Health Equity & Access Weekly Roundup: February 9, 2026

Prior Authorization Ranked Top Barrier to Health Care Access After Cost

While health care costs remain Americans’ top concern, prior authorization is now the most burdensome noncost barrier, affecting 69% of insured adults and cited as the biggest obstacle by 34%, according to a new KFF poll. Intended to control costs, the process often delays or denies care, with nearly half reporting services delayed or denied—57% among those with chronic conditions. About one-third report major impacts on mental health, well-being, or finances, and one-quarter on physical health. Frustration spans insurance types and political lines, prompting calls to streamline and standardize prior authorization to reduce delays and administrative burden.

Pulmonary Fibrosis and Sexual Health: A Q&A With Na’ama Avitzur, MD

A recent international study led by Dr. Na’ama Avitzur found that pulmonary fibrosis (PF) significantly impacts patients’ sexual function, both physically and psychologically, yet this issue is rarely addressed in routine care. Patients reported dyspnea, fatigue, and other disease-related limitations interfere with sexual activity, and many expressed a desire to discuss these challenges with trusted health care providers. The study highlights the need for multidisciplinary approaches—including pulmonary rehabilitation, psychosocial support, and patient education—to address sexual health and overall quality of life in PF. Avitzur emphasizes reducing stigma, incorporating patient-reported outcomes in research, and using support networks to help patients navigate both the disease and its effects on intimacy, encouraging open communication between patients and clinicians.

PBM Reforms Signed Into Law, Reshaping Medicare Part D Drug Pricing Transparency

On February 3, President Trump signed a House-approved spending bill that includes major pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) reforms aimed at increasing price transparency and potentially lowering out-of-pocket costs. The law “delinks” PBM compensation from Medicare Part D list prices and rebates, requiring flat administrative fees and 100% pass-through of manufacturer rebates to payers, with CMS authorized to enforce transparency and impose penalties for noncompliance. The bill mandates detailed reporting on drug spending, rebates, spread pricing, and formulary incentives, enabling CMS to track financial flows between PBMs, pharmacies, and manufacturers. While some PBMs have already begun passing rebates through to payers, critics caution that cost savings may be limited if PBMs offset lost revenue through fees, highlighting the need for ongoing oversight to ensure reforms benefit consumers.

Use of Collaborative Care Grows Rapidly, Uneven Medicaid Coverage Drives State Gaps

Use of the Psychiatric Collaborative Care Model (CoCM) grew 26-fold among commercially insured patients from 2018 to 2024, yet access remains uneven across states, according to Shatterproof and The Bowman Family Foundation. States like Arizona, Wisconsin, and Utah saw over 1000 CoCM patients per 100,000, while several, including Louisiana, Rhode Island, and Indiana, reported fewer than 50. CoCM integrates behavioral health into primary care, improving outcomes, reducing suicide risk, and cutting costs. Medicaid reimbursement gaps in 14 states limit adoption across all payers. Advocates urge expanding CoCM coverage and implementation to close access gaps, especially for children and adolescents, where early intervention can save lives.

Closing Gaps in Stroke Care Starts With Defining the US Health Care Safety Net

Safety-net hospitals are vital for caring for low-income and vulnerable populations, but a clear definition is needed to ensure funding and support for stroke care, experts at the 2026 International Stroke Conference said. Urban and rural centers face shared challenges such as limited resources, staffing shortages, and uncompensated care but require tailored solutions, including workforce development, transfer networks, and targeted investments. Barriers include institutional inefficiencies, certification hurdles, and policy gaps, while interventions such as community-focused education, mobile stroke units, and telestroke networks show promise. Rural hospitals also face financial pressures, though the $50 billion Rural Health Care Transformation Fund aims to strengthen infrastructure, workforce, and stroke care networks. Progress depends on locally tailored, coordinated strategies that align policy, care, and technology to improve outcomes and reduce disparities.