In 2026, U.S. agreements lower costs of GLP-1 drugs for obesity and diabetes, impacting Medicare and Medicaid coverage with a focus on starter dose affordability and access limitations.

MedPAC recommends Congress stop increasing hospice payment rates as provider margins shrink despite record Medicare hospice utilization and rising costs.

Australia's specialist care system faces affordability challenges due to inconsistent fees and limited public clinic access. New policies target fee transparency to improve patient access.