The Senate is set for partisan votes this week on health care, with both Republicans and Democrats united within their own ranks but at an impasse with each other. Republicans are backing a plan to allow COVID-19-era subsidies to expire and instead introduce health savings accounts, while Democrats are pushing to extend the enhanced Affordable Care Act tax credits for three more years. Neither side has enough bipartisan support for passage, and both have dismissed the other's proposal, leaving millions at risk of higher premiums and positioning the issue as a political talking point heading into the midterm elections.

Medicare is set to implement a 15% reduction in payments for nearly 800 laboratory tests at the end of January, following earlier cuts that have already cost labs almost $4 billion over three years. The reductions, intended to align Medicare reimbursements with commercial rates as mandated by a 2014 law, are now causing concern among lab companies and medical groups, which argue the cuts will hinder innovation and patient care. 

Employers are prioritizing cost containment over talent attraction and retention as rising medical and pharmacy costs reshape the benefit landscape, according to Brown & Brown's Employer Health and Benefits Strategy Survey 2026. Employers are implementing tactics such as reviewing stop-loss plan structures and working with digital health companies to manage performance and costs. Despite budget-related pressures, employers are maintaining investments in employee well-being programs and parental leave.

Clinical informatics leaders are focusing on enhancing patient safety and expanding AI capabilities in 2026. At Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital, new IV pump interoperability is being closely monitored to ensure patient safety. Summa Health is emphasizing safe staffing and reducing administrative burdens to improve care. AI is moving from pilot projects to infrastructure, with systems like VHC Health and LCMC Health expanding ambient documentation to reduce workload. Main Line Health is integrating virtual nursing to streamline inpatient care. The overarching goal is to create safer care environments and support health care teams.

A new American Hospital Association report based on data from Vizient shows that survival rates in US hospitals have increased 30% since 2019, central line-associated bloodstream infections have decreased 24%, and urinary tract infections linked to catheters decreased 25%, as of mid-2025. Breast and colon cancer screenings increased 95% over the study period, according to the report.

Six major health organizations including the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Physicians have opposed the Advisory Committee on Infection Practice's recommendation to limit the hepatitis B vaccine at birth. Representatives from the groups argue that postponing newborn vaccination could result in preventable child deaths and undermine public health gains, citing research showing the change could result in hundreds of additional cases of liver cancer, 480 preventable deaths and significant yearly increases in health care costs.

Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists may help more patients with higher BMIs become eligible for joint replacement by aiding weight loss, which may also alleviate arthritis and joint pain. "Significant weight loss can delay the need for total joint replacement by reducing stress and inflammation, thereby improving pain and function," said Dr. Cameron Ledford. However, a study presented at a meeting of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine found people taking GLP-1 drugs were more likely to fill opioid prescriptions.

The Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program has enrolled only 9,015 participants out of 16 million eligible beneficiaries since its 2018 launch, according to a report prepared for the CMS. The program, which offers 22 sessions on diet and exercise at no cost to participants, has not been widely advertised or implemented.