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Good morning! If you missed last week’s newsletter, there’s plenty to discuss. Let’s dive in.
Health Care Moves by the Trump Administration Last Week
Federal health officials were active last week. On Monday, President Trump issued an executive order to overhaul the federal vaccine strategy, though it was met with skepticism due to the lack of supporting evidence. The WHO criticized this decision, and vaccine manufacturers expressed their reluctance to comply. For context: Here’s why splitting up the MMR vaccine can be risky.
Following the announcement, health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. adopted a different approach, promoting his MAHA message throughout California while steering clear of contentious issues such as vaccines, as reported by STAT’s Chelsea Cirruzzo. Other developments from the week included:
- HHS declared that companies intending to introduce new substances to human or animal foods must notify the FDA and explain how they determined the additive is “generally recognized as safe.”
- CMS approved a rule that prevents federal Medicaid and CHIP funds from covering gender-affirming care for minors. While legal challenges are expected, experts indicated that this could be the Trump administration’s strongest legal action yet against these treatments. Additionally, HHS has referred numerous providers for investigation over gender-affirming care billing codes.
- The administration introduced a new toolkit for addressing addiction and homelessness, emphasizing faith-based approaches while dismissing harm reduction strategies. Despite the modernization of methadone treatment regulations two years ago, the toolkit barely acknowledges the medication, which is crucial in reducing opioid overdose fatalities.
Stagnation in Private Equity Acquisitions of Doctor Groups
More than a dozen states have enacted laws to enhance oversight of private equity transactions in health care, which has slowed down dealmaking. While 851 physician practice management deals occurred in 2021, only 105 were reported in the first half of 2026.
“Each state’s laws vary, creating uncertainty and requiring more effort to determine how a transaction aligns with each state’s requirements,” explained Paul Pitts, a partner at Reed Smith who works with health care providers. STAT’s Tara Bannow provides further details.
Epic’s Internal Turmoil: Succession, Lawsuits, and AI
Epic, a leader in electronic health records software, is experiencing a situation reminiscent of the HBO series “Succession.” The company is grappling with antitrust lawsuits and strategic questions about its artificial intelligence approach. Recently, there has been a departure of key tech leaders, including the anticipated successor to founder and CEO Judy Faulkner.
“Many have been waiting for their turn under a controlling leader,” remarked a former Epic employee who still communicates with ex-colleagues. “It was bound to be complicated.” As Epic’s annual conference kicks off tomorrow, STAT’s Brittany Trang and Casey Ross delve into the pressing questions facing the company. Read more. If you’re attending, reach out to Brittany.
Ongoing Maternity Care Deserts
The March of Dimes recently released its biannual report on U.S. maternity care deserts. Key findings include:
- From January 2024 to May 2026, at least 96 labor and delivery units closed. In nearly 60% of affected counties, the unit was the sole local birthing facility.
- Approximately 1 in 3 U.S. counties are considered maternity care deserts, lacking obstetric clinicians or birthing facilities. The closure of rural hospitals severely impacts maternity care availability. According to the report, impending Medicaid changes could worsen access issues.
- About 1 in 9 women of reproductive age in the U.S. lack insurance, with the highest rates in the South, rural areas, and maternity care deserts.
Additional Noteworthy STAT Stories from Last Week
Taking a week off from the newsletter highlights the volume of remarkable reporting done here daily. Apologies for sounding promotional, but there are a few more stories from last week worth noting:
- Casey and Brittney completed a comprehensive investigation into a $7 billion tech startup using AI to automate administrative tasks in health care. Their findings reveal the company offered significant compensation to customers and others for referring its products to potential clients. However, follow-up reporting showed the company has ended programs that compensated partners for referrals.
- New research indicates no harm in discontinuing statins at age 75 for individuals without a cardiovascular disease history, according to STAT’s Elizabeth Cooney reports.
- Brain-computer interface startups frequently describe their devices as “minimally invasive.” However, as STAT’s O. Rose Broderick reports, the term is ambiguous. A recent study surveyed patients contemplating implantable devices for treatment-resistant depression on what factors mattered to them.
- Medical ethicists argue that research oversight is too aligned with industry interests. STAT’s Angus Chen wrote about a nonprofit whose founders believe it can revitalize an industry that’s lost its direction.
What We’re Reading
- The implications of Trump’s vaccine order on his ties with MAHA moms, The 19th
- The reality of AOC’s egg freezing decision and working women’s challenges, New Yorker
- Opinion: Paid paternity leave as a form of pediatric preventive care, STAT
- Exploring the possibility of extending your pet’s life indefinitely, Bloomberg
- Opinion: Demonstrating the effectiveness of bipartisan health care reform in North Carolina and advocating for its national adoption, STAT
