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Berkeley Lovelace Jr.

@berkeleyjr.bsky.social
4.5K followers 279 following 191 posts

💊🏛️ NBC News Medical Reporter FDA • Drug Pricing • Health Care Costs

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Berkeley Lovelace Jr. @berkeleyjr.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Dr. Heidi Overton, President Donald Trump’s pick to lead the Food and Drug Administration, repeatedly sidestepped questions about the abortion pill, vaccines and fruit-flavored vapes during her Senate confirmation hearing Thursday. www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
nbcnews.com
Trump’s FDA pick sidesteps questions on abortion pill and vaccines at confirmation hearing
Dr. Heidi Overton, a fierce opponent of abortion rights, declined to say whether she personally believes the abortion pill mifepristone is safe.
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sara g miller @saragmiller.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
BREAKING: FDA approves Moderna's mRNA flu shot, by @berkeleyjr.bsky.social
nbcnews.com
FDA approves 1st mRNA flu shot, from Moderna
The vaccine, called mFlusiva, was approved for older adults. In trials, it was found to be about 27% more effective than a standard flu shot.
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Berkeley Lovelace Jr. @berkeleyjr.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
BREAKING: The FDA approves Moderna's mRNA flu shot www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
nbcnews.com
FDA approves 1st mRNA flu shot, from Moderna
The vaccine, called mFlusiva, was approved for older adults. In trials, it was found to be about 27% more effective than a standard flu shot.
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sara g miller @saragmiller.bsky.social · 24/07/2026
An FDA advisory committee narrowly voted in favor of loosening restrictions on peptides over strong objections from agency career scientists. with @berkeleyjr.bsky.social
nbcnews.com
FDA panel recommends easing restrictions on several peptides, including BPC-157
The panel went against the conclusions of the agency’s career scientists, who said there was not enough evidence to support the move.
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Berkeley Lovelace Jr. @berkeleyjr.bsky.social · 21/07/2026
The draft agenda for this week’s FDA peptide meeting is up. Votes are scheduled on two peptides in the morning and two in the afternoon during the first day. One peptide on the final afternoon. www.fda.gov/media/193711...
fda.gov
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Berkeley Lovelace Jr. @berkeleyjr.bsky.social · 20/07/2026
Taylor Farms continues to be the subject of a Food and Drug Administration investigation into the growing cyclosporiasis outbreak, despite a false-positive test result, the agency said Monday. www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
nbcnews.com
FDA says it’s still investigating Taylor Farms in cyclosporiasis outbreak
A false-positive test result doesn’t change the “overwhelming epidemiological data” linking Taylor Farms to the outbreak, the FDA said.
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NBC News @nbcnews.com · 16/07/2026
BREAKING: The FDA is investigating iceberg lettuce supplied to Taco Bell by Taylor Farms as a possible source of the cyclosporiasis outbreak that has sickened thousands.
nbcnews.to
Iceberg lettuce supplier investigated as possible source in cyclosporiasis outbreak
Nearly 7,000 cases nationwide are confirmed or under investigation, according to the CDC. Michigan has accounted for the bulk of cases so far.
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Center on Budget and Policy Priorities @centeronbudget.bsky.social · 10/07/2026
As ACA Marketplace premiums continue to rise, more people are struggling to afford health coverage after enhanced premium tax credits expired. Watch @nbcnews.com @berkeleyjr.bsky.social explain the growing affordability challenges, featuring CBPP data: youtu.be/KthkxUfhW-c?...
youtu.be
Meet the Press NOW — July 9
YouTube video by NBC News
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Berkeley Lovelace Jr. @berkeleyjr.bsky.social · 08/07/2026
NEW: Montana began implementing Medicaid work requirements this month. Cancer advocacy groups say concerns have been building for months as they’ve sought clear answers from officials about how the state would ensure vulnerable patients keep coverage. www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
nbcnews.com
As Montana’s Medicaid work requirements roll out, cancer patients fear they’ll lose coverage
Cancer advocacy groups say concerns have been building for months as they’ve sought clear answers from officials about how the state would ensure vulnerable patients keep coverage.
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Miranda Yaver @mirandayaver.bsky.social · 08/07/2026
I chatted with @berkeleyjr.bsky.social for this piece on Montana's decision to start Medicaid work reqs early, despite HR1 not requiring this until Jan 1. The CMS rule (you can comment until 7/31!) goes farther than HR1 and will prove harmful to those w/ illnesses. www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
nbcnews.com
As Montana’s Medicaid work requirements roll out, cancer patients fear they’ll lose coverage
Cancer advocacy groups say concerns have been building for months as they’ve sought clear answers from officials about how the state would ensure vulnerable patients keep coverage.
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Berkeley Lovelace Jr. @berkeleyjr.bsky.social · 08/07/2026
NEW: Montana began implementing Medicaid work requirements this month. Cancer advocacy groups say concerns have been building for months as they’ve sought clear answers from officials about how the state would ensure vulnerable patients keep coverage. www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
nbcnews.com
As Montana’s Medicaid work requirements roll out, cancer patients fear they’ll lose coverage
Cancer advocacy groups say concerns have been building for months as they’ve sought clear answers from officials about how the state would ensure vulnerable patients keep coverage.
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Miranda Yaver @mirandayaver.bsky.social · 08/07/2026
I talked with @berkeleyjr.bsky.social of @nbcnews.com about the new report that ACA marketplace plans will increase premiums another 14% in 2027 (after a ~20% increase this year). This will increase uninsurance and underinsurance, avoidable with better policy choices. www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
nbcnews.com
ACA premiums likely set for another double-digit rise next year
Insurers are proposing a rate hike of about 14%, driven by rising healthcare costs, inflation and the loss of enhanced tax subsidies.
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Berkeley Lovelace Jr. @berkeleyjr.bsky.social · 30/06/2026
NEW - Starting Wednesday, people on Medicare will be able to get weight loss drugs, including Wegovy and Zepbound, for $50 a month. But patients hoping for quick or permanent access to the drugs may be disappointed. www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
nbcnews.com
Medicare will begin covering weight loss drugs Wednesday. There’s a catch.
The program, which will make weight loss drugs eligible for people on Medicare for $50 a month, is only set to run for 18 months.
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Berkeley Lovelace Jr. @berkeleyjr.bsky.social · 22/06/2026
New: The number of people enrolled in Medicaid and Affordable Care Act plans fell by more than 5 million in the last 12 months, according to a new report from the advocacy group Protect Our Care. www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
nbcnews.com
Medicaid and ACA enrollment falls by more than 5 million, new report finds
The decline over the last 12 months stems in part from President Donald Trump’s Medicaid cuts and the expired enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies.
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Berkeley Lovelace Jr. @berkeleyjr.bsky.social · 17/06/2026
NEW: ARMR Sciences’ experimental vaccine aimed at preventing fentanyl overdoses showed promise in an early-stage clinical trial. It’s the first fentanyl vaccine to be tested in humans. www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
nbcnews.com
An experimental fentanyl vaccine showed promise in an early-stage trial
The vaccine could one day be used to help prevent overdoses and treat addiction.
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Berkeley Lovelace Jr. @berkeleyjr.bsky.social · 12/06/2026
NEW: As nicotine pouches like Zyn surge in popularity, manufacturers are introducing increasingly potent products, raising concerns among some public health experts and anti-tobacco advocates about addiction and other health risks. www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
nbcnews.com
Nicotine pouches are becoming more potent. Experts are worried.
As the popularity of nicotine pouches grows, companies are beginning to increase the strength of the products.
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Miranda Yaver @mirandayaver.bsky.social · 11/06/2026
I talked with @berkeleyjr.bsky.social this week about new reports on sky-high denial & reversal rates in Medicare Advantage plans' coverage of long-term care & skilled nursing care. For more on this subject, read my book Coverage Denied: www.amazon.com/Coverage-Den... www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
nbcnews.com
Medicare Advantage plans denied prior authorization requests at unusually high rates, HHS report finds
UnitedHealthcare, CVS Health and Humana had the highest denial rates for long-term care requests, according to a report from the agency’s inspector general.
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sara g miller @saragmiller.bsky.social · 22/05/2026
After reviewing the cases, the FDA reported that no cases were “certain” to be linked to Covid vaccination. The conclusions differ from Prasad’s characterization of the deaths, who said in a November memo that the children died “after and because of receiving” the vaccine. @berkeleyjr.bsky.social
nbcnews.com
No child deaths definitively linked to Covid shots, FDA says
The agency’s analysis contradicts claims made by former vaccine chief Dr. Vinay Prasad.
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sara g miller @saragmiller.bsky.social · 06/05/2026
He pitched military service with a promise of lifetime healthcare. When he needed it, the system failed. really proud of this one. @berkeleyjr.bsky.social @nbcnews.com
nbcnews.com
He pitched military service with a promise of lifetime healthcare. When he needed it, the system failed.
More than a year after the military’s health insurance program transitioned millions of people to TriWest, problems continue to plague the program, leaving patients in limbo.
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NBC News @nbcnews.com · 27/04/2026
Most Alzheimer’s blood tests work by measuring levels of proteins that build up in the brain and are thought to play key roles in the disease. But it’s still an ongoing debate how well the tests can predict who will go on to develop Alzheimer’s disease, doctors say.
nbcnews.to
Patients say they want Alzheimer’s blood tests. Doctors aren’t sure they help.
A survey of nearly 600 adults found that 85% would get an Alzheimer's blood test if their doctor recommended it.
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Berkeley Lovelace Jr. @berkeleyjr.bsky.social · 23/04/2026
NEW - The FDA approved Regeneron’s Otarmeni, the first gene therapy for genetic hearing loss. The drugmaker said it will offer the drug for **free** to U.S. patients. www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
nbcnews.com
FDA approves first gene therapy for genetic hearing loss
In an unusual move, the drugmaker Regeneron is making the treatment available for free to patients in the United States.
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Berkeley Lovelace Jr. @berkeleyjr.bsky.social · 22/04/2026
Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., clashed with Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. during a Senate hearing Wednesday afternoon, criticizing the secretary over his vaccine policy and abortion medications and debunking a scientific study. www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
nbcnews.com
Cassidy clashes with RFK Jr. on vaccines and abortion medicine
Kennedy said the new CDC director would be allowed to operate independently, a departure from his remarks at a separate hearing yesterday.
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Berkeley Lovelace Jr. @berkeleyjr.bsky.social · 10/04/2026
NEW - New rules approved by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. could blunt the impact of a federal judge’s order freezing the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s vaccine advisory committee and putting many of its decisions on hold, experts say. www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
nbcnews.com
RFK Jr.’s new vaccine panel rules may help sidestep court order, experts say
Kennedy signed a new charter for the CDC’s vaccine advisory committee, adding more focus on vaccine injuries.
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Berkeley Lovelace Jr. @berkeleyjr.bsky.social · 20/03/2026
Exclusive: The White House said it’s adding three drugs for diabetes and lung disease to the self-pay platform TrumpRx, as the administration works to expand the site as part of its push to lower drug prices. www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
nbcnews.com
White House expands TrumpRx with three new drugs
The platform offers discounts on more than 50 brand-name prescription drugs, though many of them have cheaper generic equivalents available.
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Berkeley Lovelace Jr. @berkeleyjr.bsky.social · 19/03/2026
Reliable sources within HHS and CDC tell us this tweet is inaccurate and no decision has been made.
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Berkeley Lovelace Jr. @berkeleyjr.bsky.social · 18/03/2026
NEW: 💊TrumpRx isn't doing much for drug prices. What would it take to change that? www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
nbcnews.com
TrumpRx isn't doing much for drug prices. What would it take to change that?
So far, IVF drugs and GLP-1s have been the site's most commonly searched medications, representing a tiny fraction of the prescription drugs Americans take.
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Berkeley Lovelace Jr. @berkeleyjr.bsky.social · 09/03/2026
NEW: In a phone interview, Dr. Mehmet Oz told me Obamacare enrollment may be “too high” and predicts it could fall to around 19 million, arguing some people in ACA plans shouldn’t be enrolled. www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
nbcnews.com
Dr. Oz says Obamacare enrollment may be ‘too high’
Even as the top official for Medicaid and Medicare claims millions may be falsely enrolled, the Trump administration is urging younger people to sign up for high-deductible ACA plans.
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Berkeley Lovelace Jr. @berkeleyjr.bsky.social · 04/03/2026
HHS confirms the March USPSTF meeting has been postponed and says “will be rescheduled in the coming months.”
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NBC News @nbcnews.com · 27/02/2026
The federal task force that shapes recommendations for cancer screenings, heart disease prevention and other preventive services has not convened in almost a year — and it’s unclear whether the panel will convene again.
nbcnews.to
Federal panel behind cancer screening recommendations hasn’t met in nearly a year
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force's meetings have stalled as Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has reshaped other federal advisory committees.
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sara g miller @saragmiller.bsky.social · 27/02/2026
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, which crafts evidence-based recommendations for cancer screenings and other preventive care hasn't met for almost a year under RFK Jr. by @berkeleyjr.bsky.social @nbcnews.com
nbcnews.com
Federal panel behind cancer screening recommendations hasn’t met in nearly a year
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force's meetings have stalled as Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has reshaped other federal advisory committees.
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Berkeley Lovelace Jr. @berkeleyjr.bsky.social · 27/02/2026
The independent panel that guides no-cost cancer screenings and other preventive care hasn’t met in nearly a year. What’s going on with the USPSTF? www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
nbcnews.com
Federal panel behind cancer screening recommendations hasn’t met in nearly a year
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force's meetings have stalled as Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has reshaped other federal advisory committees.
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Berkeley Lovelace Jr. @berkeleyjr.bsky.social · 24/02/2026
FDA grants full approval to Pfizer’s Braftovi combo therapy as a first-line treatment for advanced colon cancer. In trials, patients lived about 30 months on average — vs. 15 months with standard care. investors.pfizer.com/Investors/Ne...
investors.pfizer.com
U.S. FDA Grants Full Approval to Pfizer’s BRAFTOVI Combination Regimen in First-Line Metastatic Colorectal Cancer
The BRAFTOVI combination regimen is the only approved targeted regimen for first-line BRAF-V600E mutant metastatic colorectal cancer Pivotal results from the Phase 3 portion with mFOLFOX6 of the BREAK...
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NBC News @nbcnews.com · 11/02/2026
Hospital-insurer contract fights are increasingly going public nationwide, and patients are feeling the fallout.
nbcnews.to
Hospitals and insurers are fighting over money, leaving patients in the lurch
The disputes stem from rising health care costs, with insurers and hospitals fighting more aggressively over the price of care.
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Prof Peter Hotez MD PhD DSc(hon) @peterhotezmdphd.bsky.social · 12/02/2026
My comments with @nbcnews.com @berkeleyjr.bsky.social www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
nbcnews.com
FDA defends its decision not to review Moderna's mRNA flu shot
The agency said it denied Moderna’s application because it refused to follow “very clear” guidance. The drugmakers says the FDA approved the design of its clinical trial.
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sara g miller @saragmiller.bsky.social · 11/02/2026
The FDA issued an unusual defense of its decision to not review Moderna's mRNA flu shot. by @berkeleyjr.bsky.social @nbcnews.com
nbcnews.com
FDA defends its decision to not review Moderna’s mRNA flu shot
The agency said it denied Moderna’s application because it refused to follow “very clear” guidance. The drugmakers says the FDA approved the design of its clinical trial.
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Berkeley Lovelace Jr. @berkeleyjr.bsky.social · 10/02/2026
NEW: Hospital-insurer contract fights are increasingly going public nationwide, and patients are feeling the fallout. One breast cancer survivor in NYC says she may have to switch doctors mid-treatment after Mount Sinai’s physicians left Anthem’s network. www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
nbcnews.com
Hospitals and insurers are fighting over money, leaving patients in the lurch
The disputes stem from rising health care costs, with insurers and hospitals fighting more aggressively over the price of care.
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Berkeley Lovelace Jr. @berkeleyjr.bsky.social · 10/02/2026
NEW: Hospital-insurer contract fights are increasingly going public nationwide, and patients are feeling the fallout. One breast cancer survivor in NYC says she may have to switch doctors mid-treatment after Mount Sinai’s physicians left Anthem’s network. www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
nbcnews.com
Hospitals and insurers are fighting over money, leaving patients in the lurch
The disputes stem from rising health care costs, with insurers and hospitals fighting more aggressively over the price of care.
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Berkeley Lovelace Jr. @berkeleyjr.bsky.social · 05/02/2026
💊TrumpRx goes live this evening: What to know www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
nbcnews.com
Trump to launch discount drug platform Thursday evening: What to know
The platform called TrumpRx will not sell drugs directly, but is expected to point buyers to drugmakers' own direct-to-consumer sites.
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Berkeley Lovelace Jr. @berkeleyjr.bsky.social · 05/02/2026
TrumpRx, the new federal self-pay platform for prescription drugs, launches tonight, the White House says. The site currently shows a countdown clock.
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Berkeley Lovelace Jr. @berkeleyjr.bsky.social · 04/02/2026
💊 Novo Nordisk says demand for the Wegovy pill is off to a strong start. •~50K prescriptions per week •~170K patients total in the U.S. •~9 in 10 prescriptions paid in cash. www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
nbcnews.com
Wegovy pill in high demand in weeks since launch, Novo Nordisk says
More than 170,000 people in the U.S. are taking the new GLP-1 pill, according to the company.
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Berkeley Lovelace Jr. @berkeleyjr.bsky.social · 29/01/2026
Insurance trade group AHIP says the figure likely refers to insurers’ pledge to give real-time answers to most prior authorization requests beginning in 2027.
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Berkeley Lovelace Jr. @berkeleyjr.bsky.social · 29/01/2026
During Trump’s cabinet meeting, Health Secretary RFK Jr. claimed 80% of the insurance industry has agreed to eliminate prior authorization in almost all of their procedures.
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Berkeley Lovelace Jr. @berkeleyjr.bsky.social · 28/01/2026
New federal ACA open enrollment numbers are out today. Sign-ups are down roughly 1.2 million to 1.3 million compared with last year. State officials say coverage losses are likely to grow in the coming months as more people struggle to make premium payments and plans get terminated.
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Aine Yore, MD 🏳️‍⚧️🇮🇪 @aineyoremd.bsky.social · 28/01/2026
Predicting a substantial bump in uncompensated care for ER docs this year
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Berkeley Lovelace Jr. @berkeleyjr.bsky.social · 28/01/2026
New federal ACA open enrollment numbers are out today. Sign-ups are down roughly 1.2 million to 1.3 million compared with last year. State officials say coverage losses are likely to grow in the coming months as more people struggle to make premium payments and plans get terminated.
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Berkeley Lovelace Jr. @berkeleyjr.bsky.social · 28/01/2026
💉Per a CMS official, this does not include Botox for cosmetic use. Medicare doesn't cover cosmetic Botox, but the drug has several medical uses, including treatment for chronic migraines, overactive bladder, muscle stiffness and lazy eye.
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Berkeley Lovelace Jr. @berkeleyjr.bsky.social · 27/01/2026
A closer look at state-level ACA sign-up data shows that many enrollees are choosing the cheapest plans, with high deductibles, raising concerns among health experts that more people could delay or skip care. www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
nbcnews.com
Many Obamacare enrollees have switched to cheaper bronze plans. Here's why that could be risky.
Bronze plans — the lowest tier of Affordable Care Act coverage — offer lower premiums but higher out-of-pocket costs.
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NBC News @nbcnews.com · 28/01/2026
The Trump administration on Tuesday announced the next round of prescription drugs up for Medicare price negotiations. The list includes Botox and the GLP-1 drug Trulicity.
nbcnews.to
Medicare will negotiate the price of Botox and 14 other drugs this year
The drugs up for price negotiations include cancer and diabetes drugs, as well as medications for Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis and rheumatoid arthritis.
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Berkeley Lovelace Jr. @berkeleyjr.bsky.social · 27/01/2026
NEW: The Trump administration on Tuesday announced the next round of prescription drugs up for Medicare price negotiations. The list includes Botox and the GLP-1 drug Trulicity. www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
nbcnews.com
Medicare will negotiate the price of Botox and 14 other drugs this year
The drugs up for price negotiations include cancer and diabetes drugs, as well as medications for Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis and rheumatoid arthritis.
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Berkeley Lovelace Jr. @berkeleyjr.bsky.social · 27/01/2026
A closer look at state-level ACA sign-up data shows that many enrollees are choosing the cheapest plans, with high deductibles, raising concerns among health experts that more people could delay or skip care. www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
nbcnews.com
Many Obamacare enrollees have switched to cheaper bronze plans. Here's why that could be risky.
Bronze plans — the lowest tier of Affordable Care Act coverage — offer lower premiums but higher out-of-pocket costs.
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