National Updates
Major ACA Subsidy Risk for Next Year
Health insurance experts warn that expiration of enhanced tax credits under the Affordable Care Act could push premiums sharply higher for many Americans, especially in states like Texas. The subsidies currently help hundreds of thousands maintain affordable coverage.
KOMO
+1
Telehealth & Medicare Uncertainty Amid Funding Freeze
With recent federal budget and funding issues, the status of key programs like Medicare’s telehealth and hospital-at-home services remain uncertain. Providers may face coverage gaps if authority isn’t renewed.
American Medical Association
Texas Updates
Whooping Cough (Pertussis) Surge in Texas
The Texas Department of State Health Services issued a health alert after more than 3,500 cases of whooping cough were reported in October — about four times the number from the same period last year. Expect heightened risk in infants and communities with lower vaccination rates.
People.com
Legal Action in Texas Over Child Toothpaste & Tylenol Claims
A Texas court is weighing whether the Texas Attorney General’s Office can block a dividend payment from Kenvue Inc. (maker of Tylenol) over alleged misleading claims about acetaminophen use during pregnancy. This may signal increased regulatory scrutiny of drug and consumer-health messaging in Texas.
Reuters
Global Health Alerts
WHO Issues First Global Guidelines on Diabetes in Pregnancy
World Health Organization released its first comprehensive guidelines for managing diabetes during pregnancy—affecting about 1 in 6 pregnancies globally (~21 million women per year)—with 27 key recommendations on care, screening, and prevention.
World Health Organization
Climate-Driven Disease Surge & Global Health Plan at COP30
At the COP30 climate summit, health officials spotlighted sharply rising dengue and yellow fever cases in South America alongside climate impacts on health systems. Brazil and the WHO launched the “Belém Health Action Plan” aimed at bolstering surveillance and response in a hotter world.
The Guardian
+1
Clinical Tips for Providers
Alert patients about possible health insurance cost increases if ACA subsidies expire—consider outreach to at-risk patients.
For Texas: ramp up pertussis screening, immunization outreach (especially around infants), and reinforce vaccine messaging.
Address consumer-health concerns: stay ahead of regulatory changes concerning OTC drug and supplement messaging (e.g., pregnancy use).
For diabetes in pregnancy: update protocols to align with WHO’s new guidelines—review screening, monitoring, and patient education.
Consider climate-related risks: vector-borne diseases like dengue/yellow fever may impact patient travel history and emerging community risk in warmer zones.
