Healthcare news for October 20, 2026
Flu is arriving early this year, led by a changed H1N1 strain. Doctors say get your shot now Flu is spreading earlier than usual, especially on the West Coast, and a few Southern states are also seeing more cases. Nearly all the flu viruses CDC labs have typed so far are H1N1, and this year's version carries a new mutation. Experts say teens and younger adults may have less built-up protection against it, which is a reason to pay attention, not to panic. This season's shot already includes H1N1, and doctors recommend it for everyone 6 months and older. If you're 65 or older, ask for a high-dose or adjuvanted shot. With Medicare Part B it costs you nothing.
In 30 seconds
- Haven't had your flu shot? Get it this week. Flu is showing up early, and the shot covers this year's main H1N1 strain. If you're 65 or older, ask for the high-dose or adjuvanted kind.
- Check your fridge and freezer for Kayem, Al Fresco, Jordan's, McKenzie, Genoa and other recalled brands of hot dogs, bacon, sausage and deli meat. Skip raw oysters from Virginia's Little Wicomico River harvested Sept. 18 to Oct. 8, which are tied to a Salmonella outbreak.
- Taking five or more medicines? Bring a full list, including vitamins and supplements, to your next checkup and ask whether any can be cut back. While you're at it, compare Part D plans on Medicare.gov before Dec. 7.
- Buying your own insurance for 2027? Window-shop when HealthCare.gov opens Nov. 1. Prices are rising again and some insurers are leaving, so your plan may change.
Medicare & Seniors
Fewer Medicare Advantage plans to choose from in 2027
The typical person on Medicare will have 35 Medicare Advantage plans to pick from next year, down from 39, as insurers pull back, according to KFF figures. In 193 counties, some Advantage enrollees won't have a plan that includes drug coverage. The Part D deductible also rises to $700.
ABC NewsTaking lots of pills? Ask your doctor about cutting back
More than a third of older adults now take five or more medicines a day, and the share nearly doubled from 2000 to 2020. One drug's side effect can lead to another prescription. Keep an up-to-date list, including supplements, and ask your doctor whether anything can be tapered. Medicare now clarifies how clinicians get paid for these reviews.
KFF Health NewsMedicare proposes protection when a plan's doctor list is wrong
Under a CMS proposal, Medicare Advantage plans would have to update their provider directories at least every 90 days and publish an accuracy score. If you see an out-of-network doctor because the directory listed them wrongly, you'd pay only your in-network share. It's a proposal for 2028, not yet final.
CMS
Insurance & ACA
Ohio Marketplace shoppers face higher prices and two insurers leaving
Ohio insurers have asked for average increases of about 15% for 2027. CareSource and Molina are exiting the state's Marketplace, which affects about 54,000 people. If your plan is ending, pick a new one by Dec. 15 for coverage that starts Jan. 1.
WOSUUp to 29,000 in New Hampshire could lose Medicaid by 2028
A New Hampshire Fiscal Policy Institute report estimates 23,000 to 29,000 people could lose coverage under new work rules and more frequent eligibility checks. Enrollment in the state's expansion program is already down 13.5% from a year ago. Answer any mail from Medicaid quickly.
Concord MonitorAbout 4.6 million people dropped individual health coverage in a year
KFF counts 20.5 million people in individual-market plans as of June, down 18% from a year earlier after extra federal subsidies ended. Insurers have proposed a median 15% premium increase for 2027. If you dropped coverage, check your options when open enrollment starts Nov. 1.
KFF
Medicines & FDA
First generic approved for a weekly menopause hormone patch
FDA approved Zydus's generic version of Bayer's Climara Pro, a once-a-week patch with estradiol and levonorgestrel. It treats moderate to severe hot flashes and helps prevent bone loss after menopause in women who still have a uterus. A generic option can lower costs; ask your pharmacist when it's stocked.
Drug TopicsImmunotherapy approved for a type of rectal cancer, sometimes without surgery
FDA gave accelerated approval to GSK's Jemperli for stage II or III rectal cancer with a genetic feature called MSI-H or dMMR. In the main study, most patients treated with the drug alone needed no further treatment during follow-up. If you have rectal cancer, ask whether your tumor has been tested for this feature.
The ASCO PostNew drugs now launch at a median $257,000 a year
An ICER and West Health analysis of 202 new medicines found the typical yearly net price rose 35% from 2022 to 2025, even after discounts and inflation. About one in four 2025 launches cost over $500,000 a year. Prices dipped about 2% last year.
STAT
Staying Well
About 1.6 million pounds of hot dogs, bacon and deli meats recalled
A warehouse cooler problem left Kayem Foods products stored too warm. Brands include Kayem, Al Fresco, Deutschmacher, Essem, Genoa, Jordan's, McKenzie, Triple M and Winnisimmet, shipped nationwide from June 7 to Oct. 14. No illnesses reported. Throw them out or return them.
USDA Food Safety and Inspection ServiceRaw Virginia oysters tied to Salmonella in 12 states
CDC says 27 people are sick and 5 were hospitalized after eating raw oysters from Little Wicomico Oyster Company, harvested Sept. 18 to Oct. 8 in Virginia's Little Wicomico River area. The oysters were recalled. Don't eat them; adults 65 and older face a higher risk of serious illness.
CDCU.S. measles cases pass 4,400 this year
CDC counts 4,410 confirmed cases in 2026. Pennsylvania has the biggest outbreak, with at least 1,200 cases and six deaths, and has asked CDC for help. About 96% of cases nationally were in people who were unvaccinated or whose status was unknown. Two MMR doses are about 97% effective.
ABC News
Policy & Law
Executive order creates a women's health division at NIH
President Trump signed an order telling HHS to set up a new NIH Women's Health Division within 90 days and created a White House task force led by Secretary Kennedy and chief of staff Susie Wiles. Named research areas include menopause, heart disease, osteoporosis and Alzheimer's.
HHSSenators press FDA on knockoff weight-loss drug sold online
A group of senators led by Sen. Jim Banks asked FDA to crack down on sellers of retatrutide, an unapproved Eli Lilly obesity drug still in trials, marketed online as 'research use only.' Poison center reports tied to it jumped 265% early this year, and one Florida seller was charged over vials that held none of the drug.
Office of Sen. Jim BanksSurprise-billing referees are turning big profits
A STAT investigation finds nonprofit arbitrators that settle bill disputes between insurers and providers under the No Surprises Act are earning large margins with little oversight. The law still shields patients from most surprise out-of-network bills; if you get one, you can dispute it.
STAT
Hospitals & Business
Hospital mergers already top all of last year
Kaufman Hall counted 56 hospital deals in the first nine months of 2026, more than the 46 in all of 2025, including 16 in the third quarter. Struggling rural hospitals are among those seeking partners, which can change which services stay open nearby.
Chief Healthcare ExecutiveSanta Cruz hospice cuts nurses after joining a national nonprofit
Hospice of Santa Cruz County, now part of Florida-based Chapters Health, laid off at least 11 workers, including eight nurses, and trimmed weekend nurse staffing. Staff worry about care quality; the CEO says uninterrupted care remains her top priority.
Santa Cruz LocalDrugmakers join fight over the 340B rebate pilot
AbbVie, Bristol Myers Squibb, Boehringer Ingelheim and the industry group PhRMA asked to join the hospital lawsuit over HHS's plan to swap upfront drug discounts for after-the-fact rebates. Hospitals that serve many low-income patients are suing to stop the change.
Healthcare Dive