The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced the upcoming launch of the “Medicare GLP-1 Bridge,” a time-limited demonstration project that will provide eligible Medicare Part D beneficiaries access to certain GLP-1 medications for $50 per month beginning July 1, 2026, through December 31, 2027. The initiative is designed to expand affordable access to innovative, evidence-based weight-loss treatments that may improve long-term health outcomes for seniors managing obesity and related conditions. CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz stated that the demonstration aims to make these medications more affordable and accessible for Medicare beneficiaries, while supporting healthier lifestyles and reducing barriers to care. CMS will continue working with providers, pharmacies, and manufacturers ahead of the program launch and encourages beneficiaries to speak with their health care providers to determine whether a GLP-1 medication is appropriate for their care needs. Additional program details are available on the CMS website.
 
CMS Press Release and Fact Sheet Summaries – find all press releases and fact sheets here: https://www.cms.gov/about-cms/contact/newsroom

The 340B Report announced the impending introduction of the “Bergman 2.0,” a bipartisan bill sponsored by Reps. Jack Bergman (R-MI) and Raul Ruiz (D-CA) “ which would expand the ban on a 340B rebate model to include rural hospitals and most grantees.

Read more: 340B Report

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced a comprehensive Behavioral Health Strategy grounded in five strategic pillars: mental health and wellness; substance use disorder prevention, treatment, and recovery; pain treatment and management; care efficiencies; and special populations.

On May 4, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced efforts to curb psychiatric overprescribing at a MAHA Institute summit on mental health and overmedicalization.

HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. laid out a new action plan to promote appropriate psychiatric prescribing and drive deprescribing when clinically indicated.

Click here to learn more.

On May 1, the Department of Education finalized the Reimagining and Improving Student Education (RISE) – Federal Student Loan Program regulations, aimed at lowering the cost of college and simplifying repayment.

The rule takes effect July 1, 2026.

Since the conclusion of the 2026 Open Enrollment period on January 31, an additional 45,000 individuals have terminated their health coverage through Pennie.

The most significant declines occurred among households with incomes between 150% and 200% of the Federal Poverty Level, equivalent to approximately $48,000 to $64,000 for a family of four. Enrollment losses were also disproportionately concentrated among consumers aged 55 to 64, who disenrolled at more than twice the rate of those aged 18 to 25.

National data indicates this pattern is consistent with trends observed across other states. With affordability cited as the primary concern in marketplace surveys, many consumers are shifting to lower-premium plans with substantially higher out-of-pocket costs or choosing to forgo coverage entirely. Additionally, recent changes to immigrant eligibility criteria and the expiration of Enhanced Premium Tax Credits have resulted in many individuals losing access to affordable options on both federal and state-based marketplaces.