Read today’s Kaiser Health News
In other news:
HHS budget proposal cuts NCI funding by 37%: The Trump administration has proposed allocating $4.53 billion for the National Cancer Institute in fiscal year 2026, marking a 37.2% decrease from the $7.22 billion the NCI received in fiscal 2025.
Cancer research organizations and advocacy groups have expressed concern over the budget proposal, citing the link federal funding has to breakthroughs in cancer research and treatment.
About health insurance/insurers
Medicare negotiations underway to lower prices for next batch of drugs: Medicare is negotiating the prices of 15 drugs, including Novo Nordisk's Ozempic. The government has until Nov. 30 to announce the agreed-upon Medicare prices. The lower prices would go into effect in January 2027.
CEO of healthcare software company convicted for role in $1B fraud scheme: The CEO of a healthcare software company was convicted by a federal jury for his role in operating a platform that generated fraudulent physicians’ orders to defraud Medicare and other payers out of more than $1 billion.
Gary Cox, 79, of Maricopa County, Ariz., was the CEO of Power Mobility Doctor Rx (DMERx), an internet-based platform that generated fraudulent orders for unnecessary orthotic braces, pain creams and other items, according to a June 3 Justice Department news release.
UnitedHealth Retail Traders Turn Bearish After Leaked Memo Shows Investor-Appeasing Steps Ahead Of Shareholder Meeting: Retail sentiment around UnitedHealth Group turned cautious after the company reportedly prepared a confidential internal memo ahead of its June 2 shareholder meeting, to coordinate responses aimed at allaying shareholder concerns about its business practices and reassure them about a return to growth and profitability, according to STAT…
The document appears to respond to a lawsuit alleging the company hid anticonsumer practices, including unethical claims denials that boosted profits.
About pharma
Lilly expands Welldoc partnership with new app for Zepbound and Mounjaro users: Lilly is deepening its partnership with digital health company Welldoc to launch a new app aimed at supporting patients taking its dual GIP/GLP-1 agonist, tirzepatide, in managing their cardiometabolic health.
The app includes features such as reminders, device integration, health data tracking and medication logging for the drug, which is marketed as Zepbound for weight-loss and Mounjaro to treat diabetes.
About the public’s health
Vaccines could slash antibiotic use by 2.5B doses annually: Report: Vaccines have the potential to reduce global antibiotic use by 2.5 billion doses a year, according to a report from Wellcome Trust, which underscores their role in curbing antimicrobial resistance.
Alcohol: Is Any Amount Safe for Health?: Although some studies have suggested such a benefit, those that better accounted for confounders have not
.Lead, arsenic found in popular rice brands: Study: A study conducted by Healthy Babies, Bright Future found that out of 145 rice samples nationwide, 100% of them contained arsenic. According to the organization, more than one in four exceeded the FDA’s action level for infant cereal…
Overall, the report found four toxic metals in these rice products: Arsenic, cadmium, lead and mercury.
About healthcare IT
Artificial intelligence vs human clinicians: a comparative analysis of complex medical query handling across the USA and Australia: The results show that AI-generated responses were generally more accurate and professional than human responses, suggesting potential benefits like increased efficiency, lower costs and enhanced patient satisfaction. However, significant concerns such as AI’s lack of emotional depth, data bias and the risk of displacing human clinicians must be addressed to fully utilize AI in clinical settings.
About healthcare finance
23andMe to restart auction after former CEO wins challenge to Regeneron bid: 23andMe will hold another auction for its assets after former chief executive officer Anne Wojcicki successfully challenged the outcome of an earlier bidding round that was won by Regeneron Pharmaceuticals. The auction comes after the human genetics firm filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in March amid a downturn in its fortunes, including a previous hacking incident that has led to a class-action lawsuit.