The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has released its 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, introducing targeted reforms that reinforce CMS’ authority over how care is valued, reimbursed, and governed.

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is accelerating its push into artificial intelligence, with top officials openly prioritizing speed over caution. Speaking at the Milken Institute Future of Health Summit, Deputy Secretary Jim O’Neill declared that “faster is better” when it comes to AI deployment in healthcare.

The recent sentencing of Ramon Apellaniz for orchestrating a nearly $2 million Medicaid fraud scheme in Connecticut underscores a troubling evolution in healthcare crime. Apellaniz, who had already been convicted of healthcare fraud at the state level, continued his criminal conduct while incarcerated, this time using a pseudonym and prison phone calls to direct fraudulent billing for autism services through a new behavioral health company.

A new federal proposal could force the healthcare industry to fundamentally reassess how artificial intelligence is embedded in patient care. Introduced by Senator Ed Markey during a recent Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee hearing, the Right to Override Act would require any AI system involved in clinical decision-making to include a human override option.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has released an expansive roadmap for operationalizing artificial intelligence, articulating a five-priority strategy to embed AI across clinical, administrative, and support functions. While many federal AI initiatives remain aspirational, the VA’s plan marks a notable shift: from proof-of-concept pilots toward foundational infrastructure, system-wide governance, and workforce-scale enablement.

The recent settlement between the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) and Cadia Healthcare is a stark warning that marketing strategies in healthcare are now squarely within the compliance crosshairs. The $182,000 resolution underscores a growing regulatory posture: public-facing patient testimonials, even when seemingly benign, carry legal risk if HIPAA rules are not strictly followed.

The decision by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office for Civil Rights (OCR) to initiate suspension and debarment proceedings against Harvard University marks a significant shift in the federal posture toward academic institutions failing civil rights compliance. More than a symbolic reprimand, the action opens a pathway for government-wide exclusion from federal financial support, procurement contracts, and grant programs. For institutional leaders navigating compliance risk, this case signals a new operational precedent with broad legal and financial consequences.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently announced that premiums and benefits for both Medicare Advantage (MA) and Medicare Part D will remain stable in 2026, with modest reductions in average monthly costs. On the surface, this announcement suggests program resilience and affordability.