The 3 biggest issues to watch in vaccine policy in 2026

Plus: Major pharma companies may avoid Medicare experiments' forced price cuts

December 24, 2025 Check out STAT+

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Christine Kao/STAT STAT+ | The 3 biggest issues to watch in vaccine policy in 2026 2025 turmoil at HHS sets the stage for major vaccine policy changes in 2026. STAT's '3 to Watch' series examines the potential impacts. By Daniel Payne Nineteen states, D.C. sue HHS over gender-affirming care crackdown  Lawsuit says HHS Secretary Kennedy overstepped authority granted by Congress and that the crackdown will have 'immediate, significant, and harmful impacts.' By Chelsea Cirruzzo STAT+ | Major pharma companies may avoid Medicare experiments' forced price cuts Several pharmaceutical companies that struck drug pricing deals with the White House said they're exempt from the Medicare demonstrations. By John Wilkerson and Elaine Chen Adobe Opinion: What giving flu shots backstage taught me about public health The performing arts world understands something about public health increasingly disappearing from American life. By Ram Koppaka Opinion: Proposed HHS rule on gender-affirming care radically expands use of Medicare, Medicaid as policy weapons A proposed HHS rule on gender-affirming care for minors radically expands the use of Medicare and Medicaid as policy weapons. By Carmel Shachar and Nicole Huberfeld 3 drug policy questions to watch in 2026 STAT's 3 to Watch looks at the issues our reporters expect to be big in the next year. For drug policy, that's psychedelics, opioid and cannabis policy. By Lev Facher

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