Stay up to date on the latest across Washington, D.C. with this weekly brief. Read below for news from Oct. 2 to Oct. 9.

HHS announced Oct. 9 that it will award $27.8 million over three years to recipients of three falls prevention initiatives.

The funds will expand proven programs, strengthen connections between providers and community organizations and help states and local partners reach more older adults.

“A fall can change an older American’s life in an instant, and we can prevent many of these injuries,” said Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., HHS Secretary, in a statement. “HHS is connecting healthcare screening with proven community programs to identify risks earlier, improve strength and balance, and help older adults maintain their independence. These investments will reduce injuries and healthcare costs while helping more Americans remain safely in their homes and communities.”

The Trump administration released the 2027 Medicare Advantage star ratings, with many enrollees in plans that earned at least four stars.

CMS counted 508 MAPD contracts for 2027, with an average score of 3.99. That's down slightly from 2026's average score of 4.01, but higher than the 2025 average of 3.95. Full story.

HHS announced a series of actions aimed at strengthening the federal government's response to vaccine-related health concerns.

The initiatives include a new NIH clinic; modernizing the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS); requiring EHRs to capture vaccine-related adverse events and proposing reimbursing physicians for reporting suspected related injuries. Full story.

A controversial program to subsidize safety-net hospitals’ drug spending “has expanded beyond its original intent,” incentivizing provider consolidation while doing little to better serve patients’ needs, Department of Health and Human Services policy heads wrote in a new report.

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