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berkeleyjr.bsky.social
Berkeley Lovelace Jr.
@berkeleyjr.bsky.social
4.3K followers 270 following 140 posts
💊 🏛️ NBC News Medical Reporter covering health policy, drugs & federal agencies

• DM for Signal | IG: @BerkeleyJr

www.nbcnews.com/author/berkeley-lovelace-jr-ncpn1284341
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berkeleyjr.bsky.social
NEW: The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services on Tuesday announced lower prices on 15 costly prescription drugs under Medicare, including Ozempic and Wegovy.

www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
Medicare announces price cuts for 15 prescription drugs, including Ozempic
The lower prices stem from the Medicare negotiation program created under the Biden administration's Inflation Reduction Act.
www.nbcnews.com
November 25, 2025 at 11:34 PM
Reposted by Berkeley Lovelace Jr.
sahilkapur.bsky.social
What the government shutdown's end means for Obamacare subsidies

Story with @berkeleyjr.bsky.social: www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
What the government shutdown's end means for Obamacare subsidies
Open enrollment is well underway, and people who get their insurance through the Affordable Care Act have seen how much their costs will rise without the tax credits.
www.nbcnews.com
November 14, 2025 at 8:28 PM
berkeleyjr.bsky.social
NEW: The government shutdown has ended, but ACA subsidies are still set to expire. Premiums could double or triple for millions next year, and Congress has only weeks left to prevent it. ⏰💰

Reporting with @sahilkapur.bsky.social

www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
What the government shutdown's end means for Obamacare subsidies
Open enrollment is well underway, and people who get their insurance through the Affordable Care Act have seen how much their costs will rise without the tax credits.
www.nbcnews.com
November 13, 2025 at 8:02 PM
berkeleyjr.bsky.social
As Trump touts new deals to cut the cost of blockbuster drugs like Wegovy and Zepbound, he’s barely mentioned Medicare’s drug price negotiation program — even though the government is expected to announce lower prices before the end of the month.

www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
Trump’s drug pricing push sidelines Medicare negotiation program
Lower prices for 15 drugs, including Ozempic and Wegovy, are expected to be announced by the end of the month. The price negotiation program was created under Biden.
www.nbcnews.com
November 11, 2025 at 8:53 PM
berkeleyjr.bsky.social
NEW: Trump's weight loss drug deal promises big savings — but some details are murky

www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
Trump's weight loss drug deal promises big savings — but some details are murky
Experts say the deal to lower the cost of the drugs is ambitious, but left some with more questions than answers.
www.nbcnews.com
November 7, 2025 at 11:02 PM
Reposted by Berkeley Lovelace Jr.
schaeffer.usc.edu
As health insurance costs rise, more Americans may skip coverage or seek cheaper care outside their health plan.

USC Schaeffer’s Erin Duffy tells @nbcnews.com @berkeleyjr.bsky.social why that’s risky and explains how patients can negotiate to make #MedicalBills more manageable.
Is it cheaper to pay for medical care without health insurance?
Hospitals or clinics may offer cash-only discounts to people who pay without insurance. But experts warn that health care isn't the place to bargain for the best deal.
www.nbcnews.com
October 28, 2025 at 4:36 PM
berkeleyjr.bsky.social
NEW: Faced with rising ACA premiums, some Americans say they plan to drop their coverage and instead put the money into savings.

www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
‘It’s only gotten worse’: As ACA premiums are set to climb, some Americans opt to go uninsured
Enhanced subsidies for Obamacare have kept premiums affordable. Absent action from Congress, they will expire at the end of the year.
www.nbcnews.com
October 22, 2025 at 6:02 PM
berkeleyjr.bsky.social
Idaho kicks off Affordable Care Act open enrollment as premiums are set to rise nationwide www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
Idaho kicks off Affordable Care Act open enrollment as premiums are set to rise nationwide
About 25,000 Idahoans are likely to drop their coverage for next year when enhanced subsidies expire.
www.nbcnews.com
October 15, 2025 at 12:26 PM
Reposted by Berkeley Lovelace Jr.
saragmiller.bsky.social
Millions of Americans are set to see their insurance premiums spike in 2026 if enhanced Obamacare subsidies aren't extended. As open enrollment approaches, many are starting to get letters informing them of just how much those increases will be.
by @berkeleyjr.bsky.social @nbcnews.com
Without Obamacare subsidies, this couple’s insurance premiums are set to go up almost $2,000
The subsidies are a key sticking point in the government shutdown: Democrats in Congress say that in order to secure their votes to reopen the government, they must be extended.
www.nbcnews.com
October 10, 2025 at 5:01 PM
berkeleyjr.bsky.social
Your health insurance through work could face higher premiums next year www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
Your health insurance through work could face higher premiums next year
Employer surveys estimate health plan costs will climb about 9% next year, which may show up in workers’ monthly premiums or through higher deductibles and copays.
www.nbcnews.com
October 7, 2025 at 6:15 PM
Reposted by Berkeley Lovelace Jr.
whetmoser.com
“a family of four earning $113,000 a year could see its monthly premium jump by about $1,550”
September 13, 2025 at 2:11 PM
berkeleyjr.bsky.social
Middle-class families on Obamacare brace for higher health care premiums next year www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
Families on Obamacare brace for higher health care premiums next year
Tax credits made ACA plans affordable for middle-class families. They're set to expire at the end of this year.
www.nbcnews.com
September 13, 2025 at 2:09 PM
berkeleyjr.bsky.social
Scoop! — Polling showing that a majority of Trump’s voters support vaccines was shared with several GOP lawmakers’ staffers in a closed-door meeting Wednesday, per two people familiar.

The poll results may explain the shift in tone from some GOP senators Thursday.

www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
Ahead of Kennedy hearing, GOP saw poll showing Trump voters support vaccines
The poll, conducted by veteran Republican pollsters, found that a majority of Trump voters believe vaccines save lives and support immunizations against measles and hepatitis B.
www.nbcnews.com
September 5, 2025 at 1:48 AM
berkeleyjr.bsky.social
NEW - During today's Senate hearing, Health Secretary RFK Jr. repeated false claims about Covid shots and, on several occasions, called Democratic senators liars. Notably, a number of GOP senators pressed Kennedy on vaccines.

Reporting w/ Aria Bendix

www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
Kennedy draws bipartisan pushback at Senate hearing over moves to limit vaccines
The health secretary got into heated exchanges with senators who questioned his vaccine policies and his decision to oust the CDC director.
www.nbcnews.com
September 4, 2025 at 8:36 PM
Reposted by Berkeley Lovelace Jr.
saragmiller.bsky.social
At least four top officials have resigned in the wake of CDC director Monarez's firing
@erikaedwards.bsky.social @berkeleyjr.bsky.social
CDC director pushed out, flood of top resignations follow
The ouster comes at a tumultuous time for the embattled health agency. Other top officials also submitted their resignations Wednesday.
www.nbcnews.com
August 27, 2025 at 10:16 PM
Reposted by Berkeley Lovelace Jr.
mirandayaver.bsky.social
I appreciated the opportunity to discuss with @berkeleyjr.bsky.social the research toward my forthcoming book on health insurance denials and how they drive administrative burdens of appealing — an endurance contest that many patients forego. www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/rcn...
Why a Michigan man waited over a month in the hospital for stroke rehab
His doctors recommended that he start an intensive rehab program within days of his stroke.
www.nbcnews.com
August 20, 2025 at 12:44 AM
berkeleyjr.bsky.social
NEW: The FDA warned about unapproved thyroid pills, then — after MAHA backlash— said it'll "ensure access" to them

www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
FDA warns about unapproved thyroid pills — then says it'll "ensure access" to them
The apparent reversal illustrates the power of the “Make America Healthy Again” movement, particularly with its focus on “natural” drugs.
www.nbcnews.com
August 14, 2025 at 9:53 PM
berkeleyjr.bsky.social
NEW - CDC Director Susan Monarez warned staffers about the dangers of misinformation during an agencywide meeting Tuesday, according to a transcript of her remarks obtained by NBC News.

It was the first all-staff meeting since last week’s shooting.

www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
CDC director tells staff ‘misinformation can be dangerous’ in agency meeting
“We need to rebuild the trust together,” Susan Monarez said Tuesday, just days after a shooter fired close to 200 rounds that struck six buildings and killed an officer at the agency's campus.
www.nbcnews.com
August 12, 2025 at 9:22 PM
berkeleyjr.bsky.social
Ultra‑processed foods now make up about 62% of kids’ daily calories and about 55% for everyone overall, according to the CDC. The top sources include burgers, baked goods, salty snacks and sugary drinks.

www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
Ultra-processed foods make up the majority of kids' diet, CDC report finds
The report found the top source was sandwiches, including burgers and PB&Js, followed by baked goods.
www.nbcnews.com
August 7, 2025 at 4:49 PM
Reposted by Berkeley Lovelace Jr.
saragmiller.bsky.social
The U.S. gets nearly half of its brand-name prescription drugs from Europe.
by @berkeleyjr.bsky.social
How will Trump’s E.U. tariffs affect drug prices?
Europe is a major manufacturing hub for brand-name drugs in particular, including the blockbuster drug Ozempic.
www.nbcnews.com
July 29, 2025 at 9:01 PM
berkeleyjr.bsky.social
NEW - Trump’s trade deal with the E.U. may lead to higher prices for brand-name drugs in the United States, including blockbuster medications like Ozempic and Wegovy, experts say.

www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
How will Trump’s E.U. tariffs affect drug prices?
Europe is a major manufacturing hub for brand-name drugs in particular, including the blockbuster drug Ozempic.
www.nbcnews.com
July 29, 2025 at 8:16 PM
berkeleyjr.bsky.social
NEW - Rural hospitals say they’re being forced to consider tough choices — like cutting services for children or cancer patients — after Trump signed into law a sprawling domestic policy bill that includes sweeping cuts to not only Medicaid but the ACA, as well.

www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
Rural hospitals brace for painful choices after Trump's Medicaid and Obamacare cuts
An estimated 17 million people could lose their health insurance, putting financial strain on hospitals.
www.nbcnews.com
July 9, 2025 at 12:06 PM
Reposted by Berkeley Lovelace Jr.
saragmiller.bsky.social
Over the 10 months Arkansas’ work requirement was in place, more than 18,000 people in the state lost Medicaid coverage. Most were working or qualified for exemptions. by @berkeleyjr.bsky.social @nbcnews.com
‘A slap in the face’: Georgia and Arkansas’ Medicaid work rules may preview the road ahead
The Republicans’ ‘big, beautiful bill’ makes huge changes to Medicaid, including rolling out work requirements nationwide for the first time.
www.nbcnews.com
July 3, 2025 at 10:01 PM
Reposted by Berkeley Lovelace Jr.
berthacoombs.cnbc.com
SCOTUS upholds the authority of the USPSTF under ACA and the Appointments Clause in a 6-3 decision, while underscoring the authority of the HHS Scretary over the independent..
www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/24p...
June 27, 2025 at 2:57 PM
berkeleyjr.bsky.social
NEW - Health Secretary RFK Jr.'s views on vaccines loomed over Susan Monarez’s Senate confirmation hearing Wednesday to be the next director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. w/ @erikaedwards.bsky.social

www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
Kennedy and vaccines loom over Senate confirmation hearing for CDC director
Senators pressed nominee Susan Monarez on vaccines, fired CDC workers and whether she would stand up to the health secretary.
www.nbcnews.com
June 25, 2025 at 7:43 PM