Vinay Prasad, controversial FDA official, abruptly departs agency

Prasad's exit ends a tumultuous tenure during which he led a reworking of agency guidelines on COVID vaccines and his office got embroiled in controversy over a Duchenne gene therapy.

Medicare Part D premiums likely to increase next year

The average monthly bid submitted by insurers for 2026 prescription drug plans increased 33% from last year, according to data released by the CMS.

Judge halts Arkansas law forcing PBMs to sell pharmacies

U.S. District Judge Brian Miller agreed with pharmacy benefit managers that the state’s law may violate the Constitution in granting their request for a preliminary injunction. 

UnitedHealth expects lower profits in 2025 amid medical cost spike

The beleaguered company plans to focus on business fundamentals, cut Medicare Advantage plans, raise prices and forge a new relationship with regulators as it slogs its way back to favored status with Wall Street.

Health tech investment bolstered by AI in H1: report

Venture capital investment across the healthcare sector slowed in the first half of the year, but investors are spending on health tech — especially artificial intelligence, according to a report by Silicon Valley Bank.

FTC seeks comment on gender-affirming care, weighs enforcement options

The agency said it could use the comments to penalize medical professionals providing gender-affirming care. Scrutiny from the Trump administration has already caused several providers to halt the services for minors.

Drug innovation should benefit patients. PBMs are preventing that from happening.

Health plans should directly contract with drug manufacturers to provide medications at transparent and affordable prices, argues Kathy Chang, head of trade relations at Blue Shield of California.

Top medical association warns RFK Jr. not to overhaul preventive services task force

The health secretary reportedly wants to fire all 16 members of the task force that advises insurers on what services they have to cover under the Affordable Care Act. The American Medical Association thinks that’s a bad idea.

HCA raises 2025 guidance despite softening volumes

The health system is the latest to report softer-than-expected patient volumes, which HCA tied to slow Medicaid, Medicare and self-pay volume growth.

Centene stock hits decade low after insurer reports rare loss on higher medical costs

The St. Louis-based payer slipped into the red during the second quarter for the first time since 2022. Centene executives said they were disappointed and frustrated by the results.

Depressed volumes drag CHS’ second-quarter earnings

Executives said the declines were due to flagging consumer confidence. Also, CEO Tim Hingtgen announced he plans to step down in September.

UnitedHealth confirms it’s under investigation by DOJ

The company said it was complying with criminal and civil investigations from the Justice Department into its Medicare program.

Trump administration releases AI adoption plan

While the plan rarely mentions healthcare, it is one of the administration’s first steps to set federal policies, which experts say is important to safely deploy the technology in the sector. 

Aidoc raises $150M for AI foundation model

The technology, called CARE, is expected to allow for faster development of AI models that can cover more health conditions.

Molina cuts 2025 earnings outlook again on ACA, Medicaid pressures

The California-based insurer outlined its plans to survive what CEO Joe Zubretsky deemed a “season of great uncertainty” stemming from roiling acuity shifts and looming policy changes.

Telehealth groups urge DEA to issue plan on remote controlled substance prescriptions

More than 200 organizations pressed the Drug Enforcement Administration to ensure a plan is in place by fall before flexibilities expire at the end of the year. 

A ‘bastardized’ program: GOP lawmakers eye Medicare Advantage reform

In a hearing this week, Republican legislators appeared open to changing the privatized Medicare program — once a GOP darling that’s fallen out of favor amid concerns about prior authorizations, care denials and profiteering.

Labcorp to buy some CHS assets for $195M

The deal includes outreach laboratory services in 13 states. Community Health Systems will continue to operate its inpatient and emergency department labs along with other hospital-based testing services.

Tenet raises 2025 expectations, but dodges questions about policy impacts

During an earnings call, the system's executives declined to say how the GOP's recently passed megabill, which includes steep cuts to healthcare programs, would impact the company.

Sutter Health names new chief operating officer

Longtime hospital executive Kevin Manemann will oversee operations at the Northern California system starting in September.

10M people will lose insurance due to GOP policy law: CBO

The final tally from the nonpartisan budget scorekeeper estimates the law will decrease federal healthcare spending by $1.1 trillion over the next decade.

Humana refiles Medicare Advantage star ratings suit

Humana is taking a second bite at the apple to improve its sunken MA stars, filing an edited complaint with a Texas court on Monday. The insurer also announced plans to pare back its prior authorization policies.

Democrat senators warn Medicaid cuts could worsen rural hospital cybersecurity

Funding cuts enacted in the GOP’s massive tax law will push cash-strapped rural providers to deprioritize cyber preparedness, according to Sens. Ron Wyden and Mark Warner.

ACA health plan premiums could spike in 2026: report

Insurers are requesting a median premium increase of 15% for 2026 as they grapple with policy uncertainty for plans on the exchanges, according to an analysis from KFF and the Peterson Center on Healthcare.

Hospitals are buying more doctor’s offices. That’s tied to higher costs, study finds

A new National Bureau of Economic Research analysis links hospital-physician consolidation to lower competition and higher costs down the line. The American Hospital Association slammed the study as flawed.