August 5

• HHS announced it will reduce mRNA development, terminating 22 vaccine contracts and cancelling and shrinking other contracts and solicitations.
  ↳ Go deeper: Health policy roundup: RFK Jr. cancels mRNA vaccine research funding

July 31

• Health Resources and Services Administration launched a voluntary 340B Rebate Model Pilot for drugs subject to Medicare drug price negotiation to test a fair, transparent rebate process with qualifying manufacturers.
  ↳ Go deeper: HRSA Announces Application Process for the 340B Rebate Model Pilot Program and Request for Public Comment | HRSA
• The Trump Administration issued letters to pharmaceutical companies demanding they reduce U.S. drug prices to those in other countries. Companies were given until September 29 to take action.
  ↳ Go deeper: Trump demands lower drug prices, threatens 250% pharma tariffs

July 22

• CDC recommended only single-dose formulations of annual influenza vaccines that are free of thimerosal as a preservative for children 18 years or younger, pregnant women, and all adults.   
  ↳ Go deeper: Health policy roundup: Trump plans 15% tariffs on EU pharmaceuticals

The CBO updated its estimates on the impact of the final OBBBA with a projected 14.2M increase in uninsured people and $910B estimated direct reimbursement reduction by 2034.

July 18

• ACA Marketplace insurers requested a median premium increase of 18% for 2026. This would represent the largest hike in premiums since 2018.
  ↳ Go deeper: How much and why ACA Marketplace premiums are going up in 2026 | Peterson-KFF Health System Tracker

CMS proposed new rules to the Physician Fee Schedule, Outpatient Prospective Payment System, and Ambulatory Surgical Center Payment System for CY 2026.
↳ Go deeper: Inside the MPFS, OPPS, and home health final rules

The major healthcare provisions of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) have a range of effective dates. Insurance eligibility and affordability provisions are generally frontloaded, with the earliest marketplace changes taking effect in 2025 and Medicaid work requirements starting by the end of 2026. Restrictions on Medicaid financing will be phased in starting in 2028.

July 4

• President Trump signed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act into law, imposing deep cuts to Medicaid and other insurance programs. This is projected to increase the number of uninsured Americans by nearly 12 million by 2034.
  ↳ Go deeper: $1T in healthcare cuts: What 'One Big Beautiful Bill Act' means for the industry

July 1

• The Senate passes a revised One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which would significantly cut funding and coverage for Medicaid, Medicare, and the ACA marketplace. The bill will now return to the House.

June 27

• SCOTUS rules that the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) can continue to determine the preventive care services that must be covered with no cost sharing
  ↳ Go deeper: Supreme Court upholds federal health task force that sets no-cost coverage for preventive services | CBS News

June 26

• ACIP met for the first time since HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. replaced the board with seven new appointees. They recommended annual flu shots, an RSV monoclonal antibody treatment for infants, and announced a review of childhood vaccine schedules. They also recommended against flu shots containing the preservative thimerosal.
  ↳ Go deeper: CDC's new vaccine advisory panel just met. Here's what they discussed.

June 23

• HHS and major payers announce commitment to streamline and improve prior authorization processes.
  ↳ Go deeper: 50+ insurers pledged to reform prior authorization. What's next?

June 9

• HHS submits funding request and detailed justification to Congress to establish the new Administration for a Healthy America (AHA), combining several existing HHS programs into one division.
  ↳ Go deeper: What to know about the Administration for a Healthy America
• RFK fired all 17 members of CDC's ACIP, the expert panel that reviews data on vaccines, debates evidence, and votes on who should receive shots and when
  ↳ Go deeper: Health policy roundup: RFK Jr. fires entire CDC vaccine panel

June 4

• CBO releases updated estimates for the final version of the House’s passed One Big Beautiful Bill Act, projecting almost 11 million Americans will lose their health insurance and a $2.4 trillion increase to the nation's deficit by 2034
  ↳ Go deeper: CBO: House bill would cost $2.4T, cause nearly 11M to lose health insurance