Weekly News Roundup for Jan 26, 2026


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Andy Imparato
 
 

Breaking News in Healthcare Reform

 
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“I’d say the big take home message is that diversity and access are not the same as equity. That is what the insurance industry has been trying to tell legislators and the public about why Medicare Advantage is a ‘good’ program.”
—Dr. Belinda McIntosh

‘No Real Choice.’ How Medicare Advantage Fails Seniors

Featuring Dr. Belinda McIntosh, Physicians for a National Health Program

Code WACK! | Podcast Episode 314 | January 26, 2026

 
“We are witnessing a widespread, concerted, strategic attack on trans people existing in public spaces and in particular, trans young people….”

Trans Youth Still Have a Safe Haven in California — But That Could Change

CalMatters | Carolyn Jones | January 23, 2026

 
“The chief executives of UnitedHealth, CVS, Cigna, Elevance and Ascendiun were barraged with questions and criticism about care denials, market concentration and their multi-million dollar pay packages at a time when millions of Americans are losing health insurance.”

Insurance CEOs’ No Good, Very Bad Day on the Hill

Healthcare Dive | Rebecca Pifer Parduhn | January 23, 2026

 
“Under the proposal, Medicare telehealth flexibilities would be extended by two years, until Dec. 31, 2027, and the acute hospital care at home program would continue through Sept. 30, 2030, just under five years.”

Telehealth, Hospital-at-Home Waiver Extensions Inch Forward as House Passes Spending Bill

Fierce Healthcare | Emma Beavins | January 23, 2026

 
“There would be nothing preventing an administration from prohibiting any medical services it chose, for adults or children.”

Administration Proposes Discriminatory Anti-Trans Regulations, Weaponizing Medicare

Medicare Rights Center | Julie Carter | January 22, 2026

 
“Commercial insurance today is a highly concentrated marketplace with a small handful of insurers representing one of the most consolidated sectors of the U.S. economy.”

Statement of the American Hospital Association for the Committee on Ways and Means of the United States House of Representatives “Hearing with Health Insurance CEOs”

American Hospital Association | January 22, 2026

 
“Without the care that keeps me alive and functioning, I would lose my vision, my mobility, and my independence.”

‘I Would Lose My Vision’: Americans Relying on ACA Health Plan Face Uncertainty

The Guardian | Marina Dunbar | January 21, 2026

 
“Trillionaire Elon Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) ‘chainsawed’ at USAID projects and contracts, folding the fractured remains of the agency that once saved millions of lives into the US State Department, which has little expertise to manage global health projects.”

One Year Later: The Effect of US ‘Chainsaw’ on Global Health

Health Systems | Kerry Cullinan | January 20, 2026

 
“…roughly 4 million people will end up uninsured and many millions more will see their marketplace premiums double or increase by even more.”

Why Analysts Are Not Impressed with Trump’s ‘Great Healthcare Plan’

Insurance News Net | TalkMarkets | January 20, 2026

 

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Shining a light on ongoing inequities in health care
and the impact they have on vulnerable individuals and communities. 

 

Our podcast Code WACK! brings to life the failures of America’s healthcare system with stories, commentary and analysis. 
Our Weekly News Roundup shares news and views about health policy, health equity and healthcare reform (from non-paywalled news sources) 
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