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Daniel Payne

@danielpayne.bsky.social
30K followers 298 following 313 posts

Washington Correspondent @statnews.com daniel.payne (at) statnews (dot) com Signal: danielp.100 @politico.com / Ole Miss alum

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Daniel Payne @danielpayne.bsky.social · 9h
Inside today's MAHA Summit — and why some MAHA activists are appalled by it w/ @isabellacueto.bsky.social www.statnews.com/2026/09/29/m...
statnews.com
At MAHA Summit, a grassroots movement goes corporate
Federal officials and health care executives rubbed elbows at the ritzy MAHA Summit, causing some supporters to question what MAHA has become.
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Reposted by Daniel Payne
STAT @statnews.com · 15h
Will reversing Medicaid cuts be possible? Is more drug pricing policy on the way? What’s the future of federal research and health care funding? @danielpayne.bsky.social on the biggest ways midterms could affect health policy this November: bit.ly/4xUPnS7
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Drug pricing, Medicaid, and research funding: The key policy issues at stake in the midterms
Big shifts in health care policy could emerge depending on who wins the midterms, affecting hospitals and pharma companies.
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Daniel Payne @danielpayne.bsky.social · 18h
How the health industry is positioning itself for a post-midterms Washington, from tough questions on secret deals to the future of Medicaid funding: www.statnews.com/2026/09/29/h...
statnews.com
Drug pricing, Medicaid, and research funding: The key policy issues at stake in the midterms
Big shifts in health care policy could emerge depending on who wins the midterms, affecting hospitals and pharma companies.
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Daniel Payne @danielpayne.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
U.S. genomics data was at one point on the table in the secret deals between the Trump admin and pharma companies. From our reporting this week:
A screenshot of a STAT article that reads:
Oz, who has led the drug pricing efforts, told reporters last week each company engaged in dealmaking has specific needs that can be met to complete private agreements.

One company, he said, sought to create and access U.S. genomics data as part of a pricing deal.

A CMS spokesperson did not respond to questions about whether the administration pledged genomics data as part of a deal, though one person familiar with the process said they didn’t believe such a database was included in such a deal.

“At a high level,” Oz said, “we have released the parts of this deal that I think are most important for Congress to know, so they can codify the deal.”
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Daniel Payne @danielpayne.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Cassidy and Sanders press Overton on vaccines right from the start, asking if she will stand up to Trump. Follow along: www.statnews.com/2026/09/24/h...
statnews.com
Heidi Overton, Trump's pick for FDA head, faces questions at Senate hearing
Heidi Overton, Trump's pick for FDA head, will face questions at a Senate hearing. Follow along with our live blog.
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Daniel Payne @danielpayne.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Trump and admin officials said last week that every state was taking their drug pricing deal. But several state leaders tell STAT they're just considering their options — and may not ultimately participate. www.statnews.com/2026/09/24/t...
statnews.com
Trump boast on drug pricing policy overstated state-level interest in federal program
President Trump and his aides boasted that every U.S. state wanted to participate in a drug pricing initiative through Medicaid. Several states said they weren't sure yet.
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Reposted by Daniel Payne
Jason Ukman @jasonukman.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
NEW: Before reporters in the White House, Trump and aides claimed every U.S. state wanted to participate in a Medicaid initiative aimed at lowering drug prices. That, @danielpayne.bsky.social reports, isn't quite right. www.statnews.com/2026/09/24/t...
statnews.com
Trump boast on drug pricing policy overstated state-level interest in federal program
President Trump and his aides boasted that every U.S. state wanted to participate in a drug pricing initiative through Medicaid. Several states said they weren't sure yet.
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Reposted by Daniel Payne
Margaret Manto @margaretmanto.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Exclusive: Heidi Overton plans to tell Senators that as FDA commissioner, she would focus on speeding up clinical trials to compete with China. More on her opening statement for tomorrow's hearing here: www.statnews.com/2026/09/23/h...
statnews.com
Nominee to lead FDA aims to speed up medical research, combat China’s rise
Exclusive: Heidi Overton plans to tell senators she will speed up biomedical research, working with FDA staff.
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Daniel Payne @danielpayne.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
As American health care changes in anticipation of Medicaid cuts, a key supporter of the cost controls reflects on the law — and considers what comes next: www.statnews.com/2026/09/22/b...
statnews.com
Why an influential GOP health policy expert still backs the Medicaid cuts — and which policy target is next
Why an influential GOP health policy expert still backs $1 trillion in Medicaid cuts — and which policy target is next.
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Daniel Payne @danielpayne.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Some hospital leaders are avoiding the fund meant to help them weather the cuts to Medicaid. More on the future of rural care in the latest installment of our new series, Unraveled: www.statnews.com/2026/09/14/r...
statnews.com
The GOP’s $50 billion rural health fund is coming up short, hospital leaders say
Hospital leaders were excited about the Rural Health Transformation Fund until they saw the fine print.
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Daniel Payne @danielpayne.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
Trump admin officials say AI can help cure the ills of rural health care. But rural hospital leaders are skeptical that technology can save them, especially as they face historic Medicaid cuts. The latest in our series, Unraveled: www.statnews.com/2026/09/10/r...
statnews.com
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Reposted by Daniel Payne
STAT @statnews.com · 08/09/2026
By fueling consolidation, the GOP’s health care cuts are reshaping health care, for better or worse www.statnews.com/2026/09/08/r...
statnews.com
Hospitals pursue deals to ensure survival as Trump's Medicaid cuts loom
Rural health systems are seeking partnership to survive, fueling a debate over competition and the rising cost of medical care.
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Daniel Payne @danielpayne.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
An important theme in our reporting on how Medicaid and ACA cuts are changing the U.S. health system: Washington is increasingly skeptical of hospitals. That reality could have major policy implications as hospitals look to blunt the impact of the cuts.
A photo showing an excerpt of linked storiesA photo showing an excerpt of linked storiesA photo showing an excerpt of linked stories
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Daniel Payne @danielpayne.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
Facing Medicaid cuts, many rural hospitals are calling larger systems to ask about potential mergers. Consolidation could save some facilities — but it could also mean significant changes to patient care. The latest in our series, Unraveled: www.statnews.com/2026/09/08/r...
statnews.com
Hospitals pursue deals to ensure survival as Trump's Medicaid cuts loom
Rural health systems are seeking partnership to survive, fueling a debate over competition and the rising cost of medical care.
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Daniel Payne @danielpayne.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
What we do — and don't — know about the latest round of government drug pricing deals www.statnews.com/2026/09/01/t...
statnews.com
Five burning questions on Trump’s latest deals with drugmakers
Here are some of the key questions about the agreements the Trump administration has reached with drugmakers on pricing.
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Daniel Payne @danielpayne.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
New: Trump strikes nine more deals with drugmakers to lower prices www.statnews.com/2026/08/31/t...
statnews.com
Trump strikes nine more deals with drugmakers to lower prices
President Trump on Monday announced the next round of pricing deals with drugmakers, with nine new companies making such agreements.
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Reposted by Daniel Payne
elizabethcooney.bsky.social @elizabethcooney.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
Some lawmakers are listening, @danielpayne.bsky.social reports. Part 2 of "Unraveled." www.statnews.com/2026/08/27/h...
statnews.com
Hospitals are plotting a long-shot push to roll back $1 trillion in Medicaid cuts
Inside health systems' efforts to mitigate massive funding cuts.
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Daniel Payne @danielpayne.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
NEW: Hospitals are plotting a long-shot plan to roll back historic cuts to Medicaid. Lawmakers are listening — and making plans of their own. The second installment of our series, Unraveled: www.statnews.com/2026/08/27/h...
statnews.com
Hospitals are plotting a long-shot push to roll back $1 trillion in Medicaid cuts
Inside health systems' efforts to mitigate massive funding cuts.
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Reposted by Daniel Payne
elizabethcooney.bsky.social @elizabethcooney.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
Rural states are the first to feel it. @danielpayne.bsky.social at @statnews.com www.statnews.com/2026/08/25/r...
statnews.com
How Trump's cuts are reshaping America’s health system
A scramble to prepare for massive federal cuts across the health care system is hitting rural states like Maine particularly hard.
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Reposted by Daniel Payne
anil oza @aniloza.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
OMB's proposal to remake federal grantmaking was flooded with comments Now, they are withdrawing some from the public record — including some that point out Russell Vought's connection to the federally funded research that led to Trikafta www.statnews.com/2026/08/25/r...
statnews.com
Comments on OMB research rule mysteriously removed from federal website
Some comments on a proposed OMB research rule have been mysteriously removed from a public-facing government webpage.
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Jason Ukman @jasonukman.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
Whether you support cuts to Medicaid spending or oppose them, there's no denying that they are already starting to have impacts. @danielpayne.bsky.social took some reporting trips to see them for himself. Via @statnews.com. statnews.com/2026/08/25/r...
statnews.com
How Trump's cuts are reshaping America’s health system
A scramble to prepare for massive federal cuts across the health care system is hitting rural states like Maine particularly hard.
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Daniel Payne @danielpayne.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
Medicaid cuts aren't just causing hospital closures. They're rewiring America's health care system: from how care is paid for and who owns your local hospital to how AI is used and where you can get care. The first story in our series, Unraveled: www.statnews.com/2026/08/25/r...
statnews.com
How Trump's cuts are reshaping America’s health system
A scramble to prepare for massive federal cuts across the health care system is hitting rural states like Maine particularly hard.
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Reposted by Daniel Payne
Isabella Cueto @isabellacueto.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
Exclusive: The American Cancer Society has cancelled its alcohol industry fundraiser, a luxe gala in NYC which was scheduled for the fall. The event came under scrutiny earlier this summer after STAT reported the details of it for the first time. www.statnews.com/2026/08/19/c...
statnews.com
American Cancer Society cancels alcohol industry fundraiser
The American Cancer Society had an optics problem: its annual Wine and Spirits Industry's Gala. It decided to do something about it.
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Daniel Payne @danielpayne.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
How Heidi Overton became Trump's pick to lead the FDA (And what industry leaders, senators, and MAHA activists are saying about the possibility of her leading the agency) w/ @chelseacirruzzo.bsky.social @isabellacueto.bsky.social www.statnews.com/2026/08/19/h...
statnews.com
How Trump loyalist Heidi Overton became the president’s pick to run the FDA
If she wins confirmation as FDA commissioner, Heidi Overton will face plenty of big challenges.
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Reposted by Daniel Payne
Jason Ukman @jasonukman.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
NEW: New CDC Director Erica Schwartz, evidently mindful of perceptions, told staff in an all-hands meeting that she is prepared to speak "truth to power," according to a recording of the meeting obtained by @statnews.com. www.statnews.com/2026/08/19/c...
statnews.com
New CDC director tells staff she is prepared to speak ‘truth to power’
Then new CDC director told staff she is “very comfortable and very confident ... speaking truth to power.”
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Lizzy Lawrence @lizzylawrence.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
One last STAT byline from beyond the grave, w/ @danielpayne.bsky.social. The White House is set to pick Heidi Overton as the next FDA commissioner: www.statnews.com/2026/08/18/h...
statnews.com
Trump expected to pick White House adviser Heidi Overton to lead FDA
Heidi Overton, a doctor and White House adviser, is expected to be President Trump's pick to lead the FDA.
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Daniel Payne @danielpayne.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
News: CDC's new director tells staff she is prepared to speak ‘truth to power’ Comes after the agency's last leader was fired for refusing RFK Jr.'s orders on vaccines. w/ @helenbranswell.bsky.social www.statnews.com/2026/08/19/c...
statnews.com
New CDC director tells staff she is prepared to speak ‘truth to power’
Then new CDC director told staff she is “very comfortable and very confident ... speaking truth to power.”
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Daniel Payne @danielpayne.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
Trump expected to pick White House adviser Heidi Overton to lead FDA www.statnews.com/2026/08/18/h...
statnews.com
Trump expected to pick White House adviser Heidi Overton to lead FDA
Heidi Overton, a doctor and White House adviser, is expected to be President Trump's pick to lead the FDA.
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Daniel Payne @danielpayne.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
Fauci adviser David Morens pleads guilty to avoiding records requests, conspiracy to defraud government www.statnews.com/2026/08/18/d...
statnews.com
Fauci adviser David Morens pleads guilty to avoiding records requests, conspiracy to defraud government
Morens said he had agreed to work to avoid public disclosures and to use his influence to advance a company's interests.
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Reposted by Daniel Payne
Jason Ukman @jasonukman.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
NEW: Fauci adviser David Morens pleads guilty to avoiding records requests, defrauding government. Via @danielpayne.bsky.social @chelseacirruzzo.bsky.social www.statnews.com/2026/08/18/d...
statnews.com
Fauci adviser David Morens pleads guilty to avoiding records requests, defrauding government
Morens said he had agreed to work to avoid public disclosures and to use his influence to advance a company's interests.
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Reposted by Daniel Payne
STAT @statnews.com · 11/08/2026
Breaking: Trump is counting on the health care industry to remake vaccines. They’re pushing back instead. www.statnews.com/2026/08/11/h...
statnews.com
Trump is counting on the health care industry to remake vaccines. They’re pushing back instead
Trump wants to change how American kids are vaccinated, but doctors and the pharma industry aren't on board.
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Daniel Payne @danielpayne.bsky.social · 11/08/2026
Trump wants to remake America's vaccine system — and he'll need the health industry's help to do it. But industry leaders aren't on board, especially with the president's latest decree. www.statnews.com/2026/08/11/h...
statnews.com
Trump is counting on the health care industry to remake vaccines. It's pushing back instead
Trump wants to change how American kids are vaccinated, but doctors and the pharma industry aren't on board.
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Reposted by Daniel Payne
Isabella Cueto @isabellacueto.bsky.social · 10/08/2026
Extraordinary scenes at the White House today as the president takes the vaccine schedule into his own hands with an executive order. Via @danielpayne.bsky.social www.statnews.com/2026/08/10/t...
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Daniel Payne @danielpayne.bsky.social · 10/08/2026
Amid a historic measles outbreak, Trump says the vaccine that protects against the disease could be "quite lethal." Asked if he has evidence of that, he admits he doesn't — saying it's just something he's heard. Inside an unprecedented vaccine policy: www.statnews.com/2026/08/10/t...
statnews.com
Trump returns to controversial vaccine policy with order questioning childhood schedule
The Trump administration, which had recently avoided public discussions of vaccine policy because of concern around the political repercussions, is changing course.
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Jason Ukman @jasonukman.bsky.social · 10/08/2026
"Gloves are off." Story via @danielpayne.bsky.social @statnews.com www.statnews.com/2026/08/10/t...
statnews.com
Trump returns to controversial vaccine policy with order questioning childhood schedule
The Trump administration, which had recently avoided public discussions of vaccine policy because of concern around the political repercussions, is changing course.
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Daniel Payne @danielpayne.bsky.social · 10/08/2026
NEW: Trump signs executive order to remake federal vaccine recommendations www.statnews.com/2026/08/10/t...
statnews.com
Trump returns to controversial vaccine policy with order questioning childhood schedule
The Trump administration, which had recently avoided public discussions of vaccine policy because of concern around the political repercussions, is changing course.
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Daniel Payne @danielpayne.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
Senate committee votes to hold Fauci in contempt of Congress www.statnews.com/2026/08/06/a...
statnews.com
Senate committee votes to hold Fauci in contempt of Congress
A Senate committee has voted to hold Anthony Fauci in contempt of Congress after he declined to answer questions about his role in the Covid pandemic.
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Daniel Payne @danielpayne.bsky.social · 30/07/2026
Cassidy gets convinced, again via @chelseacirruzzo.bsky.social www.statnews.com/2026/07/30/s...
statnews.com
Key Senate panel backs Trump’s picks for CDC, pandemic preparedness
In win for RFK Jr., Senate committee sends nominations of Erica Schwartz for CDC director and Sean Kaufman for ASPR to full Senate.
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Daniel Payne @danielpayne.bsky.social · 29/07/2026
Fauci invokes Fifth Amendment in declining to answer questions before Senate panel www.statnews.com/2026/07/29/f...
statnews.com
Fauci invokes Fifth Amendment in declining to answer questions before Senate panel
At a highly anticipated Senate hearing, Anthony Fauci evoked his Fifth Amendment right to refuse to answer questions about the Covid-19 pandemic and its origins.
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Daniel Payne @danielpayne.bsky.social · 28/07/2026
The key issues that could come up in Anthony Fauci's testimony on the Hill tomorrow w/ @chelseacirruzzo.bsky.social @helenbranswell.bsky.social www.statnews.com/2026/07/28/a...
statnews.com
Six key issues we're watching at Fauci's hearing
Sen. Rand Paul is forcing Fauci to appear before his Senate panel.
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Daniel Payne @danielpayne.bsky.social · 22/07/2026
How pharma giants are trying to change Washington's view of China www.statnews.com/2026/07/22/b...
statnews.com
Pharma tries to tamp down broad China restrictions
AI-focused VC firm raises $800M, Merck's new cholesterol pill, and more biotech news from The Readout
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Reposted by Daniel Payne
Isabella Cueto @isabellacueto.bsky.social · 14/07/2026
Our series, "The Deadliest Drug," captured the American drinking problem. Today we turn to solutions. Here are a dozen ways the U.S. can start addressing excessive drinking and its many harms. (No paywall!) www.statnews.com/2026/07/14/a...
statnews.com
12 ideas for tackling the U.S. alcohol epidemic
The U.S. can save lives from excess alcohol use without taking drastic measures. Here are 12 steps that can help.
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Daniel Payne @danielpayne.bsky.social · 08/07/2026
News: The White House is reviewing the list of finalists to lead the FDA www.statnews.com/2026/07/08/n...
statnews.com
White House reviewing top contenders to lead FDA
The White House is reviewing finalists for FDA commissioner, suggesting the highly anticipated decision may come soon.
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Daniel Payne @danielpayne.bsky.social · 08/07/2026
News: In a private meeting, top admin officials pushed industry leaders to bring the supply chains of 86 essential medicines under tighter U.S. control. www.statnews.com/2026/07/08/t...
statnews.com
In private meeting, Trump officials push to onshore generic drugmaking
Marco Rubio, RFK Jr., and Chris Klomp are urging industry leaders to make more medicines in the U.S.
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Daniel Payne @danielpayne.bsky.social · 26/06/2026
At BIO's San Diego conference this week, Washington and AI loomed large w/ @brittanytrang.com www.statnews.com/2026/06/25/b...
statnews.com
At BIO 2026, industry wrestled with Washington politics, and making AI work better
Biotech executives reveal concerns over Chinese biotech, the profitability of AI, and the durability of Trump's drug price moves.
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Daniel Payne @danielpayne.bsky.social · 25/06/2026
Vaccine makers have had a brutal run — but some are still seeing hopeful signs in their sector www.statnews.com/2026/06/25/v...
statnews.com
Facing a brutal run, battered vaccine makers still see cause for hope
It's an unusual time to be in the vaccine business. But in the view of those gathered at the BIO conference this week, it’s not altogether a bleak one.
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Reposted by Daniel Payne
Lizzy Lawrence @lizzylawrence.bsky.social · 23/06/2026
EXCLUSIVE: Eli Lilly gave compassionate use access to retatrutide, their unapproved powerful obesity drug, to a 79-year-old man in April. The application was arranged by a top doctor at NIH, and cleared by the FDA. www.statnews.com/2026/06/23/e...
statnews.com
Eli Lilly gave extraordinary obesity drug access to a 79-year-old patient. Who was it?
Exclusive: STAT has learned that Eli Lilly and the FDA allowed a 79-year-old to gain extraordinary access to an experimental obesity drug through the agency’s “compassionate use” program.
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Daniel Payne @danielpayne.bsky.social · 23/06/2026
Who is the "well connected," 79-year-old patient getting special access to a new obesity drug? @lizzylawrence.bsky.social with quite the scoop www.statnews.com/2026/06/23/e...
statnews.com
Eli Lilly gave extraordinary obesity drug access to a 79-year-old patient. Who was it?
Exclusive: STAT has learned that Eli Lilly and the FDA allowed a 79-year-old to gain extraordinary access to an experimental obesity drug through the agency’s “compassionate use” program.
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Daniel Payne @danielpayne.bsky.social · 18/06/2026
After secret drug pricing deals with Trump, some drugmakers are mapping out how they could respond to Democrats' oversight efforts, should they take control of Congress. www.statnews.com/signup/dc/
Screenshot of text that says:

Industry prepares for Democrats
A potential power shift also is on the mind of the drug industry.
Industry consultants are mapping out how they might respond to requests about the secret pricing deals they made with the Trump administration, three people familiar with the efforts tell Daniel. There's not yet consensus on the best course of action.
The possibility of increased oversight pressure is the latest challenge for pharma, and it's happening as the industry's top trade group is looking for new leadership and a fresh approach to lobbying. Drug prices are a top affordability issue for President Trump, and Democrats are plotting their next moves on drug pricing, too.
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Daniel Payne @danielpayne.bsky.social · 18/06/2026
News: Senate Democrats are demanding the Trump admin provide records on their vaccine reforms. The move signals where future oversight efforts could focus, should Dems win Congress in the midterms. www.statnews.com/2026/06/18/r...
statnews.com
Senate Democrats demand HHS provide records on federal vaccine policy
Senate Democrats open an inquiry into the Trump administration’s remaking of U.S. vaccine policy, demanding officials produce records by next week.
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