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    How states are planning to implement Medicaid work requirements: survey

    Most states are planning to adopt less restrictive policies to verify compliance with work requirements mandated by the “Big Beautiful Bill,” but some are implementing the policies early or checking eligibility more frequently.

    By Emily Olsen • May 4, 2026
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    Anna Moneymaker via Getty Images
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    Supreme Court temporarily restores mail-order access to abortion drug

    On Monday morning, the Supreme Court paused a lower court’s decision that effectively banned the mailing of mifepristone, after makers of the abortion drug asked the nation’s highest court to intervene.

    By Updated May 4, 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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    Retrieved from Carol M. Highsmith.
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    Nebraska rolls out Medicaid work requirements, putting tens of thousands at risk of coverage losses

    The Cornhusker State is the first to roll out work requirements under the GOP’s “Big Beautiful Bill,” well in advance of the law’s 2027 deadline. Between 20,000 and 40,000 people are expected to lose Medicaid as a result.

    By May 1, 2026
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    Kayla Bartkowski via Getty Images
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    Education Department caps graduate student loans, hitting health workforce

    The agency kept a contested definition of “professional” student that excludes fields like graduate nursing and physical therapy from higher loan caps. Healthcare groups say the regulation could worsen workforce shortages.

    By Ben Unglesbee • April 30, 2026
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    Consumer health data’s regulatory patchwork is growing. Relief isn’t coming.

    Healthcare organizations are struggling to navigate the compliance landscape amid a pullback in federal enforcement, a wave of state legislation and emerging voluntary initiatives, experts say.

    By Michael Brady • April 30, 2026
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    Health disparities persist across states and may widen further with federal cuts: report

    Native, Hispanic and Black communities experienced worse health access and affordability issues than white people in most states, according to a new report from the Commonwealth Fund.

    By April 29, 2026
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    Health system CEOs in hot seat over their role in raising healthcare prices

    During a high-profile congressional hearing on Tuesday, one lawmaker said hospitals charge "an insane amount" for care. Still, the CEOs largely passed the buck, arguing their prices are justified.

    By Anuja Vaidya • April 29, 2026
  • Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA) speaks to reporters following a weekly Democratic policy luncheon at the U.S. Capitol Building on June 3, 2025 in Washington, DC.
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    Medicare AI prior authorization pilot delaying care in Washington: report

    The report compiled by Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., found procedures in the state that were previously approved in two weeks now take four to eight weeks to be authorized.

    By Emily Olsen • Updated April 27, 2026
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    FTC, US Anesthesia Partners reach settlement in Texas price collusion case

    The private equity-backed anesthesia provider bought and bullied its way to market dominance in Texas, driving up prices for patients, the FTC alleged. The parties have now reached a deal, though USAP will not admit liability.

    By April 24, 2026
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    Kayla Bartkowski via Getty Images
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    CMS, FDA unveil speedier Medicare coverage pathway for breakthrough devices

    The pathway is designed to reduce the delay between FDA authorization and Medicare coverage for certain Class II and Class III breakthrough medical devices.

    By Ricky Zipp • April 23, 2026
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    AMA urges lawmakers to implement safeguards on AI chatbots

    Though chatbots could have some benefits for mental health access, the physician lobby argued “immediate attention is required” to avoid harming patients looking for support.

    By Emily Olsen • April 23, 2026
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    Prices rose after No Surprises arbitration for some care: analysis

    The data compiled by the Brookings Center on Health Policy shows that average arbitration prices for some services like imaging were seven times higher than Medicare prices.

    By April 22, 2026
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    Moderna, after losing US funding, rebounds to start mRNA bird flu vaccine trial

    A program that got caught up in HHS’ decision to abandon mRNA research was revived by a public-private coalition and is now beginning a large, late-stage test that could support a future approval.

    By Kristin Jensen • April 22, 2026
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    Providers push back on 340B rebate model

    Hospitals and clinics told regulators that switching to rebates in the 340B drug discount program would impose costs that would outweigh the program’s benefits.

    By April 21, 2026
  • Judge dismisses Aetna’s No Surprises fraud suit against Radiology Partners

    The insurer accused the radiology group of gaming the No Surprises Act to reap higher reimbursement. A judge tossed the case last week, saying Aetna needed to raise its complaints during the dispute resolution process.

    By Emily Olsen • April 20, 2026
  • U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. testifies during a hearing of the House Education And Workforce Committee on Capitol Hill on April 17, 2026 in Washington, DC.
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    RFK Jr. defends HHS tenure, 12% proposed budget cut

    Republicans largely praised the HHS secretary’s track record during a marathon of House hearings last week, but some GOP lawmakers raised concerns about proposed budget cuts to the National Institutes of Health.

    By Emily Olsen • April 20, 2026
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    Times up: Hospitals and the 340B markup program need reforms

    Bipartisan agreement. Lowering costs for patients. Saving money for taxpayers. Fix 340B.

    April 20, 2026
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    Kayla Bartkowski via Getty Images
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    CMS proposes repeal of add-on payment path for breakthrough devices

    The agency said it developed concerns about the limited evaluation process for the devices after gaining experience with the alternative pathway.

    By Susan Kelly • April 17, 2026
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    Stakeholders urge Labor Department to finalize PBM transparency rule

    Employers, lawmakers and more said regulators should hustle to get disclosure mandates for the controversial drug middlemen across the finish line, while PBMs slammed the rule as illegal, unnecessary and anticompetitive.

    By April 17, 2026
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    Erica Schwartz, ex-deputy surgeon general, picked to be next CDC director

    If confirmed by the Senate, Schwartz could finally fill a void for an agency that’s cycled through multiple leaders over the last year.

    By April 16, 2026
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    Sarah Silbiger via Getty Images
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    FDA moves toward easing restrictions on certain peptides

    The agency’s decision to hold an advisory committee meeting on the topic comes after HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. told podcaster Joe Rogan he’s a “big fan” of peptides.

    By Kristin Jensen • April 16, 2026
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    ACA exchanges will continue to shrink as fewer enrollees pay premiums, analysis suggests

    About 14% of ACA enrollees didn’t pay premiums in January, a higher rate than usual and one that suggests ACA enrollment will continue to decline, according to Wakely.

    By April 16, 2026
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    VA deploys Oracle EHR at four Michigan medical centers

    The rollout marks the first deployment of the records system at a VA medical center in years after technical problems plagued the project. In total, 13 medical centers are scheduled to receive the Oracle EHR in 2026.

    By Emily Olsen • April 15, 2026
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    CMS accepts more than 150 providers, digital health firms for ACCESS model

    Participants will receive set reimbursement for managing Medicare beneficiaries’ chronic conditions, like diabetes, chronic kidney disease and hypertension.

    By Emily Olsen • April 14, 2026
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    Medicare proposes 2.4% pay bump for inpatient hospitals in 2027, floats mandatory model

    Regulators are proposing to send $1.4 billion more to acute care hospitals and debut the first nationwide, mandatory payment model to lower the cost of joint replacements. Hospitals pushed back.

    By April 13, 2026