MAHA Institute

Today’s Daily Brief covers CMS releasing its second-year round of $10 billion under the Rural Health Transformation Program across all 50 states, ACL directing over $9.7 million toward preventing elder abuse, HHS nearly doubling its TOPx AI prize purse to $3.8 million, and NIH update on autoimmune disease research.

1. CMS Announces Second Year of Rural Health Transformation Program

CMS announced funding for the second year round of funding to all 50 states under the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP). A total of $10 billion will be spread among all states.

According to CMS, “In the second year, states will build on this momentum by advancing initiatives from their approved state-developed transformation plans. Depending on each state’s priorities, these initiatives may include efforts to improve prevention and chronic disease management, create sustainable access to care, strengthen the rural health workforce, advance innovative care and payment models, and put modern technology and data to work for rural patients and providers. Today’s funding will help states deepen implementation and build the capacity needed to sustain improvements over the long term.”

2. ACL Invests $9.7 Million to Combat Elder Abuse

The Administration for Community Living (ACL) announced an investment of more than $9.7 million in grants to help prevent elder abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation.

The awards include six three-year Elder Justice Innovation Grants totaling over $5.6 million to develop and test approaches for emerging problems. Recipients include Texas Healthy at Home, the Wisconsin Department of Justice, and universities such as Yale and Missouri. Funds will also go towards four two-year Legal Assistance Enhancement Program grants totaling nearly $1.9 million to improve legal services on issues like scams, guardianship, and exploitation under the Older Americans Act. Further funding will be directed towards a three-year $1.55 million grant to operate the National Long-Term Care Ombudsman Resource Center.

According to Secretary Kennedy, “Older Americans have earned the right to live with dignity, control their own lives, and protect what they worked hard to build. The Trump Administration is investing more than $9.7 million to prevent abuse and financial exploitation, expand access to legal help, and defend the rights of nursing home residents. We are putting practical tools and trusted support into communities to help older Americans safeguard their independence and financial security.”

3. HHS Expands TOPx AI Prize Pool to $3.8 Million and Awards $3.7 Million for Prototypes Addressing Lyme Disease and Invisible Illnesses

HHS announced the expansion of the TOPx HHS Tech Sprint for AI and Invisible Illness prize pool from $2 million to $3.8 million in response to strong public interest and high-quality submissions. As a result, 40 Phase 2 winners will share $3.7 million for working prototypes that use AI and federal open data to improve detection, care coordination, and visibility of costs for complex chronic conditions.

4. NIH Director Makes Statement on Autoimmune Diseases

NIH Director Dr. Jay Bhattacharya issued a new statement on NIH research covering autoimmune diseases. According to the NIH Director,

“Autoimmune diseases occur when the immune system mistakenly attacks the body's own tissues.

NIH researchers at the Systemic Autoimmunity Branch in NIAMS are exploring how the immune system normally maintains balance and what goes wrong in autoimmune diseases. By studying both the underlying biology, including neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), and the experiences of patients over time, researchers hope to uncover new pathways for treatment and improve quality of life for people living with conditions like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.

The branch is also dedicated to training the next generation of scientists and physician-scientists who will advance discoveries in autoimmune disease research and patient care.”

Today’s Daily Brief covers Secretary Kennedy outlining the progress of the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP), the NIH Director issuing guidance on early pediatric hearing loss detection, and FDA publishing clinical guidance on biosimilars for diabetes.

1. Secretary Kennedy Discusses Rural Health Transformation Program

Secretary Kennedy discussed the attributes of the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) during a recent public address. According to the HHS Secretary,

“One of the president’s biggest priorities is our rural Americans who overwhelmingly supported him. The One Big Beautiful Bill, the rural health transformation fund is the biggest investment... recognized that we’re having a crisis in rural communities, a healthcare crisis. That is driven by the closure of rural hospitals—our urban hospitals are doing very, very well, profit and non-profit. Rural hospitals are closing at about one a month, so we’ve lost 100 of them in the last 10 years. And when they close, it’s not just the loss of access or proximate healthcare and saving lives—because the distance you have to travel when you have a heart attack or an emergency often dictates whether you’re going to live or die. But these hospitals play a critical role in these communities. They’re the largest employer in the community, the highest salaries, and they are cultural centers—really just centers of the soul of the community.”

2. NIH Director Issues Statement on Hearing Loss Prevention

In a new statement, NIH Director Dr. Jay Bhattacharya said that when detected early, many forms of hearing loss can be mitigated. After remarking that 2 to 3 of every 1,000 children are born with detectable hearing loss, the NIH Director said, “That is why advances in hearing research are so important. At NIH’s National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), decades of scientific discovery have helped deepen our understanding of hearing and helped advance solutions across the continuum of care. Beyond early detection, NIDCD research has also helped advance technologies such as cochlear implants, which can provide access to sound for people with severe or profound hearing loss.”

He added, “Continued investment in NIH hearing research can help drive the next generation of discoveries and technologies to improve the quality of life of babies born with hearing loss.”

3. FDA Publishes Document on Diabetes Biosimilars

FDA published a document detailing potential benefits of biosimilar treatments for diabetes. According to the document, “Biosimilars may be available at a lower cost than the original biologics. Similar to generic drugs, biosimilars may cost less because manufacturers rely on FDA’s finding that the original biologics are safe and effective. The lower cost is not a reflection of the effectiveness or safety of biosimilars. Because of the lower cost, biosimilars may be covered by more insurance companies and offer patients additional treatment options.”

A biosimilar is a biological medical product that is highly similar to an already approved reference biologic, with no clinically meaningful differences in safety, purity, or potency.

Today’s Daily Brief covers HHS releasing updated federal analyses detailing a decline in the opioid crisis, Secretary Kennedy welcoming Stephen Miller as the incoming White House Chief of Staff, and the USDA awarding $32.2 million across 99 projects under the Local Agriculture Market Program.

1. Secretary Kennedy Discusses Decline in Opiate Deaths

Referencing remarks from Secretary Kennedy during a recent visit to North Dakota, HHS stated that new federal analyses showing major reductions in opioid prescriptions, dosages, and overdose deaths.

According to the HHS Secretary, Data from ASPE and CDC provisional figures indicate overdose deaths fell from peaks above 100,000 per year (2021–2024) to around 65,000 by mid-2026, while the overall U.S. age-adjusted death rate hit a record low of 689.2 per 100,000 in 2025. Population-adjusted figures from 2015 to 2026 show opioid prescriptions down to 45.3% of baseline levels, total dosage (MMEs) to 35.2%, and patients on prescription opioids roughly halved, while use of treatment medications more than doubled.

2. Secretary Kennedy Welcomes New Chief of Staff

Following President Trump’s announcement that his new White House Chief of Staff will be Stephen Miller, Secretary Kennedy remarked, “Next to me, Stephen Miller is the strongest MAHA supporter in the administration. It’s time to unleash the Kraken.”

Miller will assume his position on Monday. Since January of 2025, he has served as White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy.

3. USDA Awards $32.2 Million to Boost Local Food Markets

USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service awarded over $32.2 million to 99 projects under the Local Agriculture Market Program.

The funding will be distributed through the Farmers Market Promotion Program with $13.8 million for 45 projects, the Local Food Promotion Program with $13.8 million for 46 projects, and Regional Food System Partnerships with $4.6 million for 8 partnerships. These grants aim to strengthen local and regional food systems, help farmers develop new markets, improve supply chains, and expand consumer access to locally grown foods.

Today’s Daily Brief covers an NIH study linking PFAS chemical exposures to aggressive ER-negative breast cancer, a matched-cohort study from the Florida Department of Health evaluating comparative mortality rates between Pfizer and Moderna Covid mRNA shots, and HRSA launching a $1 million funding opportunity under the Women’s Initiative for Screening and Health (WISH) program.

1. NIH Study Links “Forever Chemicals” to Breast Cancer

According to a new NIH study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, women with higher blood plasma levels of two common per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), had a greater likelihood of developing estrogen receptor-negative (ER-negative) breast cancer.

PFAS, PFOA, and PFOS are typically referred to as “forever chemicals” due to their resistance to breaking down in the natural environment, and in human and animal bodies.

Researchers measured 17 PFAS compounds in blood samples collected prior to diagnosis (50,884 women ages 35 to 74). Among 1,609 women who later developed breast cancer and a control group of 2,269, those in the highest PFOA quartile had a 67% higher rate of ER-negative breast cancer than those in the lowest quartile. Regarding, PFOS the rate was 93% higher.

Commenting on this study, Secretary Kennedy said, “Women deserve clear answers about how chemicals in their environment may affect their health. This NIH study links two forever chemicals to a higher risk of ER-negative breast cancer and demands further investigation. Under President Trump’s leadership, we will pursue the evidence, confront environmental health risks, and give women the information they need to protect their health.”

2. Major Study in Florida Finds Pfizer COVID Shots Linked to 40% Higher All-Cause Mortality Compared to Moderna

A new peer-reviewed study by MIT Professor Retsef Levi, Florida Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo, and Florida Department of Health studied the risks associated with Pfizer’s mRNA Covid shot against those associated with Moderna’s. Researchers followed nearly 2 million matched adults (981,411 Pfizer and 981,411 Moderna recipients) for 12 months after their first dose. Data was derived from immunization records linked to death certificates throughout Florida.

Participants were matched on age, sex, race, ethnicity, vaccination month, location, and residential census tract. Scientists discovered that Pfizer recipients showed higher mortality across categories: 40% higher all-cause, 57% higher cardiovascular, 91% higher COVID-19, and 37% higher non-Covid mortality. The all-cause difference held across age groups, while cardiovascular and Covid gaps were driven mainly by individuals 60 and older.

3. HRSA Launches $1 Million Funding Opportunity to Improve National Women’s Preventive Care

HRSA announced a new funding opportunity for the Women’s Initiative for Screening and Health (WISH) program. According to an official statement, “The program will award up to $1 million in fiscal year 2027 to establish a multidisciplinary coalition to update the HRSA-supported Women’s Preventive Services Guidelines (Guidelines) to reflect gold-standard evidence and support their use in clinical practice.

One organization will receive funds in order to do the following:

“Convene a multidisciplinary panel of at least 10 experts from women’s health, primary care, public health, preventive medicine, behavioral health, patient and consumer organizations, and organizations that reach medically underserved women.

Conduct evidence reviews, following National Academies standards for trustworthy guidelines, to update or reaffirm Guideline recommendations.

Develop and disseminate information on the Guidelines tailored to communities with limited resources.”

Today’s Daily Brief covers CMS finalizing its Calendar Year 2027 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, a new government wide policy on DNA/RNA synthesis screening, Secretary Kennedy commenting on his support for faith-based addiction recovery models, and NIH researchers uncovering immune markers that are relevant to potential re-infections of dengue.

1. CMS Finalizes 2027 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule to Prioritize Prevention, Primary Care, and Waste Reduction

CMS finalized the Calendar Year 2027 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule. The new fee schedule is intended to shift incentives from volume-based “sick care” toward prevention, coordinated primary care, and fiscal stewardship.

According to CMS, the new rule modernizes payment structures, sunsets traditional MIPS reporting after a transition period (favoring MIPS Value Pathways or Advanced Alternative Payment Models), strengthens the Medicare Shared Savings Program by allowing ACOs to reduce or eliminate Part B cost-sharing and offering new growth incentives, and curbs waste by ending certain duplicate billing (a 20% reduction for lower-cost same-day services) and closing loopholes projected to save billions.

Commenting on the new fee schedule, Secretary Kennedy said, “Medicare should reward clinicians for keeping people healthy. Under President Trump’s leadership, we are putting prevention and primary care at the center of Medicare, closing payment loopholes, and cracking down on waste. This rule directs resources toward coordinated care that puts patients first. We are changing what Medicare pays for to change what our health system delivers.”

According to CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz, “For too long, fee-for-service payment has rewarded volume over value, fueling a reactive system of sick care. This final rule breaks from that status quo. By ending duplicate billing and closing costly loopholes, we are protecting taxpayers and directing Medicare dollars to clinicians doing the hard work of keeping patients healthy.”

CMS further announced the following measures aimed and ending waste:

“Ending Duplicate Billing: When an office visit and minor procedure occur on the same day, CMS will reduce payment by 20% for the lower-cost service, reducing duplication in payment by patients and the Medicare program for clinical work already covered in the procedure’s valuation.

Closing Windfall Loopholes: The rule corrects an incentive payment loophole, preventing an estimated $2.38 billion in unintended windfall payments over the next decade.

Improving Rate Accuracy: CMS is streamlining outdated steps from its rate-setting formula, leading to greater simplicity and transparency for clinicians and patients while allowing payment policy to adapt to changes in healthcare delivery.”

2. White House Releases National Policy for Nucleic Acid Synthesis Screening

The White House issued the National Policy for Nucleic Acid Synthesis Screening. The lengthy document was released under National Security Advisor Marco Rubio and Assistant to the President for Science and Technology / OSTP Director Michael J. Kratsios.

The policy document creates government-wide requirements for screening synthetic nucleic acid (DNA/RNA) orders and related benchtop synthesis equipment. It aims to reduce risks of misuse by malicious actors or in high-risk research while supporting “legitimate biotechnology innovation and research”.

According to the White House the new proposals support the “2026 U.S. Government Policy for Stopping High-Risk Life Sciences Research by limiting a source of material inputs for dangerous gain of function work, without stifling biological innovation.”

3. Secretary Kennedy Releases Statement on Faith Based Recovery Programs

Speaking in Colfax, Iowa, Secretary Kennedy highlighted ongoing efforts to integrate faith based rehabilitation into broader recovery programs that treat addiction. According to the HHS Secretary, “We need to continue following science, and what the science says is faith-based recovery works. If we want to make America healthy again, this has got to be a major component.”

4. NIH Study Details How Prior Infection Can Impact Future Dengue Immunity

In a new study, NIH researchers examined how an individual’s previous exposure to one strain of dengue virus impacts the body’s response to a second dengue infection. According to the study, a subsequent infection with a different virus type from the first infection may increase an individual’s risk of severe illness.

According to an NIH statement, “The study identified immune markers that may help distinguish protection from increased risk. These findings could help researchers design vaccines that provide broad, long-lasting protection against all four types of dengue virus and develop better ways to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of future dengue vaccines and treatments.”