White House makes deal with Eli Lilly, Novo Nordisk to lower weight loss drug prices and begin Medicare coverage

Harvey Risch, critic of COVID-19 response, tapped by White House to serve as chair of the President’s Cancer Panel

Harvey A. Risch, professor emeritus and senior research scientist at Yale School of Public Health, said he was named chair of the President’s Cancer Panel. Risch will succeed Elizabeth M. Jaffee, who was appointed by President Joe Biden in January 2023.

White House directs HHS and CDC to align childhood vaccine recommendations with “best practices from peer, developed countries”

In a Dec. 5 memo, President Donald Trump directed the HHS secretary and the CDC director to “align the U.S. core childhood vaccine recommendations with best practices from peer, developed countries.”

AI will determine Medicare prior authorizations in six states under new pilot program

Medicare will soon launch a pilot program that will test the use of AI to automate the prior authorization process—a tool that will recommend whether to approve or deny coverage for a patient in the program.

CMS cuts deal on four oncology drugs under Medicare

The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services said it has negotiated down the price of 15 drugs, including significant discounts to four costly cancer treatment drugs, according to an announcement from Nov. 25.

Medicare Part B premiums expected to rise almost 10% in 2026

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has announced that monthly premiums for Medicare Part B will begin costing patients $202.09 per month next year—a 9.7% rise up from $185 in 2025—for individuals making an annual income of $109,000 or less.

Trump administration puts new restrictions on federal student loan borrowing

The “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” includes new restrictions on federal student loan borrowing that the Trump administration says are aimed at driving down the cost of graduate education. However, critics of the change say that the reduced access to low-interest federal loans will further reduce the accessibility of graduate and professional degrees.

December 05, 2025

Vol.51 No.44

By Jacquelyn Cobb

White House makes deal with Eli Lilly, Novo Nordisk to lower weight loss drug prices and begin Medicare coverage

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Harvey Risch, critic of COVID-19 response, tapped by White House to serve as chair of the President’s Cancer Panel

White House directs HHS and CDC to align childhood vaccine recommendations with “best practices from peer, developed countries”

AI will determine Medicare prior authorizations in six states under new pilot program

CMS cuts deal on four oncology drugs under Medicare

Medicare Part B premiums expected to rise almost 10% in 2026

Trump administration puts new restrictions on federal student loan borrowing

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