A bipartisan group of lawmakers recently introduced companion versions of the Medicare Advantage Improvement Act of 2026 in both the House and Senate, aiming to strengthen oversight of Medicare Advantage. The bill was introduced in the Senate on Monday by Senators Roger Marshall (R-Kansas) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-Rhode Island). It comes as Medicare Advantage enrollment is on the rise, with the program is facing increasing scrutiny over care delays and administrative barriers.

Employers’ GLP-1 coverage dilemma grows

Self-funded health systems have been navigating a costly GLP-1 landscape in recent years, and the issue has not seemed to lighten up — yet.  Philadelphia-based Jefferson Health is one of the latest grappling with steep costs for its 65,000 employees. In an NBC News interview this month, Jefferson CEO Joseph Cacchione, MD, said the organization saved $20 million by implementing a diet-and-lifestyle program for employees, rather than immediately granting GLP-1 coverage. Ninety percent of participants are actively involved in the program.

AI-powered prior authorizations for Medicare have greatly delayed care, Washington state hospitals say

Early hospital data highlighted on Capitol Hill suggest that Medicare patients are waiting substantially longer to receive care due to a federal test program exploring automated evaluation of prior authorization claims in traditional Medicare.  The approach—which has raised red flags among provider groups, nonprofits and some lawmakers—has received an initial poor review among Washington hospitals, per a report released last week.