Read today’s Kaiser Health News
In other news:
Trump revokes executive order on competition: Federal Trade Commission Chair Andrew Ferguson said the repeal removes “top-down competition regulations” that were hostile toward mergers and acquisitions. He said the Trump administration will instead focus on enforcing existing antitrust laws passed by Congress.
About health insurance/insurers
Top Medicare Advantage plans for member satisfaction in 2025: J.D. Power FYI
Elevance loses lawsuit over Medicare Advantage quality ratings: A federal judge in Texas struck down Elevance Health’s lawsuit that argued the government unfairly lowered its Medicare Advantage quality ratings — a decision that could cost Elevance $375 million in bonus revenue.
Removing Duplicate Enrollees From Medicaid, ACA Plans Is Not as Easy as You'd Think: A good discussion of this issue.
Healthcare billing fraud: 10 recent cases FYI
UnitedHealth’s SCA Health acquires U.S. Digestive Health: UnitedHealth subsidiary SCA Health acquired one of the largest gastroenterology physician group practices in the U.S. in early 2025 from a private equity firm, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported Aug. 19.
About hospitals and healthcare systems
Novant offers debt-free pre-paid tuition to 41,000 employees: Novant Health Future Forward, a new debt-free education initiative, is now available to eligible team members at Winston-Salem, N.C.-based Novant Health.
Beginning Aug. 18, the system will cover up to $5,250 in annual pre-paid tuition for full-time employees and $2,625 for part-time employees, according to an Aug. 18 health system news release shared with Becker’s. Team members can apply on their first day and pursue a high school diploma, college degrees, certifications and English-language courses through partner institutions, most of which offer virtual instruction.
About pharma
Merck KGaA latest to bet on Skyhawk's RNA platform with $2B deal: Skyhawk Therapeutics added another high-profile name to its growing list of partners, announcing Monday a deal with Merck KGaA potentially worth over $2 billion to develop novel RNA-targeting small molecules in neurological indications. Under the agreed terms, Skyhawk will use its SkySTAR platform to identify small molecule candidates directed at specific RNA targets designated by Merck. The collaboration aims to expand the potential of RNA modulation in diseases where traditional approaches have proven challenging.
US patients can now get Ozempic for half price if they can pay cash: Novo Nordisk announced Monday that US patients can now get a month’s supply of Ozempic, the blockbuster diabetes drug, for $499, for those who pay for medications on their own and don’t go through insurance…
The drugmaker earlier this year launched the direct-to-consumer pharmacy, offering Wegovy, its in-demand weight loss drug, for $499 a month. Rival Eli Lilly has also slashed the price of its GLP-1 weight loss drug, Zepbound, for self-pay patients.
The discounted Ozempic price is also available on other platforms, including Novo Nordisk’s website and through a partnership with GoodRx, which offers discounts on prescriptions at many pharmacies. The offer is open to eligible patients with an Ozempic prescription, the drugmaker said.
About healthcare IT
How to develop AI policies that work for your organization’s needs A helpful document from the AMA.