Senate finance committee backs Chris Klomp, advancing him to full Senate vote
Klomp, a behind-the-scenes HHS power player, is likely to be confirmed as second-in-command to RFK Jr. Source: https://www.statnews.com/2026/09/24/chris-klomp-vote-senate-finance-committee-hhs-deputy-secretary/?utm_campaign=rss
The FDA’s Overton era, and dispatches from Shanghai
The Readout LOUD is going international this week with a dispatch from Shanghai, along with notes on the FDA's Overton era. Source: https://www.statnews.com/2026/09/24/chronicling-chinese-drug-development-from-shanghai-readout-loud/?utm_campaign=rss
STAT+: FDA commissioner nominee Heidi Overton keeps opinions to herself in Senate hearing
Senators focused on asking Overton about vaccines, abortion, and vapes. Source: https://www.statnews.com/2026/09/24/fda-commissioner-nominee-heidi-overton-senate-hearing-dodges-questions/?utm_campaign=rss
New federal autism committee head has financial ties to leucovorin
RFK Jr. has installed John Gaitanis, a pediatric neurologist, as the new chair of the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee, which helps the federal government decide how to allocate roughly $2 billion… Source: https://www.statnews.com/2026/09/22/health-news-federal-autism-committee-head-has-financial-ties-to-leucovorin/?utm_campaign=rss
STAT+: Why an influential GOP health policy expert still backs the Medicaid cuts — and which policy target is next
Why an influential GOP health policy expert still backs $1 trillion in Medicaid cuts — and which policy target is next. Source: https://www.statnews.com/2026/09/22/brian-blase-paragon-health-institute-gop-aca-medicaid-reforms/?utm_campaign=rss
STAT+: Ohio governor’s race is a battle over Covid, health costs, and trust in science
The race between Amy Acton and Vivek Ramaswamy could be the election’s most direct test of where the heartland stands on health care and the pandemic. Source: https://www.statnews.com/2026/09/22/ohio-governor-election-health-care-policy-acton-ramaswamy/?utm_campaign=rss
STAT+: Trump touts pharma deals to offer cheaper drugs to state Medicaid programs
Every state will participate in the GENEROUS program, but many of the details are unknown. Source: https://www.statnews.com/2026/09/18/trump-touts-state-participation-generous-medicaid-drug-discount-program/?utm_campaign=rss
STAT+: In a fight over denied claims, HCA sues out-of-state Blue Cross Blue Shield plan
Several Texas hospitals are suing an out-of-state Blue Cross for unpaid medical claims, highlighting the varying standards for whether care is medically necessary. Source: https://www.statnews.com/2026/09/18/hca-hospitals-sue-independence-blue-cross-prior-authorization/?utm_campaign=rss
STAT+: Roche expands its Boston footprint with new research center
A gene therapy approved for Sanfilippo syndrome, good and bad news for Xenon Pharma, and more biotech news Source: https://www.statnews.com/2026/09/18/biotech-news-roche-expands-it-boston-footprint-with-research-center/?utm_campaign=rss
STAT+: Senators highlight the power Chris Klomp wields at confirmation hearings
Chris Klomp has already played a major role in the Trump administration and its Make America Healthy Again agenda. Source: https://www.statnews.com/2026/09/16/senators-highlight-chris-klomp-power-rfk-jr-second-in-command/?utm_campaign=rss
STAT+: GOP aims to change Medicare adviser’s math so it’s more favorable to health insurers
The GOP bill directs MedPAC to study the topic of overpayments to Medicare Advantage plans in a manner that’s more favorable to insurers. Source: https://www.statnews.com/2026/09/16/medicare-advantage-overpayments-analysis-medpac-change-apples-to-apples-act/?utm_campaign=rss
New lawsuit argues NIH violated First Amendment rights of grant applicants
The lawsuit seeks to halt the process of searching grant applications for specific terms to determine if they should be rejected. Source: https://www.statnews.com/2026/09/16/lawsuit-argues-nih-violated-researcher-first-amendment-rights-aclu/?utm_campaign=rss
STAT+: Scholar Rock wins FDA approval for first drug to target SMA muscle loss
A late-stage clinical trial found that, when combined with an SMN2-targeting drug, Isembyld caused young patients’ motor skills to improve after a year. Source: https://www.statnews.com/2026/09/11/scholar-rock-spinal-muscular-atrophy-isembyld-clinical-trial-fda-approval/?utm_campaign=rss
STAT+: Pharma wins a battle over the cost of wastewater treatment in Europe
An E.U. AG recommended annulling part of a directive that requires drugmakers to finance 80% of the costs of wastewater treatment. Source: https://www.statnews.com/pharmalot/2026/09/11/pharma-wins-cost-of-wastewater-treatment-fight-europe/?utm_campaign=rss
STAT+: Breast cancer pill from AstraZeneca misses mark in pivotal trial
A pill from AstraZeneca failed to improve outcomes in closely watched breast cancer study, a result that could limit the use of the medicine. Source: https://www.statnews.com/2026/09/12/astrazeneca-breast-cancer-camizestrant-etcamah-serena-4-trail-failure/?utm_campaign=rss
STAT+: Can AI save rural health care?
Nominees for top federal health roles to face Congress, and Trump officials are betting on AI to help save rural health care. Source: https://www.statnews.com/2026/09/10/ai-rural-health-hospitals-chris-klomp-nicole-saphier-senate-hearings/?utm_campaign=rss
STAT+: Right before midterms, Trump dangles $500 refunds for select ACA enrollees
The legal basis for the $500 checks, and who would get them, isn't entirely clear. Source: https://www.statnews.com/2026/09/10/trump-affordable-care-act-refund-checks-who-is-eligible/?utm_campaign=rss
STAT+: The gifts from pharma companies that keep on giving
There has been rancorous debate over doctors accepting free gifts and speaking fees from pharma companies. That doesn't mean doctors have reconsidered. Source: https://www.statnews.com/pharmalot/2026/09/10/many-doctors-still-embrace-pharma-freebies-rely-on-sales-reps/?utm_campaign=rss
Platinum-based chemotherapy in childhood causes mutations that age the liver
Platinum chemotherapy aged the liver cells of treated children, making them look more like adult liver cells and possibly raising the long-term risk of new tumors Source: https://www.statnews.com/2026/09/10/childhood-chemotherapy-cisplatin-carboplatin-new-study-liver-impact/?utm_campaign=rss
Why two promising heart drugs flopped and what’s next
This week on "The Readout LOUD" podcast: Two experimental drugs were heralded as the next era in heart disease treatment — why did they fail? Source: https://www.statnews.com/2026/09/10/readout-loud-podcast-heart-disease-drugs-failed-trials/?utm_campaign=rss