By Leigh Kamping-Carder
This is an edition of the WSJ Health newsletter, a weekly briefing on what's new in health, medicine, personal well-being and the business of healthcare. If you're not subscribed, sign up here.
In the News
A Democratic proposal to extend enhanced ACA subsidies failed in the Senate. Republicans put forward an alternative healthcare bill that would instead fund individual health accounts for some households. That also failed. It's just weeks to go until millions of Americans covered under the Affordable Care Act face soaring costs for their coverage when the subsidies lapse.
Drugmakers are ditching middlemen to sell directly to patients. The shift is a huge departure from how pharma companies have sold drugs for decades and threatens the multibillion-dollar business of firms that have traditionally filled prescriptions. It's also saving some patients hundreds of dollars off the cost of prescriptions.
Your Well-Being
Vaccines could boost your health in unexpected ways. As doctors and vaccine deniers spar over the safety of vaccines, emerging evidence finds that some vaccines aren't only good at preventing the disease or virus they target but also might have broader or even unrelated health benefits.
The Business of Health
Eli Lilly reported dramatic weight loss in its next-generation obesity-drug trial. The company said its drug retatrutide helped people lose up to 28.7% of their body weight after more than a year of treatment, significantly more than what existing drugs can provide.
Texas sued medical-tech firm Epic Systems. The antitrust lawsuit alleges the default configuration for the company's patient healthcare portal, MyChart, could limit parents' access to the health records of their teenage children. An Epic spokesperson called the suit "flawed and misguided."
About Us
The Health newsletter gives you a weekly briefing on what's new in health, medicine, personal well-being and the business of healthcare.
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
December 12, 2025 09:55 ET (14:55 GMT)
Copyright (c) 2025 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.
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