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    HHS details takeaways from sweeping AI request for information

    The healthcare sector wants the HHS to coordinate its AI strategy across agencies, provide implementation and governance support, and offer help in evaluating AI tools, leaders said.

    By • June 26, 2026
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    US health spending spikes to $5.7T in 2025, though growth should moderate, CMS finds

    Utilization — not cost growth — continues to accelerate spending, government actuaries said. Rising prescription drug spending, including on GLP-1s, is especially acute.

    By • June 24, 2026
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    Surprise Billing

    Federal legislation banning surprise bills has hit a barrage of roadblocks, complicating efforts to protect consumers from unexpected out-of-network charges.

    By Healthcare Dive staff
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    Florida launches probe into CVS for alleged anticompetitive pharmacy practices

    The investigation by Florida’s attorney general comes as states look to check pharmacy benefit managers for allegedly driving up drug costs.

    By • June 24, 2026
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    Democrats push for more data on Medicare AI prior authorization pilot

    The letter to the CMS from Democrats is the latest salvo from lawmakers concerned that WISeR is delaying care to Medicare beneficiaries.

    By • June 24, 2026
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    The $50B rural health transformation fund is pushing many hospitals to shrink

    To avoid losing funding, many states are pursuing proven cost-saving strategies like downsizing inpatient care rather than untested approaches, some experts say.

    By Michael Brady • June 24, 2026
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    HHS, responding to China’s rise, moves to fast-track early drug research

    A series of newly planned reforms are designed to entice companies to start early trials in the U.S. rather than overseas.

    By Jonathan Gardner • June 23, 2026
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    Hospitals irate after Eli Lilly follows through on 340B ultimatum

    The drugmaker stopped paying 340B discounts to hospitals that didn’t comply with its new paperwork requirements late last week. Hospitals are urging HRSA to step in.

    By • June 22, 2026
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    PCMA sues to exempt PBMs from Illinois drug law

    It’s the second major lawsuit the pharmacy benefit manager lobby has filed against a state law reforming the industry in recent weeks.

    By • June 18, 2026
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    CMS recalculates Medicare Advantage stars after Clover lawsuit loss, but not a freebie for plans

    Regulators are locking in new 2026 stars for plans if they’re higher under the new methodology. But the recalculation basically results in no change to average star ratings unless you’re Clover, analysts say.

    By • June 18, 2026
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    CBO asks for more No Surprises research

    The No Surprises Act “might not have the effects that CBO anticipated,” the agency wrote in petitioning for more research into the 2020 law’s effect on healthcare prices and other trends. It’s a welcome development for payers.

    By • June 17, 2026
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    Fewer insurers participating in ACA marketplaces amid policy turmoil, KFF finds

    The average number of issuers fell from a record high of 9.6 per state in 2025 to just nine this year, according to the health policy research group.

    By • June 17, 2026
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    OhioHealth settles antitrust suit with the DOJ

    OhioHealth has agreed to void problematic contracts with insurers and not seek such terms moving forward, the Justice Department said. The Ohio nonprofit continues to deny all wrongdoing.

    By • June 17, 2026
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    Express Scripts, PCMA sue to block Tennessee law breaking up PBMs and pharmacies

    Express Scripts and the PBM lobby are following in CVS Caremark’s footsteps in filing complaints challenging the FAIR Rx Act, which was passed earlier this year despite vehement opposition from PBMs.

    By • June 16, 2026
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    Courtesy of Edwards Lifesciences
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    CMS proposes Medicare coverage expansion for TAVR

    The proposed change adds Medicare coverage for beneficiaries with asymptomatic severe aortic valve stenosis who are enrolled in a CMS-approved study.

    By Susan Kelly • June 16, 2026
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    Medicare drug price rule may target under-the-skin cancer immunotherapies

    For 2029, a federal rule proposes closing a "loophole" that protects medicines transitioning from intravenous administration from price protection.

    By Jonathan Gardner • June 15, 2026
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    Judge vacates most of controversial 2025 ACA enrollment, eligibility rule

    Friday’s decision is a victory for insurance advocates. But, given many of the rule’s provisions were codified in the GOP’s “Big Beautiful Bill,” it’s not a panacea for the ACA.

    By • June 15, 2026
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    UnitedHealth, FTC reach proposed settlement in insulin case

    The tentative deal comes months after CVS reached a proposed settlement in the lawsuit alleging major PBMs are inflating insulin costs. Cigna has already settled with the FTC.

    By • June 12, 2026
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    Major Medicare Advantage insurers appear to deny care for profit, federal watchdog finds

    MA insurers commonly deny requests for post-acute care — but none more frequently than UnitedHealth, Humana and CVS, the HHS OIG said. Insurers were not happy about the findings.

    By • June 12, 2026
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    CMS creates office dedicated to health technology

    The Office of Health Technology and Products is the latest technology development from the CMS as it doubles down on digital tools.

    By • June 12, 2026
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    CMS increases oversight of state Medicaid demonstrations

    States will have to provide more rigorous financial analyses for their Medicaid demonstrations beginning in 2027, according to new federal guidance.

    By • June 12, 2026
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    Medicare insolvency date creeps forward thanks to ‘Big Beautiful Bill,’ trustees find

    The trust fund underpinning Medicare’s hospital benefit is set to run out of money one quarter earlier than previously expected as tax cuts in the GOP’s reconciliation legislation shrink Medicare’s revenue.

    By • June 11, 2026
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    Planned Parenthood clinics close amid funding restrictions: KFF

    Nearly 60 clinics have closed or consolidated with another site since last year, according to the report.

    By • June 10, 2026
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    House committee takes step toward blocking Medicare AI prior authorization pilot

    It’s another sign of lawmakers’ concern about the pilot, which has been lambasted for delaying care to seniors.

    By • June 10, 2026
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    AMA swears in new president

    Dr. Willie Underwood III said he would focus on uniting physicians across specialties and advancing equity in medicine as president.

    By • June 10, 2026
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    Illinois awards new Medicaid contracts

    The state said it intends to divvy out new contracts, which represent tens of billions of dollars in revenue for each awardee, to six insurers. Winners are mostly incumbents, except for Humana.

    By • Updated June 10, 2026