WakeMed Health's plans to join Atrium Health face swift pushback from NC officials

fiercehealthcare - A combination unveiled May 1 would bring WakeMed Health $2 billion in promised investment from the major nonprofit system. State officials voiced concerns about the impact of such consolidation and the value of those commitments, delaying a planned go-ahe…

AI Summary: Atrium Health’s plan to fold WakeMed into its system — backed by a roughly $2 billion investment plan — is running into immediate resistance from North Carolina officials. State leaders and local stakeholders have raised concerns about consolidation, competition and community impact, threatening regulatory scrutiny that could delay or reshape the deal. Expect tense negotiations, press statements and a few dramatic headlines.

U.S. Government Will Stop Paying for Test Strips to Detect Deadly Drugs

Jan Hoffman / nytimes - In a letter to states and other grant recipients, the Trump administration says the strips encourage drug use.

AI Summary: Public health officials have declared the South Carolina measles outbreak over after nearly 1,000 people fell ill, attributing containment to intensified vaccination campaigns and contact tracing. Authorities warn that immunity gaps still exist and stressed that preventable outbreaks will recur without sustained immunization efforts — a blunt reminder that vaccines remain the easiest way to avoid headline-making contagions.

Cigna exits ACA exchanges despite dramatic profit growth in Q1

Rebecca Pifer Parduhn / healthcaredive - The insurer plans to say goodbye to the ACA exchanges after this year, and is exploring a potential sale of its controversial claims review subsidiary. Both businesses were more trouble than they were worth, executives said.

AI Summary: Cigna announced it will withdraw from Affordable Care Act individual exchanges even after reporting robust first-quarter earnings. The insurer cites strategic and operational reasons for exiting markets where risk and costs bite, a move likely to reduce competition in some states and could leave consumers with fewer plan choices or higher premiums.

WHO approves first malaria treatment for infants

medicalxpress - The World Health Organization announced Friday that it had given prequalification approval to a malaria treatment for newborns and infants for the first time.

AI Summary: The World Health Organization has cleared the first malaria treatment specifically for infants, granting prequalification that paves the way for broader procurement and use in endemic countries. Regulators' sign-off targets a vulnerable age group long underserved by effective pediatric therapies, potentially speeding distribution through global health channels and donor programs.

340B drug discounts are drifting from patients to profit, and reform is now on the table

medicalxpress - The 340B Drug Pricing Program must be reformed to better patient health and disincentivize institutional profit-seeking behaviors, says the American College of Physicians (ACP). In a new policy, "Reforming 340B to Promote Program Integrity and Better Serv…

AI Summary: The 340B drug-discount program is under renewed scrutiny after analyses and advocacy groups argue discounts intended to help patients are instead boosting institutional margins. Hospitals, provider groups and the AHA are contesting HRSA proposals and court rulings, sparking policy debates and potential regulatory fixes to curb markups and steer savings back to vulnerable patients.

FDA updates mifepristone safety study status

Ella Jeffries / beckershospitalreview - The FDA updated its mifepristone guidance, detailing ongoing work on a safety study and the current status of the drug’s Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy program. According to an April 8 news release, the agency said it is still collecting and eval…

AI Summary: The FDA updated the safety review status for mifepristone, yet the regulatory change hasn’t translated into widespread retail availability. Many community pharmacies are still hesitant to dispense the drug due to logistical, legal and reputational concerns, leaving access limited despite federal moves intended to broaden distribution — so yes, policy changed, but practice lagged.

'I'm not being listened to' - new health plan launched as women say they are still ignored

bbc - New plans to improve healthcare for women and girls have been set out, but will they change anything?

AI Summary: Health officials unveiled a new women's health plan, but many women say the rollout feels performative and that their concerns remain unheard. Patient advocates warn the initiative risks repeating past mistakes unless it embeds lived experience, transparent accountability and genuine co-design—otherwise it's policy theater with a glossy brochure.

Baylor Scott & White Health Plan to exit Medicaid, individual markets; cut 321 jobs

Jakob Emerson / beckershospitalreview - Baylor Scott & White Health Plan said April 14 it will exit the Texas Medicaid managed care market and discontinue its individual marketplace plans, affecting roughly 225,000 members and eliminating 321 jobs statewide, according to the Dallas Morning News…

AI Summary: Baylor Scott & White announced it will leave Medicaid individual markets, a move that will shed hundreds of jobs and reshape coverage options for affected enrollees. The decision highlights ongoing financial pressures in public‑program participation and raises practical concerns about access continuity for people reliant on those plans.

New Bill Seeks to Lower Out-of-Pocket Drug Costs

Marissa Plescia / medcitynews - Rep. Greg Murphy introduced a bill that would require out-of-pocket prescription drug spending to count toward patients’ deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums regardless of where the drugs are purchased.The post New Bill Seeks to Lower Out-of-Pocket Drug…

AI Summary: Lawmakers introduced legislation to reduce out‑of‑pocket drug costs by allowing patients' direct drug purchases to count toward their insurance deductibles. The proposal aims to ease financial strain for people buying costly medications out‑of‑pocket, but would require insurers and pharmacy systems to change longstanding accounting and benefits practices.

What are motor skills? Evidence‑based ways to support children's fine and gross motor development

medicalxpress - Motor skills are foundational for a lifetime of movement. For children, they play a vital role not only in facilitating physical activity levels but also for cognitive and socio-emotional development and school readiness.

AI Summary: New guidance summarizes evidence-based strategies to strengthen young children's fine and gross motor development, offering practical activities, screening cues and professional supports for parents and educators. The reporting emphasizes early intervention, play-based approaches and simple at-home exercises that can set the stage for healthier development without expensive gadgets or miracle fixes.

Orlando Health fleshes out Alabama footprint with another acquisition

fiercehealthcare - The $10 billion nonprofit plans to acquire RMC Health System from the City of Anniston, building on 2024's big-ticket purchase of five Alabama hospitals from Tenet Healthcare.

AI Summary: Orlando Health continued its regional growth by acquiring an Alabama health system, extending its clinical and operational footprint into the state. The move aims to integrate services, expand care access and consolidate regional networks as health systems seek scale to manage costs and enhance specialty offerings.