Berkeley Lovelace Jr.
@berkeleyjr.bsky.social
💊 🏛️ NBC News medical reporter
FDA • Rx drugs • health care costs
FDA • Rx drugs • health care costs
Reposted by Berkeley Lovelace Jr.
Hospital-insurer contract fights are increasingly going public nationwide, and patients are feeling the fallout.
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.
nbcnews.to
February 11, 2026 at 4:40 PM
Hospital-insurer contract fights are increasingly going public nationwide, and patients are feeling the fallout.
Reposted by Berkeley Lovelace Jr.
Reposted by Berkeley Lovelace Jr.
The FDA issued an unusual defense of its decision to not review Moderna's mRNA flu shot.
by @berkeleyjr.bsky.social @nbcnews.com
by @berkeleyjr.bsky.social @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.
www.nbcnews.com
February 11, 2026 at 10:45 PM
The FDA issued an unusual defense of its decision to not review Moderna's mRNA flu shot.
by @berkeleyjr.bsky.social @nbcnews.com
by @berkeleyjr.bsky.social @nbcnews.com
Reposted by Berkeley Lovelace Jr.
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...
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...
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.
www.nbcnews.com
February 10, 2026 at 10:54 PM
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...
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...
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...
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...
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.
www.nbcnews.com
February 10, 2026 at 10:54 PM
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...
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...
TrumpRx, the new federal self-pay platform for prescription drugs, launches tonight, the White House says.
The site currently shows a countdown clock.
The site currently shows a countdown clock.
February 5, 2026 at 4:53 PM
TrumpRx, the new federal self-pay platform for prescription drugs, launches tonight, the White House says.
The site currently shows a countdown clock.
The site currently shows a countdown clock.
💊 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...
•~50K prescriptions per week
•~170K patients total in the U.S.
•~9 in 10 prescriptions paid in cash.
www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
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.
www.nbcnews.com
February 4, 2026 at 5:32 PM
💊 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...
•~50K prescriptions per week
•~170K patients total in the U.S.
•~9 in 10 prescriptions paid in cash.
www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
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.
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.
January 29, 2026 at 9:42 PM
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.
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.
January 29, 2026 at 5:35 PM
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.
Reposted by Berkeley Lovelace Jr.
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.
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.
January 28, 2026 at 8:38 PM
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.
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.
Reposted by Berkeley Lovelace Jr.
Predicting a substantial bump in uncompensated care for ER docs this year
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.
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.
January 28, 2026 at 8:46 PM
Predicting a substantial bump in uncompensated care for ER docs this year
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.
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.
January 28, 2026 at 8:38 PM
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.
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.
💉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.
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.
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...
www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
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.
www.nbcnews.com
January 28, 2026 at 6:59 PM
💉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.
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.
Reposted by Berkeley Lovelace Jr.
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...
www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
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.
www.nbcnews.com
January 27, 2026 at 1:30 PM
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...
www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
Reposted by Berkeley Lovelace Jr.
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.
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.
nbcnews.to
January 28, 2026 at 4:00 PM
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.
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...
www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
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.
www.nbcnews.com
January 27, 2026 at 11:10 PM
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...
www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
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...
www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
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.
www.nbcnews.com
January 27, 2026 at 1:30 PM
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...
www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
NEW: Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle pressed health insurance CEOs on premium hikes, prior authorization rules and claim denials in back-to-back House committee hearings Thursday, zeroing in on how the insurers’ decisions are affecting patients right now.
www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
Health insurance CEOs grilled on high costs of care in back-to-back House hearings
During the hearings, Republicans and Democrats also blamed each other for soaring health care costs.
www.nbcnews.com
January 23, 2026 at 12:05 AM
NEW: Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle pressed health insurance CEOs on premium hikes, prior authorization rules and claim denials in back-to-back House committee hearings Thursday, zeroing in on how the insurers’ decisions are affecting patients right now.
www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
A large Southern California study suggests breathing wildfire smoke while pregnant — particularly late in pregnancy — may be linked to a slightly higher autism risk in kids.
The strongest links showed up during stretches of smoky days.
www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
The strongest links showed up during stretches of smoky days.
www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
California wildfire smoke exposure during pregnancy linked to autism risk in children
The new research focused on exposure to PM 2.5, tiny particles that can lodge deep in the lungs and enter the bloodstream.
www.nbcnews.com
January 20, 2026 at 2:39 PM
A large Southern California study suggests breathing wildfire smoke while pregnant — particularly late in pregnancy — may be linked to a slightly higher autism risk in kids.
The strongest links showed up during stretches of smoky days.
www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
The strongest links showed up during stretches of smoky days.
www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
The Trump administration just announced a plan aimed at lowering health care costs in the U.S.
The plan, however, lacks key details and largely restates proposals President Donald Trump has previously outlined.
www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
The plan, however, lacks key details and largely restates proposals President Donald Trump has previously outlined.
www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
Trump announces health care plan to cut costs, but it needs Congress' approval
The plan, released the same day Affordable Care Act open enrollment ends in most states, offered few details and largely restated proposals Trump has previously outlined.
www.nbcnews.com
January 15, 2026 at 9:33 PM
The Trump administration just announced a plan aimed at lowering health care costs in the U.S.
The plan, however, lacks key details and largely restates proposals President Donald Trump has previously outlined.
www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
The plan, however, lacks key details and largely restates proposals President Donald Trump has previously outlined.
www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
Reposted by Berkeley Lovelace Jr.
Today is the final day of ACA open enrollment in most states.
Sign-ups are running more than 800,000 lower than last year, based on national data.
States report many people who are enrolling are opting for Bronze plans — lower premiums, but higher deductibles.
www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
Sign-ups are running more than 800,000 lower than last year, based on national data.
States report many people who are enrolling are opting for Bronze plans — lower premiums, but higher deductibles.
www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
ACA sign-ups fall as higher premiums push people off plans
Nationally, sign-ups are down more than 800,000 from last year.
www.nbcnews.com
January 15, 2026 at 1:27 PM
Today is the final day of ACA open enrollment in most states.
Sign-ups are running more than 800,000 lower than last year, based on national data.
States report many people who are enrolling are opting for Bronze plans — lower premiums, but higher deductibles.
www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
Sign-ups are running more than 800,000 lower than last year, based on national data.
States report many people who are enrolling are opting for Bronze plans — lower premiums, but higher deductibles.
www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
Today is the final day of ACA open enrollment in most states.
Sign-ups are running more than 800,000 lower than last year, based on national data.
States report many people who are enrolling are opting for Bronze plans — lower premiums, but higher deductibles.
www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
Sign-ups are running more than 800,000 lower than last year, based on national data.
States report many people who are enrolling are opting for Bronze plans — lower premiums, but higher deductibles.
www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
ACA sign-ups fall as higher premiums push people off plans
Nationally, sign-ups are down more than 800,000 from last year.
www.nbcnews.com
January 15, 2026 at 1:27 PM
Today is the final day of ACA open enrollment in most states.
Sign-ups are running more than 800,000 lower than last year, based on national data.
States report many people who are enrolling are opting for Bronze plans — lower premiums, but higher deductibles.
www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
Sign-ups are running more than 800,000 lower than last year, based on national data.
States report many people who are enrolling are opting for Bronze plans — lower premiums, but higher deductibles.
www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
NEW: As open enrollment for Affordable Care Act insurance comes to an end, people are moving to cheaper plans or dropping their coverage entirely, according to state and federal data.
www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
ACA sign-ups fall as higher premiums push people off plans
Nationally, sign-ups are down more than 800,000 from last year.
www.nbcnews.com
January 12, 2026 at 10:44 PM
NEW: As open enrollment for Affordable Care Act insurance comes to an end, people are moving to cheaper plans or dropping their coverage entirely, according to state and federal data.
www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
Reposted by Berkeley Lovelace Jr.
