Minnesota Seeks $1B for Rural Health Transformation, but Medicaid Cuts Threaten Gains
Minnesota applied for $1B under the federal Rural Health Transformation Program to strengthen rural hospitals, telehealth, and workforce capacity.
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IQWiG: No Added Benefit for Darolutamide Over Apalutamide Without Direct Comparative Data
IQWiG has concluded that darolutamide offers no proven added benefit over apalutamide for metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer.
CMS Sets 2026 Medicare Premiums and Deductibles as Costs Rise and Policy Changes Take Effect
CMS Sets 2026 Medicare Premiums and Deductibles as Cost Pressures Mount and Regulatory Fixes Temper Increases The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has released the 2026 Medicare Parts A and B premiums, deductibles, and income-related adjustment amounts, outlining another year of steady cost increases across the program. While the updates reflect predictable inflationary … Read more
NICE Expands Cancer and Dermatology Options With Three Major Recommendations Across DLBCL, Myeloma, and Chronic Hand Eczema
NICE has issued three major recommendations expanding access to Columvi-GemOx for DLBCL, talquetamab for relapsed myeloma, and delgocitinib for chronic hand eczema.
Vietnam Targets 2026 Rollout of Free Annual Health Checks and Expanded Insurance Coverage
Doctors providing check-ups with a sign announcing free annual health checks and expanded insurance. Vietnam Sets Ambitious 2026 Plan for Free Annual Health Checks, Expanded Coverage, and System-Wide Reform Vietnam is preparing to deliver one of its most far-reaching public-health reforms in decades, a nationwide guarantee of one free annual health check or screening for … Read more
Novo Nordisk Cuts Wegovy and Ozempic Self-Pay Price to $199 in New Access Push
Novo Nordisk has introduced a $199 introductory price for Wegovy and Ozempic starter doses, alongside a permanent drop in monthly self-pay costs to $349.
UK VPAG DECISION DEADLINE EXTENDED AGAIN
The UK and ABPI have agreed to a third extension of the VPAG withdrawal deadline, moving it to December 16, 2025.
Spain Expands Newborn Screening Portfolio and Launches National Asbestos Injury Certification in Dual Public Health Overhaul
Spanish health official displays a Ministry of Health certificate for asbestos-related injury, as Spain rolls out its new national certification system alongside expanded neonatal screening reforms. (Editorial illustration.) CISNS approves sweeping updates to neonatal diagnostics and formalizes a nationwide system to certify asbestos-related disease for compensation Spain’s Interterritorial Council of the National Health System (CISNS) … Read more
ICER Releases Draft Scope on COVID-19 Vaccines
The Institute for Clinical and Economic Review (ICER) has posted a draft scoping document outlining its plans to assess the long-term clinical and economic value of updated COVID-19 vaccines.
TLV Endorses Keytruda Combo for Advanced Cervical Cancer with Cost-Effectiveness Caveats
Sweden’s TLV has published its health economic assessment of Merck’s Keytruda for locally advanced cervical cancer, finding clear efficacy benefits when added to chemoradiation. However, the agency warns that cost-effectiveness hinges on price transparency and real-world survival durability.