Healthcare news for October 28, 2026
More Americans are going without health insurance, and half of working-age adults skipped care because of cost A large new Commonwealth Fund survey finds about 11% of adults ages 19 to 64 were uninsured in 2026, up from 8.9% two years earlier, even before the biggest coverage changes from the new federal budget law begin. Young adults were hit hardest: 16% of people 19 to 34 had no coverage. Counting people with a gap in coverage and those whose plans leave them with big bills, nearly half of working-age adults were not adequately insured. Half said they went without needed care because of cost, and 3 in 10 were paying off medical debt. Marketplace coverage slipped after the extra ACA subsidies expired, and Medicaid coverage fell too. More change is on the way: Medicaid work rules start in January in most expansion states, and ACA premiums are rising for 2027. If you buy your own coverage, open enrollment begins Saturday; free, federally trained navigators can help you find the lowest-cost plan and any subsidy you qualify for.
In 30 seconds
- About 1 in 9 working-age adults now has no health insurance, and half skipped care over cost. If you're uninsured or buy your own plan, ACA sign-up opens Saturday; free navigators at HealthCare.gov or 800-318-2596 can help.
- In Massachusetts or rural Colorado? Several Medicare Advantage plans are ending or shrinking for 2027. Check your plan's notice and choose a replacement by Dec. 7.
- Using Medicare's $50 GLP-1 Bridge for Wegovy or Zepbound? It ends Dec. 31. To keep coverage in 2027 you'll need a Part D plan in the new BALANCE model, so ask before you pick.
- Check your pantry and medicine cabinet: Great Value fruit cocktail from one lot is recalled for lead, and 22 lots of compounded tirzepatide from Apothecary Pharma are recalled over possible contamination.
Medicare & Seniors
Blue Cross of Massachusetts drops several Medicare Advantage plans, affecting about 20,000 seniors
The insurer is ending a number of PPO and HMO plans in Middlesex, Essex and Worcester counties after reporting $275 million in losses on them in 2024 and 2025, and its remaining plans will take few new members. Mass General Brigham Health Plan is also ending its PPOs, and Mass Advantage is leaving the market. Affected members can pick another plan or return to Original Medicare with a Medigap policy and a drug plan.
The Boston GlobeRural Colorado seniors face far fewer Medicare choices for 2027
Garfield County is down to eight Medicare plans from 23 about a decade ago, with no $0-premium drug plans this year, and Eagle County will have no Medicare Advantage plans at all. Neighboring Pitkin County gets a new insurer whose network doesn't yet include local hospitals. Anyone in a $0-premium drug plan that is ending must choose a new one or lose drug coverage in 2027.
Aspen Public RadioReminder: Medicare's $50 weight-loss drug program ends Dec. 31
The temporary Medicare GLP-1 Bridge lets eligible Part D enrollees get Wegovy or Zepbound for a $50 copay through the end of 2026. Continued coverage in 2027 depends on having a Part D plan that joins the voluntary BALANCE model, and not every plan will. If you use the program, ask any plan you're considering whether it participates before Dec. 7.
KFF
Insurance & ACA
Court delays ruling on HealthCare.gov's freeze on new insurance agents
A federal judge in Maryland gave HHS more time to respond to a broker group's request to lift the freeze, which could keep up to 19,000 new agents and brokers from selling HealthCare.gov plans for 2027. A hearing is set for Nov. 5. If you plan to use an agent, confirm they are registered, or get free help from a navigator instead.
BenefitsPROMichigan regulators: get your paperwork ready before ACA sign-up starts
About 497,000 Michigan residents have HealthCare.gov coverage. The state insurance department suggests gathering ID, income proof and your list of doctors and prescriptions now, window-shopping plans without logging in, and starting at HealthCare.gov to avoid look-alike sites that may sell limited plans or share your data.
WLUC TV6Amazon, Google, Meta, Oracle and Axon pledge faster electronic prior authorizations
Announced by CMS and the Labor Department, the pledge asks the companies' self-funded health plans to move to electronic prior authorization by the start of 2027, with most requests answered in real time. Self-funded plans cover more than half of people with job-based insurance, so this could mean fewer waits for approvals if it works as promised.
Healthcare Dive
Medicines & FDA
FDA approves a hepatitis B treatment that may let some patients stop medication
GSK's Hibsago (bepirovirsen) is a shot given for up to 24 weeks alongside standard antiviral pills for certain adults with chronic hepatitis B and no cirrhosis. In two large trials, 19% of patients reached a functional cure, compared with none on placebo, and about 1 in 4 met criteria to stop their antivirals. Ask your liver specialist whether you're a candidate.
HealioCompounded tirzepatide from Apothecary Pharma recalled over possible contamination
The company is recalling 22 lots of its 18 mg/mL multi-dose vials, with beyond-use dates from Oct. 7 to Nov. 26, 2026. Brand-name Mounjaro and Zepbound aren't affected. The FDA had earlier cited the company for sterility problems. If you have these vials, check the lot number and call your prescriber or pharmacy.
The Boston GlobeAbout 44,000 cans of Walmart Great Value fruit cocktail recalled for lead
The 15-ounce cans of Fruit Cocktail in Fruit Juice were sold in Alabama, Arizona, Louisiana, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, Washington and Wyoming. Look for UPC 078742369570, lot 6FCB 04 C2263 and a best-by date of Sept. 1, 2027. The FDA rates the recall Class II. Don't eat any matching cans.
The Healthy
Staying Well
U.S. measles cases reach 4,588 this year
CDC counts cases in 47 jurisdictions as of Oct. 22, with 43 new outbreaks and three deaths so far in 2026. Nearly all cases are tied to outbreaks. Two doses of the MMR vaccine give strong, long-lasting protection, so check your family's records if you're unsure.
CDCEbola outbreak in Congo passes 10,000 confirmed cases
Congo's health ministry reported 10,060 cases and 4,887 deaths on Oct. 27, making it the second-largest Ebola outbreak on record. It's caused by the Bundibugyo strain, which has no approved vaccine, though trials have begun. Cases have also turned up in Uganda and Kenya. Screening of U.S.-bound travelers from affected areas continues.
Al JazeeraMeals delivered after a hospital stay cut readmissions for older adults
In a Duke study of 368 food-insecure patients 60 and older, about 5% of those who got two weeks of home-delivered meals were back in the hospital within 14 days, versus about 13% of those who didn't. Meals arriving sooner seemed to help most. If you or a parent is going home from the hospital, ask about Meals on Wheels referrals, and check whether your Medicare Advantage plan covers meals.
North Carolina Health News
Policy & Law
Proposed rule would hold back ACA subsidies until your eligibility checks out, starting in 2028
CMS wants people who get premium help to confirm their income, household and other details every year, and subsidies would not be paid while mismatches are being resolved. It does not apply to this year's open enrollment. CMS estimates about 332,500 fewer people would enroll each year. Public comments are open for 30 days after the Oct. 27 publication.
HFMAFDA and CMS move to speed custom gene therapies for rare diseases
The FDA released draft guidance that would let one approval cover patient-specific gene-editing treatments within set limits, so new versions might not need fresh trials. CMS also plans to expand its Medicaid cell and gene therapy payment model beyond sickle cell disease. The guidance is a draft open for comment, not a final rule.
HHS
Hospitals & Business
Mass General Brigham shrinks its hospital-at-home program and begins layoffs
The Boston health system will pause home-hospital care at Salem, Newton-Wellesley and Faulkner hospitals and cap the program at about 30 patients, citing roughly $30 million in yearly losses. Mass Eye and Ear will also stop general pediatric inpatient admissions by Jan. 1. Patients who used home hospital care should ask their doctors about alternatives.
The Boston GlobeReport: CMS offering backup options to states struggling with January Medicaid deadlines
A federal document lists alternatives for states that need more time to carry out January Medicaid changes, though some options add work or cost. If you're on expansion Medicaid, watch for mail from your state and keep your address and contact details current.
The Washington Post