Update: What We’re Watching, July 10, 2026

Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace enrollment declined nationally and in Kansas through the first two months of the plan year. Federal agencies announced policy changes affecting controlled substances, vaccine governance and Medicare coverage. A federal court blocked state efforts to restrict purchases of soda and candy through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

Here is some of the health-related news we are watching that could have an impact on Kansas.

The views expressed in the following news stories, news releases or documents are not necessarily those of the Kansas Health Institute (KHI). They are being shared with the intent of keeping Kansans informed of the latest developments related to federal health policy. 

U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) Updates

1. Effectuated Enrollment Data Released for the ACA Marketplace

New federal data released in late June show ACA Marketplace enrollment declined nationwide after the expiration of enhanced premium tax credits and implementation of new federal regulations. In Kansas, 192,811 people selected a Marketplace plan during the 2026 Open Enrollment Period, but effectuated enrollment declined to 165,435 in January and 143,880 in February as consumers either did not pay their first premium or dropped coverage. The decline mirrors national trends, although enrollment remains substantially higher than before the COVID-19 pandemic. Analysts point to the expiration of enhanced financial assistance and rising premium costs as contributing factors, while federal officials have attributed part of the decline to program integrity efforts intended to reduce improper enrollments.

🔗 Read more from the Associated Press (AP): Obamacare rolls shrank dramatically in many states over the past year, new federal data shows

🔗 Learn more from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS): Health Insurance Exchanges Monthly Effectuated Enrollment

2. Temporary Schedule Change for Kratom-Related Substances

On July 1, HHS and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced support for the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) effort to temporarily place certain concentrated and synthetic kratom-related substances into Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act.

Kansas enacted related legislation during the 2026 session. House Bill 2365 added 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) to Schedule I of the Kansas Uniform Controlled Substances Act as part of a broader update to the state’s controlled substances schedules.

🔗 Read the press release from HHS: HHS, FDA Commend DEA Action Against Dangerous Enhanced 7-OH Products

🔗 Read the Kansas Legislation here: 2026 HB 2365

🔗 Hear more from KSHB: 7-OH ban takes effect in Kansas as DEA moves to temporarily schedule 7-OH as Schedule 1 substance

3. New Charter for the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices

On June 24, HHS approved a new charter for the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), which advises the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on the use of vaccines and immunization strategies. The charter broadens membership criteria to a range of scientific, clinical and public health expertise rather than vaccine-specific expertise. The revision of the charter follows a March federal court ruling that found there was no evidence that multiple new members of the Committee had relevant vaccine-related experience or expertise and temporarily blocked the committee from voting on vaccine recommendations. The administration has appealed the ruling.

🔗 Read more from ACIP: Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices Charter

🔗 Read more from STAT: New ACIP charter broadens criteria for members, calls for review of alternative vaccines

🔗 Read more from STAT: Federal judge stalls health secretary RFK Jr.’s overhaul of vaccine policy

4. CMS Pilots Medicare GLP-1 Bridge, a Low-Cost GLP-1 Plan

CMS has launched an 18-month Medicare demonstration program allowing eligible beneficiaries to receive certain glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) medications prescribed solely for obesity in addition to other covered medical indications. The demonstration, announced on July 1, runs through Dec. 31, 2027, and offers eligible beneficiaries access to Wegovy, Zepbound and Foundayo for a $50 monthly copayment. Participants must meet clinical eligibility criteria and obtain prior authorization before receiving the medications.

🔗 Read the press release from CMS: CMS Launches Medicare GLP-1 Bridge, Expanding Access to GLP-1 Medications

🔗 Read more from Medicare.gov: Weight loss drugs

🔗 Read more from AARP: Medicare’s $50-a-Dose GLP-1 Benefit for Weight Loss Is Here

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Update

1. Federal Judge Blocks States’ SNAP Soda and Candy Ban

On June 22, a federal judge blocked the USDA from allowing five states to restrict the purchase of sugary drinks and candy through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The D.C. court ruled that Congress, not the USDA, defines which foods are eligible for purchase with SNAP benefits and that the agency lacked authority to approve state waivers that altered the federal definition of food. The decision vacated USDA approvals for pilot projects in Colorado, Iowa, Nebraska, Tennessee and West Virginia.

Eighteen additional states, including Kansas, have approved waivers banning the purchase of soda and candy but were not included in the D.C. lawsuit. Kansas has not received any communication from the USDA following the ruling. The implementation date for the Kansas ban is Feb. 15, 2027.

🔗 Read more from The Hill: Federal judge blocks bans on SNAP use for soda

🔗 Read more from CNN Politics: Federal judge blocks state bans on buying soda and candy with food stamps