Federal and state healthcare policy changes affecting access, benefits, eligibility, and care delivery.
Medicare has extended many telehealth flexibilities through 2026. Here’s what that means for receiving care at home, what’s covered, what you pay, and what could change next.
A new March 2026 report from MedPAC examines how Medicare payment policy is affecting rural hospital finances and the rise of Rural Emergency Hospitals. Here’s what it means for emergency access, maternity care, travel distances, and insurance coverage in rural communities.
The latest federal survey finds mental illness remains common in the U.S., especially among teens and young adults. Millions report serious symptoms each year, and many still do not receive treatment. Here’s what the newest data show—and what it means for families, insurance coverage, and when to seek help.
New FDA-approved obesity medications have changed treatment options—but Medicare’s long-standing drug coverage rules still shape who can access them. Here’s what adults and families should understand in 2026 about eligibility, costs, and policy limits.
CMS has finalized the 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, updating how doctors are paid, refining telehealth rules, and adjusting quality programs. Here’s what those changes could mean for appointment access, costs, and care coordination.
The March 2026 MACPAC Report to Congress reviews Medicaid and CHIP enrollment after the COVID-19 unwinding, access to care challenges, managed care oversight, and federal–state financing pressures. Here’s what families should know.
CMS has finalized its 2026 payment rule for hospital outpatient departments and ambulatory surgery centers. Here’s what the changes mean for Medicare patients, hospital finances, and where you receive care.
Federal data show that primary care and mental health shortages remain widespread in 2026, especially in rural, tribal, and low-income communities. Here’s what a federal shortage designation means, how it affects wait times and emergency department use, and what’s being done to address the gaps.
New federal rules are rolling out in 2026–2027 to shorten prior authorization timelines, require clearer denial explanations, and move more requests online for certain Medicare Advantage, Medicaid, CHIP, and Marketplace plans. Here’s what’s changing — and what it means for patients.
Drug shortages remain a nationwide issue in early 2026. Here’s what it means when a medication appears on the FDA’s Drug Shortages list, how shortages differ from recalls, and what patients should do to protect their care.
The Indian Health Service plans to phase out mercury-containing dental amalgam fillings in its facilities by 2027. Here’s what federal agencies say about safety, who may be at higher risk, and whether patients need to remove existing fillings.
Enhanced Affordable Care Act premium tax credits ended December 31, 2025. Here’s how 2026 Marketplace coverage works under the standard subsidy formula, who is most affected, what protections remain, and what families can do now.
Federal agencies extended pandemic-era telehealth flexibilities for prescribing certain controlled substances, including ADHD stimulants, through December 31, 2025. Here’s what that meant, where things stand in March 2026, and how patients can avoid treatment disruptions.
Federal telehealth flexibilities allowed many ADHD stimulant prescriptions to be written without an in-person exam through December 31, 2025. Here’s what changed, where things stand in March 2026, and how patients can avoid treatment disruptions.
Federal mental health funding for 2026 places renewed focus on the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics. Here’s what that could mean for crisis response, wait times, and access to care across the United States.
Medicare’s 2026 physician payment rule changes how doctors are paid for office visits, preventive services, telehealth, and chronic care. Here’s what that could mean for appointment access, screenings, and small or rural practices.
A temporary Medicaid funding deferral in Minnesota has raised questions about coverage, provider payments, and federal oversight. Here’s what enrollees and healthcare providers should understand about how Medicaid financing works and what could happen next.
The FDA has updated its shortage listings and enforcement posture around compounded semaglutide and tirzepatide. Here’s what that could mean for patients who rely on these medications for diabetes or weight management.
New federal funding from SAMHSA in 2026 aims to strengthen crisis response, expand community mental health services, and prevent suicide. Here’s what that could mean for families, schools, and local care access across the United States.
The 2026 Medicare physician fee schedule affects how doctors are paid, which services are prioritized, and how easy it may be for patients to find care. Here’s what the latest CMS updates could mean for access, preventive services, and community health.
Starting in 2026, new federal rules require many insurers to publicly report how often they deny, approve, or delay prior authorization requests. Here’s what that could mean for patients, doctors, and access to care.
As the FDA updates its policies around compounded versions of GLP-1 drugs like semaglutide and tirzepatide, patients may see changes in availability, pricing, and oversight. Here’s what the shift means for access, safety, and insurance coverage.
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