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.

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.

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/ 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.

Beyond the Data: A Column by Dr. Drew Altman

https://www.kff.org/series/beyond-the-data/?utm_campaign=KFF-Drew-Columns&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_wKT1P4ql3fskwSDEhOt3G128sGqvDdyLToZbJKiOLI4Qr3q5rKra_LdS4k9Kdcp566HihOnloyZRhaQ7xJ01sncYzaQ&_hsmi=442982345&utm_content=442982345&utm_source=hs_email A Guide to the Role of Health in the Midterms Elections, obviously, are partly about voter choice and partly about which side’s voters turn out to vote in greater numbers. Without a presidential race to galvanize attention, midterms especially are about turnout. Democrats currently appear to have an advantage on voter enthusiasm, and worries about health care costs—as part of voter concerns about the cost of living—are one big reason why. But let’s backup. Issues like health care are only one factor that motivates voting. Quite obviously, partisan affiliation does. And candidate qualities and characteristics do. The general mood of the country and the standing of the president do as well. And all kinds of local factors can play a role in races. Even when issues do matter, often it’s not the candidate’s specific plan or position on an issue that moves voters. Instead, voters take candidate’s positions on issues as cues or signals: Does the candidate care about me? Are they for bigger or smaller government? Will they save or cost me money? Even with these caveats, voters’ concerns about health care costs are having a moment, and will continue to do so through 2028, because voters see them as a dimension of their worries about the cost of living, which is their dominant concern right now. When we ask voters what their top financial worry is in our latest poll, health costs are tied with the cost of gas at the top of the list, and ahead of the cost of food, utilities, rent or mortgage. When you step back a bit from the rankings, you can see that all five of these worries are closely clumped together. That’s because, in the real world for families trying to pay the bills, they hit families together and are connected. There are also other costs families struggle with, such as childcare or education. When one of these costs goes up, it makes other expenses more difficult to afford. People confront a bundle of costs together, which we label “cost of living” or more recently “affordability.” I predict that polls around the election and exit polls will list “health care” as a separate issue and rank it third or fourth. That downplays the importance of voter concern because voters now see health care costs not as a separate issue but as a dimension of their cost-of-living concerns. There is, however, one important way in which worries about health costs are different: Health care costs are far less predictable than other costs of living. Anyone could have a major accident or be diagnosed with a major illness and face a big medical bill. This, I suspect, is why health costs, surprisingly, rank up there with the cost of gas, which is in the news every day. Health costs are a special kind of financial worry. Note that the costs voters care about are their own health care bills, not national health spending, or employer premiums, or value, or federal or state health spending. The cost of health care is a multifaceted problem, but the health cost problem vying with gas prices as a force in this election is very specific—it’s about people’s out-of-pocket costs. I suspect that frustration with the health care and insurance systems also figure into voter discontent. In another poll, we found that people say prior authorization was their single biggest burden getting health care other than costs. BlRrf-health-care-costs-rank-alongside-gas-prices-as-top-household-financial-worry--1 Democrats have a significant advantage over Republicans in voter trust to handle the cost of health care, and it has increased in recent months. Republicans are more even with Democrats on addressing fraud in government programs (31% to 29%), but voters don’t see that as lowering their own health care costs, according to our polling. Democrats have been pressing this advantage in their campaign ads, which have focused on health cuts and on the cost of living, while Republicans have been focusing more on taxes and crime. And, of course, both sides have more than their fair share of attack ads. Zm5GV-democratic-party-has-strong-advantage-over-republican-party-on-cost-of-health-care-and-cost-of-living- It’s a target-rich environment for Democrats on health on the campaign trail; almost anything that addresses public concern about health costs can resonate. Republicans either concede the territory and emphasize other issues they feel play to their advantage or focus on fraud, which has some traction with voters and especially with their base. That’s largely to try to neutralize the Democratic advantage on health at a time when health costs are on voters’ minds, not to “win” the issue. The Democratic advantage on cost of living and health care costs is one of many reasons why Republican turnout may be tepid. In a poll of rural voters we recently conducted with the Associated Press, we found that 8 in 10 rural Democratic voters said they were “absolutely certain” to vote, compared with 74% percent for Republicans. More than half of rural voters also disapprove of President Trump’s handling of health care. And perhaps even more tellingly, rural Republicans who disapprove of Trump on the economy (27%) are much less likely to say they are certain to vote than those who approve of it (59% to 79%). Democratic enthusiasm exceeding Republican enthusiasm in rural America, a Republican and Trump stronghold, could be a canary in the coal mine for the midterms. Progressive Democrats advancing Medicare-for-All proposals are also garnering attention, and whether those ideas go anywhere or not, they are moving health care up on the national agenda. Even differences between progressive and moderate Democrats about health elevates health issues overall. In our September poll, we found the highest level of support for Medicare-for-All we have seen—66%—although as always, we also found that opinion is malleable and moves up and down when voters are presented with the familiar arguments made by critics and proponents. We found something else that may be significant as well: People have long supported health reform in the abstract but have been unwilling to change their own medical and insurance arrangements when health reform proposals were made, a third rail often exploited by opponents. In polling about Medicare-for-All, for example, we typically find that support drops dramatically if people believe it would mean eliminating private insurance. In our latest poll, that changed somewhat. Support also dropped, but a slight majority continued to favor Medicare-for-All even when they heard private insurance might go away. That could be because anti-insurance company fervor has been whipped up recently, or because frustrations with the insurance system have risen, or for a host of reasons. It’s a change to keep an eye on. It’s wise to be cautious about the importance of issues in elections and of policy plans advanced by candidates. Partisanship, the appeal of the candidates themselves in each race, the general mood of the electorate, local factors, and other variables will likely matter as much or more in many races. But issues do matter. And voters do want to have some confidence that a candidate, if elected, will do something about their problems. The “issue” that matters most in this election is the cost of living, and the cost of health care is a central element of it for voters.

Listen to the Latest ‘KFF Health News Minute’ Oct. 8, 2026

https://kffhealthnews.org/news/listen-kff-health-news-minute-2026/?utm_campaign=KHN%3A%20First%20Edition&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8-kg5QhvSx1GUAzHWXhT-xUKi2jUXvEVjMevCJ2o9o8Hco5TC_VY6zUmDjmeNOBLAzdUUU9a0SHwpklElUyG9PJu89Uw&_hsmi=443212024&utm_content=443212024&utm_source=hs_email KFF Health News: Listen To The Latest ‘KFF Health News Minute’ Katheryn Houghton reads the week’s news: Hundreds of thousands of immigrants with legal status have become ineligible for government health insurance. Plus, some states are considering universal coverage to ease consumer health costs. (10/8)

‘Medicare for All’ Is Back. Now Comes the Hard Part. Turning an inspirational slogan into law gets gnarly. By Elisabeth Rosenthal Oct. 8, 2026

https://kffhealthnews.org/health-care-costs/medicare-for-all-proposals-universal-healthcare-implementation-difficult/?utm_campaign=KHN%3A%20First%20Edition&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9-tg7-QGEmD_dBl1_whtuSNAHAYpMUzt8BPPtzTnANpXr4Q3KnZQWfGUnVIamazv5NAnFSyIaFI5cNGhmum6_GbisMhw&_hsmi=443212024&utm_content=443212024&utm_source=hs_email KFF Health News: ‘Medicare For All’ Is Back. Now Comes The Hard Part As Americans grow increasingly frustrated with their healthcare system, a proposal that has long been kicked around on the Democratic periphery is showing up in debates and on political platforms: “Medicare for All.” According to a 2025 Economist-YouGov poll, nearly 60% of Americans favor a system of Medicare for All, while 85% of Democrats support it. For years, Democrats in Congress have proposed symbolic Medicare for All bills that have had no chance of passage but have been supported by dozens of members. (Rosenthal, 10/8)

Medical Debt Is Crushing Hospital Patients in Los Angeles. Health Officials May Have a Fix. By Noam N. Levey Oct. 8, 2026

https://kffhealthnews.org/health-industry/medical-debt-hospital-patients-los-angeles-county-charity-care-presumptive-eligibility/?utm_campaign=KHN%3A%20First%20Edition&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz--cZJyZuvQL6UT_M_Qf-fQwW3Al3Cd0SqqlS4_3Td1LMuv7n9tsuv56uZH1-Y5ahPR5y9j86WhWHDHhfl21Qv1yOraPyQ&_hsmi=443212024&utm_content=443212024&utm_source=hs_email KFF Health News: Medical Debt Is Crushing Hospital Patients In Los Angeles. Health Officials May Have A Fix Every Tuesday, Naman Shah sees tuberculosis patients at a small public clinic in Los Angeles’ San Fernando Valley. Shah, a physician and epidemiologist at the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, pores over images of battered lungs, listens to labored breathing, and checks medications. It’s part of an initiative dating to the early 20th century to control infections so tuberculosis doesn’t spread. “We like doing things upstream,” Shah said, “meaning before they happen, not after the damage is done.” (Levey, 10/8)

KFF Midterms Data Presentation: What Do Voters Think About Health Care Now? 14 oct 2026 01:00 p. m.

https://kff-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/3717913984060/WN_JoOROLEhTzWN8-ZS9NsDoA?utm_campaign=55398279-KFF-Elections&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz--aJY1utWRAwG3QreVKvqHgu54LZPEfkdkbSQUsImisn9Ydu0vKzEKDyXpkGskbfCV8Qj47MYfUL53-WC8-AWyVENmMIA&_hsmi=443103661&utm_content=443103661&utm_source=hs_email#/registration 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? Contact: Robin Sidel | 202.654.1377 | robins@kff.org 14 oct 2026 01:00 p. m. 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. Introductory Remarks and Moderator: Mollyann Brodie, Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer; Executive Director, Public Opinion and Survey Research; Incoming KFF President Presentation by: Liz Hamel, Senior Vice President, Director of Public Opinion and Survey Research

Jump-starting global warming: Rising temperatures are driving up emissions from wildfires, fermenting wetlands, and melting permafrost Yale | October 7, 2026

https://geneticliteracyproject.org/2026/10/07/jump-starting-global-warming-rising-temperatures-are-driving-up-emissions-from-wildfires-fermenting-wetlands-and-melting-permafrost/ As the planet heats up, tundras are thawing, wetlands are fermenting, and forests are succumbing to larger and more frequent wildfires. The breakdown of these natural systems is unleashing huge volumes of emissions, further intensifying warming from the burning of fossil fuels. According to new research, such feedback loops could amplify human-driven warming by 20 to 30 percent.

Is organic farming really more sustainable? 100 recent studies say ‘no’ New Indian Express | October 7, 2026

https://geneticliteracyproject.org/2026/10/07/is-organic-farming-really-more-sustainable-100-recent-studies-say-no/ Organic produce may wear a green halo, but it doesn’t earn a clear climate advantage. Organic and conventional farming come out roughly even on greenhouse gas emissions and water pollution per kilogram of food, while organic needs far more land to grow the same harvest, as Vismay Basu reports for The New Indian Express.

Should fossil fuel companies be shielded from lawsuits over climate change damage? The Supreme Court takes up the question Patrick Parenteau | October 7, 2026

https://geneticliteracyproject.org/2026/10/07/should-fossil-fuel-companies-be-shielded-from-lawsuits-over-climate-change-damage-the-supreme-court-takes-up-the-question/ Climate change is causing billions of dollars’ worth of damage every year from floods, fires, droughts and other consequences of a rapidly warming planet. Dozens of states, cities, counties and tribes have sued major oil companies. The lawsuits demand reimbursements for the costs of recovery efforts, reconstruction and work to protect people and property from climate-related damage.

Global COVID-19 Tracker Published: Oct 6, 2026

https://www.kff.org/covid-19/global-covid-19-tracker/

Midterm Election Update: The Affordable Care Act Marketplaces Published: Oct 6, 2026

https://www.kff.org/elections/midterm-election-update-the-affordable-care-act-marketplaces/ More people than ever got coverage through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplaces in 2025, but the expiration of enhanced premium tax credits has driven up what people pay and contributed to declining enrollment in 2026. Law and regulatory changes also tightened ACA eligibility and enrollment requirements, including for some lawfully present immigrants. Public opinion of the ACA remains generally favorable, although views remain divided along partisan lines.

Midterm Election Update: Vaccines Published: Oct 6, 2026

https://www.kff.org/elections/midterm-election-update-vaccines/ Federal vaccine policy has shifted toward fewer recommended routine childhood vaccinations, more emphasis on individual decision-making, and greater skepticism about the safety and efficacy of some vaccines. In response, some states are relying less on federal recommendations in setting vaccination requirements. The changes coincide with declining childhood vaccination rates, rising exemptions from school vaccine requirements, and a major measles resurgence. The public’s trust in federal health officials remains low.

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/ In a new column, 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…

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/ The 2025 reconciliation law makes sweeping changes to Medicaid that will affect every state through key eligibility and financing changes, including new work requirements, immigrant eligibility restrictions, and changes to provider taxes and state directed payments. This issue brief explains which states will be affected by each of these key provisions.

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=KFF-Polling-Surveys&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_k6Ssd1ZF_2Z3GzbgWRDAfrJ2mPLihDCJcgKPcj39lrLlwuQo5hd-phUvfqE1f23HHLvIA13EXZUTPExobkFL7jut9rg&_hsmi=442764587&utm_content=442764587&utm_source=hs_email 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 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. A quarter of voters say they are “very worried” about being able to afford the cost of health care and gas and transportation (25% and 25%,) and an additional third say they are “somewhat worried” about health care and gas costs (35% and 34%). These worries outrank voters’ concerns about the affordability of food, utilities, and housing. The vast majority of voters say the cost of living and health care costs (90% and 82%) are “very” or “extremely” important for candidates to discuss during the last pivotal weeks of the campaigns. “Of all the cost-of-living worries hitting voters now, a big health care bill is the least predictable, and that’s a big reason why health care costs are right up there with gas prices and the costs of food and housing on voters’ minds,” KFF President and CEO Dr. Drew Altman said. Democrats hold nearly a two-to-one advantage over Republicans on whom voters trust more on the issue of health care costs (42% vs. 22%) and a significant edge on the cost of living (39% vs. 25%.) Voters also say they trust Democrats more than Republicans to do a better job handling abortion policy (42% vs. 27%) and are more divided about whether they trust Democrats or Republicans more on immigration (34% vs. 38%) and fraud in government programs (29% vs. 31%). The Democratic edge on health care costs has grown over the past six months. Democrats held an eleven-percentage point advantage over Republicans in April (37% vs. 26%) and a 20-percentage point advantage over Republicans in September (42% vs. 22%.) midtermconcerns_1 Among independent voters, Democrats hold at least a two-to-one trust advantage over Republicans on health care costs (38% vs. 9%), the cost of living (35% vs. 11%) and abortion policy (42% vs. 14%)—though large shares of independents say they trust neither party on most midterm election issues. Democrats also hold a major advantage on voter enthusiasm and are more likely than Republicans to say they are more motivated to vote this year than in previous elections (63% vs. 38%.) Most Republican voters (53%) say they are “about as motivated” as in previous elections, while independent voters are split, with similar shares saying they are “more motivated” and “about as motivated” (41% and 44%.) Amid rising health care costs and affordability worries, there is bipartisan agreement among the public that major changes are needed to the U.S. health care system, with about 9 in 10 Democrats (89%) and three-quarters of Republicans (77%) saying the U.S. health care system needs either a complete overhaul or major changes. In some midterm races, progressive Democratic candidates have responded to the public’s interest in health care reform by campaigning for the creation of a national health plan—attracting criticism from Republican opponents. Support for the idea of a national health plan (commonly called “Medicare-for-All”) has grown, rising to about two-thirds (66%) of the public—the highest share since KFF began polling on the topic in 2016, when Senator Bernie Sanders campaigned on the issue. Partisans remain divided, with large shares of Democrats (84%) and independents (72%) in favor and two-thirds (66%) of Republicans opposed. KFF has tracked public opinion on national health plan proposals, including Medicare-for-All, since the late 1990s. As KFF polling has shown consistently over time, public opinion on Medicare-for-All—and on major health policy proposals generally—is highly malleable and likely to shift over the course of any public debate with competing claims from proponents and critics. The latest poll finds the share who favor a Medicare-for-All-style plan falls sharply when the public is told that it could lead to potential delays in medical tests and treatments (24% still favor), tax increases (35%), or threaten the current Medicare program (38%). On the other hand, favorable views rise to about 3 in 4 when people are told that Medicare-for-All would make health insurance “a right” (76%) or that it would eliminate premiums and cost-sharing (75%). 8iRJU-public-opinion-on-medicare-for-all-shifts-after-hearing-claims-made-by-proponents-and-critics- (1) Designed and analyzed by public opinion researchers at KFF, this survey was conducted September 16-21, 2026, online and by telephone among a nationally representative sample of 1,328 U.S. adults, including 1,0133 voters, in English and in Spanish. The margin of sampling error is plus or minus three percentage points for the full sample and plus or minus four percentage points for the sample of voters. For results based on other subgroups, the margin of sampling error may be higher.

Viewpoints: Russia's Plague Scare And A Return To Secrecy; Florida's Dengue Outbreak Signals A Growing Threat

https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/viewpoints-russias-plague-death-and-a-return-to-secrecy-floridas-dengue-outbreak-signals-a-growing-threat/

'Not Enough Evidence': WHO Says No Obesity Meds For Kids Under 10

'Not Enough Evidence': WHO Says No Obesity Meds For Kids Under 10 The World Health Organization says that it's unclear how obesity medications would affect young kids in the long term and that focusing on food and exercise is strongly recommended, Bloomberg reported. Also: peptides, a new imaging tool for prostate cancer, and more. https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/pharma-and-tech-100726/

Kaiser Permanente Agrees To Pay Tens Of Millions To Nurses Who Were Underpaid For Years

Kaiser Permanente Agrees To Pay Tens Of Millions To Nurses Who Were Underpaid For Years The California Nurses Association has settled with KP after alleging that an error in the payroll system caused more than 1,000 nurses to be underpaid for several years. It is unclear how much will be paid out to the nurses, but it is estimated to be in the tens of millions of dollars, the San Francisco Chronicle reported. https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/health-industry-100726/

Tennessee Inmate Christa Pike Awake And Talking A Week After Botched Execution

Tennessee Inmate Christa Pike Awake And Talking A Week After Botched Execution Pike's lawyers today will ask a judge to ensure that evidence from the failed lethal injection be preserved as officials try to figure out what went wrong. She remains at a Nashville hospital, where she is receiving critical care treatment, The New York Times reported. https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/state-watch-100726/

Troops Hurt In Iranian Blast Say They're Waiting Months For Treatment, Injuries Are Being Downplayed

Troops Hurt In Iranian Blast Say They're Waiting Months For Treatment, Injuries Are Being Downplayed One soldier's wounds from the March 1 drone attack included a damaged left vertebral artery, which supplies blood to the brain. The Army did not consider that serious enough to be admitted to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany, AP reported, and instead he was told to schedule outpatient appointments. In another instance, a soldier who had shrapnel removed from his head told AP he waited more than four months for his MRI results. https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/soldiers-seriously-injured-in-iranian-drone-attack-say-theyre-waiting-months-for-treatment/

No Plague Detected Among Lab Worker's Close Contacts So Far, Russia And WHO Say

No Plague Detected Among Lab Worker's Close Contacts So Far, Russia And WHO Say About 60% of the 28-year-old staffer's close contacts have been tested so far, Russian officials said Tuesday. Regional and national Russian authorities have not actually confirmed that plague was involved in the death of the woman, identified as Darya Shipilova. The cause of her illness remains pneumonia of an unknown origin, NBC News reported. https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/global-news-100726/

Flu Is Already Circulating In Western States; Vaccinate Now, Health Officials Urge

Flu Is Already Circulating In Western States; Vaccinate Now, Health Officials Urge Medical experts say it's uncommon to see a spike in influenza cases and hospitalizations this early, especially in California, Washington, Hawaii, and Alaska. Flu season normally starts in the South. Although state health officials are urging people to get their flu shots, the CDC told NPR it's not quite ready to issue advice on the vaccine. https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/vaccines-100726/

VETERANS' HEALTHCARE (++)

VETERANS' HEALTHCARE Military.com: VA Secretary Doug Collins Questions Focus On Veterans' Wait Times The Department of Veterans Affairs completed a record nearly 60 million appointments with private health care providers last year, part of a massive expansion of outside medical care for veterans. But VA Secretary Doug Collins says one of the government's most closely watched measures of whether veterans can access that care, how long they wait, doesn't tell the whole story. (Lindsay, 10/7) https://www.military.com/va-hit-a-record-nearly-60-million-community-care-appointments-doug-collins-says-wait-times-dont-tell-the-whole-story?utm_campaign=KHN%3A%20First%20Edition&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-95paV80VUuan3D49pWgsOC0_mceQeq6kQkfcR1re5-sDuUiUL3mqCMcKR8mi7WuINP7QeOvZb-u4ofjD-n1-cGPdMb8A&_hsmi=442944594&utm_content=442944594&utm_source=hs_email Military.com: Soldiers Wounded By Iranian Drone Strike Accuse Military Health Care System Of Failing Them Six U.S. Army Reserve soldiers died and more than 30 suffered wounds during the March attack. In one case, Maj. Stephen Ramsbottom said he waited over four months to receive MRI results after medics removed shrapnel from his head. "I’ve had to build my own case for everything," Ramsbottom said. "It’s very frustrating." Maj. Billy Key said he did not receive specialized care until mid-April after suffering a head injury, hearing loss, and smoke inhalation that caused lung damage in the attack. “It took too long,” he said. (Plummer, 10/6) https://www.military.com/soilders-wounded-by-iranian-drone-strike-accuse-military-healthcare-system-of-failing-them?utm_campaign=KHN%3A%20First%20Edition&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_7HVnh2ZSx3N9UPTNwe9sKwPVzOK6varRdx1G3elkg8M5YxXMBaPKC6lVgRfJ_QtEiISVipTvL2iLkiKpSJY4gUhj1KQ&_hsmi=442944594&utm_content=442944594&utm_source=hs_email

OUTBREAKS AND HEALTH THREATS (+++ +++ +)

OUTBREAKS AND HEALTH THREATS The Hill: State Department Reups Do-Not-Travel Warning In Russia Amid Suspected Pneumonic Plague In Siberia The U.S. is refreshing its call for Americans not to travel to Russia in the wake of a suspected case of pneumonic plague in Siberia. In a post on the social platform X on Tuesday, the State Department said, “The U.S. Embassy is aware of press reports from the Irkutsk region of suspected pneumonic plague resulting in the death of an individual and of associated quarantine measures in, and closures of, hospitals in Irkutsk.” (Suter, 10/6) https://thehill.com/policy/international/6132707-us-russia-plague-travel-advisory/?utm_campaign=KHN%3A%20First%20Edition&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8-_mcqh6Zs7oLrjFkUTBqsZnmUk0xNUSC6mIbj4Pr7crtxzspAESN4zwAxYJgwYv4nkU-Zn-d-DnniyLuyFRqWYnDUjw&_hsmi=442944594&utm_content=442944594&utm_source=hs_email NBC News: Russia Says No Plague Found In Contacts Of Siberian Lab Worker Who Died Plague had not been detected among close contacts of a worker in an anti-plague laboratory in Siberia who died last week, with 60% of the identified group tested so far, officials in Russia said Tuesday. News from Russia’s consumer and health watchdog Sunday that a female staffer at the Irkutsk Anti-Plague Institute of Siberia and the Far East had died from a “pneumonia of undetermined” origin last week has raised public health fears worldwide. (Talmazan, 10/6) https://www.nbcnews.com/world/russia/russia-says-no-plague-found-contacts-siberian-lab-worker-died-rcna601805?utm_campaign=KHN%3A%20First%20Edition&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8cErKze4PLumNtAd_xzFe9fHsS_4E33jZprF8U6nW5h0IGDx4H5oGWdgQ5CGpa7AJCSesxaj8JmdaLclxl7BZETvmbPA&_hsmi=442944594&utm_content=442944594&utm_source=hs_email The Hill: World Health Organization: No Sign Of Pneumonic Plague At Siberia Institute The World Health Organization (WHO) said Monday there were no further signs of infections at the Irkutsk Research Anti-Plague Institute of Siberia, following one researcher at the facility reportedly dying from the pneumonic plague. “No case of this dangerous disease has been recorded in the city of Irkutsk, ​Russian Federation,” Russian authorities said in an official ​response to a WHO request, according to Reuters. (Bhakta, 10/6) https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/6131264-pneumonic-plague-russia-world-health-organization/?utm_campaign=KHN%3A%20First%20Edition&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz--FximINikELn1n-CFZwbJLRqbtvvYTZxltdAbUmixlVBiprWp01ddWkfN2UiNLtS3fYhmr36dNxUnIWXbOUKM1cfjfOw&_hsmi=442944594&utm_content=442944594&utm_source=hs_email Bloomberg: China Says In Contact With Russia On Suspected Plague Case Beijing made its first official comments on the suspected case of pneumonic plague in Siberia, saying it’s cooperating with Russia as health concerns intensify around the world. “China and Russia maintain close communication and cooperation in the prevention and control of infectious diseases, including the plague,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said Tuesday in response to a question about whether Moscow has informed Beijing of the incident. (10/7) https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-10-07/china-breaks-silence-on-plague-says-it-s-in-contact-with-russia?utm_campaign=KHN%3A%20First%20Edition&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_-c5LJ6UiIcP_zqPkarXgWLGFvNsMGopZ8vJrh0_Ilr4HSwJjVY2Ic0Lu4OMTesxjdCo9c0U2o6qe6BatGDIxA3HgzpQ&_hsmi=442944594&utm_content=442944594&utm_source=hs_email NBC News: Trump Says Call Scheduled With Putin On Possible Pneumonic Plague Case In Russia President Donald Trump said Tuesday that he has a call scheduled with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss the pneumonic plague, after the death of a female staffer at a Russian anti-plague lab that’s sparked public health fears worldwide. Asked whether he had spoken with Putin about the matter, Trump told reporters on the White House South Lawn that he had a “call scheduled” and that it would take place “very soon.” (Coronell Uribe, 10/6) https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/says-call-scheduled-putin-possible-pneumonic-plague-case-russia-rcna601978?utm_campaign=KHN%3A%20First%20Edition&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9b9gAJOGy2fJAHenWV_hNXqSWNem2_odbqP6-6uLuE7RqTa8HrrSvy-IAn7ZsJPwiI9aBifiIfN-yiJpSpiWNGro5M_Q&_hsmi=442944594&utm_content=442944594&utm_source=hs_email AP: Kenya Confirms First Ebola Case In Man Who Traveled From Congo And Died A Kenyan citizen who had been living in Congo before returning to Nairobi over the weekend became Kenya’s first confirmed case of Ebola and the country’s first death from the disease in the fast-moving outbreak, authorities said Tuesday, sparking urgent contact-tracing efforts to try to contain the spread of the virus. The man had been residing in Congo for the past seven years and fell ill about a month ago. He was treated at various hospitals before traveling by road to Kampala, Uganda, where he boarded a flight to the Kenyan capital, arriving on Saturday afternoon, Health Minister Aden Duale said. (Musambi, 10/7) https://apnews.com/article/kenya-congo-ebola-death-nairobi-32ccde1e74048396ad5cb9f9fe47495e?utm_campaign=KHN%3A%20First%20Edition&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9bW_0Q297Lqy7sraozUFwFx4VVlgL-wCy_4Uzm9BiPZUCygiOMfGbPSaGmRhzwq1frclIYRTpEeb6tbxCvbStwMM088w&_hsmi=442944594&utm_content=442944594&utm_source=hs_email NPR: Flu Season Started Early, So Consider A Flu Shot Sooner Than Later Fall has only just begun, but it's already time to start thinking about the quintessential winter bug: the flu. The annual flu season usually starts in October or November. But this year, it looks like the flu started to pick up in early September. (Stein, 10/7) https://www.npr.org/2026/10/07/nx-s1-5992940/early-flu-season-vaccine?utm_campaign=KHN%3A%20First%20Edition&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_zcL3XUVTl3JI26J3aPCXfY8e0QGxziFOC2jTBtrSTk3tdF5QgGPMQwLdcPM78TSdcQiU6n8TzE0kOhXBj25HnxE_I6w&_hsmi=442944594&utm_content=442944594&utm_source=hs_email

THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION (+++++)

THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION Politico: Trump Is Conditioning Foreign Aid On Deals The government agency charged with combating disease outbreaks abroad is shrinking as President Donald Trump’s “America First” approach to foreign policy takes hold. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offices in Angola and South Sudan closed Thursday, with the office in Zimbabwe set to shut its doors at the end of the year. Current and former CDC officials told POLITICO they expect more than a dozen other foreign offices will follow in the next few years. (Paun, 10/6) https://www.politico.com/news/2026/10/06/cdc-africa-pepfar-doge-aids-hiv-01107443?utm_campaign=KHN:+First+Edition&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_XcpR066fzoj8u0Cxn9PeJiPA-t04OhqfisYxqjbnBG5Zw0lq1F6npLCYxeE1PmOBBiyczgPF5v8pjR6Mg4BtnwwQJQw&_hsmi=442944594&utm_content=442944594&utm_source=hs_email AP: Zambia Will Sign US Health Deal Without Committing To Share Patient Data Zambia will sign a revised health agreement with the United States that will not include contentious clauses committing the African nation to share patient health data and specimens with the U.S. government. The five-year deal is worth $3.6 billion in total, combined funding from both countries for the African nation’s health services, Zambian Minister of Health Roma Chilengi told reporters Tuesday. (Zimba and Imray, 10/7) https://apnews.com/article/zambia-us-health-deal-aid-ad8b1b06e52379a6ba7e3eb576ca750d?utm_campaign=KHN%3A%20First%20Edition&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9J8TgQeU7ma15fKV9HLcKGfBa92SdcaMdN4FPDAziNXzmo4KoMaU-wXU_HozSTjmJOw2vEBkNmiAF1en2PkzJ7SFuM3Q&_hsmi=442944594&utm_content=442944594&utm_source=hs_email CIDRAP: Some CDC Foreign Offices Shutting Their Doors As US Implements ‘America First’ Policy US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offices in Angola and South Sudan were shuttered last week, and the Zimbabwe office is slated to close at the end of the year, with a dozen other foreign offices expected to follow suit in the coming years, Politico reported today. Decreased CDC funding, State Department–issued operational limitations, and security problems are leading to the office shutterings, a CDC official told Politico anonymously. (Van Beusekom, 10/6) https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/anti-science/some-cdc-foreign-offices-shutting-their-doors-us-implements-america-first-policy?utm_campaign=KHN%3A%20First%20Edition&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_xnCq3FvFjF_uYiNCcelpDzsi_6NwOUTuOBj8yFXiLOZVsm31Oi1IhNDwzbF5U4aeqjagXTrq8gS3YUo8bCCzRLUpuKA&_hsmi=442944594&utm_content=442944594&utm_source=hs_email MedPage Today: Senators Probe RFK Jr.'s USPSTF Overhaul Senators are pushing for answers from HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on his recent overhaul of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF). In a letter, 17 senators led by Sen. Angus King (I-Maine) urged Kennedy to "restore the independence and integrity" of the USPSTF, and sought answers to a handful of questions about his recent actions and "how they will inform the future work of USPSTF." (Fiore, 10/6) https://www.medpagetoday.com/washington-watch/washington-watch/123296?utm_campaign=KHN%3A%20First%20Edition&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_Mh11uZ8hGiSdaMVSRtZzT91dp7PDvnh_9voGHi-fnjHhItm0g9U4Hqyc_H8Ae6Edf431ZjoSwx6VWcaDkrcEWXDWihg&_hsmi=442944594&utm_content=442944594&utm_source=hs_email Fierce Healthcare: Lawmakers Urge CMS To Reconsider Broad Restrictions On RPM A bipartisan group of 32 House lawmakers is pressing CMS Administrator Mehmet Oz to roll back proposed Medicare payment changes that would bar remote patient monitoring programs from using third-party clinical staff. The lawmakers argue that the proposal could significantly reduce access to remote monitoring for Medicare beneficiaries, particularly rural patients and those served by small, independent physician practices and hospitals. (Landi, 10/6) https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/health-tech/lawmakers-press-cms-roll-back-proposed-restrictions-remote-patient-monitoring?utm_campaign=KHN%3A%20First%20Edition&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz--Q_fAgyfvWHEQYWUIcC3KZMqYiGE0k9qnZb0OJHLYF5cK2LolEX3MZK8q1qvKL51V6O05_dEqbn_0HoFjG9XgnyqqXnw&_hsmi=442944594&utm_content=442944594&utm_source=hs_email