Bob Herman
@bobjherman.bsky.social
Health care business reporter for @statnews.com and its Health Care Inc. newsletter. Contact: bob.herman@statnews.com or bobjherman.09 on Signal. Sign up: https://www.statnews.com/signup/health-care-inc/
Reposted by Bob Herman
When an NIH scientist began studying a controversial illness, it gave patients with a glimmer of hope. Then came RIFs and spending freezes and too much uncertainty to continue the research.
@ericboodman.bsky.social with the 10th part of American Science, Shattered:
www.statnews.com/2025/12/22/t...
@ericboodman.bsky.social with the 10th part of American Science, Shattered:
www.statnews.com/2025/12/22/t...
NIH study was a beacon for the topical steroid withdrawal community. Then, amid federal upheaval, the research stalled
An NIH study was a beacon for the topical steroid withdrawal community. Then, amid federal upheaval, the research stalled.
www.statnews.com
December 22, 2025 at 7:16 PM
When an NIH scientist began studying a controversial illness, it gave patients with a glimmer of hope. Then came RIFs and spending freezes and too much uncertainty to continue the research.
@ericboodman.bsky.social with the 10th part of American Science, Shattered:
www.statnews.com/2025/12/22/t...
@ericboodman.bsky.social with the 10th part of American Science, Shattered:
www.statnews.com/2025/12/22/t...
HCA Healthcare will not cover GLP-1 drugs for its workers, starting in 2026, and instead is directing people to get the drugs through Lilly's and Novo's cash-pay programs. More from @elaineywchen.bsky.social: www.statnews.com/2025/12/18/w...
Employers drop coverage for weight loss drugs as pharma’s direct-to-consumer programs grow
Doctors and groups representing employers said they’re increasingly hearing about companies cutting weight loss drugs out of health plans next year.
www.statnews.com
December 18, 2025 at 2:28 PM
HCA Healthcare will not cover GLP-1 drugs for its workers, starting in 2026, and instead is directing people to get the drugs through Lilly's and Novo's cash-pay programs. More from @elaineywchen.bsky.social: www.statnews.com/2025/12/18/w...
More one-sided Medicare Advantage research: “The whole research institute’s agenda was set around what kind of topics can we work on to make Humana look good in comparison to traditional Medicare.” Must-read from @caseyross.bsky.social and @tarabannow.bsky.social: www.statnews.com/2025/12/16/i...
Data on Humana’s clinics looked dismal. Then its corporate research machine got to work
STAT investigation: Internal documents show how Humana is reshaping the debate over Medicare Advantage.
www.statnews.com
December 16, 2025 at 7:16 PM
More one-sided Medicare Advantage research: “The whole research institute’s agenda was set around what kind of topics can we work on to make Humana look good in comparison to traditional Medicare.” Must-read from @caseyross.bsky.social and @tarabannow.bsky.social: www.statnews.com/2025/12/16/i...
Reposted by Bob Herman
A @statnews.com investigation reveals Humana is skewing the debate over how to care for older Americans.
www.statnews.com/2025/12/16/i...
www.statnews.com/2025/12/16/i...
Data on Humana’s clinics looked dismal. Then its corporate research machine got to work
STAT investigation: Internal documents show how Humana is reshaping the debate over Medicare Advantage.
www.statnews.com
December 16, 2025 at 1:04 PM
A @statnews.com investigation reveals Humana is skewing the debate over how to care for older Americans.
www.statnews.com/2025/12/16/i...
www.statnews.com/2025/12/16/i...
NEW: Medicare has sent a record $16 billion to health insurers that sell Part D drug plans, a flashing red sign that prescription drug spending is blowing up far beyond what government officials and insurance experts had expected. www.statnews.com/2025/12/12/m...
Medicare routes $16 billion to insurers to offset high drug costs
The federal government has sent a record $16 billion to health insurers that sell Medicare drug plans, a flashing red sign that prescription drug spending is blowing up far beyond expectations.
www.statnews.com
December 12, 2025 at 5:49 PM
NEW: Medicare has sent a record $16 billion to health insurers that sell Part D drug plans, a flashing red sign that prescription drug spending is blowing up far beyond what government officials and insurance experts had expected. www.statnews.com/2025/12/12/m...
Reposted by Bob Herman
NEW: I dug deep into new top drug regulator Tracy Beth Høeg's record at the FDA so far, talked to agency staff, and even found some old and interesting blog posts, to get a sense of how she'll lead the drug center. TLDR, staff are worried. More here:
www.statnews.com/2025/12/11/t...
www.statnews.com/2025/12/11/t...
FDA staff fear Tracy Beth Høeg will bring bias and instability to embattled drug center
Høeg is set to become the fifth head of the FDA's drug center in a year.
www.statnews.com
December 11, 2025 at 11:41 PM
NEW: I dug deep into new top drug regulator Tracy Beth Høeg's record at the FDA so far, talked to agency staff, and even found some old and interesting blog posts, to get a sense of how she'll lead the drug center. TLDR, staff are worried. More here:
www.statnews.com/2025/12/11/t...
www.statnews.com/2025/12/11/t...
Reposted by Bob Herman
The destruction of the enterprise of US academic science has been one of the most confounding aspects of a hugely confounding year. My @statnews.com colleagues are writing about the consequences for individuals & the country.
You want to read this series.
www.statnews.com/american-sci...
You want to read this series.
www.statnews.com/american-sci...
American Science, Shattered
An eight-decade partnership between universities and the federal government made U.S. science preeminent. It took Trump less than a year to shred that
www.statnews.com
December 9, 2025 at 5:23 PM
The destruction of the enterprise of US academic science has been one of the most confounding aspects of a hugely confounding year. My @statnews.com colleagues are writing about the consequences for individuals & the country.
You want to read this series.
www.statnews.com/american-sci...
You want to read this series.
www.statnews.com/american-sci...
Major health insurers are skipping the J.P. Morgan Healthcare conference, again. More w/ @tarabannow.bsky.social: www.statnews.com/2025/12/10/i...
Major health insurers to skip J.P. Morgan conference, again
High costs, quiet-period rules, investor skepticism, and lingering safety concerns are pushing major insurers to once again skip the event.
www.statnews.com
December 10, 2025 at 7:55 PM
Major health insurers are skipping the J.P. Morgan Healthcare conference, again. More w/ @tarabannow.bsky.social: www.statnews.com/2025/12/10/i...
The CEO of a community health center that sues its patients over unpaid medical bills tried to intimidate ProPublica and patients as @aliyyaswaby.bsky.social reported the story. www.propublica.org/article/fede...
December 9, 2025 at 3:56 PM
The CEO of a community health center that sues its patients over unpaid medical bills tried to intimidate ProPublica and patients as @aliyyaswaby.bsky.social reported the story. www.propublica.org/article/fede...
Reposted by Bob Herman
Community health centers were created to be medical safety nets for people who struggle to afford primary care.
But we found that several are suing patients and garnishing their paychecks – which experts say contradicts their mission.
www.propublica.org/article/fede...
But we found that several are suing patients and garnishing their paychecks – which experts say contradicts their mission.
www.propublica.org/article/fede...
These Health Centers Are Supposed to Make Care Affordable. One Has Sued Patients for as Little as $59 in Unpaid Bills.
Federally funded community health centers receive grants in exchange for serving patients regardless of their ability to pay. But ProPublica found at least five across the country garnishing patients’...
www.propublica.org
December 9, 2025 at 2:09 PM
Community health centers were created to be medical safety nets for people who struggle to afford primary care.
But we found that several are suing patients and garnishing their paychecks – which experts say contradicts their mission.
www.propublica.org/article/fede...
But we found that several are suing patients and garnishing their paychecks – which experts say contradicts their mission.
www.propublica.org/article/fede...
Spending on prescription drugs is on another planet right now. Some insurers have spent more on drugs in the first 9 months of this year than they did in all of 2024. GLP-1s, cancer drugs, and Medicare's new $2k cap on drugs all contributing to this. www.statnews.com/2025/12/08/h...
Driven by GLP-1s, prescription drug spending explodes at major health insurers
Some insurers have spent more on drugs in nine months this year than they did in all of 2024. Cost of weight loss drugs a major factor, STAT analysis finds.
www.statnews.com
December 8, 2025 at 5:55 PM
Spending on prescription drugs is on another planet right now. Some insurers have spent more on drugs in the first 9 months of this year than they did in all of 2024. GLP-1s, cancer drugs, and Medicare's new $2k cap on drugs all contributing to this. www.statnews.com/2025/12/08/h...
Reposted by Bob Herman
Major health insurers are spending way more on prescription drugs, largely becuase of GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic www.statnews.com/2025/12/08/h... via @bobjherman.bsky.social
December 8, 2025 at 1:27 PM
Major health insurers are spending way more on prescription drugs, largely becuase of GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic www.statnews.com/2025/12/08/h... via @bobjherman.bsky.social
Reposted by Bob Herman
It's hard to predict what the new #ACIP will do, but it looks like it will recommend that the universal birth dose for #hepatitisB be jettisoned. Experts warn even a delay of 2 months before the first dose will lead to chronically infected kids & deaths. www.statnews.com/2025/12/04/c...
CDC vaccine advisers appear likely to recommend delaying hepatitis B vaccine birth dose
A panel that issues advice on U.S. vaccine policy appears prepared to vote Thursday to recommend a delay in when most babies begin to be vaccinated against hepatitis B.
www.statnews.com
December 4, 2025 at 3:06 PM
It's hard to predict what the new #ACIP will do, but it looks like it will recommend that the universal birth dose for #hepatitisB be jettisoned. Experts warn even a delay of 2 months before the first dose will lead to chronically infected kids & deaths. www.statnews.com/2025/12/04/c...
Reposted by Bob Herman
BREAKING scoop: Top drug regulator Rick Pazdur filed papers to retire from the FDA at the end of this month, according to agency sources. He alerted leaders at the drug center this morning. He could still withdraw the papers. www.statnews.com/2025/12/02/r...
Top drug regulator Richard Pazdur set to leave FDA
Top drug regulator Richard Pazdur filed papers to retire from the Food and Drug Administration at the end of this month, but could withdraw them.
www.statnews.com
December 2, 2025 at 4:10 PM
BREAKING scoop: Top drug regulator Rick Pazdur filed papers to retire from the FDA at the end of this month, according to agency sources. He alerted leaders at the drug center this morning. He could still withdraw the papers. www.statnews.com/2025/12/02/r...
Reposted by Bob Herman
"Essentially Cassidy asked for a promise. And all he got was an asterisk." Former CDC senior leader Dan Jernigan on how, after promising not to do so, Kennedy's HHS has rewritten #CDC 's webpage on whether there's a link between #vaccines & autism. www.statnews.com/2025/11/20/c...
Under RFK Jr., CDC reverses course on stance that vaccines don’t cause autism
A CDC website now promotes the debunked idea of a link between vaccines and autism.
www.statnews.com
November 20, 2025 at 6:53 PM
"Essentially Cassidy asked for a promise. And all he got was an asterisk." Former CDC senior leader Dan Jernigan on how, after promising not to do so, Kennedy's HHS has rewritten #CDC 's webpage on whether there's a link between #vaccines & autism. www.statnews.com/2025/11/20/c...
Reposted by Bob Herman
As HHS secretary, RFK Jr. has pledged to pursue gold-standard science, preserve access to vaccines, and insist on radical transparency in policymaking.
Here is our examination of his tenure to date:
www.statnews.com/2025/11/18/r... via @statnews.com
Here is our examination of his tenure to date:
www.statnews.com/2025/11/18/r... via @statnews.com
How RFK Jr., America's celebrity health secretary, is steamrolling science
RFK Jr. is plowing ahead with sweeping changes to U.S. health care that have thrilled supporters, purged opponents, and horrified critics.
www.statnews.com
November 18, 2025 at 1:17 PM
As HHS secretary, RFK Jr. has pledged to pursue gold-standard science, preserve access to vaccines, and insist on radical transparency in policymaking.
Here is our examination of his tenure to date:
www.statnews.com/2025/11/18/r... via @statnews.com
Here is our examination of his tenure to date:
www.statnews.com/2025/11/18/r... via @statnews.com
Older adults and people with disabilities are facing a gut punch next year: Become a lot poorer by paying $203/month for their Medicare Part B premium, or feel like you have to go into a Medicare Advantage plan when you don’t want to. www.statnews.com/2025/11/14/m...
Medicare premiums to jump 10% heading into 2026
Most Medicare enrollees will face premiums that are 10% higher next year, creating budget anxiety for millions of seniors.
www.statnews.com
November 15, 2025 at 12:39 AM
Older adults and people with disabilities are facing a gut punch next year: Become a lot poorer by paying $203/month for their Medicare Part B premium, or feel like you have to go into a Medicare Advantage plan when you don’t want to. www.statnews.com/2025/11/14/m...
lol the math here makes absolutely no sense. Are you saying the Medicare Part B premium was expected to be $548/month? That would have been a scandal. Either way, the Part B premium is going up 10%, well above the cost of living. Seniors are getting hammered, again.
November 15, 2025 at 12:34 AM
lol the math here makes absolutely no sense. Are you saying the Medicare Part B premium was expected to be $548/month? That would have been a scandal. Either way, the Part B premium is going up 10%, well above the cost of living. Seniors are getting hammered, again.
No words www.statnews.com/2025/09/17/m...
September 17, 2025 at 8:21 PM
No words www.statnews.com/2025/09/17/m...
Reposted by Bob Herman
STAT is 10!
Join us in reflecting on a decade of reporting from the frontiers of health and medicine.
We’re proud that since 2015 we’ve delivered urgent, authoritative, and impactful journalism.
Celebrate with us: www.statnews.com/stat-10th-an...
#STAT10 🧵
Join us in reflecting on a decade of reporting from the frontiers of health and medicine.
We’re proud that since 2015 we’ve delivered urgent, authoritative, and impactful journalism.
Celebrate with us: www.statnews.com/stat-10th-an...
#STAT10 🧵
STAT 10 Year Anniversary
When we named ourselves “STAT’’ 10 years ago, we conceded, “It takes a bit of chutzpah to name a digital-age life-sciences publication after a buzzword
www.statnews.com
September 9, 2025 at 1:00 PM
STAT is 10!
Join us in reflecting on a decade of reporting from the frontiers of health and medicine.
We’re proud that since 2015 we’ve delivered urgent, authoritative, and impactful journalism.
Celebrate with us: www.statnews.com/stat-10th-an...
#STAT10 🧵
Join us in reflecting on a decade of reporting from the frontiers of health and medicine.
We’re proud that since 2015 we’ve delivered urgent, authoritative, and impactful journalism.
Celebrate with us: www.statnews.com/stat-10th-an...
#STAT10 🧵
Reposted by Bob Herman
MAHA turned 1 over the weekend, and it's hard to believe it's only been one year since Kennedy endorsed Trump and kickstarted this movement.
I talked with nearly two dozen people to try and make sense of all that has happened — or not. Lots to unpack!
www.statnews.com/2025/08/25/r...
I talked with nearly two dozen people to try and make sense of all that has happened — or not. Lots to unpack!
www.statnews.com/2025/08/25/r...
As MAHA turns 1, a fired-up movement is still figuring out how to fulfill its promises
"That is so brilliant. Why didn’t we think of this before?" As MAHA turns 1, STAT examines the growth of the movement and takes stock of its challenges.
www.statnews.com
August 25, 2025 at 12:53 PM
MAHA turned 1 over the weekend, and it's hard to believe it's only been one year since Kennedy endorsed Trump and kickstarted this movement.
I talked with nearly two dozen people to try and make sense of all that has happened — or not. Lots to unpack!
www.statnews.com/2025/08/25/r...
I talked with nearly two dozen people to try and make sense of all that has happened — or not. Lots to unpack!
www.statnews.com/2025/08/25/r...
Reposted by Bob Herman
We think of AI as something that decreases costs and increases revenue. But _for whom_ does it make more $?
AI scribe companies promise that doctors will now get paid for everything they did in a visit. But where is that money coming from?
All of us.
More from me @statnews.com:
🖥️🩺
AI scribe companies promise that doctors will now get paid for everything they did in a visit. But where is that money coming from?
All of us.
More from me @statnews.com:
🖥️🩺
AI scribe companies promise to help doctors bill more. Who will pay the extra cost?
Like any conscientious health policy Ph.D. student, Paige Nong went to the doctor for her free annual well visit. But as she checked in, the person at the
www.statnews.com
August 20, 2025 at 2:46 PM
We think of AI as something that decreases costs and increases revenue. But _for whom_ does it make more $?
AI scribe companies promise that doctors will now get paid for everything they did in a visit. But where is that money coming from?
All of us.
More from me @statnews.com:
🖥️🩺
AI scribe companies promise that doctors will now get paid for everything they did in a visit. But where is that money coming from?
All of us.
More from me @statnews.com:
🖥️🩺
Reposted by Bob Herman
New: GLP-1s and cancer care are driving higher employer health care costs in 2026.
Via @tarabannow.bsky.social
www.statnews.com/2025/08/20/h...
Via @tarabannow.bsky.social
www.statnews.com/2025/08/20/h...
GLP-1s, cancer care are driving higher employer health care costs in 2026
Health care costs are set to jump again next year, creating a challenge for employers.
www.statnews.com
August 20, 2025 at 1:16 PM
New: GLP-1s and cancer care are driving higher employer health care costs in 2026.
Via @tarabannow.bsky.social
www.statnews.com/2025/08/20/h...
Via @tarabannow.bsky.social
www.statnews.com/2025/08/20/h...
NEW: Federal judge rules against Elevance in lawsuit over Medicare Advantage star ratings. The Trump-appointed judge torched Elevance's arguments, saying the company ignored basic math. Another L for MA insurers. www.statnews.com/2025/08/19/e...
Elevance loses lawsuit over Medicare Advantage quality ratings
A federal judge rejected Elevance's argument that the government unfair lowered its ratings.
www.statnews.com
August 19, 2025 at 3:56 PM
NEW: Federal judge rules against Elevance in lawsuit over Medicare Advantage star ratings. The Trump-appointed judge torched Elevance's arguments, saying the company ignored basic math. Another L for MA insurers. www.statnews.com/2025/08/19/e...