the director of policy and programs at the Global Food Institute at the George Washington University. Cherlin is the research project manager at the Global Food Institute at the George Washington University.

Oura to acquire Counsel Health for $625 million, placing a big bet on AI care The deal reflects growing desire to use consumer wearables in clinical care

https://www.statnews.com/2026/11/10/oura-acquires-counsel-health-big-bet-ai-care/ By Mario AguilarNov. 10, 2026 Health Tech Correspondent

MDCalc launches a ‘rumble strip’ for doctors using generative AI tools The new tool checks clinicians’ questions for privacy concerns and chatbots’ answers for accuracy

https://www.statnews.com/2026/11/11/mdcalc-launches-crosscover-rumble-strip-for-clinical-ai-chatbots/ By Brittany TrangNov. 11, 2026 Brittany Trang, a health technology reporter, is the author of AI Prognosis, a subscriber-only newsletter about the how artificial intelligence is transforming health care.

Doctors on Kennedy’s influential preventive care panel have major conflicts of interest, filings reveal Some members own medical practices, invest in pharma stocks

https://www.statnews.com/2026/11/11/kennedy-hhs-preventive-care-panel-conflict-interest-waivers/ By Chelsea CirruzzoNov. 11, 2026 Washington Correspondent Chelsea Cirruzzo chelsea.cirruzzo@statnews.com Chelsea covers the Department of Health and Human Services with a particular focus on power and influence at the top. Confidential tips can be sent via Signal at chelseacirruzzo.42.