A CVS breakup — which reportedly is on the table — would be pretty hard to actually do and could come with a lot of downsides, and most people seem skeptical it'll happen.
But the fact that it's being discussed at all is notable in an era where vertical integration is all the rage.
Why it matters: Though CVS's woes may seem very specific to the company and its unique compilation of business lines, they overlap with some industrywide risks and suggest that not all consolidation strategies are created equal.
Hurricane Helene's abating floodwaters have enabled residents across storm-hit Southeastern states to return home, but health officials warn survivors now face threats including contaminated water and mold.
The big picture: At least 215 storm-related deaths have been confirmed as teams continue searching for those missing. Thousands remain without power or access to clean water one week after the hurricane made landfall in Florida, dumping flooding rains across the Southeast.
A surge of alternatives to newly popular weight-loss drugs is facing its biggest test yet after the FDA warned companies against skirting regulatory standards to put them on the market now that shortages are waning.
Why it matters: Widespread shortages of GLP-1 drugs such as Novo Nordisk's Ozempic and Wegovy and Eli Lilly's Zepbound and Mounjaro have triggered a rush of companies seeking to exploit a loophole that allows them to sell compounded versions of the injections.
Fewer young people are using condoms, prompting public health experts to rethink their approach to promoting safe sex.
Why it matters: Teens and young adults may be turning away from condoms, but they're also having less sex in general, and contracting fewer sexually transmitted infections, than previous generations. Teen pregnancy is also down.
Changes are coming to Medicare prescription drug coverage next year that are expected to lower many seniors' out-of-pocket costs.
Why it matters: The Inflation Reduction Act included an overhaul of Medicare's prescription drug benefit, and some key reforms kick in next year, including:
Major insurers including Aetna and Humana are scaling back their Medicare Advantage plans for next year, leaving some seniors around the country hunting for new care arrangements just weeks before the 2025 sign-up period begins.
Why it matters: Private Medicare plans will cover more than half of Medicare beneficiaries, or 35.7 million people, next year. Even small disruptions to coverage could be difficult for seniors living on fixed incomes to manage.
