MA Dental Benefits Are Growing, But The Data Needed For Accountability Are Not Cilia E. ZayasandDavid J. Meyers July 20, 2026

https://www.healthaffairs.org/content/forefront/medicare-advantage-dental-benefits-growing-but-data-needed-accountability-not?utm_campaign=forefront&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_Mz7c1GbKkQXgRibtBICyUkhFpVcg8-kJsPPynrfUrpdL6I7WuTwoGrabdJenzzjoGnboclARH6SgatjmtlGSWYw1jIg&_hsmi=430012622&utm_source=hasu Without data that support plan level evaluation, accountability for Medicare Advantage dental benefits remains aspirational rather than operational.

By Regulatory Design: Geopolitical Concentration In The US Morphine Supply Chain Marta E. WosińskaandBen Graham July 24, 2026

https://www.healthaffairs.org/content/forefront/regulatory-design-geopolitical-concentration-us-morphine-supply-chain?utm_campaign=forefront&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8PJQMInPYTWZnzRvPqRC4HsngjLim_PhMKlL5SiNRXR4YoWnOhh0huL-mrbJVNXghyLMcjF9_avFD9UJjwKctTbc32Zw&_hsmi=430012622&utm_source=hasu Nearly 45 years after the “80/20” rule was adopted, the upstream morphine supply chain for the US is concentrated in a single country. The rule warrants reexamination, and other policy options to diversify supply should be considered as well.

Delivering On The Promise Of Medicaid’s Policy Laboratory Lindsay AllenandKatherine Commey July 21, 2026

https://www.healthaffairs.org/content/forefront/delivering-promise-medicaid-s-policy-laboratory?utm_campaign=forefront&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-80uxV5vVFVRCFCZYc3sF7Kj_2COpJLrg0xFP2_ajd9aGk_30I0W9XJtLQrohRi2JYJFeFs9GpQCEcLP7neXddSlvDCLg&_hsmi=430012622&utm_source=hasu The premise of Medicaid as a policy laboratory rests on generating knowledge through rigorous evaluation. Yet, too often, evaluation has functioned only as a compliance exercise. Instead, it should be driving a robust learning system.

Health Care Inflation Means Quality-Adjusted Price Growth, And Artificial Intelligence Can Reduce It Jonathan D. Ketcham July 23, 2026

https://www.healthaffairs.org/content/forefront/health-care-inflation-means-quality-adjusted-price-growth-and-artificial-intelligence?utm_campaign=forefront&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz--9vS5OLUQuUtBmY5mzoUHsonJ1w-Y8xPvFioBqzm0uVcdRj8G7JIqN-m1VAj8paToRWH_lG5aR0kStj_vcP_rn7Z9atw&_hsmi=430012622&utm_source=hasu A response to “Why AI Will Accelerate Health Care Inflation” by David Brailer

Court Stays Major 2027 Marketplace Changes Katie Keith July 24, 2026

https://www.healthaffairs.org/content/forefront/court-stays-major-2027-marketplace-changes?utm_campaign=forefront&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8gUug3qWZjsG0_KxWT0yZ713D7k_XT64MSyUGcnf-MCBtgxQgf7ZREfTb1CpkxAES1kYKVd8Ii15L9R6mMjwvy1zGWmg&_hsmi=430012622&utm_source=hasu The administration is expected to appeal at least parts of the ruling, but the timing and scope of appeal is unclear. Meanwhile, HHS may offer flexibility on the current August 12 deadline for insurers to make final changes to their 2027 marketplace plans.

Why Medicare Must Negotiate Drug Prices At Launch Sarah Karlin-Smith July 22, 2026

https://www.healthaffairs.org/content/forefront/why-medicare-must-negotiate-drug-prices-launch?utm_campaign=forefront&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_mlVIRJtVlJiafnjoHUMBAmokP9a6yDqv4C4gDlZgLb4UH3zJXJ6m3YvkCYdAdb4ILyGl25T-gVm_ILBOk7rudRJvECQ&_hsmi=430012622&utm_source=hasu Negotiating drug prices at launch would ensure that patients and health programs get fair prices on prescription drugs at the outset, instead of first facing nearly a decade or longer of excessive prices set to maximize revenues.

HR 1 Does Not Block States From Offering Medicaid And CHIP To Lawfully Residing Children And Pregnant Women Kelly Whitener July 20, 2026

https://www.healthaffairs.org/content/forefront/hr-1-does-not-block-states-offering-medicaid-and-chip-lawfully-residing-children-and?utm_campaign=forefront&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_tKHl6kWBVTHXOlPnLLXhmi8Lp0fidi5TzFoG8_vWc9lBbed-cYqDk3OQ0oIOWU0jI9o9rfjZQEyZCXHq7qdA_hP_xqw&_hsmi=430012622&utm_source=hasu