FTC launches multi-bureau Healthcare Task Force to spot 'new priority areas for enforcement'

By Dave Muoio – The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is launching a Healthcare Task Force to better focus its enforcement and advocacy on issues of competition and consumer protection within the industry, it announced Friday. The group will combine the teams and efforts of multiple groups under the FTC—the Bureau of Competition, the Bureau of Consumer Protection, the Bureau of Economics, the Office of Policy Planning and the Office of Technology—and potentially others from law enforcement and health departments, the agency and its chairman, Andrew Ferguson, said. Read Full Article...

HVBA Article Summary

1. FTC Establishes Healthcare Task Force to Coordinate Enforcement Strategy: The Federal Trade Commission has launched a Healthcare Task Force designed to develop coordinated agency-wide strategies for new and emerging healthcare investigations. The task force will also identify opportunities for amicus briefs and statements of interest while conducting ongoing monitoring to detect emerging competition and consumer protection issues. The directive establishing the group did not specify the exact policy areas or healthcare sectors that will be prioritized.

2. Recent Enforcement Actions Highlight FTC Healthcare Oversight: In announcing the task force, the FTC pointed to several recent enforcement actions as examples of its activity in healthcare markets. These include a settlement with Express Scripts related to insulin pricing, the abandonment of a merger between cataract surgery device manufacturers flagged by regulators, and a $145 million settlement involving companies accused of misleading consumers seeking comprehensive health insurance. The agency described these actions as outcomes intended to protect consumers and maintain fair competition.

3. Initiative Aligns with Broader Healthcare Policy and Regulatory Debates: FTC leadership said the task force supports the agency’s mandate to address unfair or deceptive practices and anticompetitive conduct in healthcare. Chairman Ferguson linked the effort to broader administration goals aimed at improving affordability, innovation, and quality in the healthcare system, including policies emphasizing price transparency. At the same time, the agency’s work occurs alongside ongoing debates over merger review standards, healthcare noncompete agreements, and the FTC’s current reduced membership while a Supreme Court case over commissioner removal remains pending.

Employer cost-cutting creates HSA sales opportunities

By Allison Bell – A sluggish U.S. economy did more to increase sales of health savings account programs in the fourth quarter of 2025 than to hurt HSA sales. Scott Cutler, the chief executive officer of HealthEquity, gave that assessment earlier this week during a conference call with securities analysts. HealthEquity is one of the pioneers in the HSA market. Its 2025 fiscal year ended Jan. 31. Read Full Article... ^{_{(Subscription required)}}

HVBA Article Summary

1. Employer Cost Pressures Drive HSA Growth: Despite a weak labor market, employers are increasingly turning to health savings accounts (HSAs) as a strategy to manage rising health care costs. By pairing HSAs with high-deductible health plans, companies can lower their per-employee expenses, making this approach attractive in times of economic uncertainty. This trend suggests that affordability concerns are a significant factor influencing benefits decisions, even when job growth is stagnant.

2. HealthEquity Reports Strong Financial Performance: HealthEquity experienced notable increases in both the number of HSAs administered and the total assets held in these accounts during its 2025 fiscal year. The company reported substantial growth in new HSA sales and a significant rise in quarterly revenue and net income compared to the previous year. These results indicate that the demand for consumer-driven health care solutions remains robust, even in a challenging economic environment.

3. Labor Market Weakness Not Expected to Boost Results: HealthEquity's CEO, Scott Cutler, stated that he does not anticipate job growth to contribute to the company's performance in the near future. Instead, he emphasized that ongoing concerns about health care affordability and employer cost-cutting are likely to continue driving HSA adoption. This outlook reflects a broader industry expectation that benefit strategies will focus on cost containment rather than expansion due to labor market conditions.

10 drugs poised to be global best-sellers in 2030

By Paige Twenter – Eli Lilly’s Mounjaro is projected to be the best-selling drug in the world in 2030, according to Statista data shared March 9 with Becker’s. Statista is a global data company that provides market insights for 170 industries, including pharmaceuticals. The company projects these 10 drugs will be the best-selling pharmaceutical products worldwide in 2030: 1. Mounjaro, a Type 2 diabetes medication Manufacturer: Eli Lilly Projected global sales in 2030: $36.2 billion 2. Skyrizi, a therapy for plaque psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis Manufacturer: AbbVie Projected global sales in 2030: $26.6 billion. Read Full Article...

HVBA Article Summary

1. Dominance of GLP-1 and Diabetes Drugs: The list of projected top-selling drugs for 2030 is heavily populated by GLP-1 receptor agonists and medications for diabetes and obesity. This trend highlights the growing global burden of metabolic diseases and the pharmaceutical industry's focus on developing treatments for these conditions. The prominence of these drugs suggests that managing diabetes and obesity will remain a major healthcare priority in the coming years.

2. Market Leadership by Major Pharmaceutical Companies: Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk are expected to lead the market, with several of their products featured among the top ten best-sellers. Their dominance reflects successful innovation and commercialization strategies, particularly in the areas of diabetes, obesity, and related chronic conditions. Other companies like AbbVie, Sanofi/Regeneron, and Merck also maintain strong positions with therapies targeting autoimmune diseases, cancer, and infectious diseases.

3. Significant Projected Sales Growth: The projected sales figures for these drugs indicate substantial growth opportunities for the pharmaceutical industry by 2030. High sales estimates underscore both the anticipated demand for these therapies and the potential financial rewards for manufacturers. These projections may influence future investment, research, and development priorities within the sector.

Two-thirds of sandwich generation women reach a caregiving breaking point

By Kristen Smithberg – Nearly two-thirds of midlife working women in the sandwich generation — those caring for both children and aging relatives — are at a caregiving breaking point, according to Cleo's third annual Family Health Index survey of more than 19,200 assessments. The study highlights escalating mental health strain, rising health care costs and hidden productivity losses that disproportionately affect women balancing careers and caregiving. Read Full Article... ^{_{(Subscription required)}}

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1. Escalating Mental Health and Burnout Risks: The survey reveals that women in the sandwich generation, particularly those aged 40 to 54, are experiencing significant declines in mental health and self-care. This age group faces heightened risks due to the convergence of career pressures, perimenopause or menopause, and overlapping caregiving responsibilities. Subgroups such as women caring for teens or neurodivergent children are especially vulnerable to stress and burnout.

2. Age-Related Increases in Depression and Anxiety: The data indicates that the risk for depression and anxiety rises with age among women, peaking in those 55 and older. Menopause symptoms further intensify the risk of burnout and are associated with lower overall wellbeing scores. High-risk caregivers are more likely to feel isolated, rate their health poorly, and lack confidence in accessing support compared to their low-risk counterparts.

3. Productivity and Economic Impact: High caregiving strain is linked to increased healthcare costs and presenteeism, where employees are physically present but not fully productive. The survey found that caregivers who improved their wellbeing scores saw measurable gains in productivity, self-care, and family wellbeing, including an average of 64 hours of saved productivity. These findings suggest that supporting caregivers can have tangible benefits for both individuals and employers.

GLP-1s Tied to Lower Risk of Psychiatric Decline in Pre-existing Mental Illness

By Megan Brooks – Certain GLP-1 receptor agonists (RAs) may offer benefits beyond diabetes and weight loss, with emerging evidence suggesting they may have potential positive effects on mental health. In a large observational study of adults with pre-existing depression or anxiety, semaglutide use — and, to a lesser extent, liraglutide — was associated with a reduced risk of worsening mental health. Semaglutide was also linked to a lower risk of worsening depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders. The study was published online March 18 in Lancet Psychiatry. Read Full Article...

HVBA Article Summary

1. Semaglutide and Liraglutide Linked to Reduced Psychiatric Decline: The study found that adults with pre-existing depression or anxiety who used semaglutide, and to a lesser extent liraglutide, experienced a lower risk of worsening mental health. This association was observed across several psychiatric outcomes, including depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders. The findings suggest that these GLP-1 receptor agonists may have mental health benefits in addition to their established roles in diabetes and weight management.

2. Observational Study Design Limits Causal Conclusions: While the results are promising, the research was observational and cannot definitively establish that GLP-1 use directly causes improved mental health outcomes. The study used a within-individual design to reduce confounding, but experts caution that other factors, such as baseline differences in mental health or the effects of weight loss, could influence the results. Randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm whether the observed associations are due to the medications themselves.

3. Further Research Needed to Identify Beneficiaries and Risks: Experts highlighted that not all individuals may experience mental health improvements with GLP-1 therapy, and some may even see no change or worsening symptoms. Factors such as the degree of weight loss, changes in inflammation, and overall health improvements could play a role in psychological outcomes. The study underscores the need for targeted randomized trials to better understand which patients are most likely to benefit or experience adverse effects from GLP-1 receptor agonists in the context of mental health.

A look at how Optum Rx is using AI to address pharmacy fraud, waste and abuse

By Paige Minemyer – Optum Rx is leaning on artificial intelligence as it looks to address costly fraud, waste and abuse in the pharmacy space. The company is deploying real-time AI analytics that identify potential irregularities for auditors, who can then follow up with a pharmacist to address the issue. This process has historically been done manually, Optum said, and leaning on AI allows for quicker identification of risks and frees up auditors to focus on issues of the highest concern. Read Full Article...

HVBA Article Summary

1. AI Enhances Detection and Efficiency: Optum Rx has integrated real-time artificial intelligence analytics into its pharmacy audit process, allowing for faster and more precise identification of potential fraud, waste, and abuse. This shift from manual to AI-driven detection enables auditors to focus on the most pressing cases, improving overall efficiency. The technology also helps auditors stay ahead of evolving fraudulent behaviors in the pharmacy sector.

2. Reduction in Unnecessary Audits and Improved Outcomes: Since implementing AI, Optum Rx has observed a 35% decrease in pharmacy audits that yield no findings of fraud, waste, or abuse. This reduction minimizes disruptions for pharmacies and allows staff to devote more time to patient care. Additionally, the AI system has contributed to the recovery of significant funds for clients and has helped prevent adverse events by identifying issues such as duplicate prescriptions and unusual drug orders.

3. Human Oversight and Responsible AI Use: Despite the widespread deployment of AI solutions across UnitedHealth Group, Optum Rx emphasizes that final decisions in the audit process are made by humans. The company is committed to responsible AI governance to ensure that the technology supports, rather than replaces, human judgment. This approach aims to balance the benefits of automation with the need for ethical oversight and patient safety.