ACA plans want to hike premiums by median of 18% next year: KFF

The KFF’s projection is steeper than an older analysis that relied on less complete data. It’s the largest increase that ACA insurers have asked for in more than five years as payers brace for membership turmoil.

FTC moves to block Edwards’ JenaValve acquisition

Edwards Lifesciences and JenaValve said they remained committed to completing the deal and would defend the case in court.

Healthcare bankruptcies dipped to 3-year low in the second quarter

Although fewer companies are expected to file for Chapter 11 protections in 2025 relative to last year, significant headwinds remain on the horizon, according to a new report from Gibbins Advisors.

HHS abandons mRNA vaccine research

One vaccine expert called the move, which cancels some $500 million in messenger RNA research contracts, a “giant step backward for science.” 

More urban hospitals dually classifying as rural under Medicare: study

Dually classifying allows urban facilities to benefit from rural health programs, even as many rural facilities struggle financially and are at high risk of closure, researchers wrote.

Hinge Health beats Wall Street expectations on revenue in first public earnings

The digital musculoskeletal care company hit the public markets in May, one of just a few digital health firms to complete an IPO in recent years.

Trump administration illegally axed NIH grants, government watchdog says

The Government Accountability Office can file a lawsuit in an attempt to restore the grants. However, the agency has not opted to do so during the second Trump administration.

Incoming UnitedHealth CFO steps down from Centene’s board

A clause in Wayne DeVeydt’s new contract prevents him from participating in activities that compete with UnitedHealth. That’s standard for senior executives.

Gates Foundation pledges $2.5B to women’s health research

The investment, which the foundation says is its largest in women’s health, will support research in maternal health, obstetric care and sexually transmitted infections, among other areas.

More than half of patients report health insurance denied drugs for chronic or rare diseases: poll

The survey also found high rates of alternative funding programs, controversial arrangements in which employers outsource access to pricey specialty drugs to third parties.

States sue to stop ‘unconstitutional pressure campaign’ on gender-affirming care

A coalition of 16 states and Washington, D.C., argue the Trump administration is trying to ban gender-affirming care for minors without going through Congress.

Trump administration finalizes health IT rule on prior authorization, electronic prescribing

The regulation should enable workflow automation to limit paperwork burdens on providers, regulators said.

Physicians saw a 3.7% bump in pay last year — but it wasn’t distributed equally

Women and pediatricians were likely to receive lower compensation relative to their peers, according to Doximity's 2025 physician compensation report.

Half of large employers plan to shift health plan costs onto employees: Mercer

Employers are looking for ways to manage costs, cover popular weight loss drugs and offer well-being and mental health options.

UnitedHealth replaces CFO in another leadership shakeup

Wayne DeVeydt, a healthcare veteran who most recently worked at Bain Capital, will take up the finance chief job on Sept. 2 as the healthcare behemoth faces an array of operational challenges. 

CMS finalizes inpatient payment rate increase for 2026

Medicare finalized inpatient pay rates that are slightly higher than those proposed in April. Hospital groups were pleased with the increases, but said they were still inadequate.

Trump administration to pilot 340B rebate model next year

The pilot is a significant departure from the current model, which gives hospitals upfront discounts for some drugs. Hospitals say 340B is a lifeline, while drugmakers say hospitals have abused the program.

Cigna beats investor expectations on Evernorth growth

Cigna’s health insurance business is performing within expectations, even as the insurer faces persistently heightened medical costs, executives said.

Teladoc beats Wall Street expectations in Q2 amid strategic revamp

Still, the virtual care giant reported revenue and earnings decline at BetterHelp, Teladoc’s direct-to-consumer mental health segment that has faced challenges for several quarters.

CVS hikes adjusted earnings guidance as Aetna performance improves

The company raised its outlook as many insurers are struggling with elevated medical costs in the second quarter.

Trump administration launches health data sharing initiative

More than 60 companies, including Amazon, Google, UnitedHealth and Epic, have pledged to participate in the initiative, which the CMS said would “deliver results” early next year.

PBM markets lack competition, new paper finds

The American Medical Association’s research, which found that local PBM markets are highly concentrated, is more fuel for critics of the powerful drug middlemen.

Humana hikes 2025 guidance on medical cost control, pharmacy growth

The health insurer’s results are a bright spot in what’s otherwise been a gloomy quarter for the sector. Humana says it has a handle on snowballing medical costs after taking a conservative stance heading into the year.

The Trump administration is overhauling healthcare policy. Follow the changes here.

The Senate on Tuesday confirmed Susan Monarez as the next director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Updated July 30, 2025

Elevance names former Cencora CEO to board

Steve Collis’ three decades of experience at a major drug distributor could prove helpful for Elevance as it continues to build out its pharmacy services.