Trump promised to clamp down on health insurers. His policies are enriching them. Next year’s Medicare Advantage rate boost is the latest move to spare insurers. www.statnews.com/2026/04/09/m...

The Trump administration will not be asking the Supreme Court to take up its fight to slash NIH support for research indirect costs. www.statnews.com/2026/04/08/t...

23andMe finds genetic changes appear to help predict response to GLP-1 drugs for weight loss Changes in two genes appear to help predict whether patients will lose substantial weight on GLP-1 drugs — and whether the drugs will cause nausea or vomiting.

Specific changes in two genes appear to help predict whether patients will lose substantial weight on GLP-1 drugs used to treat obesity — and whether the drugs will cause nausea or vomiting. www.statnews.com/2026/04/08/2...

A decade ago, these drugs tore apart the FDA. Today, they might be some patients' best hope A mother's persistence helps revive an all-but-abandoned drug class and could aid her son and thousands of others with neuromuscular conditions.

A mother's persistence helps revive an all-but-abandoned drug class and could aid her son and thousands of others with neuromuscular conditions. www.statnews.com/2026/04/08/d...

Many cancer patients don’t get genomic tests to guide treatment, study finds Even as therapies improve, a startling number of cancer patients are not getting genomic tests that could improve their chance of survival.

Even as therapies improve, a startling number of cancer patients are not getting genomic tests that could improve their chance of survival. www.statnews.com/2026/04/07/g...

FDA backs proposals to entice pharma companies to test, make drugs domestically From tariffs to incentives, the administration wants to push companies to manufacture drugs in the U.S.

The FDA used the president’s budget to propose policies aimed at encouraging domestic development and manufacturing of drugs. www.statnews.com/2026/04/07/f...

University of Michigan wins 2026 STAT Madness for new insights into abdominal aortic aneurysms The researchers identified a driving force behind the condition, opening up a potential target for new therapies.

The researchers identified a driving force behind the condition, opening up a potential target for new therapies. www.statnews.com/2026/04/07/s...

A star scientist showed that better genetics lessons could reduce racism. It was the death knell for his career Brian Donovan had persuaded high school teachers and education researchers that prejudice might be ended by changing how genetics is taught.

Brian Donovan had persuaded high school teachers and education researchers that prejudice might be ended by changing how genetics is taught. www.statnews.com/2026/04/07/b...

Health insurers score major win with higher 2027 Medicare Advantage rates The stocks of major Medicare Advantage insurers surged on the announcement.

The stocks of major Medicare Advantage insurers surged on the announcement. www.statnews.com/2026/04/06/m...

2026 STAT Madness 2026 bracket Welcome to STAT Madness, a bracket-style contest to find the best innovation in science and medicine. Explore groundbreaking innovations from

TODAY'S THE LAST DAY TO VOTE!
The winner of #STATMadness will be crowned tomorrow!
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When my child is in psychosis, the pediatric health care system can’t help us “There is no off switch when the crisis is your child,” writes Liz Koch.

When my child is in psychosis, the pediatric health care system can’t help us. We are passed from specialist to specialist, with no one helping us make things better. www.statnews.com/2026/04/06/c...

What the peptide craze reveals about Americans’ relationship with risk Why do RFK Jr. and other health influencers embrace unproven peptides while calling for more research into well-studied vaccines?

Why do RFK Jr. and other health influencers embrace unproven peptides while calling for more research into well-studied vaccines? www.statnews.com/2026/04/06/r...

UnitedHealth Group is making a $3 billion bet on AI. What does it mean for patients? UnitedHealth Group is rapidly deploying artificial intelligence tools across its operations. What does it mean for patients?

UHG is spending billions to embed AI to manage claims and care decisions. As 22,000 software engineers go to work, what are the benefits — and risks? www.statnews.com/2026/04/06/u...

Subscription pricing could expand access to HIV prevention breakthrough while controlling costs Lenacapavir could put the end of the HIV epidemic in reach — if the people who need it can access it. Here’s one way to make that happen.

Subscription pricing could expand access to HIV prevention breakthrough while controlling costs. The ‘Netflix model’ has worked for hepatitis C treatment and can work for lenacapavir. www.statnews.com/2026/04/03/l...

NIH would get $5 billion cut under Trump’s 2027 budget, but Congress unlikely to go along The White House is asking Congress to cut $5 billion from the National Institutes of Health and downsize the number of institutes and centers from 27 to 22

The White House is asking Congress to cut $5 billion from the National Institutes of Health and to downsize the number of its institutes and centers from 27 to 22 — a plan that is expected to receive a chilly reception from lawmakers from both parties. www.statnews.com/2026/04/03/t...

My patient would rather take a peptide than a statin. That reveals an uncomfortable truth in medicine The more evidence behind a therapy, the less the public trusts it

“The volume of evidence behind a therapy has become inversely correlated with public trust in it,” writes Vikas Patel. www.statnews.com/2026/04/03/p...

Supreme Court conversion therapy decision could ripple through medicine A Supreme Court ruling this week on gender and sexuality “conversion therapy” could narrow the authority of state medical boards over care involving speech

How groups like Children's Health Defense will leverage this week's ruling on conversion therapy for lawsuits re: telehealth regulation, Covid misinformation, and free speech: www.statnews.com/2026/04/03/c...

White House proposes 12% cut to federal health agencies in 2027 budget request Congress largely ignored President Trump's previous budget proposal, instead boosting federal health spending.

#Breaking: White House proposes 12% cut to federal health agencies in 2027 budget request. Congress largely ignored President Trump's previous budget proposal, instead boosting federal health spending. www.statnews.com/2026/04/03/t...

Medicare Advantage plans win extra $18.6 billion as feds cut star ratings measures CMS is scaling back the number of measures it uses to grade health insurers.

NEW: Trump admin is making it easier for Medicare Advantage plans to grab bonus $$ from star ratings. It'll cost taxpayers $18.6B over the next decade (more than the $13.2B originally expected). Will MA plans continue to cry poor? www.statnews.com/2026/04/02/m...

Supreme Court conversion therapy decision could ripple through medicine A Supreme Court ruling this week on gender and sexuality “conversion therapy” could narrow the authority of state medical boards over care involving speech

A Supreme Court ruling this week on gender and sexuality “conversion therapy” could narrow the authority of state medical boards over care involving speech. www.statnews.com/2026/04/03/c...

Small drugmakers, facing threat of tariffs, negotiate pricing deals with White House The Trump administration is negotiating new drug-pricing deals, now with smaller companies, according to three people with knowledge of the meetings.

The Trump administration is negotiating new drug-pricing deals, now with smaller companies, according to three people with knowledge of the meetings. www.statnews.com/2026/04/02/d...

Trump announces 100% tariffs on brand-name drugs, with plenty of carveouts The taxes are part of the president's push to rein in the pharmaceutical industry and bring manufacturing to the U.S.

#Breaking: The Trump administration announced Thursday 100% tariffs on imported brand-name drugs — but with significant caveats. www.statnews.com/2026/04/02/t...

Event Scholarship Application STAT Breakthrough Summit West  |  May 19th, 2026 We’re committed to making STAT events accessible to as many attendees as possible. Our event scholarship

We’re committed to making STAT events accessible to as many attendees as possible. Our event scholarship program provides financial assistance to cover ticket costs and related expenses, helping more participants join us in person or online.
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At #STATBreakthrough, we asked speakers and attendees what the last scientific breakthrough that stopped you in your tracks?
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Trump administration prepares 100% tariffs on some imported drugs The White House is readying a 100% tax on some imported medicines, a draft order shows.

The Trump administration has prepared an order that would impose a 100% tariff on imports of patented medications and their active ingredients. www.statnews.com/2026/04/01/t...

Makary marks one year at FDA with focus on achievements in speech to staff The FDA commissioner praised staff and listed his accomplishments in a speech to workers.

The FDA commissioner praised staff and listed his accomplishments in a private speech to workers. www.statnews.com/2026/04/01/f...

STAT Mini Crossword STAT MINI Test your knowledge every weekday with our crossword. Listen: Hear from the voices shaping biotech and the life sciences with STAT podcasts Sign

Of course we have an April Fools themed #STATMini today!
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Can a psychedelic 'coach' make ketamine therapy even more effective? Should ketamine be used strictly as a pharmacological intervention, or should psychotherapy be incorporated? A new study is trying to tackle this question.

As ketamine treatment clinics have proliferated following FDA approval, some researchers think a pharmacological-only approach leaves benefits on the table. www.statnews.com/2026/04/01/k...

NIH director’s invocation of Vannevar Bush’s legacy to promote Trump science policies sparks pushback Jay Bhattacharya’s claim that the Trump administration is pursuing the vision articulated by scientific leader, Vannevar Bush, has provoked pushback — and outrage

Jay Bhattacharya’s claim that the Trump administration is pursuing the vision articulated by scientific leader, Vannevar Bush, has provoked pushback — and outrage. www.statnews.com/2026/04/01/j...

NIH director’s invocation of Vannevar Bush’s legacy to promote Trump science policies sparks pushback Jay Bhattacharya’s claim that the Trump administration is pursuing the vision articulated by scientific leader, Vannevar Bush, has provoked pushback — and outrage

Read below why Bhattacharya’s invocation of FDR’s science advisor spurred accusations that he’s “hijacking” Bush’s legacy in a way that @nataliebaviles.bsky.social said have him rolling in his grave

www.statnews.com/2026/04/01/j...