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October 24, 2026

Takeaways from the most recent news in the technology and policies shaping healthcare.

Government

FDA Approves First Once-Weekly Insulin for Children

By Healthcare Technology News ·

The FDA has approved Novo Nordisk's Awiqli as the first once-weekly, long-acting basal insulin for children, according to Becker's Hospital Review. The drug, insulin icodec-abae injection at 700 units per milliliter, is cleared for children 10 and older with Type 2 diabetes as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control, per an Oct. 23 release from Novo Nordisk.

The practical shift is dosing frequency. A once-weekly injection replaces daily basal insulin, taking a pediatric patient from 365 shots a year to 52. Fewer injections can ease adherence, a persistent challenge in managing diabetes in children and adolescents.

The approval reflects a broader push toward less frequent dosing in chronic disease care, following the arc set by weekly GLP-1 therapies. For clinicians and payers, the question now turns to coverage, pricing, and how a simplified regimen affects real-world adherence and outcomes in a growing pediatric Type 2 diabetes population.

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Government

Feds Launch False Claims Act Self-Disclosure Pilot

HHS and the DOJ Civil Division have launched a six-month pilot letting healthcare companies self-report potential civil False Claims Act violations and settle through a coordinated civil release.

Why it matters: The pilot reshapes how hospitals and healthcare firms weigh self-reporting against federal fraud enforcement, with real consequences for compliance strategy.

Government

GOP Pushes Fraud Message to Deflect Healthcare Cost Anger

Republicans are elevating healthcare fraud as a midterm message to deflect voter anger over costs, while Democrats say the push targets blue states to justify Medicaid and ACA cuts.

Why it matters: Fraud-focused enforcement could reshape Medicaid and ACA funding, audits, and eligibility for the tens of millions who depend on those programs.

Government

CMS Targets PBM Fees and MA Directory Accuracy in New Rule

CMS proposed a rule on Oct. 16 that would publicly score Medicare Advantage provider directories and mandate flat-fee payment structures for PBMs, with comments due Dec. 15.

Why it matters: Public directory scores and flat PBM fees would reshape how Medicare Advantage plans and drug middlemen operate and get paid.