Read today’s Kaiser Health News
In other news:
For Google, health equity becomes ‘health optimization’ as Trump targets DEI FYI
NIH still terminating research grants, defying federal orders: Boston Globe: In defiance of federal orders, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) is still terminating grants to researchers across the country, The Boston Globe reports.
The agency is pulling funding for science that doesn’t comply with President Donald Trump’s executive orders, according to the Globe.
About hospitals and healthcare systems
Medicaid cuts would cost hospitals $80B in 2026, spike uncompensated care costs: Report: Hospitals and health systems could face severe financial consequences if Congress moves forward with proposed Medicaid funding cuts, with new research projecting an $80 billion revenue loss for providers in 2026 and a sharp rise in uncompensated care costs.
This month, the Senate is expected to vote on a budget resolution passed by House Republicans on Feb. 25. The legislation directs the Energy and Commerce Committee, which oversees Medicare and Medicaid, to identify $880 billion in savings over the next 10 years.
About pharma
Eli Lilly expands telehealth access to low-cost Zepbound with Teladoc Health, LifeMD tie-ups:Earlier this week, Eli Lilly partnered up with telehealth providers LifeMD and Teladoc Health to offer its lower cost, single-vial Zepbound (tirzepatide) to patients in the virtual care companies' full-service weight loss management programs.
The companies are directly contracting with Eli Lilly's self-pay pharmacy, GiftHealth. The move could be a boon for telehealth weight loss programs, which have proved lucrative for virtual primary care companies.
The Prescription Drug Gender Divide: Women Spent Over $8.5 Billion More Than Men in 2024: Key takeaways:
Women consistently spend nearly 30% more out of pocket on prescriptions than men, totaling $8.5 billion more in 2024 alone.
Women visit doctors more often, fill more prescriptions, and manage more chronic conditions — leading to higher total out-of-pocket costs across the board.
Women 18 to 44 years old face the steepest price gap, spending up to 64% more than men — all while balancing career, family planning, and caregiving.
Women also significantly outspend men on mental health treatments. Women spend 113% more on depression medications and 103% more on anxiety treatments.
About the public’s health
Electronic Cigarette Use Among Adults in the United States, 2019–2023:
Key findings: Data from the National Health Interview Survey
The percentage of adults who used electronic cigarettes increased from 4.5% in 2019 to 6.5% in 2023.
In both 2019 and 2023, men were more likely than women to use electronic cigarettes.
In 2023, young adults ages 21–24 were most likely to use electronic cigarettes (15.5%).
The percentage of adults who used electronic cigarettes varied by race and ethnicity in both 2019 and 2023.