5 deaths, 1,000 reported cases: These horrific numbers underestimate the consequences of the anti-vax movement Washington Post | October 13, 2026

https://geneticliteracyproject.org/2026/10/13/5-deaths-1000-reported-cases-these-horrific-numbers-underestimate-the-consequences-of-the-anti-vax-movement/ Pennsylvania’s measles outbreak has topped 970 confirmed cases across 39 counties since April, sent nearly 200 people to the hospital and killed five — three unvaccinated adults and two infants. But as Leana S. Wen writes in the Washington Post, those grim figures likely understate how far the virus has spread.

Should we be afraid of our food? The Atlantic | October 13, 2026

https://geneticliteracyproject.org/2026/10/13/should-we-be-afraid-of-our-food/ America’s food-safety system hasn’t kept pace with an increasingly industrial, globe-spanning food supply, and recent staffing and budget cuts are widening the gap, argues Eric Schlosser, author of Fast Food Nation, in The Atlantic.

Convinced COVID shots cause widespread harm, Kennedy plans federal initiative to incentivize doctors to report alleged injuries New York Times | October 13, 2026

https://geneticliteracyproject.org/2026/10/13/convinced-covid-shots-cause-widespread-harm-kennedy-plans-federal-initiative-to-incentivize-doctors-to-report-alleged-injuries/ Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is preparing a sweeping federal push on vaccine injuries, including a dedicated research clinic at the National Institutes of Health and a new billing code that would pay doctors to file reports of serious side effects, as The New York Times’ Sheryl Gay Stolberg reports. He discussed the plan during an unannounced NIH visit, where he met patients who believe vaccines injured them.

Viewpoint: Hijacking Jesus: How anti-vaccine fanatics are exploiting religious exemptions and killing children Paul Offit | October 13, 2026

https://geneticliteracyproject.org/2026/10/13/viewpoint-hijacking-jesus-how-anti-vaccine-fanatics-are-exploiting-religious-exemptions-and-killing-children/ Between 1990 and 1991, Philadelphia suffered a large measles epidemic. About 1,400 children were infected, hundreds were hospitalized, and 9 died. The outbreak centered on two large fundamentalist churches in the city, Faith Tabernacle and First Century Gospel, which chose not to vaccinate their children for religious reasons. Among church members, about 500 people were infected and 6 died. Among non-church members in the surrounding community, about 900 were infected and 3 died. Parents in those two religious communities had chosen to put their children and the community’s children at risk, neither of whom had had a say in the matter.

Widely condemned as unethical, hepatitis B vaccine study funded by RFK Jr’s CDC gets a final greenlight Liz Szabo | October 13, 2026

https://geneticliteracyproject.org/2026/10/13/widely-condemned-as-unethical-hepatitis-b-vaccine-study-funded-by-rfk-jrs-cdc-gets-a-final-greenlight/ The University of Southern Denmark confirmed that it has given the green light to a controversial study in Guinea-Bissau, funded with $1.6 million from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), that plans to offer life-saving hepatitis B vaccines to only half of enrolled babies.

A Guide to the Role of Health in the Midterms Author: Drew Altman Published: Oct 7, 2026 (+++) +...

https://www.kff.org/from-drew-altman/a-guide-to-the-role-of-health-in-the-midterms/?utm_campaign=55398279-KFF-Elections&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz--pCSUiBH3USMGPaOlI-igcRcvq4GXHfZg2TQYl2PImmYPII1kZJGXSSAnTZ2gGBaHLi3nu4dqsThWx641DxsbVFHzd9A&_hsmi=443891503&utm_content=443891503&utm_source=hs_email From Drew Altman: A Guide to the Role of Health in the Midterms In a new column, Founding President and CEO Dr. Drew Altman says health care costs are playing a significant role in the midterms as one dimension of voters’ concerns about cost of living, and explains why pollsters, analysts, and candidates should look at it that way, and not as a separate voting issue. He writes, “The ‘issue’ that matters most in this election is cost of living and the cost of health care is a central element of it for voters.” KFF Health Tracking Poll: Health Care Issues in the Lead-Up to the 2026 Midterm Election Authors: Shannon Schumacher, Isabelle Valdes, Mardet Mulugeta, Audrey Kearney, Ashley Kirzinger, and Liz Hamel Published: Oct 6, 2026 https://www.kff.org/public-opinion/kff-health-tracking-poll-health-care-issues-in-the-lead-up-to-the-2026-midterm-election/?utm_campaign=55398279-KFF-Elections&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz---_fHdDvKb9DnYNsm8LyrCWlB9EAoQU9Lt53HhhOzHqVbEzBnvSOrshGzMyS4lJXRx8dj0rdAKdkkrU-9sta4maSy3yQ&_hsmi=443891503&utm_content=443891503&utm_source=hs_email Current and Historical Public Opinion on Medicare-for-All and Other National Health Plan Proposals Published: Oct 6, 2026 https://www.kff.org/public-opinion/current-and-historical-public-opinion-on-medicare-for-all-and-other-national-health-plan-proposals/?utm_campaign=55398279-KFF-Elections&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8-5LRRh6xlZOmc-9jX2S0t7NEKg6tcZ3oQej25LnS5US87brluheU5E8YvORSpIVeMFntFjwnw2TebxKYnbcMmPzL8Zw&_hsmi=443891503&utm_content=443891503&utm_source=hs_email KFF/AP Rural Voters Survey Authors: Alex Montero, Shannon Schumacher, Julian Montalvo III, Ashley Kirzinger, and Liz Hamel Published: Sep 23, 2026 https://www.kff.org/public-opinion/kff-ap-rural-voters-survey/?utm_campaign=55398279-KFF-Elections&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8pV2kuXflGyOWTFxEusrg-jEHt_qr_lWeWkQ481HfTyRqy4ze6CjxyMANrwAS-p2IotnwsywDweNUjjEM7T5bycciCEA&_hsmi=443891503&utm_content=443891503&utm_source=hs_email KFF/AP Survey Probes Rural Voters’ Increasing Anxieties About the Rising Cost of Living, Including Health Costs, Heading into the Midterm Elections The KFF/AP Rural Voters Survey examines the views and political priorities of voters living in rural areas across the United States ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. The survey gauges rural voters' top election issues, growing struggles with cost of living and health care costs, as well as views on the Trump administration's health care policies. Health News ‘Medicare for All’ Message Attracts Voters Buckling Under Medical Bills The idea of scrapping the U.S. health insurance system for a massive expansion of government-funded healthcare isn’t new. But voters hit by ballooning private health insurance costs are rallying behind midterm candidates calling for universal coverage. (KFF Health News) Midterms Have Revived Universal Healthcare Debate. These States Are Ahead of Everyone. While Democratic congressional candidates are floating the restoration of federal Affordable Care Act subsidies and Medicaid funding, Oregon officials are crafting a more ambitious plan to implement universal coverage in their state. (KFF Health News) Abortion Is on the Ballot Again as Post-Roe Policies Continue To Evolve Four states will vote on abortion-related ballot measures in November, marking the fourth time in five years that millions of Americans will weigh in on their states’ abortion rules. The measures follow the Supreme Court’s "Dobbs" decision, which upended federal abortion protections. (KFF Health News) 'What the Health?' Podcast: Midterm Madness In the latest episode of What the Health?, KFF Health News’ Julie Rovner and panelists discuss how health care affordability is shaping the midterms, including President Trump’s efforts to address rising costs through drug pricing deals and payments to some Medicare and ACA enrollees. They also examine how states and health care providers are already making cuts in anticipation of federal Medicaid funding reductions. (KFF Health News)

THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION The Hill: HHS Recommends Regulating Synthetic Kratom Derivatives (+++++)

THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION The Hill: HHS Recommends Regulating Synthetic Kratom Derivatives The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on Friday added its recommendations to the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) move to schedule synthetic kratom extracts, putting its support behind the push to regulate the substances colloquially called “gas station opioid.” In July, the DEA announced plans to temporarily schedule a psychoactive compound derived from kratom called 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) and other related compounds as Schedule I, placing it in a category indicating no accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse. (Choi, 10/9) https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/6139608-hhs-dea-synthetic-kratom-restrictions/?utm_campaign=KHN%3A%20First%20Edition&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_b50gvDXryyGQUz9miT0AqcjUr_FoBg-JcPZYHLz936GffsAz55mEkgVHQauj210aJhovOI1iNqpcMHFwqxsSKoVH68w&_hsmi=443876565&utm_content=443876565&utm_source=hs_email AP: Experts Urge Parents To Prepare Kids For Possible Livestreamed Execution This is not an article about politics, capital punishment or whether the Fort Hood shooter deserves to be executedin public for his crimes. Instead, it’s focused on the unprecedented parental challenge of handling the near-certain prospect that children will hear of or see footage of the Dec. 3 U.S. execution by firing squad of Nidal Malik Hasan if the Trump administration follows through with plans to livestream the event. The danger stretches beyond the broadcast itself, because historyshowsgraphic video from the event could be clipped, copied and pushed into children’s social feeds even if the original stream is restricted. (Kellman and Boone, 10/13) https://apnews.com/article/execution-live-stream-livestream-children-trauma-elections-ab5723a0fc03316df402e6b8c342144f?utm_campaign=KHN%3A%20First%20Edition&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9fQSzLhx-UdsAWX4EwyB1iaxW3qCw1oG4imsAfc5b3XTKPQeJQpWKW2GkiNx3A51Rp-tr_1GozkKqWjf8vYC3gbyKCAQ&_hsmi=443876565&utm_content=443876565&utm_source=hs_email NBC News: Houston Man Run Over By ICE Vehicle Will Need Additional Surgery, Advocates Say A man who was injured when an ICE officer’s car ran over him has had surgery on his leg but needs additional procedures to reconstruct the leg and other parts of his body, an advocate for the man said Monday. Miguel Parra Hernandez, 48, had leg and hip injuries and a shattered ankle after the officer’s vehicle struck him during a pursuit Saturday, said Cesar Espinosa, a co-founder and the executive director of FIEL, who was speaking on Parra’s behalf. Parra cannot put weight on his leg for six weeks and must wait for swelling to reduce before doctors can perform additional surgery, he said at a news conference Monday. (Gamboa, Thompson and Gonzalez, 10/13) https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/houston-man-run-ice-vehicle-will-need-additional-surgery-advocates-say-rcna602971?utm_campaign=KHN%3A%20First%20Edition&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_w5d5zh8G_CvC21BxSLvh3nR066bLo7Y0yb5T1BgOpztGdfPu3Yu7iVvfeZF07axxLpD2TfqZdLfyNHcMRAFP--dE0YQ&_hsmi=443876565&utm_content=443876565&utm_source=hs_email Military.com: Air Force Major Who Called For Trump’s Impeachment Is In Solitary Confinement 24 Hours A Day: Attorney Maj. Jason Watson is "still in solitary confinement 24 hours a day," his attorney, Christopher Mutimer, told CNN on Friday, Oct. 9. "Even if he gets an hour to eat or to exercise, he's alone," Mutimer said. "He's looking at having his liberty potentially taken away. ... He is looking at being removed from the military, losing his benefits and potentially spending significant time in jail." Prosecutors charged Watson under three articles of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ), including the rarely used Article 88, which bars officers from using "contemptuous words" against the president. (Gramegna, 10/12) https://www.military.com/air-force-major-jason-watson-called-trumps-impeachment-solitary-confinement-24-hours-a-day-attorney?utm_campaign=KHN%3A%20First%20Edition&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_D-JHTA_yYzzKlBIebTSEv6_Lv-hbrHB7jEsaB3o1t44rEUf4Q3TAd6exJeBk-AIjIfkGB4iQPEiHPDFd4Kqo15wdOrA&_hsmi=443876565&utm_content=443876565&utm_source=hs_email The New York Times: Cancer Vaccines Are The N.I.H.’S Next ‘Big Bet’ A new type of cancer treatment — vaccines — is so promising that it demands a national effort to expedite discoveries, said the director of the National Cancer Institute, Dr. Anthony Letai. “We can do things that would not otherwise be done,” he said of new resources being made available at the National Institutes of Health. “We can place big bets on new ideas.” (Kolata, 10/9) https://www.nytimes.com/2026/10/09/science/cancer-vaccines-nih-big-bet.html?utm_campaign=KHN%3A%20First%20Edition&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_GNVQ3TxnzIXl15fLbs-qHFqCayg6tJbWRDJjXAgeUmk3LftZLo3jv49ImyhAdhzwzH6OJad297VsXIz_-1NAfBogxWg&_hsmi=443876565&utm_content=443876565&utm_source=hs_email

MEASLES NBC News: A Sixth Measles-Related Death Is Reported In Pennsylvania (++++)

MEASLES NBC News: A Sixth Measles-Related Death Is Reported In Pennsylvania A sixth measles-related death was reported Monday in Pennsylvania, involving a 39-year-old woman in Franklin County, amid the state’s largest outbreak in three decades. In a statement, the county coroner’s office office said the woman had underlying medical conditions, though it did not provide specifics. A spokesperson for the Franklin County coroner’s office said the “primary cause of death was a probable acute cardiac event due to possible complications of the measles.” (Edwards, 10/12) https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/sixth-measles-related-death-reported-pennsylvania-rcna603024?utm_campaign=KHN%3A%20First%20Edition&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9muQ59rho5Lwmc5LmDfLjEruTrbhsR-LZPesrQylSIE19djvPgBhPgTVSyq0l8QYLYhgKoVFPi0QZmlq3hhVP2QT5rjg&_hsmi=443876565&utm_content=443876565&utm_source=hs_email Politico: New York And Pennsylvania's Split Screen Approach To Measles Pennsylvania and New York’s Democratic governors have taken vastly different approaches to fighting measles outbreaks in their states. In New York, Gov. Kathy Hochul is calling in the Trump administration to help, while Pennsylvania’s Gov. Josh Shapiro attempted to go it alone for months without federal assistance. Both are up for reelection this year. (Gardner and Kaufman, 10/11) https://www.politico.com/news/2026/10/11/new-york-pennsylvanias-split-screen-measles-01114519?utm_campaign=KHN:+First+Edition&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz--W_yLguOaXfOp9yd8j3k4erMxPlH_qhg37Ia7FpkQidtkQq-Wi1-JWRmdlXYFhp9fzLMTljYrtnIpLiq2ACd4oHwlbfg&_hsmi=443876565&utm_content=443876565&utm_source=hs_email ABC News: US Surpasses 4,000 Measles Cases With Infections Confirmed In 45 States: CDC Measles cases in the United States have surpassed 4,000 this year, according to data updated Friday from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). A total of 4,080 cases have been confirmed, with most reported by 45 states and Washington, D.C. Eighteen of this year's total have been among international visitors to the U.S., according to the CDC. Five measles-associated deaths have been confirmed so far in 2026, all of them in Pennsylvania, according to health officials in the state. (Kekatos, 10/9) https://abcnews.com/Health/us-surpasses-4000-measles-cases-infections-confirmed-45/story?id=137125273&utm_campaign=KHN%3A%20First%20Edition&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9PPs3umWMwSXJEeaP5YVmNay2UPcOMzE9Et4sKQNhQ_f8a9St1Nkf8LVNZoHcnJFn4xiBugBMSNKI-lR3yi_qQ0GoCdA&_hsmi=443876565&utm_content=443876565&utm_source=hs_email NPR: Do Adults Need Another Measles Shot? Vaccination is the best way to protect yourself against measles. For most adults, one shot of the MMR is considered enough protection. But there are certain situations that call for a second dose. (Godoy, 10/12) https://www.npr.org/2026/10/12/nx-s1-5991904/measles-vaccination-status-outbreak-extra-dose?utm_campaign=KHN%3A%20First%20Edition&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_nOV88uQpN_6qjVCffq8hbtf9wUxeetONqQV1G6X9oUVRASKaDewlhc5zTgEv04UTDlDKLBo_qrUlAmAukNraSCqjBqg&_hsmi=443876565&utm_content=443876565&utm_source=hs_email

Viewpoints: Botched Execution Could Mark The End Of Lethal Injection; AI Makes Motherhood Harder, Not Easier

https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/viewpoints-botched-execution-could-mark-the-end-of-lethal-injection-ai-makes-motherhood-harder-not-easier/

As Genetic Testing Improves, Experts Encourage Women To Retest For Cancer Risks

As Genetic Testing Improves, Experts Encourage Women To Retest For Cancer Risks About 5% to 10% of women with breast cancer carry a variant that prevents an underlying gene from working properly. Advances in technology now make identifying such variations much easier, and oncologists and gynecologists are urging women to retest themselves, The Washington Post reported. https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/lifestyle-and-health-101326/

Patient Safety Concerns Grow As Doctors Age

Patient Safety Concerns Grow As Doctors Age According to Knowable Magazine, efforts to evaluate older physicians have faced strong pushback, legal challenges, and questions regarding the effectiveness of cognitive screening. https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/health-and-pharma-101326/

Texas Could Cut Children's Autism Program Amid Budget Woes

Texas Could Cut Children's Autism Program Amid Budget Woes The program provides targeted applied behavior analysis therapy to autistic children at a reduced cost based on their families’ incomes and insurance coverage. Children can receive up to 720 hours of ABA therapy over their lifetime. They would still receive services through August 2027 if the program ultimately is eliminated, The Texas Tribune reported. https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/state-news-101326/

Emergency Response For Christa Pike Was Delayed Due To Confusion Over Whether 911 Call Was Authentic

Emergency Response For Christa Pike Was Delayed Due To Confusion Over Whether 911 Call Was Authentic Call transcripts released Monday indicate that the emergency response in the wake of the botched Tennessee execution was delayed by about a half hour as officials tried to verify whether the 911 call was real, The New York Times reported. Meanwhile, Texas is appealing a judge's order to air condition all state prisons before 2030. https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/prisons-and-health-101326/

Pennsylvania Reports 6th Measles-Related Death

Pennsylvania Reports 6th Measles-Related Death The coroner’s office reported that the 39-year-old woman had underlying medical conditions and was unvaccinated. “Measles-associated” deaths require clinical evidence of a measles infection, a positive laboratory test, and occur within 30 days of symptom onset, NBC News reported. https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/outbreaks-and-health-threats-101326/

HHS Backs DEA's Effort To Classify Synthetic Kratom Extracts 7-OH And MGPI

HHS Backs DEA's Effort To Classify Synthetic Kratom Extracts 7-OH And MGPI The recommendation would make 7-hydroxymitragynine and mitragynine pseudoindoxyl (MGPI) Schedule I drugs if either compound or a combination of both exceeds “1 milligram per gram in solid powders, encapsulated material, or other solid forms, or exceeds 1 milligram per milliliter in liquid preparations.” Plus, hospitals again are asking the courts to block the 340B rebate program. https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/administration-news-101326/

Journalists Go Behind Health Headlines From Georgia, Michigan, and Russia Oct. 10, 2026

https://kffhealthnews.org/on-air/on-air-october-10-2026-dementia-sedation-drugs-russia-lab-death-rural-voters/?utm_campaign=KHN%3A%20First%20Edition&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8snvcVnXq863CK3WAP66vGcD77UnMvt1oWnl6wMAsaituqa4FDxlhNKT9orHQkZcxtLsm_cXOFWNHPax0NPrkKf5XJpQ&_hsmi=443876565&utm_content=443876565&utm_source=hs_email KFF Health News: KFF Health News’ ‘On Air’: Journalists Go Behind Health Headlines From Georgia, Michigan, And Russia KFF Health News senior correspondent Jordan Rau discussed the use of antipsychotic drugs in sedating dementia patients on Michigan Public’s Stateside on Oct. 6. (10/10)

The Sometimes-Awkward Art of Asking for a Second Opinion By Cara Anthony and Blake Farmer, Nashville Public Radio Oct. 13, 2026

https://kffhealthnews.org/health-industry/healthq-second-opinions-doctors-how-to-ask-for/?utm_campaign=KHN%3A%20First%20Edition&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_34lpwLLy_6-zyRq7nA3DMZmbuZkzpfHSui-ELs4TfvNxkO6KmXZu1IcYh8QPAGiModn3tllcBe7U0uYIM5BgUV-75zg&_hsmi=443876565&utm_content=443876565&utm_source=hs_email KFF Health News: The Sometimes-Awkward Art Of Asking For A Second Opinion When Carol Daniel, a veteran broadcast journalist who lives near St. Louis, was diagnosed with thyroid cancer in 2022, her husband encouraged her to seek a second opinion. She was worried that consulting another doctor might seem like a betrayal. Daniel said she wondered: “Am I cheating on him? Am I going behind his back? Am I acting like I don’t trust him by seeking a second opinion?” (Anthony and Farmer, 10/13)

Fears About Kids’ Online Safety Unite Democrats and Republicans By Darius Tahir Oct. 13, 2026

https://kffhealthnews.org/elections/online-safety-children-kosa-legislation-unites-democrats-republicans-big-tech/?utm_campaign=KHN%3A%20First%20Edition&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8eJK_RuitTxzb_CuPc64FReF_E1AFNYuiBth9l9pNYqkPXlxpUBlE2P1_JzhRUBnOljewEkgfmwF1nTZJLTjnYMa83YA&_hsmi=443876565&utm_content=443876565&utm_source=hs_email KFF Health News: Fears About Kids’ Online Safety Unite Democrats And Republicans The U.S. Senate candidates in Texas could hardly be more different: James Talarico, a former seminarian turned Democratic state lawmaker who speaks in calm cadences about love and empathy, and Ken Paxton, the pugnacious Republican state attorney general who speaks about a refusal to compromise. They share an enemy, though. They dislike social media’s effects on children’s mental health. Talarico, who did not respond to a request for comment, has endorsed a social media ban for kids under 16, while denouncing “predatory algorithms that divide us on an hourly, daily basis.” As a legislator, he co-authored a bill targeting explicit deepfakes — digital imitations of individuals that are often made or manipulated by artificial intelligence and used for harassment on social media. (Tahir, 10/13)

People Say These Peptides Hurt Them. Their Stories Are Muffled in MAHA’s Push for Medical Freedom. By Amy Maxmen Oct. 13, 2026

https://kffhealthnews.org/public-health/peptides-experimental-drugs-patient-harms-maha-medical-freedom/?utm_campaign=KHN%3A%20First%20Edition&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-93wjegoJAO2-8WdP_YCZG0i_43wz4aVxAZEShOrYD_76q4AYjSnEfEh543gq5kYQoLBVJbJWtLQoXtodN2WRuKUE8JpA&_hsmi=443876565&utm_content=443876565&utm_source=hs_email KFF Health News: People Say These Peptides Hurt Them. Their Stories Are Muffled In MAHA’S Push For Medical Freedom After the third day of squirting an experimental drug up his nose, Dylan Meetze felt horrible. “It was like I was underwater, like it took the most to do anything,” he said. Meetze stopped taking the drug but endured fatigue and anxiety for months afterward, and his eyes and muscles twitched, he said. (Maxmen, 10/13)

“Biennial” v. “Biannual” in DEA World October 13, 2026 By Larry K. Houck —

https://www.thefdalawblog.com/2026/10/biennial-v-biannual-in-dea-world/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=biennial-v-biannual-in-dea-world

Which States Will Be Affected by Key Medicaid Provisions in the 2025 Reconciliation Law? Authors: Alice Burns, Jennifer Tolbert, Robin Rudowitz, and Anthony Montano Published: Oct 7, 2026

https://www.kff.org/medicaid/which-states-will-be-affected-by-key-medicaid-provisions-in-the-2025-reconciliation-law/ Amidst challenging fiscal conditions and upcoming national and state elections, states are working to implement major federal changes to Medicaid. The 2025 reconciliation law made major changes to federal revenues and spending. Shortly after enactment, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimated the new law would reduce federal spending on Medicaid by $911 billion over the 2025–2034 period and that the Medicaid changes would increase the number of people without health insurance by 7.5 million in the year 2034. Recognizing the risks such changes posed for rural areas, policy makers added a $50 billion rural health transformation program (referred to here as the “rural health fund”) to the reconciliation law. All 50 states have received first-year allotments from the rural health fund and are implementing new initiatives to support rural health care, although these funds will not offset reductions in federal Medicaid support.

AI: Does Europe Have the Answer? October 6, 2026

Episode 18, AI Series: When health systems are stressed, Martin McKee has been there taking notes. He’s spent four decades studying collapse and recovery — the post-Soviet transition, the 2008 financial crisis, the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, as professor of European public health at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and research director of the European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies, he’s turned that lens on AI. He arrives at a charged moment: America is locked in a debate over whether AI development should slow down or even pause. Europe made a different choice — binding AI with some of the world’s strictest rules. After a run of episodes examining AI through a U.S. lens, Chip and McKee cross the Atlantic: What does the American debate look like from Europe — and does regulation offer an answer that a pause cannot? https://www.kff.org/other-health/ai-does-europe-have-the-answer/

Journalists Go Behind Health Headlines From Georgia, Michigan, and Russia Oct. 10, 2026

https://kffhealthnews.org/on-air/on-air-october-10-2026-dementia-sedation-drugs-russia-lab-death-rural-voters/

Women’s Experiences with and Attitudes Towards Family Support Policies Findings from the 2026 KFF Women’s Health Survey Authors: Karen Diep, Usha Ranji, Brittni Frederiksen, Ivette Gomez, and Alina Salganicoff Published: Oct 8, 2026

https://www.kff.org/womens-health-policy/womens-experiences-with-and-attitudes-towards-family-support-policies/ There has been increased attention on declining fertility rates in the U.S. and globally. Fertility rates have been falling for many years, but they have been in the spotlight of media coverage recently, in part because of the current Administration’s focus on pronatalist policies aimed at encouraging people to have more children. Considerable financial and structural barriers face people who want to start families, including expensive and limited childcare options, inconsistent and limited paid leave and workplace flexibility, low economic mobility, and high cost of living. The 2026 KFF Women’s Health Survey is a nationally representative survey of 4,688 women and 1,148 men ages 18 to 64, fielded between March 11, 2026 to April 14, 2026. This analysis presents data among women 18 to 49 (n=3,538) and men 18-49 (840), and highlights women’s opinions regarding the possible impact of potential federal actions on their decision to have children in the future as well their experiences with paid parental leave and sick leave in the workplace.

Women's Health Survey

https://www.kff.org/series/womens-health-survey/ The Women’s Health Survey is a series of nationally representative surveys on women’s health conducted by KFF since 2001. The survey’s objective is to track and document women’s experiences with the health care system, access challenges and barriers to care, knowledge related to health and well-being, and differences between women by age, race/ethnicity, income level, and insurance type. The 2026 KFF Women’s Health Survey, the most recent iteration of the survey, includes a nationally representative sample of 5,854 adults ages 18 to 64, including 4,688 women and 1,148 men, and was conducted from March 11, 2026 to April 14, 2026. The survey includes representative samples of Black, Hispanic, and Asian or Pacific Islander women as well as those who identify as LGBT+.

Poll: Cost of Health Care and Gas Top Voters’ Midterm Concerns; Democrats Hold Significant Advantage on Health Care Costs and Cost of Living Two-Thirds Favor Medicare-for-All, a New High in KFF Polling, but Support Shifts When Competing Claims from Critics and Proponents Are Heard Published: Oct 6, 2026

https://www.kff.org/public-opinion/poll-cost-of-health-care-and-gas-top-voters-midterm-concerns-democrats-hold-significant-advantage-on-health-care-costs-and-cost-of-living/ Just a month away from the midterm elections, affordability worries continue to top the public’s list of midterm election issues, with health care costs and gas costs tying as the top economic concern, KFF’s new Health Tracking Poll finds. Voters overall trust Democrats more than Republicans to handle the cost of health care and the cost of living.

Current and Historical Public Opinion on Medicare-for-All and Other National Health Plan Proposals Published: Oct 6, 2026

https://www.kff.org/public-opinion/current-and-historical-public-opinion-on-medicare-for-all-and-other-national-health-plan-proposals/ For many years, KFF has been tracking public opinion on the idea of a national health plan, including questions specifically about “Medicare-for-all” since 2017. This 2026 midterm election cycle, some progressive Democratic candidates have been campaigning on their support for Medicare-for-all, in which all Americans would get their insurance from a single government plan. As U.S. adults struggle to afford their health costs, many are looking for changes to the health care system. This data note summarizes current and historical KFF polling on Medicare-for-all and other national health proposals.

KFF Midterms Data Presentation: What Do Voters Think About Health Care Now? Event Date: Oct 14, 2026 at 12:00 p.m.

https://www.kff.org/event/kff-midterms-data-presentation-what-do-voters-think-about-health-care-now/ With less than a month until the midterm elections, new KFF polling finds that affordability worries continue to top the public’s list of midterm election issues, with health care costs and gas costs tying as the top economic concern. A recent joint KFF/AP survey also found that rural voters are echoing these concerns and identified other issues for voters, such as reduced access to care. But with these cost-of-living challenges, particularly for health, whom do voters trust to address the challenges and what else is on voters’ minds going into the election?

Medicare Advantage star ratings trigger new bonuses, and uncertainty Humana is a winner, while Alignment signaled it will sue over its downgrade

https://www.statnews.com/2026/10/09/medicare-advantage-insurers-star-ratings-2027-humana-alignment/ By Bob HermanOct. 9, 2026 Business of Health Care Reporter

Will MAHA survive the midterms? The movement, largely invisible on the campaign trail, has yet to deliver causes with political heft

https://www.statnews.com/2026/10/09/maha-movement-rfk-jr-campaign-trail-midterm-elections/ By Isabella Cueto, Chelsea Cirruzzo, and Daniel PayneOct. 9, 2026

Americans trust science more than peers around the world, survey shows But big divides remain among groups in the United States By Nicholas FlorkoOct. 10, 2026

https://www.statnews.com/2026/10/10/u-s-trust-science-higher-than-other-nations-wellcome-survey/

GAHA: The corporate-created “healthier America” movement challenging what it claims is MAHA misinformation about modern farming, chemicals, and food The Guardian | October 9, 2026

https://geneticliteracyproject.org/2026/10/09/gaha-the-corporate-created-healthier-america-movement-challenging-what-it-claims-is-maha-misinformation-about-modern-farming-chemicals-and-food/ Some of America’s biggest food and farm interests have decided the best way to answer the Make America Healthy Again movement is to beat it on its home turf: social media. An industry-funded campaign called Growing a Healthier America, or GAHA, is paying influencers to push back on MAHA claims about seed oils, pesticides, raw milk and “big ag,” as The Guardian’s Rachel Leingang and Riley Messer report in an investigation conducted with the watchdog project Documented.

Abortion rights opponents outraged after FDA says its “safety review” of the already-found-safe mifepristone abortion pill will continue into 2027 CBS News | October 9, 2026

https://geneticliteracyproject.org/2026/10/09/abortion-rights-opponents-outraged-after-fda-says-its-safety-review-of-the-already-found-safe-mifepristone-abortion-pill-will-continue-into-2027/ The FDA’s reevaluation of mifepristone, the nation’s most widely used abortion pill, won’t wrap up until next year — and the anti-abortion movement is not pleased. As CBS News reports, with contributions from the Associated Press, the agency laid out its timeline in a court-ordered filing late on October 7, 2026.

Personalized mRNA vaccines are poised to revolutionize cancer treatments. Here are the barriers. Pharma Voice | October 12, 2026

https://geneticliteracyproject.org/2026/10/12/personalized-mrna-vaccines-are-poised-to-revolutionize-cancer-treatments-here-are-the-barriers/ Personalized mRNA vaccines that train the immune system to hunt a patient’s own tumor mutations are nearing approval, but, as Pharma Voice’s Alexandra Pecci reports, building them may prove harder than discovering them. Merck and Moderna’s melanoma vaccine, intismeran autogene, recently met its primary endpoints in the phase 3 INTerpath-001 trial when paired with Keytruda.

Countries around the world are rushing to pass teenage social media bans. Could they backfire? Think Global Health | October 12, 2026

https://geneticliteracyproject.org/2026/10/12/countries-around-the-world-are-rushing-to-pass-teenage-social-media-bans-could-they-backfire/ Governments are racing to keep kids off social media, but whether those bans will actually improve teen mental health is far from settled, as Katherine Leach-Kemon, Alejandra Martinez and Lara Yeyati Preiss report for Think Global Health. Eight countries have now passed or implemented age-based restrictions. And on August 26, Meta settled with 47 U.S. states for up to $17 billion over claims its platforms harmed children, agreeing to cap teen use at two hours a day and scrap features like infinite scroll.

Tearful onions? CRISPR has a solution for that Global Agriculture | October 12, 2026

https://geneticliteracyproject.org/2026/10/12/tearful-onions-crispr-has-a-solution-for-that/ Chopping onions may one day be a dry-eyed affair. Researchers at Japan’s Chiba University and food company House Foods have used CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing to knock out the gene behind onion-induced tears, as Global Agriculture reports. The target is lachrymatory factor synthase (LFS), an enzyme that springs into action when an onion’s cells are cut, converting sulfur compounds into the volatile gas that stings your eyes. Disable LFS, the thinking goes, and the waterworks stop.

Viewpoint: RFK Jr.’s new CDC head Erica Schwartz greenlights hepatitis B vaccine study critics call “unethical and designed to cast doubts on its safety” Rolling Stone | October 12, 2026

https://geneticliteracyproject.org/2026/10/12/viewpoint-rfk-jr-s-new-cdc-head-erica-schwartz-greenlights-hepatitis-b-vaccine-study-critics-call-unethical-and-designed-to-cast-doubts-on-its-safety/ The CDC is reopening its wallet for a hepatitis B vaccine trial in Guinea-Bissau shelved earlier this year amid an ethics uproar. As Katherine Eban for the Rolling Stone reports, a staffer in the director’s office told the agency’s budget office in late September to set aside $1.6 million for the study, pulled from global health security funds. The move comes two months after Dr. Erica Schwartz was confirmed as CDC director, though how involved she was remains unclear.

‘Forever chemical’ concerns: Separating hysteria from reasonable concern in the debate over PFAS danger Susan Goldhaber | October 8, 2026

https://geneticliteracyproject.org/2026/10/08/forever-chemical-concerns-separating-hysteria-from-reasonable-concern-in-the-debate-over-pfas-danger/ PFAS have become a flashpoint in the debate over public health, environmental protection, and chemical regulation—but are millions of very different compounds being treated too much alike? Is there a case for replacing broad bans with a more targeted, evidence-based regulatory approach?

Trump wants an AI Force like Space Force, but that could make AI’s risks harder to manage Jason Blazakis | October 9, 2026

https://geneticliteracyproject.org/2026/10/09/trump-wants-an-ai-force-like-space-force-but-that-could-make-ais-risks-harder-to-manage/ Artificial intelligence dominated the opening of the U.N. General Assembly in New York on Sept. 22, 2026. Ahead of the meeting, 20 nations released a statement requesting “human direction, oversight and control” of AI. The U.S. was not among them.

Scaremongering or legitimate safety concerns? The political dogfight over America’s food safety system Stephanie Armour | October 12, 2026

Scaremongering or legitimate safety concerns? The political dogfight over America’s food safety system Stephanie Armour | October 12, 2026 https://geneticliteracyproject.org/2026/10/12/scaremongering-or-legitimate-safety-concerns-the-political-dogfight-over-americas-food-safety-system/ The run-up to the midterm elections is turning into a food fight — literally. The summer was marred by a massive foodborne outbreak that sickened scores of people and the recall of tens of thousands of pounds of imported meat, turning the safety of the U.S. food supply into a topic of national conversation and a political cause.

31 states have passed a patchwork of laws to limit election deepfake commercials. They’re not working very well. Stefani Langehennig | October 12, 2026

31 states have passed a patchwork of laws to limit election deepfake commercials. They’re not working very well. Stefani Langehennig | October 12, 2026 https://geneticliteracyproject.org/2026/10/12/31-states-have-passed-a-patchwork-of-laws-to-limit-election-deepfake-commercials-theyre-not-working-very-well/ Imagine watching a political campaign video in which a candidate admits to taking a bribe. You recognize the face and voice. But the confession is entirely fabricated, thanks to artificial intelligence. Now imagine that your state has passed a law against these AI-generated election deepfakes. Would that mean the video has to be removed from the airwaves?

Medicare Open Enrollment and Coverage Options: Key Questions and Answers Authors: Alex Cottrill, Jeannie Fuglesten Biniek, Juliette Cubanski, and Meredith Freed Published: Oct 9, 2026

https://www.kff.org/medicare/medicare-open-enrollment-and-coverage-options-key-questions-and-answers/ Each year, Medicare beneficiaries have an opportunity to make changes to how they receive their Medicare coverage during the nearly 8-week annual open enrollment period. This brief answers key questions about the Medicare open enrollment period and Medicare coverage options.

Medicare Advantage Plan Availability Varies Widely by County for 2027 One in five (20%) Medicare beneficiaries have more than 40 Medicare Advantage drug plan options, while 1% of beneficiaries have none. Authors: Meredith Freed, Jeannie Fuglesten Biniek, Nancy Ochieng, and Juliette Cubanski Published: Oct 9, 2026

https://www.kff.org/medicare/medicare-advantage-plan-availability-varies-widely-by-county-for-2027/ The analysis shows that plan level Medicare Advantage prescription drug availability varies widely across the country in 2027, with a modest reduction in the share of enrollees having more than 40 MA-PDs to choose from compared to 2026, and some major insurers exiting a much larger number of counties than they are entering.

How Much Do People with Medicare Pay for Coverage? Authors: Alex Cottrill, Meredith Freed, Jeannie Fuglesten Biniek, and Juliette Cubanski Published: Oct 9, 2026

https://www.kff.org/medicare/how-much-do-people-with-medicare-pay-for-coverage/ While Medicare covers a wide range of health care services, Medicare beneficiaries generally pay out-of-pocket for their monthly premiums, deductibles, and cost sharing for Medicare covered services. This brief provides an overview of the costs faced by Medicare beneficiaries in traditional Medicare, Medicare Advantage, and Medicare Part D, including premiums, deductibles, copays, and coinsurance, focusing on costs in 2026.

HHS’s Elimination of Disparate Impact to Determine Discrimination: Potential Implications for Health and Health Care Authors: Latoya Hill, Jameson Floyd, and Samantha Artiga Published: Oct 9, 2026

https://www.kff.org/racial-equity-and-health-policy/hhss-elimination-of-disparate-impact-to-determine-discrimination-potential-implications-for-health-and-health-care/ On July 23, 2026, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) finalized revisions to regulations implementing Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to eliminate disparate impact as a basis for determining whether discrimination has occurred in programs, services, or activities receiving HHS federal financial assistance. It was issued following Executive Order 14281, “Restoring Equality of Opportunity and Meritocracy,” and similar actions by other federal agencies, including the Department of Justice (DOJ), Department of Education (DOE), and Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). This issue brief provides background on Title VI, summarizes the key changes in the 2026 final rule, and discusses the potential implications for racial and ethnic health disparities.

Building Forefront: 20 Years of Shaping Health Policy Conversations Rob LottandChris Fleming October 7, 2026

https://www.healthaffairs.org/do/10.1377/hp20261006.311332/full/?utm_campaign=podcast&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_p_UeC4aGUZ4mjYBBeQrLmN-6zPAVBOS_rir-JTjSU40QF0_6J4lbQW9rHOQ5cHRjV-_wwqdJ7yArfEyCF3Ir142L_Ng&_hsmi=443478114&utm_content=ahp&utm_source=hasu A look back at two decades of Health Affairs Forefront and the editorial vision that helped shape a leading health policy forum.

Dr. Alister Martin on the Future of Public Health in New York City Rob LottandAlister Martin October 6, 2026

https://www.healthaffairs.org/do/10.1377/hp20261001.430562/full/?utm_campaign=podcast&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_F3jn7fm4FojqGV5z9zop1QlZ-SyvGRYYQxi68NQehHD2W0IB2bfMu1_1GdlplmZlPi97mdBIcgmJCudR3xuJ1OHUpCw&_hsmi=443478114&utm_content=ahp&utm_source=hasu How is New York City responding to today's biggest public health challenges? Dr. Alister Martin shares lessons on coverage, affordability, and local leadership.

What's Next for Health Policy? Tim Jost and Katie Keith Look Ahead Chris Fleming,Katie Keith,andTimothy Jost October 8, 2026

https://www.healthaffairs.org/do/10.1377/hp20261006.75582/full/?utm_campaign=podcast&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz--Vv-oE6VJqLF1Jd7k5EKThaqaOkXkwm0YM2iqjREl3oEieW833_mKdShoZ9_544e0dwYHsBOYbAuTp31_XvJrKtFI0iw&_hsmi=443478114&utm_content=hatw&utm_source=hasu Two leading health policy experts discuss lessons from the past 20 years and challenges ahead for coverage, costs, and reform.

Health Affairs Forefront Turns Twenty Chris Fleming October 7, 2026

https://www.healthaffairs.org/content/forefront/health-affairs-forefront-turns-twenty?utm_campaign=forefront&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9aMWfSj9yleDJdXSxEvrSw-Du-KD3-Us_d7OjsddpQHyqT7Fk0NUVOAFaUANfX_Bu8JKayXziVYuiQkIoATR-yH8FDEQ&_hsmi=443478114&utm_source=hasu On October 5, 2006, Health Affairs Founding Editor John Iglehart wrote the first article on what was then Health Affairs Blog. Now, here we are, twenty years and approaching 10,000 articles later, having become Health Affairs Forefront along the way.

Medicare’s Missing On-Ramp For Access To GLP-1s For Weight Management T. Joseph Mattingly II,Rena M. Conti,andSean D. Sullivan October 7, 2026

https://www.healthaffairs.org/content/forefront/medicare-s-missing-ramp-access-glp-1s-weight-management?utm_campaign=forefront&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9thbaCj7XCkTR5J1WWhgQOtXDMWG7ZM9hl0ZzMF3w2X_wIPhFiYO7w8foGlxraKNxbpMUI2piBDS8AKVWp9aAIdY2V5g&_hsmi=443478114&utm_source=hasu Medicare’s GLP-1 Bridge program is off to a fast start, but gaps in prior authorization design may exclude beneficiaries who began GLP-1 therapy through cash-pay channels before the program existed.

Improving Medicaid Program Integrity: The Potential Of Managed Care Miguel A. Sanchez,Brian J. Miller,andAnthony M. DiGiorgio October 5, 2026

https://www.healthaffairs.org/content/forefront/improving-medicaid-program-integrity-potential-managed-care?utm_campaign=forefront&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9rMKepFSjQFuglH_ndIGniPOIQIgmCYHzR3gdC0kZ7f1aMpoohYQr_V2zlF0JCzP0zAfQCmo3C8fYYg-9GTr9FammbLQ&_hsmi=443478114&utm_source=hasu Medicaid managed care provides a structural framework to fight waste and fraud and reduce the cost to taxpayers.

HIPAA At 30: The “P” Isn’t For Privacy Chris JenningsandCharles N. Kahn III October 8, 2026

https://www.healthaffairs.org/content/forefront/hipaa-30-p-isn-t-privacy?utm_campaign=forefront&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz--wE6eRZ2cpllDy_O2jyZwuc7wGraBBw625V7wvFJvV2vHHfJXmhKieOip7RPOmS387triPfnGp7gREVXNRnSPlSlFcHQ&_hsmi=443478114&utm_source=hasu HIPAA, which turned 30 years old in August, merits new attention, particularly because it is and will be the primary statutory vehicle for addressing today’s and tomorrow’s debates on artificial intelligence in medicine and health care affordability.

Bringing Safety-Net Providers Into Value-Based Care Maggie Jones,Meena Mital,Katie Coleman,Toby Douglas,andAnand Shah October 7, 2026

https://www.healthaffairs.org/content/forefront/bringing-safety-net-providers-into-value-based-care-lessons-population-health?utm_campaign=forefront&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz--KhmACvkKEfOGm5znuX3SrcVJhUN2DVsNayggb4A5qCguM1BSidIn9Ip7tUv5-bMZK_uHnlBsDvBFj0d1C55qRb45CrA&_hsmi=443478114&utm_source=hasu Three lessons from the Population Health Management Initiative can help accountable care organizations and health plans to build realistic approaches to value-based payment for a broader set of primary care practices.

The Decline In Adolescent Smoking Has Stalled: Don’t Weaken Tobacco Controls Linda Richter October 9, 2026

https://www.healthaffairs.org/content/forefront/decline-adolescent-smoking-has-stalled-don-t-weaken-tobacco-controls?utm_campaign=forefront&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8rEs9dSYpXk-4cK_7D3VLuOXyiwEAuKFTwPQtQgxR3hW0ykyYJXst0K-7HFMB_oZhcaQGWuHdIHKRLKYjSPM0vwJugbw&_hsmi=443478114&utm_source=hasu Low smoking rates should not become a rationale for retreating from tobacco control, particularly when teen smoking rates have plateaued.

When Negotiated Prices Become The Benchmark: Prior MFPs And The Vanishing Role Of Value Sean D. Sullivan,Peter J. Neumann,andEmma M. Cousin October 8, 2026

https://www.healthaffairs.org/content/forefront/negotiated-prices-become-benchmark-prior-mfps-and-vanishing-role-value?utm_campaign=forefront&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz--YRFytAZuTDPVfo2MYzRKvAsXZaujpNBR5GkmZ9DDOkSkcVa3ucZaFTCrJODjHA1HUz8QNUq2eg0bSzofNjmopb44n_Q&_hsmi=443478114&utm_source=hasu Previously negotiated Medicare drug prices have quietly become inputs to new negotiations. Each cycle that inherits a prior price moves the program further from any explicit account of what a drug is worth.

Beyond A Seat At The Table: Meaningful Patient Representation On Pharmacy And Therapeutics Committees Marc Boutin,Joe Vandigo,Stephen Taylor,Kimberly Westrich,andElisabeth M. Oehrlein October 6, 2026

https://www.healthaffairs.org/content/forefront/beyond-seat-table-meaningful-patient-representation-pharmacy-and-therapeutics?utm_campaign=forefront&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9YIU0iwpmAjAV1iWR8NQ3tCHhPbjNvd87IPKJj76IanK2-Z_4923YPcxw3sWles0-aBeCzZpbyq7Wz0jMhX8L2CWMRAg&_hsmi=443478114&utm_source=hasu We can strengthen formulary decision making by enhancing governance, incorporating patient experience into evidence review, broadening how value is assessed, and evaluating whether patient participation meaningfully influences coverage decisions.

Can We Call Social Media Platforms “Addictive”? Vincent Joralemon October 6, 2026

https://www.healthaffairs.org/content/forefront/can-we-call-social-media-platforms-addictive?utm_campaign=forefront&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz--sXeM5N00_D7vQpe-E8R3ujLG0AFPegBx1x5nOC9nny7ut0v9Nm3oTD1WWUWjta5bmTwRfehL7HvWwoyHHXEg-gt8bWQ&_hsmi=443478114&utm_source=hasu How much does the absence of a formal “social media addiction” diagnosis matter in consumer-protection cases alleging that platforms misled consumers about compulsive use?

Criminal Legal Referrals Were Associated With Delayed Substance Use Treatment, Disparity By Housing Status Authors: Anna C. Holdiman anna.holdiman@uth.tmc.edu, Dale S. Mantey, Tim Mercer, Alexander Testa, Shreya Jain, John Embers-Weems, Kasey Claborn, and Justin Benzer

https://www.healthaffairs.org/doi/10.1377/hlthaff.2025.01733

Tragedy of the Commons: Health Care's Coming Breaking Point Jeff ByersandAllison H. Oakes October 9, 2026

https://www.healthaffairs.org/do/10.1377/hp20261008.946609/full/ Exploring the economic and policy trends shaping health care affordability, coverage, utilization, and payment in 2026 and beyond.

Unlocking The Promise Of Integrated Care Through LTSS Coordination Debra J. LipsonandErin Weir Lakhmani October 9, 2026

https://www.healthaffairs.org/content/forefront/unlocking-promise-integrated-care-through-ltss-coordination Federal policy makers and state Medicaid agencies can make it easier and provide stronger incentives for dual eligible special needs plans and other partners to coordinate long-term services and supports benefits.

Slower Price Growth, Modest Utilization Increases Drove Slowdown In US Health Care Spending Growth, 2014–19 Authors: Nikhil R. Sahni nikhil.sahni@gmail.com, Vishnu Murale, Heather Bello Thornhill, and David M. Cutler

https://www.healthaffairs.org/doi/10.1377/hlthaff.2026.00207 US health care spending growth has long outpaced economic growth. However, during the period 2014–19 (before the COVID-19 pandemic), growth in per capita health care spending relative to per capita gross domestic product growth fell by 21 percent compared with 2007–14. We examined spending growth domestically and internationally to determine the causes of this slowdown. We decomposed spending growth by source of funds, compared four drivers of growth over time within the US and relative to fifteen Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development countries, and conducted a US-specific breakdown of utilization. We found that declining growth in health care prices and utilization were major drivers of the slowdown of health care spending. Slower growth did not appear to have been driven by across-the-board reductions in disease burden and input costs, although certain metrics fell. Utilization reduction was a major driver through technology allowing the use of alternative sites of care; greater use of preventive care that reduces costs; ongoing expansion of Medicare Advantage, managed Medicaid, and high-deductible health plans; and increased utilization management. This slowdown suggests the need to monitor trends more closely for signs of additional major shifts in spending growth.

HealthQ (+...)

https://kffhealthnews.org/series/healthq/?utm_campaign=KHN%20-%20Weekly%20Edition&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9PtQZeUEkOZDfprN6Vqa6FK-u9jeYfuIDFi1wvJI-_Ov2iKzyrHKbrTAeC-vZspfEsl0qYpaLiAk_M4WY__GssYHH_Qg&_hsmi=443466535&utm_content=443466535&utm_source=hs_email HealthQ is a health series from reporters Cara Anthony and Blake Farmer, approachable guides to an unapproachable healthcare system. It’s a collaboration between Nashville Public Radio and KFF Health News.

Tradeoffs Reporting on health care’s toughest choices. (+...)

https://tradeoffs.org/?utm_campaign=KHN%20-%20Weekly%20Edition&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8Lu_nD3UYKZNEqYCDgWDFgm1qW1JF0xS-R-DyiDYxLWjTGgc0wH5UrKiX7IRwn5Ako9X9NG8_V-nH9DzN6fmj4_WKyfQ&_hsmi=443466535&utm_content=443466535&utm_source=hs_email

Hidden Help A New Push for Hospitals to Prevent Medical Debt (+...)

https://tradeoffs.org/projects/hidden-help/?utm_campaign=KHN+-+Weekly+Edition&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9V4o3Wl7ls0uZ08r_8JwYZmr2PlacJpijPi9hTNuTIrSE71HO7IMIUji07eR1N_6AF8rj_R6E8ysaTHE5oPJNJNv5jbQ&_hsmi=443466535&utm_content=443466535&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-82KfTeKt9MTzVpI5VHwJVKWP97Ved_JJMFJPJ9jNZzg7UNv4l0N1zXjeod0hEjFGNORuznz8-hk1zSEX-A9b61lyCQZg&_hsmi=443466535&utm_content=443466535&utm_source=hs_email

Data Grab (+...)

Data Grab Your personal health information is easier to share than ever. That can help save lives when seconds count, but it also means more people can peek at your detail-rich medical records. KFF Health News investigates how the Trump administration, with the help of little-known private entities, has sought unprecedented access to Americans’ health data — an effort that is reshaping health information privacy and profitability. https://kffhealthnews.org/series/data-grab/?utm_campaign=KHN%20-%20Weekly%20Edition&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8MKRyTX_BGntce0rITpeWRc3Wt_cQUtKSaSK2X2Jvlv0Lx2iWPZ1KiZuD5mFZqJ9KUS8gwNzpxIigkTObY8Ojfk1ls_Q&_hsmi=443466535&utm_content=443466535&utm_source=hs_email

‘Medicare for All’ Message Attracts Voters Buckling Under Medical Bills By Kate Wells Oct. 7, 2026

https://kffhealthnews.org/elections/medicare-for-all-abdul-el-sayed-michigan-midterm-elections/?utm_campaign=KHN%20-%20Weekly%20Edition&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz--PjGtHqxqaYQNDSJoSiRpr0GJSSxPm3ZV9sNaIGEIxHckyCEn1ySFJPI1TWvlnCF5mv0bLEXiXNcrLgZ9N9ImOGdF-iw&_hsmi=443466535&utm_content=443466535&utm_source=hs_email I’m Kate Wells, a KFF Health News reporter based in Michigan. I cover how public health and health policy affect people’s daily lives. You can reach me at katew@kff.org. By Kate Wells Two things are true right now in America: support for “Medicare for All” is at its highest in a decade, and voters aren’t exactly sure what it is. It’s no coincidence that Medicare for All is having a moment when fewer than half of Americans say they can afford their healthcare. And on the campaign trail, Medicare for All has become a progressive shorthand for radical, systemic change. Nowhere is that clearer than in Michigan, a battleground state where Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed is drawing thousands to town halls, chanting a campaign slogan they know by heart: “Money out of politics. Money in your pocket. Medicare for All.” https://www.kff.org/public-opinion/kff-health-tracking-poll-health-care-issues-in-the-lead-up-to-the-2026-midterm-election/?utm_campaign=KHN%20-%20Weekly%20Edition&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_JjeRF45xNsF56X-DRrjGn-LpmfVrzKI_fNWUK3iS-U_5uQ9oRg0GW4Oc6p_7NudE9nTd9NsEYXEp9k1C7xC7p_vywTA&_hsmi=443466535&utm_content=443466535&utm_source=hs_email Yet the same people who’ll tell you they support Medicare for All might not know how it would work, what it would do, or even what it’s called (“Medicaid for All” is a frequently heard misnomer here, including when a Republican state lawmaker criticized it at Republican U.S. Senate candidate Mike Rogers’ healthcare press conference.) https://x.com/MikeRogersForMI/status/2101326178476838974?s=20&utm_campaign=KHN%20-%20Weekly%20Edition&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_GStIVZ6_nqmDfsBb9xx9BZNqGPFb8VmFrpjZh4dqwiGMjRMUuQS78QgVFoKr8fCnMFxy9T-UR-46C-Uzl6NemK2kjtA&_hsmi=443466535&utm_content=443466535&utm_source=hs_email https://news.gallup.com/poll/710942/adults-ability-afford-healthcare-five-year-low.aspx?utm_campaign=KHN%20-%20Weekly%20Edition&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_xD4C0D0caA-xFZBz2cWKQ7keO3kcOZGDE4ADYEHndgIIW0le0RmUNKauIcjuvQ-oneiNX3cN9yDMDUf_9MF65SYcN1Q&_hsmi=443466535&utm_content=443466535&utm_source=hs_email What they do know is their premiums keep rising, their deductibles could wipe out their savings, and they must juggle a seemingly endless barrage of medical bills that always seem to gobble up whatever is left after groceries and gas. “Too many people don’t have health insurance, too many people who do have insurance can’t afford medical care, and many people are terrified about the costs of being sick,” said Jonathan Oberlander, a professor at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill who specializes in the politics of healthcare reform. That makes Medicare for All “an important symbol” in this election, he said. In just three words, it allows voters to reject incrementalism, voice their anger toward the system, and demand that healthcare be treated as a fundamental right, not an increasingly unobtainable luxury. Cindy Lou Coolich of Pinckney, Michigan, attended El-Sayed’s town hall in Lansing last month, dressed in a campaign T-shirt and cowboy hat. For years, she worked for a company that helped uninsured people enroll in Medicaid. Some of those patients had million-dollar medical bills, she said. Others would try to navigate the red tape, only to die before the state would deem them qualified for coverage. Then she had her own healthcare crisis, when a bout of sepsis left her disabled and unable to work. Suddenly, she was the one enrolling in Medicaid and living off $900 a month in Social Security. “I lost everything, except my car,” she said. The saving grace, oddly, was the death of her ex-husband. Because they’d been married for more than 10 years, she could receive his Social Security benefits. But to her, it hardly seemed like the mark of a functioning healthcare system that someone had to die for things to get better.

Viewpoints: Russia's Melting Permafrost Contains Health Threats Worse Than The Plague; Kids' Screen Time Isn't The Real Issue

https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/viewpoints-russias-melting-permafrost-contains-worse-than-plague-kids-screen-time-isnt-the-real-issue/

Longer Looks: Interesting Reads You Might Have Missed

https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/longer-looks-interesting-reads-you-might-have-missed-277/

HPV Vaccination Prior To Pregnancy Reduces Risk Of Premature Births, Study Finds

HPV Vaccination Prior To Pregnancy Reduces Risk Of Premature Births, Study Finds According to a Swedish study published this week in The BMJ, women immunized against HPV were 15% less likely than those who weren't vaccinated to deliver very prematurely. Women who were immunized against HPV before age 17 had lower rates of pregnancy complications, CIDRAP reported. https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/public-health-100926/

Doctors Sound Off On Florida Plan To Curb Vaccines, A Move Cheered On By Residents

Doctors Sound Off On Florida Plan To Curb Vaccines, A Move Cheered On By Residents The Florida Health Department wants to remove the immunization requirements for hepatitis B, varicella, Hib, and pneumococcal conjugate for children to attend Florida schools. “These four vaccines ... are still vital to protect children’s health,” said Dr. Sarah Nosal, president of the board of directors of the American Academy of Family Physicians. Supporters of the change say they prefer medical freedom. https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/state-watch-100926/

CMS Star Rating Averages Dropped In 2027 For Medicare Advantage Plans

CMS Star Rating Averages Dropped In 2027 For Medicare Advantage Plans The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services released its latest Medicare Advantage star ratings, with the average in 2027 dropping from 4.01 to 3.99. Only 37% of contracts met the four-star threshold to qualify for bonus payments from the federal agency. https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/administration-news-100926/

Specialized AI Chatbots Could Help Triage Patients For Primary Care Physicians

Specialized AI Chatbots Could Help Triage Patients For Primary Care Physicians A clinical trial, published Thursday in the medical journal The Lancet, showed that the bot was helpful in 75% of cases. Researchers also noted that patients didn't trust the bot until they learned a doctor would take over care. Other news looks at hospitals' return on investment for medical devices, an autoimmune disease drug that failed a phase 3 trial, and more. https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/health-industry-100926/

It'll Soon Be More Difficult, Expensive For Americans To Buy Canadian Drugs

It'll Soon Be More Difficult, Expensive For Americans To Buy Canadian Drugs A customs rule set to take effect later this month adds fees and registration requirements to low-value shipments that previously entered the U.S. duty-free and could eliminate the ability to import personal prescriptions, AP reported. https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/healthcare-costs-100926/

Growing Measles Outbreaks Prompt CDC To Offer Support Funds To States

Growing Measles Outbreaks Prompt CDC To Offer Support Funds To States As reported cases of measles increase daily in states like Pennsylvania and Ohio, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is providing states with money to increase vaccinations, testing, and disease surveillance. https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/outbreaks-and-health-threats-100926/

Postapproval Manufacturing Changes to Biosimilar and Interchangeable Biosimilar Products: Questions and Answers October 2026

https://www.fda.gov/regulatory-information/search-fda-guidance-documents/postapproval-manufacturing-changes-biosimilar-and-interchangeable-biosimilar-products-questions-and?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery Today, FDA issued a final guidance, Postapproval Manufacturing Changes to Biosimilar and Interchangeable Biosimilar Products Questions and Answers. This finalizes the draft guidance of the same title published July 23, 2024. This guidance provides biological product manufacturers with recommendations on the nature and type of information they should provide FDA to support postapproval manufacturing changes to licensed (approved) biosimilar and interchangeable biosimilar products. The final version includes revisions made in response to public comments received on the draft guidance. Key revisions to the final guidance include: Aligns recommendations provided in the guidance with the International Council for Harmonisation (ICH) guidance for industry Q5E Comparability of Biotechnological/Biological Products Subject to Changes in Their Manufacturing Process (June 2005). Clarifies recommendations for using data from the applicant’s original 351(k) BLA to support the manufacturing change. Clarifies recommendations for the nature and type of information to support approval of a dosage form or strength that was not previously licensed under the 351(k) BLA. This final guidance fulfills a commitment made in the 2022 reauthorization of the Biosimilar User Fee Act.

When Medical Ethics Collide With Migrant Detention Roberta Villa, MD

https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/when-medical-ethics-collide-migrant-detention-2026a10011co?src= There are doctors on the right and doctors on the left, doctors who would like to pay lower taxes and others who believe that taxation serves to address inequalities, doctors convinced that there is no single type of family and others for whom there is no alternative to a stable union between a man and a woman, ideally sanctioned by a religious ceremony. They are men and women, citizens just like everyone else, with diverse cultural backgrounds, value systems, and worldviews.

Medscape Private-Payer and Government Insurance Report 2026: Medicare, Medicaid, and More Tony Stasiek

https://www.medscape.com/p11/medscape-private-payer-and-government-insurance-report-2026-2026a1000zwy Healthcare affordability reached a 5-year low in 2025, according to a Gallup poll, with less than half of US adults saying they can afford access to care, doctor visits, and medications. Insurance plays a large role in this, with premiums increasing and care plans routinely falling into buckets of "what can be covered." For doctors, this also means weighing treatment and care vs insurers will authorize and reimburse. Medscape surveyed 751 physicians across more than 29 specialties to understand more about how private-payer insurance, Medicare, and Medicaid affect their ability to provide care and where they see things heading.

Medscape RN/LPN Compensation Report 2026: Where Did the Growth Go? Tony Stasiek

https://www.medscape.com/p11/medscape-rn-lpn-compensation-report-2026-where-did-growth-go-2026a1001055 After several years of gains, compensation for registered nurses (RNs) and licensed practical nurses (LPNs) stalled in 2026, compared to Medscape's 2025 RN/LPN Compensation Report. Our survey of 3253 RNs and 1337 LPNs in the United States showed that compensation also may vary by setting, location, and employment arrangement. And by and large, a good number of nurses haven't necessarily considered their pay to match the value they provide.

Medicine’s New Trust Dynamic Vardit Ravitsky, PhD; Reed V. Tuckson, MD; Lauren Taylor, PhD, MDiv

https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/medicines-new-trust-dynamic-2026a1001179?src= Vardit Ravitsky, PhD, president and CEO of The Hastings Center for Bioethics, hosted a conversation on trust in medicine with Reed V. Tuckson, MD, chair and co-founder of the Coalition for Trust in Health & Science, and Lauren Taylor, PhD, MDiv, assistant professor in the Department of Population Health at the NYU Grossman School of Medicine.

Between Burnout & Belief: Medscape PA Burnout & Depression Report 2026 Jennifer Nelson

https://www.medscape.com/p11/between-burnout-belief-medscape-pa-burnout-depression-report-2026a100107i Physician associates (PAs) are navigating a burnout and depression crisis that, despite modest signs of improvement overall, has become more entrenched than ever. In Medscape's latest survey, 1 in 6 PAs reported feeling both burned out and depressed. But the numbers behind that tell a more complicated story: Burnout lasts longer, with affected PAs reporting symptoms for more than 2 years. Most PAs point squarely to their jobs, not their personal lives, as the cause — citing bureaucratic tasks, insufficient pay, and heavy patient loads as the top drivers — and roughly 3 in 4 say their employer doesn't recognize the toll it's taking on them. The result is a workforce that has become exhausted, largely unsupported, and increasingly uncertain whether things will get better.

RFK Jr.’s plan to curb America’s appetite for ultra-processed foods and artificial dyes blocked by the White House Wall Street Journal | October 8, 2026

https://geneticliteracyproject.org/2026/10/08/rfk-jr-s-plan-to-curb-americas-appetite-for-ultra-processed-foods-and-artificial-dyes-blocked-by-the-white-house/ RFK Jr.’s push to rein in ultraprocessed foods and artificial dyes has hit its biggest roadblock yet: the White House. As The Wall Street Journal reports, internal clashes have stalled three separate efforts at the heart of the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) food agenda.

Utah becomes first state to empower AI to bypass doctors and prescribe certain drugs Healthcare Dive | October 9, 2026

https://geneticliteracyproject.org/2026/10/09/utah-becomes-first-state-to-empower-ai-to-bypass-doctors-and-prescribe-certain-drugs/ Utah is letting artificial intelligence slide a little further into the doctor’s chair. The state’s Office of Artificial Intelligence Policy has approved three new pilots that could eventually let AI systems issue and refill certain prescriptions with less human oversight, as Healthcare Dive’s Anuja Vaidya reports. None of the programs has launched yet.

GAHA: The corporate-created “healthier America” movement challenging what it claims is MAHA misinformation about modern farming, chemicals, and food The Guardian | October 9, 2026

https://geneticliteracyproject.org/2026/10/09/gaha-the-corporate-created-healthier-america-movement-challenging-what-it-claims-is-maha-misinformation-about-modern-farming-chemicals-and-food/ Some of America’s biggest food and farm interests have decided the best way to answer the Make America Healthy Again movement is to beat it on its home turf: social media. An industry-funded campaign called Growing a Healthier America, or GAHA, is paying influencers to push back on MAHA claims about seed oils, pesticides, raw milk and “big ag,” as The Guardian’s Rachel Leingang and Riley Messer report in an investigation conducted with the watchdog project Documented.

Abortion rights opponents outraged after FDA says its “safety review” of the already-found-safe mifepristone abortion pill will continue into 2027 CBS News | October 9, 2026

https://geneticliteracyproject.org/2026/10/09/abortion-rights-opponents-outraged-after-fda-says-its-safety-review-of-the-already-found-safe-mifepristone-abortion-pill-will-continue-into-2027/ The FDA’s reevaluation of mifepristone, the nation’s most widely used abortion pill, won’t wrap up until next year — and the anti-abortion movement is not pleased. As CBS News reports, with contributions from the Associated Press, the agency laid out its timeline in a court-ordered filing late on October 7, 2026.

KFF Tracker: America First MOU Bilateral Global Health Agreements Published: Oct 8, 2026

https://www.kff.org/global-health-policy/kff-tracker-america-first-mou-bilateral-global-health-agreements/ This tracker provides up-to-date information on countries with signed bilateral MOU global health agreements with the U.S.

Medicare Open Enrollment and Coverage Options: Key Questions and Answers Authors: Alex Cottrill, Jeannie Fuglesten Biniek, Juliette Cubanski, and Meredith Freed Published: Oct 9, 2026

https://www.kff.org/medicare/medicare-open-enrollment-and-coverage-options-key-questions-and-answers/ Each year, Medicare beneficiaries have an opportunity to make changes to how they receive their Medicare coverage during the nearly 8-week annual open enrollment period. This brief answers key questions about the Medicare open enrollment period and Medicare coverage options.

Medicare Advantage Plan Availability Varies Widely by County for 2027 One in five (20%) Medicare beneficiaries have more than 40 Medicare Advantage drug plan options, while 1% of beneficiaries have none. Authors: Meredith Freed, Jeannie Fuglesten Biniek, Nancy Ochieng, and Juliette Cubanski Published: Oct 9, 2026

https://www.kff.org/medicare/medicare-advantage-plan-availability-varies-widely-by-county-for-2027/ The analysis shows that plan level Medicare Advantage prescription drug availability varies widely across the country in 2027, with a modest reduction in the share of enrollees having more than 40 MA-PDs to choose from compared to 2026, and some major insurers exiting a much larger number of counties than they are entering.

How Much Do People with Medicare Pay for Coverage? Authors: Alex Cottrill, Meredith Freed, Jeannie Fuglesten Biniek, and Juliette Cubanski Published: Oct 9, 2026

https://www.kff.org/medicare/how-much-do-people-with-medicare-pay-for-coverage/ While Medicare covers a wide range of health care services, Medicare beneficiaries generally pay out-of-pocket for their monthly premiums, deductibles, and cost sharing for Medicare covered services. This brief provides an overview of the costs faced by Medicare beneficiaries in traditional Medicare, Medicare Advantage, and Medicare Part D, including premiums, deductibles, copays, and coinsurance, focusing on costs in 2026.

AI in Health Care Moves Toward More Autonomous Roles Joel Luther , Hagere Yilma , and Irving Washington

https://www.kff.org/health-information-trust/ai-in-health-care-moves-toward-more-autonomous-roles/?utm_campaign=22234741-KFF-Information-Trust&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9AUWWm5kw3q7RDVl2_5nkVKjhU5D5ENmSwd6WnSR93EfDDYkjQwWXEDIrbWdyU9TsUUEc1xkMAJc-74YF5kK-doN2nMw&_hsmi=443141319&utm_content=443141319&utm_source=hs_email Federal health agencies are testing new applications of AI in health care that move beyond narrow clinical support tasks into more direct patient care typically handled by physicians. Questions about AI accuracy remain, however, and may be complicated by unpredictable outputs and changes in performance over time. Recent research also suggests that how health claims are presented may affect how people respond to them, beyond the accuracy of the underlying information. People may place more trust in information from an AI chatbot that offers conversational responses, while presenting false claims as coming from an authoritative source may increase people’s willingness to share them.

Viewpoints: How Concerning Is The Siberian Plague Scare?; US Healthcare Crisis Is Becoming An Economic Crisis

https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/viewpoints-how-concerning-is-the-siberian-plague-case-us-healthcare-crisis-is-becoming-an-economic-crisis/

Research Roundup: The Latest Science, Discoveries, And Breakthroughs

https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/research-roundup-the-latest-science-discoveries-and-breakthroughs-81/

Autism Diagnoses Rose, But Underlying Rate Might Not Have, Study Finds

Autism Diagnoses Rose, But Underlying Rate Might Not Have, Study Finds A study of more than 62,000 children born between 1998 and 2010 showed the seven-year rate of autism spectrum disorder remained stable. The findings support the theory that better identification could be a key reason for rising diagnosis rates. https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/public-health-100826/

Surprise Billing Fights May Be Driving Up Employer Health Costs

Surprise Billing Fights May Be Driving Up Employer Health Costs Insurers and business groups say employers absorb the costs related to the dispute-resolution process for the 2022 No Surprises Act — a law aimed at protecting patients from some surprise out-of-network bills. Providers counter that the disputes should involve too small a share of claims to meaningfully affect healthcare premiums. https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/healthcare-costs-100826/

CMS Docks 2,334 Hospitals On Readmissions As Fewer Go Unpenalized In 2027

CMS Docks 2,334 Hospitals On Readmissions As Fewer Go Unpenalized In 2027 CMS is penalizing about 80% of the hospitals it evaluated for high readmissions, and the penalties took effect Oct. 1, Becker's Hospital Review reported. Other industry news is on drug tariffs, the public health impact of immigration raids, and more. https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/health-industry-100826/

Christa Pike Experiencing Anger, Confusion, And Multiple Medical Conditions, Lawyers Say

Christa Pike Experiencing Anger, Confusion, And Multiple Medical Conditions, Lawyers Say Last week, Christa Pike became the first person to survive a lethal injection. The New York Times reported that a judge has sided with Pike's lawyers, agreeing to sign an order that would require the state to preserve all evidence pertaining to the failed execution. https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/from-the-states-100826/

CDC, WHO Consider Risk Of Pneumonic Plague Outbreak As Low

CDC, WHO Consider Risk Of Pneumonic Plague Outbreak As Low After a 28-year-old lab technician at the Irkutsk Anti-Plague Institute of Siberia and the Far East died last week from what Russia is calling "pneumonia of undetermined” origin, the World Health Organization is pressing for more information and clarity. Pneumonic plague, the rarest form of plague, is a severe and often fatal lung infection caused by yersinia pestis and spread by inhaling respiratory droplets from an infected person. It is not as contagious as covid-19, and highly treatable with antibiotics, making the likelihood of a pandemic-like outbreak low, NBC reported. https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/outbreaks-and-health-threats-100826/

RFK Jr. Lays Groundwork For Broad Federal Initiative Addressing Vaccine Injuries

RFK Jr. Lays Groundwork For Broad Federal Initiative Addressing Vaccine Injuries The effort would include a new research clinic at the National Institutes of Health and a new billing code to reimburse doctors for filing reports of serious vaccine side effects, according to reporting from The New York Times. Meanwhile, senators seek answers from the health secretary on the recent overhaul of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/administration-news-100826/

AI, Tech Leaders Are Lobbying Trump Health Officials in a Government-Run Chat Room By Amanda Seitz, Maia Rosenfeld, and Darius Tahir Oct. 9, 2026

https://kffhealthnews.org/health-industry/ai-tech-lobbying-medicare-medical-records-apps-trump-cms-slack-fda/?utm_campaign=KHN%3A%20First%20Edition&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-81DPeGS7tUJzm0rOfIdGZoJa3IqSz_JiZTzv-LgtZ3L3BTK4MP-3VXnWsEk9e8YvTmiJILO8F25G5gxjKqUXNX0B0f1w&_hsmi=443416852&utm_content=443416852&utm_source=hs_email KFF Health News: AI, Tech Leaders Are Lobbying Trump Health Officials In A Government-Run Chat Room A cadre of elite techies, financiers, and high-level Trump administration officials have spent a year quietly charting an extraordinary and rapid campaign to persuade Americans to use apps and other artificial intelligence-powered tools to manage their healthcare and medical records. As that campaign has unfolded, administration officials have granted tech companies an unusual opportunity to nudge the nation’s health department toward a loosely regulated future for AI health apps in which the government reimburses them for services as it does medical professionals. (Seitz, Rosenfeld, and Tahir, 10/9)

‘We Are Seen as Disposable’: Rural Residents Fight a Proposed Gas Pipeline By Fred Clasen-Kelly Oct. 9, 2026

https://kffhealthnews.org/rural-health/pipeline-natural-gas-rural-areas-risks-enbridge-north-carolina-research-triangle/?utm_campaign=KHN%3A%20First%20Edition&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9UYbBxfLd8uHEu2rKLNR2bOXKkPRkMonNWmZ3J6wqgeWtRby8IrbokAF539N8_lmsAXY1t_LbeNgId7uldHE3nz0gFpA&_hsmi=443416852&utm_content=443416852&utm_source=hs_email KFF Health News: ‘We Are Seen As Disposable’: Rural Residents Fight A Proposed Gas Pipeline Despite being in one of the nation’s fastest-growing states, this rural county of roughly 85,000 people is still brimming with red foxes, coyotes, white-tailed deer, and wild turkeys. But in recent months, Enbridge Gas North Carolina’s proposed plans for a natural gas pipeline have exposed how population growth, here and across the nation, is driving a divide between wealthy newcomers and longtime residents. (Clasen-Kelly, 10/9)

Midterm Madness Episode 466 • October 8, 2026

https://kffhealthnews.org/podcast/what-the-health-466-midterms-poll-affordability-trump-refund-checks-october-8-2026/?utm_campaign=KHN%3A%20First%20Edition&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_xz5N_KgxUz_GzPSOjbsurvN3KOdlJnGs5neC7E2S6_tPQTLoMm3iSd9KrmCXBjFrH9xyMpIVb4Agx2ChWTk3UgF9GzQ&_hsmi=443416852&utm_content=443416852&utm_source=hs_email KFF Health News: KFF Health News’ ‘What The Health?’: Midterm Madness The midterm elections are less than a month away, and a new poll from KFF shows voters are very concerned about rising health costs and trust Democrats more than Republicans to address the issue. In an apparent attempt to close the gap, President Donald Trump is sending checks, some dubbed as “refunds,” to some Medicare and Affordable Care Act enrollees, but those checks are for far less than most patients’ costs have risen in 2026. (Rovner, 10/8)

Medicine’s New Trust Dynamic Vardit Ravitsky, PhD; Reed V. Tuckson, MD; Lauren Taylor, PhD, MDiv

https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/medicines-new-trust-dynamic-2026a1001179?ecd=wnl_edit_tpal_etid8776291&uac=148436CN&impID=8776291 Vardit Ravitsky, PhD, president and CEO of The Hastings Center for Bioethics, hosted a conversation on trust in medicine with Reed V. Tuckson, MD, chair and co-founder of the Coalition for Trust in Health & Science, and Lauren Taylor, PhD, MDiv, assistant professor in the Department of Population Health at the NYU Grossman School of Medicine.

A new chapter in pediatric critical care: How AI is empowering us to protect our most vulnerable patients

https://www.statnews.com/sponsor/2026/09/15/a-new-chapter-in-pediatric-critical-care-how-ai-is-empowering-us-to-protect-our-most-vulnerable-patients/

An inflection point in wet AMD clinical trials How sustained-delivery therapies are reshaping trial design and redefining advancements in nAMD

https://www.statnews.com/sponsor/2026/09/28/an-inflection-point-in-wet-amd-clinical-trials/

Dozens of Democrats vie for slots on key House health committees Next year will be a crucial time for health policy, from Medicaid to FDA’s funding

https://www.statnews.com/2026/10/08/midterm-election-democrats-vie-for-roles-house-health-care-committees/ By John WilkersonOct. 8, 2026 John Wilkerson, a Washington correspondent, is the author of D.C. Diagnosis, a twice-weekly newsletter about the politics and policy of health and medicine.

How CMS plans to fix a major flaw in the 340B drug discount program The 340B program has exploded. We want to rein it in to help Medicare patients

https://www.statnews.com/2026/10/08/340b-drug-discount-program-cms-reform-proposal/ By Casey B. MulliganOct. 8, 2026 Mulligan is the chief economist and chief regulatory officer at HHS.

Roche inks drug discovery deal with Chinese biotech, focused on molecular glue medicines Deal between Swiss company, Defand Therapeutics could signal shift in global development

https://www.statnews.com/2026/10/08/roche-defand-therapeutics-drug-development-deal/ By Allison DeAngelisOct. 8, 2026 Biotech Startups and Venture Capital Reporter

England and other nations are on the path toward eliminating hepatitis C. Why not the U.S.? The U.S. has a long way to go

https://www.statnews.com/2026/10/08/us-hepatitis-c-cure-medication-cost-elimination/ By Philip A. Chan, Alan Epstein, and Amy NunnOct. 8, 2026 Chan is the chief medical officer at the Rhode Island Public Health Institute and a consultant medical director with the Rhode Island Department of Health. Epstein is a gastroenterologist specializing in hepatology at the Rhode Island Public Health Institute’s Open Door Health clinic. Nunn is the chief executive officer of the Rhode Island Public Health Institute.

Biotech companies are struggling to navigate Trump’s new tariffs Many large drugmakers are exempt, but smaller firms say they need more guidance

https://www.statnews.com/2026/10/08/trump-tariffs-section-232-imported-prescription-drugs-challenge-biotech-companies/ By Chelsea CirruzzoOct. 8, 2026 Washington Correspondent

What Would Make Women More Likely to Have Children? New KFF Survey

https://www.kff.org/womens-health-policy/womens-experiences-with-and-attitudes-towards-family-support-policies/?utm_campaign=KFF-Womens-Health-Policy&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-94jXkOPBpuv83xZBBiVqvEcO4X5y1GVt2XGCkE_H9Oo_tl2yfvGc_8aBC-HV0XkNQvUaIBdRNnWqsNDTg6k9-9TjF_LQ&_hsmi=443218914&utm_content=443218914&utm_source=hs_email Survey: Four in Ten Women Say Help with Childcare Costs or Paid Leave Would Make Them More Likely to Consider Having Children Fertility rates have been falling for years and have drawn more attention as the Trump administration focuses on encouraging Americans to have more children. New findings from the 2026 KFF Women’s Health Survey show that about 4 in 10 women of reproductive age (18 to 49) say help with childcare costs (43%) or requiring employers to offer paid parental leave (43%) would affect their decisions about whether to have children. Fewer women say an expanded child tax credit (35%) or a one-time cash payment after a new child arrives (35%) would make a difference. The survey shows the potential impact of these family-support policies is strongest among women who are already thinking about having children. Among the 23% of reproductive-age women who are considering having or adopting a child in the next three years, about 7 in 10 say paid parental leave (72%) or assistance with childcare costs (68%) would make them more likely to do so. A second Women’s Health Survey analysis looks at women's access to fertility care. As the Trump administration has made efforts to make some in vitro fertilization drugs available at lower prices, 15% of reproductive-age women say they or their partner have ever needed fertility services to become pregnant or prevent a miscarriage. One in 10 (11%) say they received services, and 3% say they needed care but could not get it, most often because of cost.

Tracking Insurer Participation Changes in the ACA Marketplaces in 2027 Authors: Jared Ortaliza, Justin Lo, Lynne Cotter, Matt McGough, and Cynthia Cox Published: Oct 7, 2026

https://www.kff.org/affordable-care-act/tracking-insurer-participation-changes-in-the-aca-marketplaces-in-2027/ This interactive tracks announced insurer exits from and entries into the ACA Marketplaces for 2027.

KFF Midterms Data Presentation: What Do Voters Think About Health Care Now? Event Date: Oct 14, 2026 at 12:00 p.m.

KFF Midterms Data Presentation: What Do Voters Think About Health Care Now? Event Date: Oct 14, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. https://www.kff.org/event/kff-midterms-data-presentation-what-do-voters-think-about-health-care-now/ Join KFF for a virtual event at Noon ET on Wednesday, October 14, featuring KFF public opinion and survey experts who will provide analysis and insights on the latest findings from recent public opinion surveys about health care issues in advance of the midterms, including current public sentiment about Medicare-for-All and how it compares historically. After the presentation, experts will take questions from attendees.

Overview of President Trump’s Executive Actions on Global Health Authors: Jennifer Kates, Josh Michaud, Kellie Moss, Lindsey Dawson, and Anna Rouw Published: Oct 7, 2026

https://www.kff.org/global-health-policy/overview-of-president-trumps-executive-actions-on-global-health/ This guide provides an overview of executive orders and other executive actions made by the Trump Administration since January 21, 2025 that directly address or affect U.S. global health efforts. This resource identifies each executive action, describes its purpose and actions taken, and outlines the implications and what happens next for each. The resource will be updated as needed.

U.S. Foreign Aid Freeze & Dissolution of USAID: Timeline of Events Authors: Jennifer Kates, Anna Rouw, and Stephanie Oum Published: Oct 7, 2026

https://www.kff.org/global-health-policy/u-s-foreign-aid-freeze-dissolution-of-usaid-timeline-of-events/ Starting on his first day of his second term in office, President Trump and his administration have taken several executive actions that directly impact U.S. global health efforts. This timeline, which is a companion resource to components of KFF’s Overview of President Trump’s Executive Actions on Global Health, provides a detailed overview of actions, including counter-actions, related to the administration’s efforts to freeze all U.S. foreign aid, dissolve the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), which implements most U.S. global health programs, and reorganize the Department of State. It will be updated as needed to reflect additional developments.

Women’s Access to Fertility Care Findings from the 2026 KFF Women’s Health Survey Authors: Usha Ranji, Karen Diep, Brittni Frederiksen, Ivette Gomez, and Alina Salganicoff Published: Oct 8, 2026

https://www.kff.org/womens-health-policy/womens-access-to-fertility-care/ The high costs of in vitro fertilization (IVF), limited insurance coverage for fertility services, and intersection with state level abortion laws and fetal personhood policies have brought the issue of access to fertility care into the policy spotlight. President Trump has stated that he wants to make fertility care more affordable and said he would institute an insurance coverage mandate as part of his campaign promises. There is currently no federal requirement for insurance coverage of fertility services, and the Trump administration has not issued a proposal for one. Recently, the Trump Administration advanced a policy that offers a discount on some IVF medications for people without coverage through the TrumpRx website and clarified regulations about insurance options for employers to encourage them provide fertility benefits to those covered in their employer-sponsored health insurance policies. However, the Administration’s actions to date are likely to provide limited assistance for people seeking IVF services who have gaps in coverage and who are struggling to afford the costs. While several states have enacted laws requiring some level of fertility coverage in state-regulated plans, these laws have limited reach and only affect a minority of people with private insurance coverage given that most people with employer coverage are in self-insured plans.