Morning Briefing (+++ +++ +++)

Democrats Sweep Midterms, Gaining Power To Roll Back Trump’s Healthcare Reforms Votes are still being counted, and final numbers could change. But at the time of this publication, Democrats had won control of the Senate, garnering at least 54 seats in the chamber. Democrats also gained control of the House, with 228 seats. Democrats are likely to focus efforts on reversing Medicaid cuts and restoring ACA subsidies, Stat reported. https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/elections1-roundup-democrats-sweep/ Missouri, Virginia, And Nevada Voters Preserve Abortion Rights; Idaho Keeps Ban Ballot measures in three states showed voters' interest in protecting reproductive freedom, leaving Missouri lawmakers unable to reverse the will of the people and allowing Virginia and Nevada to enshrine protections into their constitutions. In Idaho, which lost roughly a third of its OB-GYNs after Roe v. Wade was overturned in 2022, the abortion ban stands. https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/elections2-abortion-missouri-va-nevada-say-yes-idaho-says-no/ Physicians, Women, And Diverse Candidates Score Historic Wins In Contests For Governor, Congress Doctors triumphed in high-profile races in South Carolina, Ohio, Michigan, Kansas, and elsewhere. Fifteen states elected female governors, including in Georgia, where Keisha Lance Bottoms will become the nation's first Black female governor. https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/elections5-governors-many-doctors-win-diversity-wins/ Xavier Becerra, Biden's HHS Secretary, Is Elected California's First Latino Governor In 150 Years Becerra beat Republican Steve Hilton, a British-born former host at Fox News. Meanwhile, the outcome of California's billionaire tax, Proposition 40, is still unknown, AP reported. And California voters rejected a proposition on community health clinic spending but supported one on immunology research, CalMatters reported. https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/elections3-california-must-mention-that-he-is-former-hhs-chief/ A Rainbow Wave Of LGBTQ Wins: NH Elects First Openly Gay Man To US Senate; Virginia Officially Repeals Ban On Same-Sex Marriage Meanwhile, a ballot measure in Colorado that would ban gender-related surgeries for children remains too close to call. Also in the news: ballot initiatives on gender-related requirements in school sports in Washington state and Nebraska. https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/elections4-lgbtq-a-rainbow-wave-virginia-repeals-ban/ Healthcare Powerhouse CVS Health Is Splitting Its Pharmacy, Insurance Wings The breakup of the healthcare giant, slated for 2028, will move its pharmacy business to a new company called CVS Pharmacy while keeping its Aetna insurance and Caremark pharmacy benefit manager units under the umbrella of CVS Health. https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/health-industry-110426/ NC's Rural Health Pilot To Resume In January After 18-Month Pause The scaled-back Medicaid initiative will include stricter eligibility requirements and a narrower focus on food assistance, North Carolina Health News reported. The philosophy behind the Healthy Opportunities Pilot program was that investing in people’s basic needs could keep them healthier, out of the hospital, and ultimately save Medicaid money. https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/state-watch-110426/ Pharma Firm's Expensive Gamble Falters As Experimental Muscular Dystrophy Drug Fails In Trial Sevasemten had previously shown promising results in a smaller, randomized study before being bought by French pharma Servier in June. This is a setback for both Servier and patients with Becker muscular dystrophy, who have no approved treatments, Stat reported. Servier is still testing sevasemten for Duchenne. https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/pharma-and-tech-110426/ Viewpoints: Could HRT For Menopause Be Key In Fighting Dementia?; Pros And Cons Of European Vs. US Healthcare https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/viewpoints-could-menopause-hrt-be-key-in-fighting-dementia-pros-cons-of-european-versus-american-healthcare/