The slated expiration of Affordable Care Act subsidies at the end of the year may have a big effect on millions of families facing significant increases in premiums. Some may shift to high-deductible plans that offer lower premiums but higher out-of-pocket costs, and others may have to choose between maintaining their health coverage and cutting essential household expenses. There is support among Democrats and some Republicans for extending the subsidies, but it's not clear whether it will be included in upcoming legislation.

The CMS has opened the application window for the $50 billion Rural Health Transformation Program, aimed at improving rural health care infrastructure and access. States have until Nov. 5 to apply for the funding, which will be distributed over five years beginning in fiscal 2026. The CMS will prioritize projects featuring new technologies, strategic partnerships and financial stability, with a focus on improving access, outcomes and workforce recruitment.

Stanford University and NBC News conducted an analysis of vaccination rates and school exemptions across the US, revealing significant gaps in herd immunity, particularly against measles. The investigation, which involved extensive data collection and standardization, highlights the potential for outbreaks in areas with declining immunization rates, such as St. Louis. A database of kindergarten vaccination and exemption statistics was created with data from state governments, mainly health-related agencies.

A remote, phone-based program was associated with clinically significant weight loss among women with both breast cancer and obesity, according to a study in JAMA Oncology. The two-year intervention involved telephone conversations with coaches who encouraged patients to engage in physical activity and reduce calorie consumption, and participants also received activity monitors and meal replacement drinks.

A study involving more than 4 million adults found that cannabis use was associated with an almost fourfold higher risk of developing diabetes over five years. Data on individuals ages 18 to 50 were analyzed, and the incidence of diabetes was 2.2% among cannabis users, compared with 0.6% among healthy controls not using cannabis, researchers reported at a meeting of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes.

Addressing insomnia may help stave off cognitive decline, according to a study in the journal Neurology. Insomnia was associated with a 40% greater risk of cognitive impairment, but those who increased their sleep or used medication did not experience this risk. Lead author Dr. Diego Carvalho of the Mayo Clinic says that insomnia could be a modifiable risk factor in cognitive decline, but more study is needed. American Academy of Sleep Medicine data indicate that 12% of Americans have received a chronic insomnia diagnosis.