Physicians See Higher Liability Premiums For 7th Year In A Row: Survey

Physicians See Higher Liability Premiums For 7th Year In A Row: Survey One outlier in the American Medical Association's analysis was California, Fierce Healthcare reports, where reported premiums were “significantly lower,” perhaps due to a state law capping noneconomic damages. https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/health-industry-4/

Worst Of South Carolina's Measles Outbreak Is Over, But 3 More States See Surges

Worst Of South Carolina's Measles Outbreak Is Over, But 3 More States See Surges Texas, Florida, and Utah are experiencing large outbreaks, while pockets of infection are still popping up around the U.S. Plus, The Hill examines what the loss of the hepatitis B vaccine could mean for the country; Roll Call looks at hepatitis C's grip on America; and more. https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/measles-outbreaks/

In Policy Reversal, Trump Admin Ends Funding For Fentanyl Test Strips

In Policy Reversal, Trump Admin Ends Funding For Fentanyl Test Strips The federal government has paid to supply the test strips, which also check for other contaminants, to states since 2021, but the Trump administration now contends that harm-reduction measures encourage drug use, The New York Times reports. Experts assert that more information is better, and the distribution of test strips can stave off overdoses and encourage people who use drugs to exercise more caution. https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/admin-2/

An Urgent Care Treated Her Allergic Reaction. An ER Monitored Her — For $6,700. By Andrew Jones April 28, 2026

https://kffhealthnews.org/health-industry/er-monitoring-anaphylactic-shock-allergic-reaction-bill-of-the-month-april-2026/ Silvana Toska was playing in a grass field with her daughters late last fall when she felt a sting on her ankle. The family had come to listen for barred and great horned owls as the sun set on a large park near their Davidson, North Carolina, home.

Big Companies Position Themselves for Payday From $50B Federal Rural Health Fund By Sarah Jane Tribble April 28, 2026

https://kffhealthnews.org/rural-health/rural-health-transformation-program-cms-state-contractors-ehr-patients/ Tory Starr is worried about the people who get medical care at Open Door Community Health Centers along California’s North Coast.

Tips to Help Charge Medical Devices Safely and Avoid Overheating

https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/consumer-products/tips-help-charge-medical-devices-safely-and-avoid-overheating?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee Meeting May 28, 2026 Announcement May 28, 2026

https://www.fda.gov/advisory-committees/advisory-committee-calendar/vaccines-and-related-biological-products-advisory-committee-meeting-may-28-2026-announcement?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

VACCINES AND OUTBREAKS ++++++

VACCINES AND OUTBREAKS CIDRAP: CDC: 6 More US Children Die Of Flu As Season Winds Down Six more US children died of influenza last week as seasonal respiratory virus activity continues slowing, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported today in its weekly FluView report. Pediatric flu deaths so far this season now total 149. About 85% of the children who died and had a known vaccination status were unvaccinated. (Van Beusekom, 4/24) https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/influenza-general/cdc-6-more-us-children-die-flu-season-winds-down?utm_campaign=KHN%3A%20First%20Edition&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9QM4pY2ke9qFhIWt3FjoeMjAr2f3ecQ_wLeiu2PfzmN4A1_Ga15f7OVJD_RSNg6-QbBmtSnSPeJR5TVEZTnkr3Ekv7gQ&_hsmi=415847415&utm_content=415847415&utm_source=hs_email CIDRAP: Flu Vaccination Rate Lags In US Nursing Homes The first national data on influenza vaccination among nursing home residents finds that they are less likely to receive flu shots than older adults living in the community, according to a new analysis. Only 61% of nursing home residents received flu shots during the 2024-2025 flu season, compared with 76% of people over age 75 who live in the community, according to a report published yesterday in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC’s) Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. (Szabo, 4/24) https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/influenza-vaccines/flu-vaccination-rate-lags-us-nursing-homes?utm_campaign=KHN%3A%20First%20Edition&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-915T_CfHavTsXXO-wICR0Y5wku9FFQMNUJtmtLSOuZG941mg0ZMWhKv0TxIq4gvgiUS5Y6CiWr9yN4B9Lnq88X6d5vOQ&_hsmi=415847415&utm_content=415847415&utm_source=hs_email Stat: Nancy Cox, A CDC Veteran And Stalwart In Global Flu Research, Dies At 77 Nancy Cox, who for decades was a global leader in influenza research, has died. Cox headed the influenza team at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for 22 years, shepherding it from a branch of 14 people to a division of over 100. She was also director of the World Health Organization’s Collaborating Center for the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and Control of Influenza at the CDC. (Branswell, 4/25) https://www.statnews.com/2026/04/25/nancy-cox-flu-researcher-obituary/?utm_campaign=KHN%3A%20First%20Edition&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_hcPQZqx3UeEFvCxilmkiJrWyrv3CWBRxxNjaKRS6cxSgvzpVbdvBA9OHUu6J4thVOcIL-tCZXPv3bLXj0CeW7IAXMeQ&_hsmi=415847415&utm_content=415847415&utm_source=hs_email The Baltimore Sun: Health Officials Confirm Two Measles Cases In Anne Arundel Area Two cases of measles in the Baltimore metro area have been confirmed by health officials, the Maryland Department of Health announced in a release. (Byrne, 4/24) Stat: Is Covid Still A Thing? The Risk Has Waned, But Hasn't Vanished In April 2020, people around the globe were struggling to come to grips with the strictures of unprecedented societal shutdowns aimed at slowing the spread of Covid-19. Flattening the curve, in 2020-speak. Six years later, school and business closures, mask wearing, and social distancing are dim, unpleasant memories. And Covid, though it still animates political animus plenty, feels like a threat from yesteryear. (Branswell, 4/27) https://www.statnews.com/2026/04/27/is-covid-still-a-thing-expert-analysis-who-needs-vaccine-booster-shot/?utm_campaign=KHN%3A%20First%20Edition&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_aiSxY8-4oo66Uc6VhfUKfoaUbye7N6LSpLhvUSKIaqO8zXjU4Q7NmMqNM3GCC73UGBpMRYg4spwUXa-hoCxGqjAbUtA&_hsmi=415847415&utm_content=415847415&utm_source=hs_email CIDRAP: COVID Virus Clears From Placenta Weeks After Maternal Infection, Study Suggests The virus that causes COVID-19 does not appear to linger in placental tissue after a pregnant patient recovers from acute infection, according to a small case-control study published this week in JAMA Network Open. The findings suggest that placental infection is unlikely in the weeks and months after illness, even in cases with adverse outcomes. (Bergeson, 4/24) https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/covid-19/covid-virus-clears-placenta-weeks-after-maternal-infection-study-suggests?utm_campaign=KHN%3A%20First%20Edition&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9uLLvZ4ilJDjXUbwYK8ZzFgnBElckjQaKGNVtcKUIXv1OutomMCwFaU7vMlrtDMmEVEr9yrE3BeaR3lyKqQFEXscqi0g&_hsmi=415847415&utm_content=415847415&utm_source=hs_email CIDRAP: Low Risk Of Clade 1 Mpox Spread During Air Travel Revealed Transmission of clade 1 mpox virus during commercial air travel appears to be uncommon, according to a study published yesterday in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The analysis looked at data from five commercial flights taken by three men with active mpox symptoms to assess the risk of in-flight transmission. The three men were aged 20 to 40 years. The flights took place from November 2024 to January 2025. (Bergeson, 4/24) https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/mpox/low-risk-clade-1-mpox-spread-during-air-travel-revealed?utm_campaign=KHN%3A%20First%20Edition&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz--eQ_uIsUKGYwmGOnfC0prGL_aIy_6S99acTDLliCEKqUicMXrXALZmiW_3UmS_DuhiaTMhNlAQ-AKsAzPOMSLwRa515w&_hsmi=415847415&utm_content=415847415&utm_source=hs_email

New Survey Estimates 8 Million Americans Used Psilocybin in 2024 By: Deanna Neff Deanna Neff

https://www.healthday.com/health-news/mental-health/new-survey-estimates-8-million-americans-used-psilocybin-in-2024?utm_campaign=KHN%3A%20First%20Edition&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz--QbCi7-b5cT7-g5bBnBVCt-hRFwlisUFkj68yzNnQtPA1DaJ6yeBrobKWuhNdNTpu4eOxRVr7s2yEMQhg1bllYaJROfg&_hsmi=415847415&utm_content=415847415&utm_source=hs_email

FDA issues vouchers to 3 companies to help fast track review of potential psychedelic medications The companies are studying psilocybin and methylone. ByMary Kekatos April 24, 2026, 10:36 AM

https://abcnews.com/Health/fda-issues-vouchers-3-companies-fast-track-review/story?id=132341935&utm_campaign=KHN%3A%20First%20Edition&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8vfcZcC60dTp5LSuhw8fOpKTkaOrM7Sheo38E-bCv4qYgVnEPK6D1wwY8cKbYPe0VQAlhZ0CGqlHAHQkOue9m63uhD7Q&_hsmi=415847415&utm_content=415847415&utm_source=hs_email

I’m a fourth-year med student, but I only learned one historical example of medical racism Tuskegee is important — but medical racism is more pervasive than a single study

https://www.statnews.com/2026/04/27/medical-school-education-health-care-inequity-cdc-trial-tuskegee/ By Uzma RentiaApril 27, 2026 Rentia is a medical student at George Washington University.

Patients seeking mental health treatment are not commodities They deserve to know whether they can follow clinicians who leave

https://www.statnews.com/2026/04/27/mental-health-employment-contracts-proprietary-non-compete-non-solicitation/ By Sarah CadyApril 27, 2026 Cady is a psychiatric nurse practitioner near New York City

Doctor, wife of acting U.S. attorney general, appointed to NIH advisory council Kristine Blanche’s selection is first such of such appointments made in over a year

https://www.statnews.com/2026/04/26/kristine-blanche-appointed-nih-advisory-council/ By Megan MolteniApril 26, 2026 Science Writer

NIH-funded research lags in reporting sex differences, new study finds Lack of data makes it hard to know whether results apply equally to men and women

https://www.statnews.com/2026/04/27/nih-research-guidelines-sabv-sex-as-biological-variable/ By Annalisa Merelli and Anil OzaApril 27, 2026

What happened to Covid? The threat of the virus has clearly subsided, but opinions vary on why and how much of a risk remains

https://www.statnews.com/2026/04/27/is-covid-still-a-thing-expert-analysis-who-needs-vaccine-booster-shot/?utm_campaign=morning_rounds&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz--I43VZHWMPAt160TFnQTI-wCfO9tbn12sOZo-YHWbqiHzzTmucu08iKD7qKYz_ddkkw-1bgGJXH5u4hRBjNbDjlQTDMg&_hsmi=415801762&utm_content=415801762&utm_source=hs_email By Helen BranswellApril 27, 2026 Infectious Diseases Correspondent

The Trump administration has run out more than 4,000 National Institutes of Health employees. Here are the consequences Katheryn Houghton, Rachana Pradhan | April 23, 2026

https://geneticliteracyproject.org/2026/04/23/the-trump-administration-has-run-out-more-than-4000-national-institutes-of-health-employees-here-are-the-consequences/ Marc Ernstoff, a physician who has pioneered immunotherapy research and treatments for cancer patients, said his work as a federal scientist proved untenable under the Trump administration.

Kennedy’s CDC blocks publication of study that shows vaccines reduce hospitalizations by 50%, then misrepresents why Lena Sun | Washington Post | April 24, 2026

https://geneticliteracyproject.org/2026/04/24/kennedys-cdc-blocks-publication-of-study-that-shows-vaccines-reduce-hospitalizations-by-50-then-misrepresents-why/ A report showing the efficacy of the covid-19 vaccine that was previously delayed by the head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has been blocked from being published in the agency’s flagship scientific journal…. The report showed that the vaccine reduced emergency department visits and hospitalizations among healthy adults by about half this past winter.

Back to the vax — Is the measles surge testing MAHA’s vaccine rejectionism? Jessica Nix | Bloomberg | April 27, 2026

https://geneticliteracyproject.org/2026/04/27/back-to-the-vax-is-the-measles-surge-testing-mahas-vaccine-rejectionism/ Measles has been spreading in the US, reaching infection levels not seen in decades …. This year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recorded 1,748 infections as of April 17 – a rate that’s far outpacing last year’s total – though public health experts say the national numbers are likely a gross undercount.

Viewpoint: ‘Science-as-Satan’ unites the MAHA—MAGA movements. Is a breakup in the works? David Zaruk | April 27, 2026

https://geneticliteracyproject.org/2026/04/27/viewpoint-science-as-satan-unites-the-maha-maga-movements-is-a-breakup-in-the-works/ The MAHA agenda had a bit of a wake-up call following the EPA’s approval of the herbicide dicamba. I think they truly expected all pesticides to be banned. Claims of treason and threats of mid-term vengeance were flowing from the Moms Lobby (Zen even declared war). While it is widely known how activist zealots don’t understand compromise (or politics), there is a question of whether this so-called swing vote will now swing back to the left or just disintegrate.

Report: Johnson & Johnson To Sell 4 Of Its Medications On TrumpRx

Report: Johnson & Johnson To Sell 4 Of Its Medications On TrumpRx The medications being offered will include the diabetes drug metformin, and the blood thinner Xarelto, CBS News reports. Also in the news: Roundup lawsuits, weight loss pill Foundayo, gabapentin for traumatic brain injuries, and more. https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/pharma-tech/

Viewpoints: Measles Resurgence Is Just The Beginning; Potential Pancreatic Cancer Vaccine Shows Promise

https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/viewpoints-measles-resurgence-is-just-the-beginning-potential-pancreatic-cancer-vaccine-shows-promise/

More US Life Insurance Accounts Reinsured Overseas As Risks Grow

More US Life Insurance Accounts Reinsured Overseas As Risks Grow Experts are worried that the use of offshore reinsurance in countries that often benefit from looser regulations will create a more risky environment in the life insurance sector. Many retired Americans rely on life insurance to provide financial security through annuities, Bloomberg notes. https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/health-industry-3/

Fewer Nursing Home Residents, And Even Fewer Of Their Caregivers, Are Taking Flu Shot

Fewer Nursing Home Residents, And Even Fewer Of Their Caregivers, Are Taking Flu Shot CDC data indicate that just 61% of people in nursing homes and less than 50% of healthcare workers in the facilities received the annual vaccination during the 2024-25 flu season. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also reported six more pediatric deaths from flu. https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/flu-other-outbreaks/

HHS To Reinstate 988 Line For LGBTQ+ Youth In Crisis, RFK Jr. Says

HHS To Reinstate 988 Line For LGBTQ+ Youth In Crisis, RFK Jr. Says Those who called 988 and pressed 3 or texted PRIDE were once connected to crisis counselors trained to provide services for LGBTQ+ youth. According to MedPage Today, the Trump administration has now pledged to revive the dedicated line after cutting it last summer. A 2021 study by The Trevor Project shows that LGBTQ+ youth are four times more likely to seriously consider and attempt suicide compared with their peers. https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/mental-health-14/

Trump Fires National Science Board Members Who Steer Funding

Trump Fires National Science Board Members Who Steer Funding Multiple scientists were dismissed Friday, effectively immediately. The board typically consists of 25 members from various scientific fields, appointed by the president for a six-year term. Critics say the scientists' dismissal, along with funding cuts, could have national consequences https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/federal-funding-maha/

Investigators Comb Mental Health History Of California Man Suspected In Correspondents' Dinner Shooting

Investigators Comb Mental Health History Of California Man Suspected In Correspondents' Dinner Shooting A Trump administration official said the man who rushed a security checkpoint "set out to target folks in the administration” and claimed to be a “friendly federal assassin.” Those who know the man described him as "a very nice guy,” "polite," and "peaceful." Plus, security concerns arise. https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/guns/

The Help That Many Older Americans Need Most By Paula Span April 27, 2026

https://kffhealthnews.org/aging/new-old-age-community-health-workers-promotores-home-visits-senior-support/ On a recent Monday, Sandy Guzman, a community health worker in rural Oregon, drove to visit a patient in her 60s in a small city called The Dalles.

Florida Delays Children’s Health Insurance Expansion as Uninsured Rate Rises By Daniel Chang April 27, 2026

https://kffhealthnews.org/insurance/chip-expansion-florida-delay-children-health-coverage-uninsured-rates/ Like many parents, Tatiana Lafortune wants her children to get a good education, eat nutritious food, and see a doctor when they’re not feeling well.

As States Implement Medicaid Community Engagement Requirements, Due Process Safeguards Loom Large Sara Rosenbaum,Alison Barkoff,andAllyson Crays April 15, 2026

https://www.healthaffairs.org/content/forefront/states-implement-medicaid-community-engagement-requirements-due-process-safeguards-loom The OBBBA’s community engagement requirements will have a significant impact on the eligibility determination process. So will Constitutional due process safeguards.

Population Health Costs Of Exclusionary And Criminalizing Immigration Policies Nolan Kline,Alana M. W. LeBrón,William Lopez,Nicole L. Novak,Melina Michelen,andMaria-Elena De Trinidad Young

https://www.healthaffairs.org/content/briefs/population-health-costs-exclusionary-and-criminalizing-immigration-policies KEY POINTS: The current immigration enforcement landscape is an extension of the past thirty years of immigration policy, which has increasingly focused on exclusion and securitization. Despite historically falling under the domain of civil law, immigration matters in the US have increasingly been treated as issues of criminal law. Immigration enforcement policies have individual, interpersonal, and communitywide harms that affect all people in the US. Beyond the health-related harms of immigration enforcement policy, there are broader economic and social harms that affect all US residents.

Consumer Debt, Race, And Health: Can Debt Relief Be A Solution For Reducing Racial Health Disparities? Fenaba R. Addo December 11, 2025

https://www.healthaffairs.org/content/briefs/consumer-debt-race-and-health-can-debt-relief-solution-reducing-racial-health KEY POINTS: Black Americans have been systematically excluded from wealth accumulation through policies and practices that increase debt burdens and limit asset building, leading to chronic financial vulnerability and worse health outcomes. Debt negatively influences health through resource constraints, financial stress, and social stigma. These mechanisms limit access to health care, increase risky health behaviors, and cause psychological distress, and they disproportionately affect Black Americans. Evidence on the health benefits of debt relief, such as debt discharge from bankruptcy, suggest improved health outcomes but is limited when it comes to determining the benefits for Black communities. Improvements in data infrastructure and algorithmic matching may offer new pathways to study debt, race, and health more effectively. Although more research is needed, policy actions focused on expanding health insurance, supporting student debt relief, reforming bankruptcy systems, and asset building could address racial disparities in debt and health.

Podcast: Which Star Ratings Are Driving Medicare Advantage Quality Gains Rob LottandAndrew Anderson April 21, 2026

https://www.healthaffairs.org/do/10.1377/hp20260416.449153/full/?utm_campaign=podcast&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_cfX2b1_r5eKgjIJlHjsGx9AmohzHKzpFy9N8OdKum5j2dmoRibPJS562upHdfGJ7nz0Nxa6EiiLrqJqo23knahkJkTg&_hsmi=415566602&utm_content=ahp&utm_source=hasu Health Affairs Publishing's Rob Lott interviews Andrew Anderson of Johns Hopkins University about his recent paper that explores new research on the Medicare Advantage Star Ratings program and how effectively it has driven quality improvement over time.

New Prior Authorization Proposals: Implications for Prescription Drug Access Jeff ByersandMichael S. Gerber April 24, 2026

https://www.healthaffairs.org/do/10.1377/hp20260423.626376/full/?utm_campaign=podcast&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8AKh9tc2c7lwiwd8YGwKSzg8GXMbeWtjGYlOhiGzv0nyFNyC0gwFgFB-2nil87YC81AIIHhdNKS6mDiz7W5HkXq-K1Ew&_hsmi=415566602&utm_content=hatw&utm_source=hasu Health Affairs Publishing's Jeff Byers welcomes Senior Editor Michael Gerber back to the pod to discuss recent federal action on prior authorization, including CMS’s proposal to expand response-time requirements to prescription drugs. The conversation also covers insurer efforts to reduce prior auth volume, the promise of AI and prior authorization, and what increased transparency could reveal about costs.

A Global Resolution To Bring Liver Health Into The NCD Mainstream Jeffrey V. Lazarus April 21, 2026

https://www.healthaffairs.org/content/forefront/global-resolution-bring-liver-health-into-ncd-mainstream?utm_campaign=forefront&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_g7bz85huBhxC982LRvG0ZoWfPANy1ONNYhU9xZbr6pdzF3qH-Z1OrGy7tr0m8SgGztrJFpmw3aQoCtnt7TeHMtXh0Iw&_hsmi=415566602&utm_source=hasu Despite its scale, steatotic liver disease remains largely absent from global and US noncommunicable disease strategies.

Expanding The GUIDE Model To Include Adults With Intellectual Disability And Dementia Matthew P. JanickiandPhilip McCallion April 23, 2026

https://www.healthaffairs.org/content/forefront/expanding-guide-model-include-adults-intellectual-disability-and-dementia?utm_campaign=forefront&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz--gJ-jgHgWuJwqe0LQe8Jv5tWHtsgNOtii7OAp8ZcrtLcfNnBWFZGMM2jE0Bxsd-S2EmxOn56uyvK-Opb0fdS8Rvw_d_A&_hsmi=415566602&utm_source=hasu Expanding the GUIDE model’s eligibility language to include adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities offers a practical opportunity to address emerging service gaps while advancing health equity.

Unleashing The Full Potential Of MSSP To Drive Greater ACO Participation And Savings Sean Cavanaugh,Travis Broome,andFarzad Mostashari April 24, 2026

https://www.healthaffairs.org/content/forefront/unleashing-full-potential-mssp-drive-greater-aco-participation-and-savings?utm_campaign=forefront&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_-3kpXp-KJr6r9s7ynmewBF8AiaH3Qv9Ftdd46GEkODHIlxPQoesryKZmCQmRSFCKfcG7pWqTZhSk6e90-9SSSACHM5w&_hsmi=415566602&utm_source=hasu Cost savings in traditional Medicare translate directly into lower benchmarks and cost savings in Medicare Advantage. This interaction between traditional Medicare spending and Medicare Advantage benchmarks is the first step in establishing the competitive environment between the two programs that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services leadership has repeatedly stated they want.

New Rural Funding Can Support Accountable Care Through Data And Digital Investments Joshua M. LiaoandAmol S. Navathe April 20, 2026

https://www.healthaffairs.org/content/forefront/new-rural-funding-can-support-accountable-care-through-data-and-digital-investments?utm_campaign=forefront&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_rVzuWF82BshjmrhT16ZbnsGS0V6Vb2n7JqUvPCkzF0xZZ0PErU2bvmhT8LxYLy_Ub6aTSIHlmQ6C3zX67uMpYteJCzw&_hsmi=415566602&utm_source=hasu The capital flowing into rural communities through the Rural Health Transformation Program can unlock previously unattainable progress, creating a window to address resource constraints, and make accountable care more viable at scale in rural America.

The 340B Drug Pricing Program Is A Hidden Tax Expenditure Ike BrannonandAnthony T. Lo Sasso April 24, 2026

https://www.healthaffairs.org/content/forefront/340b-drug-pricing-program-hidden-tax-expenditure?utm_campaign=forefront&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_J3hiiHPD9kz5rNBbMJoR-NntNxUMlR9Op0tuUKO9Wcyr5CWazGQ975omnzaLHgfvcMJnOTcpx1tbvK03H4K4Tby8JaA&_hsmi=415566602&utm_source=hasu Although 340B does not operate through the tax code, its economic effects mirror those of a tax expenditure. Recognizing it as such would not prejudge the program’s merits but would force a long-overdue accounting of its costs and encourage a more rational discussion of reform.

How States Are Preparing For Looming Medicaid Budget Cuts And Program Eligibility Changes Arielle Kane April 23, 2026

https://www.healthaffairs.org/content/forefront/states-preparing-looming-medicaid-budget-cuts-and-program-eligibility-changes?utm_campaign=forefront&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9PzUvrb32ukP-bnDKrFamKsKhcIPRgrJFh03fUOdGukCukXanC4t4DOQXKfqSdUHpze00dYl2i8VbGeHuXerN2KEYu6A&_hsmi=415566602&utm_source=hasu In anticipation of changes to Medicaid coming in 2027 and beyond, states are already exploring ways to tighten eligibility, build verification systems, reduce enrollment growth, and close budget gaps.

The Attack On Race-Conscious Health Policies: The UCLA Lawsuit And The Trump Administration’s Broader Campaign Andrew Twinamatsiko April 21, 2026

https://www.healthaffairs.org/content/forefront/attack-race-conscious-health-policies-ucla-lawsuit-and-trump-administration-s-broader?utm_campaign=forefront&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz--ar4NKq7kJtRjXyjuymIK0TcUz-fxpEdF_C7GKcuYL_F2ydk2VBBQzuQqV8F2sb62I6nnBu8fvhsIv51xKc2sBESj8LQ&_hsmi=415566602&utm_source=hasu The litigation against health equity measures has expanded and accelerated. Now the federal government has thrown its weight behind interest groups that have struggled to establish standing, eliminating the constraints that limited private litigants.

An Agenda For CMS: Strengthen Integrated Care Programs For Dually Eligible Adults With Behavioral Health Needs Ellen BreslinandDennis Heaphy April 20, 2026

https://www.healthaffairs.org/content/forefront/agenda-cms-strengthen-integrated-care-programs-dually-eligible-adults-behavioral-health?utm_campaign=forefront&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9nNVIFTmqbXsq9HnlWQ_Tf4cZwMkJMJzXnQCtRXWyZrNBiibqwxBsW0cTvGM9QCqJY6UkJacjECcER2NdtawOC3IXVeg&_hsmi=415566602&utm_source=hasu Congress has an obligation to direct the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to partner with state Medicaid leaders and disability advocates to protect full-benefit, dually eligible adults with behavioral health needs from harm.

Theme Issue Briefing: Climate, Health, and Equity May 6, 2026, 1:00 PM

Theme Issue Briefing: Climate, Health, and Equity Cecilia Sorensen,Stefan Wheat,Sacoby M. Wilson,Arturo Bustamante,Margaret Winchester,Jeff Romine,Carlos Gould,Kartikeya Bhatotia,Chris Boyer,Lisa Clemens-Cope,Elizabeth Moore,Cori Cohen Grant,Bradley Kramer,Cynthia Strathman,Maud Powell,Sara Locke,Dhara Patel,andErin Marcus May 6, 2026, 1:00 PM https://www.healthaffairs.org/do/10.1377/he20260414.92163/full/?utm_campaign=event&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz--E1HsNrTeh3iwq3aLl0iKCnRjELqHeBqV6ru_FylaGoCOILhEfq1Cry-EAsNIFQ2P2k6DPe4c-IeWB146VLCqAFZa-Ow&_hsmi=415566602&utm_content=briefing&utm_source=hasu Join Health Affairs Publishing on May 6th for a free virtual event discussing research, insights, data, and takeaways from the May 2026 theme issue on climate, health, and equity. The briefing will consist of three panels: Addressing Climate Through Policy and Intervention Community-Based Solutions to Climate Crises Health System Approaches to Climate Adaptation

Extreme Heat, Health Care Use, And Costs: Evidence From Commercial Insurance, Medicaid, And Medicare Advantage Authors: Jeff Romine jeff.romine@carelon.com, Amy Liu, Daniel Cullen, Katelyn Tang, Hakon Mattson, Mark Talavera, Arax Nazarian, Melissa Clarke, and Winnie C. Chi

https://www.healthaffairs.org/doi/10.1377/hlthaff.2025.01665?utm_campaign=may%202026%20issue&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz--Vt36HO4mAu_7IvVmr_bIBW-deuIfWTcmamcsGbifF3-gFOSFCTKL--ZBYsRdWBLkVVEWyGbfcWApxkcnXZYufCeaLQg&_hsmi=415566602&utm_content=ahead%20of%20print&utm_source=hasu Extreme heat events have been demonstrated to increase emergency department (ED) visits, hospitalizations, and mortality, but evidence of their impacts on the associated costs and on outpatient use is more limited. We used 2016–23 health insurance claims from a large, national insurer and national temperature and humidity data to conduct a regression analysis on the relationship between extreme heat exposure and ED, inpatient, and outpatient use and cost in the commercial insurance, Medicaid, and Medicare Advantage (MA) populations. One additional day with a heat index of 100°F or hotter within a week was associated with increased ED use and cost across nearly all coverage populations and age groups. Extreme heat was associated with significant increases in inpatient use for children with commercial coverage (1.4 percent), members ages 18–64 with Medicaid coverage (0.47 percent), and MA members (0.5 percent) but was not associated with statistically significant increases in inpatient cost for any population group. It was not associated with increases in outpatient use or cost in any population group. MA members had the highest annual cost due to extreme heat. These findings provide evidence to inform population health management strategies, seasonal preparedness planning, and policy interventions to mitigate heat-related morbidity and health care costs.

Government Monopsony and Its Biological Consequences: How Price Controls Sabotage the Conservation of Human Life Gary Puckrein, PhD, President and CEO, National Minority Quality Forum April 19, 2026

https://www.healthaffairs.org/sponsored-content/national-minority-quality-forum/government-monopsony-and-its-biological-consequences-how-price-controls-sabotage-the-conservation-of-human-life?utm_campaign=34032557-Health%20Affairs%20Sunday%20Update%202026&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9yu0Njpw8iWZBzfz7awbiJdiw1NVFJa32S5Hk7Vb_d_QpmUoirkiQNlSe0MZmlhTaHIdgPx9HqN5JJ_KRmxm4qon4VOA&_hsmi=415566602&utm_content=415566602&utm_source=hs_email Consider two facts that rarely appear in the same sentence. First: a tumor in an untreated patient does not pause its molecular evolution while a prior authorization appeal works its way through administrative channels. Mutations continue accumulating, clonal selection continues favoring therapeutic resistance, and disease advances through biological stages — indifferent to bureaucratic timelines. Second: the United States federal government has, through the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and Most Favored Nation (MFN) drug pricing policies, assembled the most comprehensive architecture of pharmaceutical price control in its history — multiple interlocking mechanisms operating potentially on the same drugs and in the same markets, whose combined effect on patients is greater than any single mechanism would produce alone.

New Prior Authorization Proposals: Implications for Prescription Drug Access Jeff ByersandMichael S. Gerber April 24, 2026

https://www.healthaffairs.org/do/10.1377/hp20260423.626376/full/ Health Affairs Publishing's Jeff Byers welcomes Senior Editor Michael Gerber back to the pod to discuss recent federal action on prior authorization, including CMS’s proposal to expand response-time requirements to prescription drugs. The conversation also covers insurer efforts to reduce prior auth volume, the promise of AI and prior authorization, and what increased transparency could reveal about costs.

It’s Not All In The Genes Michael S. Gerber April 24, 2026

https://www.healthaffairs.org/content/forefront/s-not-all-genes The two authors approach race and ethnicity from different backgrounds and introduce the book as an “adaptation of adversarial collaboration”—less about finding consensus than about identifying and understanding disagreements.

Primary Care on the Front Lines of Mental Health Care Donavyn Coffey April 15, 2026

https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/primary-care-front-lines-mental-health-care-2026a1000bqr?ecd=mkm_ret_260426_mscpmrk_pcp_top-content_etid8291536&uac=148436CN&impID=8291536

Has Your Care Been Compromised by VIP Syndrome? Lisa Mulcahy April 24, 2026 +++

https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/has-your-care-been-compromised-vip-syndrome-2026a1000d1j Medscape Physician Wealth & Debt Report 2026: Is the Rising Net Worth Tide Carrying Your Boat? Jon McKenna https://www.medscape.com/p11/medscape-physician-wealth-debt-report-2026-rising-net-worth-2026a10009up April 24, 2026 Despite their substantial paycheck, many doctors would tell you that building wealth and a secure retirement is not easy. Early in their practicing careers, investing for the future can take a back seat to paying down school debt. In a Medscape survey, physicians reported their net worth, discussed their approaches to retirement savings and investments, revealed how well their family does with money management, and expressed unease about inflation. Our report also shows physician wealth disparities by gender and race/ethnicity remain substantial, even when improvements were made. Termination Clauses: How Physicians Can Protect Themselves Ericka L. Adler, JD, LLM https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/termination-clauses-how-physicians-can-protect-themselves-2026a1000btp April 23, 2026

The Race for Relevance: Medscape Most Popular Specialties for Doctors Report 2026 Jennifer Nelson April 21, 2026 ++++

https://www.medscape.com/p11/race-relevance-medscape-most-popular-specialties-doctors-2026a1000a3c?ecd=WNL_physrep_260425_MSCPEDIT_specialities-report_etid8291319&uac=148436CN&impID=8291319 American physicians must navigate a high-stakes obstacle course between the subsidy cliff that has left millions of patients uninsured and new Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services efficiency mandates, shifting the definition of a "desirable" specialty. Relevance isn't just about who has the best job, but which specialties can survive and thrive. We asked physicians whether their specialty was appealing or not to assess how specialties are faring amid these economic headwinds. Switching Medical Specialties: Yes, It’s Possible Kaitlin Sanzone, MD https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/switching-medical-specialties-yes-its-possible-2025a1000uyd?ecd=WNL_physrep_260425_MSCPEDIT_specialities-report_etid8291319&uac=148436CN&impID=8291319 November 14, 2025 Two Specialties Becoming Increasingly More Competitive Kaitlin Sanzone, MD https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/two-specialties-becoming-increasingly-more-competitive-2025a1000te5?ecd=WNL_physrep_260425_MSCPEDIT_specialities-report_etid8291319&uac=148436CN&impID=8291319 November 05, 2025 Med Students: Here’s a Look at Average Annual Salaries for the Top-Searched Medical Specialties Joanna Broder https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/med-students-heres-look-average-annual-salaries-top-searched-2025a1000i1d?ecd=WNL_physrep_260425_MSCPEDIT_specialities-report_etid8291319&uac=148436CN&impID=8291319 July 08, 2025

Dropping the flu vaccine requirement puts U.S. military readiness at risk Since the 1918 pandemic, the military has acknowledged the influenza’s threat. Now that’s changing

https://www.statnews.com/2026/04/23/military-flu-shots-no-longer-required-retired-general-criticizes-move/ By Paul FriedrichsApril 23, 2026 Friedrichs is a retired military medical officer whose last job in uniform was in the Pentagon as the senior medical adviser to the Joint Chiefs. He then served as the senior director for global health security and biodefense on the National Security Council.

A CAR-T biotech’s dramatic turnaround, and drugmakers’ tactics to drive more scripts

https://www.statnews.com/2026/04/23/readout-loud-podcast-kelonia-lilly-telehealth-pharma-medicare-obesity/ By Allison DeAngelis, Elaine Chen, and Adam FeuersteinApril 23, 2026

Growing use of guest editors has turned some journals into a ‘playground of bad science’ Concerns raised after a genetics journal retracted most of a special issue

https://www.statnews.com/2026/04/24/science-journal-retractions-highlight-guest-editor-special-edition-problem/ By Anil OzaApril 24, 2026 General Assignment Reporter

The local news crisis is also a public health crisis Health and science reporting is often treated as optional coverage. It is anything but

https://www.statnews.com/2026/04/24/local-news-crisis-health-science-reporters-public-health/ By Ava DzurendaApril 24, 2026 Dzurenda is a science writer and an ACSM-certified exercise physiologist from Pittsburgh.

Psychedelics get a boost from the White House In this week’s STATus Report, Alex Hogan chats with Washington correspondent Daniel Payne

https://www.statnews.com/2026/04/24/white-house-boosts-psychedelic-treatments-status-report-alex-hogan/

I started medical school at 69 and will begin residency at 72. Here’s what I learned After more than 40 years as a neonatal nurse practitioner, I’m finally an M.D.

https://www.statnews.com/2026/04/24/medical-school-late-in-life-np-to-md/vBy Dawn Zuidgeest-CraftApril 24, 2026 Zuidgeest-Craft is an incoming resident in family medicine in Michigan.

Sanofi MS drug gets positive review in Europe following FDA Plus other biotech news from The Readout By Meghana KeshavanApril 24, 2026 Biotech Correspondent

https://www.statnews.com/2026/04/24/sanofi-ms-drug-europe-reveiew-regeneron-white-house/

The podcast telling the stories behind Ambien, Ozempic, EpiPens, and other game-changing drugs ‘Drug Story’ examines how blockbuster pharmaceuticals intersect with modern life

https://www.statnews.com/2026/04/25/drug-story-podcast-interview-transcript/ By Torie BoschApril 25, 2026 Editor, First Opinion

A biotech VC on what Eli Lilly saw in a struggling cancer startup for $3.2B In a Q&A, Venrock partner Bryan Roberts about a big-time deal By Allison DeAngelis, Adam Feuerstein, and Elaine ChenApril 24, 2026

https://www.statnews.com/2026/04/24/eli-lilly-kelonia-therapeutics-interview/

Utah medical board calls for immediate suspension of state’s AI doctor experiment The state’s pilot puts Utah residents at risk, the board wrote By Mario AguilarApril 24, 2026 Health Tech Correspondent

https://www.statnews.com/2026/04/24/doctronic-ai-doctor-pilot-utah-face-backlash-medical-board/

Nancy Cox, a CDC veteran and a stalwart in global flu research, dies at 77 Known for dedication and diplomacy, she was critical to surveillance efforts and pandemic preparedness

https://www.statnews.com/2026/04/25/nancy-cox-flu-researcher-obituary/ By Helen BranswellApril 25, 2026 Infectious Diseases Correspondent

Will bargain-basement telehealth visits help pharma drive drug scripts? As links between pharma and telehealth grow, experts sound alarms By Katie PalmerApril 23, 2026

Will bargain-basement telehealth visits help pharma drive drug scripts? As links between pharma and telehealth grow, experts sound alarms By Katie PalmerApril 23, 2026 Katie Palmer is investigating how telehealth is driving the consumerization of drugs. This is Part 4 of the series The VirtualRX Boom. Read Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3. https://www.statnews.com/2026/04/23/telehealth-visit-deep-discounts-questions-raised-pharma-ties/

FDA to speed up review of three psychedelics as mental health treatments Compass, Usona, Transcend benefit from Trump’s embrace of psychedelics

https://www.statnews.com/2026/04/24/trump-psychedelic-drugs-fda-priority-review-mental-health-treatment/?utm_campaign=daily_recap&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8ov9kmTDGchXVt9V_E5yJO9CNhFYzusw52-Xz67S7-b6sSQQfS7mFxX4Ivw_9ODsik9VyuhMIG8g_uE5dIjMJWgfqsBQ&_hsmi=415619628&utm_content=415619628&utm_source=hs_email By Elaine Chen, Damian Garde, and Daniel PayneApril 24, 2026

Introducing The Lancet Regional Health – Eastern Mediterranean +...

https://www.thelancet.com/regional-health/eastern-mediterranean?dgcid=hubspot_update_feature_lanemelaunch_neurology&utm_campaign=infocusalerts-neurology&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8uOZSy0ThiUkfgZxpZpiTB9SLbo2gGw5UY8tRgWH8mbdXTgFKHS04FK6q-8jlRVIRkP46-6KGItFepdxt0IBXs5tSx3Q&_hsmi=415600531&utm_content=415074509&utm_source=hs_email The Lancet Regional Health – Eastern Mediterranean promotes the advancement of clinical practice and health policy in the Eastern Mediterranean with the goal of improving health outcomes for all people regionally and globally. We aspire to increase the quality of research in Eastern Mediterranean countries and across the region.

NIST Workshop on AI Incident Management Share May 14

https://www.nist.gov/news-events/events/2026/05/nist-workshop-ai-incident-management Registration is now open: NIST Workshop on AI Incident Management on May 14 The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), within the U.S. Department of Commerce, invites stakeholders to participate in an upcoming workshop on AI Incident Management. As AI systems become increasingly integral to critical infrastructure, cybersecurity, and national security, a new class of incidents is emerging where AI systems are both targets and sources of risk. Addressing these challenges may require new methods and coordinated action across government, industry, and academia. Building on the collaborative model of efforts, this workshop will convene leaders from across the AI and cybersecurity stakeholder communities to initiate a shared dialogue on scalable, mission-aligned approaches to AI incident response. The workshop will: Present a high-level NIST roadmap to advance AI incident response standards and practices Engage stakeholders to understand current approaches, including existing playbooks and frameworks Explore definitions, lifecycles, and taxonomy of AI-related incidents Identify gaps in today’s cybersecurity and AI risk management guidance Highlight emerging AI incident types beyond cybersecurity, including misuse scenarios This engagement will inform future Information Technology Laboratory (ITL) and Center for AI Standards and Innovation (CAISI)* efforts to implement America’s AI Action Plan, including updates to existing guidelines and the development of new recommendations. NIST invites stakeholders to contribute their expertise and help shape a coordinated, forward-looking approach to AI incident management. Outcomes from this workshop will inform future guidelines, strengthen ecosystem readiness, and support national and global alignment. Audience: AI developers, service providers, incident responders, critical infrastructure partners, academics, cybersecurity professionals, and government stakeholders. *For more information about NIST’s efforts in AI, please visit the Information Technology Laboratory AI site (https://www.nist.gov/artificial-intelligence/nist-information-technology-laboratory-itl-ai-program) and the Center for Artificial Intelligence Standards and Innovation site (https://www.nist.gov/caisi).

A One-Pager on What’s Wrong with U.S. Health Care Author: Drew Altman Published: Apr 23, 2026

https://www.kff.org/from-drew-altman/a-one-pager-on-whats-wrong-with-u-s-health-care/?utm_campaign=KFF-This-Week&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz--mIOvlQUQd_nzkTqzRBTS6vK7MHoJQ5yVWri64Z13cxcRJhwu-8N97WwlXjjsK3aGdVHxIAu1d67OE4dFJ9nsrHznuKA&_hsmi=415552419&utm_content=415552419&utm_source=hs_email The other day, I was asked for a one-pager on what’s wrong with the U.S. health system. “Just one page.” To my amazement, with our thousands of fact sheets and policy briefs and even our Health Policy 101, we didn’t have anything short or current, nor could I find one elsewhere to send along. The closest we came was this 2022 policy brief. So, while this isn’t my usual column about current issues, and it’s only about problems, not the reasons for them or solutions, it might be useful to some of you. Asked for a one-pager on what’s wrong with the U.S. health system, Dr. Drew Altman, Founding President and CEO, explains the top issues in this piece, published today as his latest column. Altman explains, “We have neither a competitive health care system nor a regulated one—we have a fragmented, micromanaged health system that fails to control costs and makes both patients and health professionals more miserable than they should be…”

They’re in Remission, but Their Medical Bills Aren’t: Cancer Survivors Navigate Soaring Costs By Renuka Rayasam April 22, 2026

https://kffhealthnews.org/health-care-costs/cancer-survival-costs-testing-treatment-premiums-deductibles-trump/?utm_campaign=KHN%20-%20Weekly%20Edition&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8FIkWVqlWLzhD7fOXp9WBo4j4FVKsi7juQUtACx_gfwVWr367wp4yoZiM6CMW1HW4zSs1bFOQhleVvsXTKD_WYD0L0yA&_hsmi=415587051&utm_content=415587051&utm_source=hs_email They’re in Remission, but Their Medical Bills Aren’t: Cancer Survivors Navigate Soaring Costs By Renuka Rayasam The costs of posttreatment care are forcing cancer survivors to make tough choices. GOP proposals to bring down health insurance costs won’t help people who need constant care and monitoring, health policy researchers and patient advocates say. Skyrocketing health care costs and insurance premiums combined with congressional inaction have forced a perilous decision upon many people: Pay higher prices for health insurance or go uncovered. KFF Health News is telling their stories.

100 Million People in America Are Saddled With Health Care Debt By Noam N. Levey June 16, 2022

https://kffhealthnews.org/health-care-costs/diagnosis-debt-investigation-100-million-americans-hidden-medical-debt/?utm_campaign=KHN%20-%20Weekly%20Edition&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz--Ids1SnSecODFikTb6na0LuKiDh5MXsmudVBN0soT3O2yUc4qPTqi2H4aFnM-p8kA7Eb0Xle5TtWE_tmTU299q7RKsvw&_hsmi=415587051&utm_content=415587051&utm_source=hs_email

Diagnosis: Debt

Diagnosis: Debt More than 100 million people in America — a startling 41% of adults — are saddled with medical bills they cannot pay, according to a KFF Health News investigation with NPR and CBS News. The project exposed that medical debt — rather than fighting disease — is now a defining feature of the nation’s health care system. https://kffhealthnews.org/diagnosis-debt/?utm_campaign=KHN%20-%20Weekly%20Edition&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz--9pU4QK7dNGVu0axC1S-pQbn4kgJ2KmzfB6qgw8lxypoWRJIaCF75xPa9EaQ5rf3yCh3DO3PN44TXkg-ht3QX97-VYJA&_hsmi=415587051&utm_content=415587051&utm_source=hs_email I’m Noam Levey, senior correspondent at KFF Health News, and I’ve reported on medical debt across America. For this story, I collaborated with reporters at CT Mirror. By Noam N. Levey How often do hospitals, physicians, and other providers sue patients over unpaid bills? That’s a question we’ve asked a lot over the last several years at KFF Health News. Since 2022, we’ve been working with newsrooms around the country, such as the Connecticut Mirror, to explore the scale and impact of America’s medical debt crisis. It’s part of a project we call “Diagnosis: Debt.” We know that this type of debt burdens many people — about 100 million adults, according to a nationwide survey we did. But in most states, it’s almost impossible to gauge how many patients are getting taken to court over health care debt. Connecticut’s court data is different. It offered an opportunity to explore just how many people are being sued over medical and dental bills, who is suing patients, and for how much. Over the past year, I’ve collaborated with CT Mirror reporters Katy Golvala and Jenna Carlesso to learn more about the people facing legal actions. What we found was surprising … and sad. This week, we shared the first of our articles, which explores how hospitals have been supplanted by physician groups and other medical and dental providers as the most aggressive bill collectors. That’s a major reversal from five years earlier, when hospital system lawsuits made up three-quarters of health-related collection cases in the state’s courts. The shift is moving medical debt collections into a less regulated realm. Most hospitals, because they are tax-exempt nonprofits, must make financial aid available to low-income patients and follow federal regulations that limit aggressive collection activities. Other medical providers, such as private medical groups, are generally exempt from these rules. Lawsuits can lead to garnished wages, liens on homes, and hundreds of dollars of added debt from interest and court fees. They also pile additional financial strains on struggling families, prevent patients from getting needed care, and sap trust in medical providers. “It’s really messed up,” said Allie Cass-Wilson, a nurse in Bristol, Connecticut, who was sued over a $1,972 debt by an OB-GYN practice where she’d been a patient years earlier. She did not contest the lawsuit, court records show. Still, she asked: “How can they do that to people?” https://kffhealthnews.org/health-care-costs/diagnosis-debt-investigation-100-million-americans-hidden-medical-debt/?utm_campaign=KHN%20-%20Weekly%20Edition&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz--Ids1SnSecODFikTb6na0LuKiDh5MXsmudVBN0soT3O2yUc4qPTqi2H4aFnM-p8kA7Eb0Xle5TtWE_tmTU299q7RKsvw&_hsmi=415587051&utm_content=415587051&utm_source=hs_email

FDA Accelerates Action on Treatments for Serious Mental Illness Following Executive Order

https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-accelerates-action-treatments-serious-mental-illness-following-executive-order?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery US Food and Drug Administration FDA Accelerates Action on Treatments for Serious Mental Illness Following Executive Order Agency issues priority vouchers, clears new clinical research, and advances guidance to support treatments for depression, PTSD, and substance use disorders Bookmark and Share President Trump on April 18 issued an Executive Order directing the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to accelerate access to treatments for patients with serious mental illness, including devastating, complex, and treatment-resistant conditions. Building on this directive, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration today announced a series of regulatory actions to support the development of serotonin-2A agonists and related products, a class of perception-altering psychedelic medications. “Under President Trump’s leadership, we are accelerating the research, approval, and responsible access to promising mental health treatments—including psychedelic therapies like ibogaine—to confront our nation’s mental health crisis head-on, especially for our veterans,” said Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. “The FDA will prioritize therapies with Breakthrough Therapy designation, where early evidence shows meaningful improvement over existing options for serious mental illness.” “These medications have the potential to address the nation’s mental health crisis, including conditions like treatment-resistant depression, alcoholism and other serious mental health and substance abuse conditions,” said FDA Commissioner Marty Makary, M.D., M.P.H. “As this field moves forward, it is critical that their development is grounded in sound science and rigorous clinical evidence. We owe it to our nation’s veterans and all Americans who are suffering from these conditions to evaluate these potential therapies with urgency.” The FDA is issuing national priority vouchers to three companies studying: Psilocybin for treatment-resistant depression. Psilocybin for major depressive disorder. Methylone for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In addition, the agency is allowing an early phase clinical study of noribogaine hydrochloride to move forward following an Investigational New Drug (IND) submission. The sponsor is investigating noribogaine as a potential treatment for alcohol use disorder, a condition with high relapse rates and limited treatment options. This is the first instance in which the FDA has allowed a clinical study in the U.S. of a derivative of ibogaine, a psychoactive indole alkaloid derived from the African Tabernanthe iboga shrub. This decision allows the company developing the novel drug, DemeRx NB, to begin a phase I clinical study of the drug in a closely monitored clinical setting in the United States. The FDA’s decision allows the study to proceed and does not mean the drug has been approved or found to be safe or effective. The agency will continue to review data as it becomes available and support efforts to develop new treatments for alcohol use disorder and other mental health conditions. Finally, the FDA intends to release final guidance imminently to provide recommendations to sponsors developing these products. Designing clinical trials to evaluate serotonin-2A agonists and related products presents unique scientific and methodological challenges. The final guidance reflects input from public comments and outlines foundational considerations for sponsors, including recommendations related to study design, data collection and generation, patient monitoring and conducting adequate and well-controlled clinical investigations. “There is a growing recognition of the potential of psychedelic medications to address multiple different psychiatric conditions that are notoriously difficult to treat,” said Tracy Beth Hoeg, M.D., Ph.D., Acting Director of the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. “At the FDA we are showing our support of investigating the safety and efficacy of this class of drugs through today’s actions.”

Bill That Would Allow Connecticut To Set Its Own Vaccine Guidelines Heads To Governor

Bill That Would Allow Connecticut To Set Its Own Vaccine Guidelines Heads To Governor The measure, which is backed by Democratic Gov. Ned Lamont, would also require insurance coverage and allow Connecticut to purchase vaccines from sources other than the CDC. https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/states-111/ Longer Looks: Interesting Reads You Might Have Missed Each week, KFF Health News finds longer stories for you to enjoy. Today's selections are on children's health, solar power, microplastics, peptides, and more. https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/longer-looks-interesting-reads-you-might-have-missed-261/ Viewpoints: Hegseth Risks Troops By Ending Vaccine Mandate; RFK Jr. Keeps Downplaying The Seriousness Of Measles https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/viewpoints-hegseth-risks-troops-by-ending-vaccine-mandate-rfk-jr-dodges-measles-resurgence-responsibility/

Ischemic Cardiac Disease Is Not The Leading Driver Of Sudden Cardiac Deaths, Researchers Say

Ischemic Cardiac Disease Is Not The Leading Driver Of Sudden Cardiac Deaths, Researchers Say The findings, published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, said that many deaths in the researchers' study could be explained by a range of causes, including hypertensive heart disease, dilated cardiomyopathy, substance-related cardiomyopathy, and normal heart primary electrical disease. "As a consequence, efforts should also be made to study the diagnosis and management of heart conditions other than ischemic cardiac disease," an accompanying editorial said. https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/ischemic-cardiac-disease-is-not-the-leading-driver-of-sudden-cardiac-deaths-researchers-say/

Tricare Issues Frustrate Service Members, Veterans

Tricare Issues Frustrate Service Members, Veterans Active-duty and retired service members have been contending with delayed and unpaid claims since the rollout of new Tricare contracts more than a year ago. https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/health-industry-2/

EU Approves World's 1st Combo Covid/Flu Shot That Hit Hurdle In US

EU Approves World's 1st Combo Covid/Flu Shot That Hit Hurdle In US According to BioSpace, Moderna withdrew its approval application in the United States last May for the vaccine, which will carry the brand name mCOMBRIAX. The timeline for resubmission with the FDA remains uncertain. https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/global-3/

Clock Is Ticking For GOP To Extend Defunding For Planned Parenthood

Clock Is Ticking For GOP To Extend Defunding For Planned Parenthood A Senate-approved budget resolution to fund Homeland Security agencies does not include language to block funds from family planning clinics. Some lawmakers want the defunding provision included in the final bill. Congress must act before July. https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/cap-watch/

Feds Want To Fast-Track Medicare Coverage For Certain Medical Devices

Feds Want To Fast-Track Medicare Coverage For Certain Medical Devices To be eligible, certain breakthrough devices would have to be part of an Investigational Device Exemption study enrolling Medicare beneficiaries and assessing clinical outcomes agreed upon by the FDA and CMS, Modern Healthcare reported. Plus, President Donald Trump strikes a most-favored-nation deal with the final pharmaceutical holdout. https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/trump-admin-2/

What We Know from the Latest PEPFAR Data: Analysis of FY 2025 Quarter 4 Results Authors: Jennifer Kates, Anna Rouw, and Allyala Nandakumar Published: Apr 23, 2026

https://www.kff.org/global-health-policy/what-we-know-from-the-latest-pepfar-data-analysis-of-fy-2025-quarter-4-results/ Since the start of the second Trump administration, the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), the U.S. global HIV/AIDS program credited with saving 26 million lives, has undergone significant changes and disruptions as part of a broader foreign aid review. Recent changes include: a temporary stop work order and eventual limits to what services could be continued; the cancellation of numerous PEPFAR awards; and a reorganization of U.S. global health programs, including the launch of a new “America First Global Health Strategy” which is anchored to bilateral agreements with countries, a focus on frontline commodities and services, and a shift from disease-specific programming to a more integrated approach. While modeling estimates and field surveys have provided some information about the potential impact of these changes and disruptions, there has been limited data available for such assessments. PEPFAR’s flagship data platform has historically posted financial and program level results, including from PEPFAR’s Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting (MER) system (MER was launched more than a decade ago). However, the data platform was temporarily removed in early 2025 and, when restored, it did not include any program data from FY 2025.

CMS Extends Medicare’s Short-Term Bridge Program for GLP-1 Obesity Drug Coverage Published: April 23, 2026

https://www.kff.org/quick-take/cms-extends-medicares-short-term-bridge-program-for-glp-1-obesity-drug-coverage/

Secretary Kennedy Remains Popular with MAGA and MAHA Supporters, But Few Others Published: April 24, 2026

https://www.kff.org/quick-take/secretary-kennedy-remains-popular-with-maga-and-maha-supporters-but-few-others/

Are Health Insurance Companies the Reason for Our Health System’s Ills? Author: Larry Levitt Published: Apr 23, 2026

https://www.kff.org/private-insurance/are-health-insurance-companies-the-reason-for-our-health-systems-ills/ In this JAMA Health Forum column, KFF’s Larry Levitt examines the criticism that health insurance companies are facing from political leaders, and explores the industry’s role in both causing and addressing some of the health systems’ biggest problems, including rising costs and prior authorization review. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama-health-forum/fullarticle/2848374

A One-Pager on What’s Wrong with U.S. Health Care Author: Drew Altman Published: Apr 23, 2026

https://www.kff.org/from-drew-altman/a-one-pager-on-whats-wrong-with-u-s-health-care/ The other day, I was asked for a one-pager on what’s wrong with the U.S. health system. “Just one page.” To my amazement, with our thousands of fact sheets and policy briefs and even our Health Policy 101, we didn’t have anything short or current, nor could I find one elsewhere to send along. The closest we came was this 2022 policy brief. So, while this isn’t my usual column about current issues, and it’s only about problems, not the reasons for them or solutions, it might be useful to some of you.

Beyond the Data: A Column by Dr. Drew Altman

https://www.kff.org/series/beyond-the-data/?utm_campaign=KFF-Drew-Columns&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_HPekPf2vaSpnwzNxIsfNKlpnKZY8V61sw1Wk7VNBsDv5ByE3ob8aHHxA8v8h1rGckU8Do1re12rsBM3Db-vlPmns7rg&_hsmi=415373007&utm_content=415373007&utm_source=hs_email A One-Pager on What’s Wrong with U.S. Health Care Affordability Is the Issue Now, But Look for the Uninsured to Make a Comeback Author: Drew Altman Published: Apr 10, 2026 https://www.kff.org/from-drew-altman/affordability-is-the-issue-now-but-look-for-the-uninsured-to-make-a-comeback/?utm_campaign=KFF-Drew-Columns&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8qMxH_l_Nouteb05aHTtt34j2bCGOpGk_Y_god7cO7y3GIZJHNK4pokIl2vibDNqEc3zukD0wFKBHkWnukHDoOu9pfsA&_hsmi=415373007&utm_content=415373007&utm_source=hs_email The other day, I was asked for a one-pager on what’s wrong with the U.S. health system. “Just one page.” To my amazement, with our thousands of fact sheets and policy briefs and even our Health Policy 101, we didn’t have anything short or current, nor could I find one elsewhere to send along. The closest we came was this 2022 policy brief. So, while this isn’t my usual column about current issues, and it’s only about problems, not the reasons for them or solutions, it might be useful to some of you. https://www.kff.org/other-health/health-policy-101-introduction/?utm_campaign=KFF-Drew-Columns&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9Do_o9K6XUQAT7_jgxHrzfOa8Mf4INeiI5LeKs4i6CXDy_KxqaS4LX_t52WJKJsA24fL32mCymi3wCM0Q1zM3HQwt9lA&_hsmi=415373007&utm_content=415373007&utm_source=hs_email First, our health system is not affordable, either for people or for the country. About a quarter of the public struggle with their medical bills and the numbers rise sharply for people with chronic illnesses or major diseases who need a lot of care. About 100 million deal with medical debt. We spend almost twice per capita what other wealthy nations spend, putting pressure on other national priorities and for employers on wages. https://www.kff.org/from-drew-altman/the-two-health-care-cost-crises/?utm_campaign=KFF-Drew-Columns&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_MnfvINXGo3oZXg8OYBWfauLBvJcjRZI0DYDiBHK6S1Ck115XlbM_Wc0-QKwCy-4Z2oiXAy3OskRZguNyO-p9r7bD37w&_hsmi=415373007&utm_content=415373007&utm_source=hs_email Despite progress, we still have 27 million people who are uninsured, and according to projections from the Congressional Budget Office, cuts in the One Big Beautiful Bill will bring that total to about 40 million if the cuts aren’t reversed. The system is beyond complex and challenging to navigate. The poster child of this is prior authorization review, which almost everyone hates. People tell us on surveys that it’s their single greatest problem getting care. As is well known, although we spend much more than other wealthy nations, our health outcomes lag behind theirs in most cases. There are a lot of different ingredients in that stew, but our well-heeled health system has not lifted our health outcomes. Trust in health professionals remains strong, but trust in critical agencies such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration is at a low point. The agencies take it on the chin for different reasons from both Democrats and Republicans. If we have another COVID-like crisis, we’ll pay a big price for that; national emergencies, like wars, cannot be handled state by state. If I were to nominate one more item for the list, it would be the “crisis” in primary care. In many parts of the country, it’s just not easily available, and in some, like the Silicon Valley where I live, much of it has been skimmed off to expensive concierge practices with long waiting lists. Finally, the politics of health care are as broken as the system (and are a reason it is broken). For decades, Democrats and Republicans have not been able to agree on any major solutions to our health care problems and disagree sharply on the role of the federal government in health, forcing us to gravitate to smaller incremental changes where there might be some agreement. They also blow their importance out of proportion. I won’t name names in this short piece. The result: we have neither a competitive health care system nor a regulated one—we have a fragmented, micromanaged health system that fails to control costs and makes both patients and health professionals more miserable than they should be. Of course, if you have a problem requiring a world-renowned specialist or the very latest drug and can get to and afford her, him, or it, it can be the greatest health system in the world. Contact: Tammie Smith | 202.654.1410 | Tammies@kff.org

What We Know from the Latest PEPFAR Data: Analysis of FY 2025 Quarter 4 Results Authors: Jennifer Kates, Anna Rouw, and Allyala Nandakumar Published: Apr 23, 2026

https://www.kff.org/global-health-policy/what-we-know-from-the-latest-pepfar-data-analysis-of-fy-2025-quarter-4-results/?utm_campaign=KFF-Global-Health-Policy&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz--urifhw4coBt7K3GoeVKR2AGYnXKoe9l3SDl4KrdnBJC_E_oTY6S7oIdxNUVZEv-lYKMx_S6RVCRsaXUTB_bHP3p_8nQ&_hsmi=415415978&utm_content=415415978&utm_source=hs_email What We Know from the Latest PEPFAR Data KFF analysis of newly released data from the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) reveals mixed outcomes on key program-level metrics. For example, while the total number of people on antiretroviral therapy (ART) remained stable in FY 2025 Q4 (20.3 million) compared to Q4 2024 (20.4 million), the number of newly enrolled patients on ART fell by 16% to approximately 389,000 — one of the steepest year-to-year quarter declines recorded in five years. Among other outcomes, the brief notes significant declines in prevention services like pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and for the Determined, Resilient, Empowered, AIDS-free, Mentored, and Safe (DREAMS) program for teen girls and young women. The analysis, based on data released by the State Department on April 17, compares results from July to September 2025 (FY 2025 Q4) against the same period in five preceding years. The data’s release marks the first program-level PEPFAR data made available since the Trump administration significantly reorganized and scaled back U.S. global health programming and released a new “America First Global Health Strategy” last year. The future of transparent PEPFAR data monitoring and reporting remains uncertain, however, and it will be difficult to track the impact of PEPFAR changes going forward without them. Contact: Mikhaila Richards | 202.654.1328 | MRichards@kff.org

What to Know About the Health Risks of Marijuana Studies show the drug can exacerbate anxiety and teen use poses risks for developing brains By Andrea Petersen

https://www.wsj.com/health/what-you-need-to-know-about-the-health-risks-of-marijuana-06b5a5d5?utm_campaign=KHN%3A%20First%20Edition&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz--N7qH5jiVRJcIRytMnVQd9K3KTt_hQMxswZrqomfQDam0aXID4U86XhYdGgRvIXEFIX7qu4UPzTnJqLv58tHc52XhdiA&_hsmi=415522585&utm_content=415522585&utm_source=hs_email MARIJUANA The New York Times: Trump Administration Reclassifies Medical Marijuana, Loosening Restrictions https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/23/us/politics/trump-medical-marijuana-classification-drug-reschedule.html?utm_campaign=KHN%3A%20First%20Edition&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9G7sWkw17r5g-LTR0JxA2Jklme6YugXp3KJb-kgwWCzWqrPcpyQ8qF8dUTC2OCZWA7UzuZSOCfTsPOkPtzireWjvu5gg&_hsmi=415522585&utm_content=415522585&utm_source=hs_email The rule moves F.D.A.-approved marijuana and state-regulated marijuana out of the Schedule I category, which includes drugs like heroin. (Barrett, 4/23) The Hill: GOP Sen. Tom Cotton Criticizes DOJ's Medical Marijuana Rescheduling https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/5845759-tom-cotton-doj-medical-marijuana-reclassification/?utm_campaign=KHN%3A%20First%20Edition&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz--b2Aek4BXgOtAtL3nXq4sXcAZKnNfN85PDw0Ys_57sB8ZlcQh1qsCW49YfyUA-p-XqzpALNyCwkLn-Y2ufZrRQuLAIOg&_hsmi=415522585&utm_content=415522585&utm_source=hs_email Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) on Thursday criticized the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) decision to downgrade state-approved medical marijuana to a less dangerous drug. “Marijuana today is much more potent than just ten or twenty years ago, leading to increased psychosis, anti-social behavior, and fatal car crashes,” Cotton wrote on the social platform X. “Arkansans don’t want more dangerous drugs obtained more easily,” he continued. “A change to marijuana’s drug classification is a step in the wrong direction.” (Davis, 4/23) The Wall Street Journal: What To Know About The Health Risks Of Marijuana In many states, it is already easy to get marijuana. With the Trump administration’s move to reclassify the drug as less dangerous, it is about to get even easier. But doctors and researchers say marijuana can pose real risks to people’s health. The major concerns for adults are addiction and mental-health problems, particularly anxiety. These risks have become more of an issue in recent years as products with high levels of THC, the main psychoactive component of cannabis, have become widely available and popular. (Petersen, 4/23)

Watch: Acknowledging Health Care’s Great Divide

KFF Health News: Watch: Acknowledging Health Care’s Great Divide In this “How Would You Fix It?” interview, Julie Rovner, KFF Health News’ chief Washington correspondent and host of the What the Health? podcast, sat down with David Blumenthal — a physician, health policy expert, former Obama administration official, and author — to explore the dynamics that make fixing the nation’s health care system so difficult. They discussed the pivotal role the president of the United States plays in health policy — whether it is building support for or opposition to new plans and proposals. “Presidents have a level of authority which is often underappreciated, especially in health care,” Blumenthal said. (Rovner, 4/23) https://kffhealthnews.org/health-industry/health-care-policy-political-divide-david-blumenthal-interview/?utm_campaign=KHN%3A%20First%20Edition&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9y37X1Y8a8HduvnDEcOE0LTVOIe5G6tbRBLgSEFPFS-TV5Ur3-xgnQJypXeFD_rC5QSknZsRqOe0F-FAhI9dmFRzyJWw&_hsmi=415522585&utm_content=415522585&utm_source=hs_email

RFK Jr. vs. Congress Episode 443 • April 23, 2026

https://kffhealthnews.org/podcast/what-the-health-443-rfk-robert-kennedy-jr-congress-hearings-april-23-2026/?utm_campaign=KHN%3A%20First%20Edition&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9TeQSDTRAIrQzxTrShTgAa1EjTUOb99p89my12Ri5hxlKcyFCbKldsj2ys2jjPwlxTnCK2l3BGnhaw1JdrzH5K3T_Feg&_hsmi=415522585&utm_content=415522585&utm_source=hs_email KFF Health News: 'What The Health? From KFF Health News': RFK Jr. Vs. Congress Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. completed his marathon tour of House and Senate committees this week to defend President Donald Trump’s proposed budget for his department, but he got grilled on lots of non-budget matters as well, most notably his proposed changes to the childhood vaccine schedule. Meanwhile, Trump made some of his own health policy, signing an executive order to facilitate the use of hallucinogens to treat mental health conditions. That action came just days after it was suggested to him in a text message from podcaster/influencer Joe Rogan, who was present in the Oval Office for the signing. (Rovner, 4/23)

Readers Chime In on Reproductive Rights, Therapy Chatbots, Medical Debt, and More April 24, 2026

https://kffhealthnews.org/letter-to-the-editor/urgent-care-abortion-organ-donors-chatbots-medical-debt-april-2026/ KFF Health News: KFF Health News’ ‘Letters To The Editor’: Readers Chime In On Reproductive Rights, Therapy Chatbots, Medical Debt, And More Kate Wells’ report on Michigan’s Upper Peninsula reveals an important gap between constitutional protections and real-world access to care (“Urgent Care Clinics Move To Fill Abortion Care Gaps in Rural Areas,” April 8). But the story leaves a critical question unanswered: Can urgent care centers bear this weight? (4/24)

A ‘Barbaric’ Problem in American Hospitals Is Only Getting Bigger By Elisabeth Rosenthal April 24, 2026

A ‘Barbaric’ Problem in American Hospitals Is Only Getting Bigger Patients are getting stuck in the emergency department for days while waiting for a spot in an inpatient ward. https://kffhealthnews.org/health-industry/emergency-room-ed-boarding-hospital-beds-long-waits-crisis/?utm_campaign=KHN%3A%20First%20Edition&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_DwvFmkx2CYYQ0BLAyXaIGIWnL1BdXKIMdwjZ7xsCbG3xYXVhN-8QIKEbhm_ih7BXiUIH4_j5BcT6ec811NpT-AWBC-Q&_hsmi=415522585&utm_content=415522585&utm_source=hs_email KFF Health News: A ‘Barbaric’ Problem In American Hospitals Is Only Getting Bigger In the last months, weeks, and days of his life, “I will not go to the emergency room” became my husband’s mantra. Andrej had esophageal cancer that had spread throughout his body (but not to his ever-willful brain), and, having trained as a doctor, I had jury-rigged a hospital at home, aided by specialists who got me pills to boost blood pressure; to dampen the effects of liver failure; to stem his cough; to help him swallow, wake up, fall asleep. (Rosenthal, 4/24)

Results May Vary, But Reporting Shouldn’t: FDA Sends a Not-So-Gentle Reminder on ClinicalTrials.gov Compliance By Sarah Wicks & David B. Clissold —

https://www.thefdalawblog.com/2026/04/results-may-vary-but-reporting-shouldnt-fda-sends-a-not-so-gentle-reminder-on-clinicaltrials-gov-compliance/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=results-may-vary-but-reporting-shouldnt-fda-sends-a-not-so-gentle-reminder-on-clinicaltrials-gov-compliance FDA has, once again, reminded sponsors that ClinicalTrials.gov results reporting is not optional. In a March 30, 2026 outreach, the Agency contacted more than 2,200 sponsors and investigators associated with over 3,000 clinical trials that appear to be missing required results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov or have not cleared the National Library of Medicine’s quality control process. As FDA put it, these communications were intended to prompt “voluntary compliance” with long-standing statutory and regulatory requirements.

Regulatory Education for Industry (REdI) Annual Conference 2026: Innovative Regulatory Strategies to Advance Medical Products May 19 - 20, 2026

https://www.fda.gov/news-events/regulatory-education-industry-redi-annual-conference-2026-innovative-regulatory-strategies-advance?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery Regulatory Education for Industry (REdI) Annual Conference 2026: Innovative Regulatory Strategies to Advance Medical Products The U.S. Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH), Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER), and Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER) are announcing the 2026 Regulatory Education for Industry (REdI) Annual Conference. During this two-day conference, you will have the opportunity to hear from the FDA’s regulatory experts in medical product centers: devices, drugs, and biologics. The sessions are designed to provide participants with a foundation in the FDA’s regulatory requirements, create awareness of current activities, and share the FDA’s perspectives around medical product regulatory innovation. Conference Dates: Tuesday, May 19, 2026, and Wednesday, May 20, 2026 Location: Attend In Person or Virtually In Person: FDA White Oak Campus,10903 New Hampshire Ave, Building 31, The Great Room, Silver Spring, MD 20903, United States Virtual: Via Adobe Connect Agenda: CDRH, CDER and CBER medical product tracks will be presented both days. Click on “Event Info” for the agenda and registration information. There is no cost to register, and registration is now open!

Federal test of AI prior authorization is delaying care for seniors, report says CMS says prior authorization for a handful of services could cut fraud and unnecessary spending

https://www.statnews.com/2026/04/22/cms-wiser-program-delays-care-washington-state-hospitals-senator-says/ By Tara BannowApril 22, 2026 Hospitals and Insurance Reporter

Can Erasca be biotech’s next big thing? We’ll see What to know about the company aiming to outdo RevMed in cancer By Adam FeuersteinApril 23, 2026 Senior Writer, Biotech

https://www.statnews.com/2026/04/23/erasca-oncology-cancer-drug-stock/

Publicly, Kennedy embraces a more moderate MAHA From promoting vaccines to defending glyphosate, Kennedy has veered from MAHA messaging By Daniel Payne and Chelsea CirruzzoApril 22, 2026

https://www.statnews.com/2026/04/22/kennedy-congressional-testimony-analysis-new-moderate-maha/

Will bargain-basement telehealth visits help pharma drive drug scripts? By Katie PalmerApril 23, 2026

Will bargain-basement telehealth visits help pharma drive drug scripts? As links between pharma and telehealth grow, experts sound alarms By Katie PalmerApril 23, 2026 Katie Palmer is investigating how telehealth is driving the consumerization of drugs. This is Part 4 of the series The VirtualRX Boom. Read Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3. https://www.statnews.com/2026/04/23/telehealth-visit-deep-discounts-questions-raised-pharma-ties/ Cheap telehealth visits advertised by pharma could steer patients toward expensive branded drugs, raising concerns about potential anti-kickback violations.

FDA Adds 18 Constituents to the List of Harmful and Potentially Harmful Constituents, Seeks Comment on Three Additional Constituents

https://www.fda.gov/tobacco-products/ctp-newsroom/fda-adds-18-constituents-list-harmful-and-potentially-harmful-constituents-seeks-comment-three?utm_campaign=ctp-hphc&utm_content=statement&utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery&utm_term=stratcomms FDA Adds 18 Constituents to the List of Harmful and Potentially Harmful Constituents, Seeks Comment on Three Additional Constituents On April 22, FDA published a Federal Register notice finalizing the addition of 18 constituents to the established list of Harmful and Potentially Harmful Constituents (HPHCs) in tobacco products. The HPHC list identifies chemicals and chemical compounds found in tobacco products or tobacco smoke and/or aerosol that cause or could cause harm to users or non-users of tobacco products. FDA’s updated HPHC list delivers transparency to the public and clarity for industry. For the public, the list highlights certain toxic chemicals in tobacco products for which there is extensive evidence of harm, or potential harm, to human health. For industry, the updated list lets them know areas of focus for FDA’s review of applications for new tobacco products. The HPHC list is not a ban; rather, the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (FD&C) requires industry to report a full statement of the product’s constituents, including HPHCs, to FDA. With the 18 additional constituents, the list currently contains 111 HPHCs. The chemicals on this updated list may be found in tobacco products—including e-cigarettes, hookah tobacco, and cigars—as well as in their smoke and/or aerosol. FDA is proposing to add three additional constituents to the established list and requests public comments. Comments must be submitted to the docket by 11:59 p.m. ET on May 26, 2026, to ensure they are considered by FDA. Additionally, FDA finalized a previously tentative conclusion that constituents identified by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) as respiratory toxicants will be an additional criterion that will be applied for determining inclusion on the HPHC list.

To Weed Out Fraud, CMS Orders All States To Undergo Medicaid Audit

To Weed Out Fraud, CMS Orders All States To Undergo Medicaid Audit The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has requested that each state verify the legitimacy of Medicaid providers. Administrator Mehmet Oz said the Trump administration is prepared to take a more aggressive approach to states that don't take the audit seriously. https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-briefing/wednesday-april-22-2026/

Viewpoints: RFK Jr.'s New Vaccine Silence Is Strategic; The Way American Health Insurance Is Designed Actively Drives Up Costs

https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/viewpoints-rfk-jr-s-new-vaccine-silence-is-strategic-insurance-increases-health-care-costs/

Research Roundup: The Latest Science, Discoveries, And Breakthroughs

https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/research-roundup-the-latest-science-discoveries-and-breakthroughs-65/

Indiana High Court Will Hear Challenge To Abortion Ban Based On Religious Freedom

Indiana High Court Will Hear Challenge To Abortion Ban Based On Religious Freedom Two anonymous women — a Jewish woman and a spiritual woman — and Hoosier Jews for Choice contend the state's abortion ban violates the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, the Post-Tribune reported. The Indiana Supreme Court has set oral arguments for Sept. 10. https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/reproductive/

Thousands Of Opioid Victims Will Be Left Out Of Purdue Settlement, Records Show

Thousands Of Opioid Victims Will Be Left Out Of Purdue Settlement, Records Show Although roughly 140,000 people filed claims against Purdue Pharma, ProPublica and The Philadelphia Inquirer report that fewer than half of them will get any compensation under the new settlement. Meanwhile, other news is on rules for transgender students in New York, a deadly chemical leak at a West Virginia plant, chronic wasting disease in Delaware, and more. https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/states-110/

988 Hotline Curbed Youth Suicide Rates More Than Expected, Data Show

988 Hotline Curbed Youth Suicide Rates More Than Expected, Data Show The New York Times reports that since the hotline's rollout in 2022, the suicide rate among young people in the United States dropped 11% below projections. States with the largest volume of 988 calls saw an 18.2% reduction in suicides, while states with the lowest uptake saw a 10.6% reduction. https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/mental-health-pub-health/

CDC Won't Publish Report Proving Efficacy Of Covid Vaccines: Sources

CDC Won't Publish Report Proving Efficacy Of Covid Vaccines: Sources Three people familiar with the decision told The Washington Post that the report had cleared the scientific-review process but agency leadership had concerns about the methodology used to reach conclusions. That methodology has been used to determine the effectiveness of other vaccines, and those studies have been published, The Post wrote. https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/covid-flu-measles/

'We Promote The MMR,' HHS Chief Testifies, Contrary To His Past Advice

'We Promote The MMR,' HHS Chief Testifies, Contrary To His Past Advice HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. told lawmakers on Capitol Hill on Wednesday, “We have advised every child to get the MMR [vaccine]. That’s what we do.” It is a statement he personally has not made. Plus, The New York Times explains the tightrope Kennedy is walking. https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/rfk-jr/

Trump Admin Reclassifies Medical Marijuana As A Less-Dangerous Drug

Trump Admin Reclassifies Medical Marijuana As A Less-Dangerous Drug Licensed medical marijuana will now be listed as a Schedule III drug, which doesn't carry the same tight restrictions as a Schedule I drug. The order does not legalize cannabis, but it does allow researchers to conduct studies without facing penalties for possessing the substance. https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/admin/

Medigap Premiums Leap, and Consumers Have Few Alternatives By Julie Appleby April 23, 2026

https://kffhealthnews.org/medicare/medigap-medicare-advantage-premiums-rate-increase-few-alternatives/?utm_campaign=KHN%3A%20First%20Edition&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9Am17E7eiO9TpsceUrmXzcTxyr8g6qMy-j6-qXtHQxtUK9hoK_W-N1bnDHLqJPzQSHrcUEW3p1JnM-XDLrXu2HCjOlQg&_hsmi=415323197&utm_content=415323197&utm_source=hs_email KFF Health News: Medigap Premiums Leap, And Consumers Have Few Alternatives After decades of selling insurance, Illinois-based broker John Jaggi had never seen anything like it. More than 80 of his customers who were enrolled in the same Medicare supplemental plan from the insurer Chubb got hit last August with a 45% increase. (Appleby, 4/23)

Food Stamp Work Rules Don’t Increase Employment, Researchers Say By Taylor Sisk April 23, 2026

https://kffhealthnews.org/medicaid/food-stamps-snap-work-requirements-hunger-west-virginia-foodbanks/?utm_campaign=KHN%3A%20First%20Edition&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9qd0f6veXPeGhhyeaJH5q-Bso41yvPTsY0PUVc3LZbquKzSdCBTDrKvMTQRm_LNsQXto5UcgCou1WlVGaog1Z2YfYHGg&_hsmi=415323197&utm_content=415323197&utm_source=hs_email KFF Health News: Food Stamp Work Rules Don’t Increase Employment, Researchers Say A half-dozen cars had been in the queue for nearly four hours by the time the House of Hope mobile food pantry line began to move. Seventy or so more idled behind them by 11:30 a.m., when the food distribution began. The plan was to begin handing out boxes of groceries at 11, but the Facing Hunger Foodbank truck delivering the food blew a tire en route. No one complained. (Sisk, 4/23)

What Does DOJ’s New Corporate Enforcement Policy Mean for the FDA- and DEA-Regulated Industry? April 23, 2026 By Andrew J. Hull & Anne K. Walsh —

https://www.thefdalawblog.com/2026/04/what-does-dojs-new-corporate-enforcement-policy-mean-for-the-fda-and-dea-regulated-industry/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=what-does-dojs-new-corporate-enforcement-policy-mean-for-the-fda-and-dea-regulated-industry It’s been a month since DOJ announced the “first-ever Department-wide corporate enforcement policy” for criminal matters. Touted as a means of “promoting uniformity, predictability, and fairness” in how DOJ pursues white-collar cases against corporate defendants, the new “Corporate Enforcement and Voluntary Self-Disclosure Policy” (CEP) sets a framework for prosecutors deciding whether to bring, and a roadmap for corporate defendants on how to avoid, federal charges. Like the other voluntary self-disclosure policies from various DOJ offices and U.S. Attorney’s Offices throughout the country, the Department-wide CEP seeks to incentivize corporate behavior, voluntary self-reporting of potential misconduct, cooperation with law enforcement, and good faith efforts to rectify wrongdoing.