Core Insights - Medicare open enrollment for 2026 is approaching, with significant changes expected for Part D prescription drug plans, including higher premiums and out-of-pocket costs [1][4] - Beneficiaries must be vigilant regarding their coverage options and potential changes to their plans [2] Enrollment Period - The open enrollment period for Medicare runs from October 15 to December 7, allowing beneficiaries to modify their coverage, which will take effect on January 1 [3] Beneficiary Statistics - Out of 68.8 million Medicare beneficiaries, 54.8 million are enrolled in Part D prescription drug plans operated by private insurers, indicating a substantial portion of the population affected by upcoming changes [4] Cost Changes - In 2026, the annual out-of-pocket drug costs for seniors enrolled in Part D will be capped at $2,100, a provision from the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act [5] - However, this cap only applies to drugs covered by the plan, meaning beneficiaries will pay full price for non-covered medications [6] Deductibles and Premiums - Most Part D plans will have a deductible in 2026, with the maximum annual deductible increasing to $615 from $590 in 2025 [7]

Federal government shutdown now in its ninth day. Joining us now with the very latest, Sarah Bianke, Evercore ISI, public policy uh chief strategist is good to see you Tara this morning. I can I I think you I I think we agree on exactly how this is going to work.Um there will be some type of agreement uh about those Obamacare extensions. And it's not great. It's not perfect.Uh people, the Democrats removed the cap on people all the way up to a half a million dollars to get these things. But that still doesn ...

Healthcare Policy & Political Dynamics - Marjorie Taylor Greene is perceived as a voice of reason, highlighting a potential disconnect between Washington and constituents regarding healthcare [1] - Healthcare cuts are impacting hospitals now, not just from 2028 onwards, affecting services for constituents across both red and blue states [2] - Greene is using personal stories, like her children's insurance premiums, to reflect the healthcare challenges faced by her constituents [3] - Cracks are appearing among Republicans regarding healthcare, suggesting a potential divide between them and the administration [4] - Healthcare is emerging as a key issue that could break through political gridlock [5] - Republicans consistently lose the healthcare debate [6] Political Strategy & Public Perception - The White House's approach to healthcare is being questioned in comparison to Greene's [1] - Greene is portrayed as listening to her constituents' concerns about healthcare [1] - Greene is asking for transparency and defying the White House on healthcare matters [4] - Donald Trump's ability to control the political debate is acknowledged, but healthcare may be an exception [5][6]

The trust funds that support Medicare and Social Security—a financial backbone for nearly 70 million Americans—are at serious risk of insolvency within the next seven years, threatening to slash benefits by up to 24% for retirees unless legislative action is taken immediately. For a typical couple turning 60 this year, this could mean a staggering loss of approximately $18,400 in Social Security benefits annually, according to the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget (CRFB), one of Washington DC’s to ...

Market Performance - Major indices experienced slight declines, with the Dow down approximately 02% (less than 100 points), the Nasdaq down approximately 07%, and the S&P 500 down approximately 04% [2] - Small caps underperformed, with the S&P 600 down 13% [2] - Gold reached a record high of $4,390, driven by inflows into gold-backed ETFs, which saw a record $26 billion inflow in the quarter [2][8] - Bitcoin experienced a 3% decline after reaching over $125,000 per token [10] Sector Dynamics - Defensive sectors, particularly staples (up almost 1%), utilities, energy, financials, and healthcare, showed strength [3] - Consumer discretionary (driven by Tesla's performance), tech, and industrials experienced declines of more than 05% [3] - The semiconductor sector showed mixed performance, with some green spots [4] - Software sector experienced weakness, with some underperformers down more than 3% [5] - Transports sector showed weakness [6] Economic Outlook - The economy is still growing, corporate profits are rising, and the outlook for interest rates is still lower, providing support for the markets [15] - Strong demand for artificial intelligence and accelerated spending continue to drive the economy [18][20] - A potential prolonged government shutdown and the threat of permanent layoffs could have a bigger impact on the economy [19] - The labor market is cooling, and the inflation uptick has not been as much as feared [27] Investment Strategies - Valuations are more demanding, particularly for mega-cap technology stocks, but US mid-caps trade around their 10-year average, and small caps trade below their historical average [16][17] - Investors should stick to quality and ensure portfolios have diverse exposures [23][24] - The alcohol category faces decelerating consumption levels, while the non-alcoholic beverage side, especially energy drinks, shows strong growth [46] Constellation Brands Analysis - Constellation Brands' performance is impacted by the global social-political environment and its effect on the US Hispanic consumer [40] - Over 80% of Hispanic consumers are worried about the social-economic environment in the US, and over 70% are particularly worried about their personal finances [41] - The company is focusing on its core brands and premiumizing its wine and spirits portfolio [41][43] - Alcohol consumption in the US is declining, particularly among younger consumers [44][46] - The social-economic environment could negatively impact Constellation Brands for a couple of years [48] Federal Reserve and Interest Rates - The Fed's next FOMC meeting is approaching at the end of October [51] - Minutes from September's FOMC meeting will provide insights into the Fed's path forward with interest rates [51] - The direction of travel for interest rates is expected to be lower, with a focus on the labor market [25] Medicare Open Enrollment - Medicare beneficiaries have from October 15th through December 7th to make changes to their coverage for 2026 [28] - The Medicare annual notice of change (ANOC) details changes coming to current plans in 2026 [30] - Medicare's plan finder (plan compare) helps individuals search for plans based on their specific needs [32] - Navigating Medicare decisions can be confusing due to the various parts (A, B, C, D, and Medigap) and numerous plan options [33][34] - It takes a lot of work to make the right Medicare plan decision, and individuals should seek help from a ship counselor if needed [35][36]

GLP-1 Drugs & Market Dynamics - GLP-1 drugs are considered potential "miracle drugs" with numerous applications, but their high cost is a significant concern [1] - The market is actively discussing and evaluating GLP-1s, with much more data expected to be released [2] Medicare & Affordability - There are ongoing considerations regarding making GLP-1s available for weight loss under Medicare, weighing the upfront costs against potential long-term health benefits [1] - Affordability remains a key question: "Can we afford it or can we afford not to do it?" [1] Drug Price Negotiation & IRA - One GLP-1 drug is slated for price negotiation in 2027 under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) [3] - The IRA aims to allow the government to negotiate drug prices for drugs that have been patented long enough for companies to recoup their investment [4] Government Initiatives & Pricing - The administration aims to ensure that 95% of all drugs in America will be at pricing that reflects fair value by the end of the president's term [7] - The team is deeply involved in understanding drug pricing mechanisms to ensure prices align with the value provided [6]

Fight Fraud First: A Bipartisan Path To Save Medicare’s Home Health Benefithttps://t.co/6iGon19GSf https://t.co/jvi5PJdca3 ...

Medicare Guidance - Fidelity Brokerage Services LLC 提醒用户注意 Medicare 相关的省钱事项 [1] - 该信息可能旨在帮助用户避免在 Medicare 方面犯代价高昂的错误 [1] Regulatory Information - Fidelity Brokerage Services LLC 是 NYSE（纽约证券交易所）和 SIPC（证券投资者保护公司）的成员 [1] - Fidelity Brokerage Services LLC 的地址是 900 Salem Street, Smithfield, RI 02917 [1]

As the government shutdown continues, Congress can’t come to terms on spending, including for Medicaid. It’s easy to confuse Medicare with Medicaid, but there are several key differences. Here’s what you should know. https://t.co/2awowYCqpi ...

As Congress Fights Over Benefits, Here’s A Quick Look At Medicare And Medicaidhttps://t.co/Bs043RNjrt https://t.co/5K5xLG5wjM ...