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U.S. Prescription Drug Prices See Sharpest Annual Drop in Over 60 Years, Labor Department Reports

U.S. Prescription Drug Prices See Sharpest Annual Drop in Over 60 Years, Labor Department Reports

Prescription drug prices in the United States experienced their most significant annual decline in over six decades, according to inflation data released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics on Wednesday. Over the 12 months ending in July, the price of medicinal drugs, encompassing both prescription and over-the-counter medications, fell by 2.7%. Specifically, prescription drug prices saw an even sharper decrease of 3.1% compared to July 2025, marking the largest annual decline since March 1963, as reported by The Washington Post. This notable drop occurred while overall consumer prices in the U.S. rose by 3.4% year over year. The cause of this decline is subject to differing interpretations. The White House attributed the positive development to President Trump's efforts to lower drug prices, citing initiatives like "Most-Favored-Nations deals" and "TrumpRx." However, independent experts suggest that the Biden-era introduction of Medicare price negotiations, enacted as part of the 2022 Inflation Reduction A...

You want to join a clinical trial. What to know about the hurdles

You want to join a clinical trial. What to know about the hurdles

HHS began an effort to streamline clinical research, and legislation is pending in Congress. But patients and providers face participation challenges.

Westchester County Journal News

All New Yorkers should access compassionate end-of-life care | Opinion

All New Yorkers should access compassionate end-of-life care | Opinion

New York's Medical Aid in Dying Act allows terminally ill adults to have the legal option to request medication to end their lives.

Warren to RFK Jr: Show the public the negotiated deals for TrumpRx

Warren to RFK Jr: Show the public the negotiated deals for TrumpRx

Warren said in a letter to Kennedy that he hasn't made details public even though he committed to doing so during a Senate committee hearing.

Congress Introduces Patients First Act to Reform Medicare Physician Payment System

Congress Introduces Patients First Act to Reform Medicare Physician Payment System

Representatives John Joyce, MD (R-PA), Greg Murphy, MD (R-NC), and Kim Schrier, MD (D-WA) have introduced the Patients First Act, a bill designed to overhaul the Medicare physician payment system. The legislation proposes several key changes, including providing a predictable annual payment update tied to medical inflation, raising the budget-neutrality threshold, and revamping the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) measure review process. Additionally, the bill mandates that federal claims data be made available to clinician-led clinical data registries. These reforms aim to address the long-standing issue of declining Medicare physician reimbursement, which has fallen by approximately 33% over the past 25 years when adjusted for inflation.

Susan Rice Criticizes Government Inaction on Sodium Valproate Compensation

Susan Rice Criticizes Government Inaction on Sodium Valproate Compensation

Susan Rice, a woman affected by the use of sodium valproate during pregnancy, has expressed her frustration over the lack of government response and compensation for families affected by the drug. Sodium valproate, an epilepsy medication, has been linked to disabilities in children when taken by pregnant women. Rice's children were born with symptoms of foetal valproate syndrome, including autism and learning difficulties. Despite the 2020 Cumberlege Report recommending compensation for affected families, Rice and others are still waiting for government action. England's first patient safety commissioner, Dr. Henrietta Hughes, has also expressed disappointment over the government's lack of response to these recommendations.

AARP issues urgent call on Medicare drug costs

AARP issues urgent call on Medicare drug costs

American seniors pay dramatically more for brand-name prescription drugs than patients in 19 comparable countries, and the gap keeps widening each year. AARP published a new report examining 25 top-selling brand-name drugs that account for more than $100 billion in annual Medicare spending. The ...

Medicare Payment Reform Legislation Introduced in Congress

Medicare Payment Reform Legislation Introduced in Congress

Representatives Ron Estes and Tom Suozzi have introduced the Efficiency Adjustment Delay Act to delay CMS efficiency-related cuts until 2030. This legislation requires CMS to provide evidence supporting the policy and report to Congress on future cuts. The bill is part of broader efforts to address Medicare physician payment issues, which have seen a 33% decrease over 25 years. Other related bills include the Provider Reimbursement Stability Act and the Patients First Act, aiming to reform Medicare payment systems.

CMS Proposal on Fixed-Dose Combination Drugs Raises Equity Concerns

CMS Proposal on Fixed-Dose Combination Drugs Raises Equity Concerns

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has proposed changes to the treatment of fixed-dose combination therapies under the Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program. This proposal could significantly impact Medicare beneficiaries' access to innovative cancer treatments and healthcare equity. The National Minority Quality Forum (NMQF) is hosting a webinar to discuss the potential unintended consequences of these policy changes. Fixed-dose combination therapies simplify medication regimens, which can reduce barriers to treatment adherence for patients, particularly those undergoing cancer treatment. The webinar will explore how reimbursement and pricing policies might affect patient access, treatment options, and future pharmaceutical innovation.

Governor Armstrong Appoints Conner Swanson to Lead North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services

Governor Armstrong Appoints Conner Swanson to Lead North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services

Governor Kelly Armstrong of North Dakota has appointed Conner Swanson as the new head of the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), effective August 29. Swanson, who has been a senior advisor in the Governor's Office, will succeed Pat Traynor, the interim commissioner. Swanson's experience includes serving as a policy advisor and communications director for Armstrong during his tenure as a U.S. representative, as well as roles in the U.S. Department of the Interior and the North Dakota House. Swanson's appointment is expected to build on the work of the outgoing commissioner and enhance health outcomes across the state.

Department of Justice Withdraws Effort to Obtain Trans Youth Records from UPMC

Department of Justice Withdraws Effort to Obtain Trans Youth Records from UPMC

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has ceased its attempt to acquire medical records of transgender youth from the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC). This decision follows a federal district court's previous ruling against the DOJ's subpoena, which was part of an investigation into alleged healthcare fraud related to gender-affirming care for minors. The DOJ's withdrawal of its appeal marks the end of a legal battle that began over a year ago, involving more than 20 doctors and clinics. The DOJ had sought these records as part of a broader investigation into healthcare practices, but faced significant opposition from families and legal advocates who argued that the subpoenas threatened patient privacy and could lead to harassment.

Ashley Hinson's Missed Votes in Congress Raise Concerns Amid Senate Campaign

Ashley Hinson's Missed Votes in Congress Raise Concerns Amid Senate Campaign

Iowa Representative Ashley Hinson, currently a Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate, has missed nearly 200 votes in Congress since joining the House in 2021. This includes 163 committee votes and 33 floor votes. Some of these absences are attributed to her having COVID-19 in January 2022 and April 2026, but many remain unexplained. Notably, Hinson missed a vote to increase funding for the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, aimed at combating AI-generated child pornography. She also missed votes related to reducing violent crime, such as funding for the Violence Against Women Act and transitional housing grants for domestic abuse victims. Additionally, Hinson was absent for votes on healthcare issues, including addressing doctor shortages in the Veterans Affairs system and funding nutrition programs for seniors. Her absences have sparked criticism, especially as she campaigns against Democratic state Rep. Josh Turek in a closely watched Senate race.