FHIweekly 10/29/26: States race to implement H.R. 1 + Statistical bamboozlement with shingles vaccines

October 29, 2026 | Volume XVII | Issue 44

States race to implement H.R. 1 Medicaid changes

Fierce Healthcare reports:

The impact of H.R. 1 was front and center at the Medicaid directors' conference, NAMD, last week in Maryland.

The conference, hosted by the National Association of Medicaid Directors, gathered approximately 1,800 officials and attendees from both sides of the aisle. The agenda focused largely on policy and technology.

At a press briefing during the event, several state Medicaid officials spoke about the upcoming Medicaid work requirement changes going into effect on Jan. 1, 2027.

Statistical bamboozlement with shingles vaccines

Alan Cassels

In this skill-testing question, tell me which of these statements is true:

-The shingles vaccine is 90% effective in preventing shingles.

-The shingles vaccine prevents shingles in ONE in every 32 people vaccinated. The other 31 people see no benefit.

Answer: both are true.

Guess which statement dominates the marketing of Shingrix, the most popular shingles vaccine in America?

90% effective. 90% effective. 90% effective.

That’s the main marketing message coming from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention discussing the efficacy of the vaccine. So common is this sort of statistical sleight of hand that the CDC doesn’t even seem to see any real problem in how those effects are presented to the public. Because they are so impactful, and are essentially marketing messages, and they need to be deconstructed.

Healthcare is biggest cost of living concern for U.S. voters, poll shows

CBS News

High healthcare costs top the list of financial worries for American voters, a recent KFF poll shows. CBS News medical correspondent Dr. Céline Gounder shares her thoughts.

Watch the video HERE.

Inside

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