Bertha Coombs
@berthacoombs.cnbc.com
CNBC Senior Health Care Reporter
#RedSoxFan #Chocoholic #HealthcareNerd
https://www.cnbc.com/bertha-coombs/
#RedSoxFan #Chocoholic #HealthcareNerd
https://www.cnbc.com/bertha-coombs/
When I worked at WABC I walked outside at 7 am to meet my crew to cover the parade. New Yorkers who’d camped out wouldn’t let me through at first, saying I should have gotten there earlier. They relented when I pointed out I’d been working since 3 a.m. and had anchored a show! 😂
#NYCThanksgiving🦃
#NYCThanksgiving🦃
November 27, 2025 at 2:46 PM
When I worked at WABC I walked outside at 7 am to meet my crew to cover the parade. New Yorkers who’d camped out wouldn’t let me through at first, saying I should have gotten there earlier. They relented when I pointed out I’d been working since 3 a.m. and had anchored a show! 😂
#NYCThanksgiving🦃
#NYCThanksgiving🦃
The government's ability to negotiate drug prices stands in stark contrast right now to the inability to control health insurance costs. 2026 prices have spiked due to higher utilization and subsidy uncertainty. And there's no deal yet on the latter with 19 days until open enrollment ends for most.
November 26, 2025 at 12:22 PM
The government's ability to negotiate drug prices stands in stark contrast right now to the inability to control health insurance costs. 2026 prices have spiked due to higher utilization and subsidy uncertainty. And there's no deal yet on the latter with 19 days until open enrollment ends for most.
The discounts for Abbvy's Linzess and Salix Pharma's Xifaxan are 75% and 63% below list, respectively. Though the price for Xifaxan is about the same as the CMS gross price in 2024. (5/5)
November 26, 2025 at 3:12 AM
The discounts for Abbvy's Linzess and Salix Pharma's Xifaxan are 75% and 63% below list, respectively. Though the price for Xifaxan is about the same as the CMS gross price in 2024. (5/5)
GSK's COPD inhaler Trelegy Ellipta's IRA price of $175 is about in line with prices in Canada, while the price for the two-drug version Breo Ellipta at $67 is about 1/3 the price in Canada. (4/5)
November 26, 2025 at 3:12 AM
GSK's COPD inhaler Trelegy Ellipta's IRA price of $175 is about in line with prices in Canada, while the price for the two-drug version Breo Ellipta at $67 is about 1/3 the price in Canada. (4/5)
Cancer drugs are the priciest in the group. The $8650 price for Bristol Myers' Myeloma drug Pomalyst is 60% below list; 30% below the gross price paid in 2024.
It's not clear how the IRA discounts on Pfizer's Xtandi and Ibrance compare to the MFN prices because those have not been released. (3/5)
It's not clear how the IRA discounts on Pfizer's Xtandi and Ibrance compare to the MFN prices because those have not been released. (3/5)
November 26, 2025 at 3:12 AM
Cancer drugs are the priciest in the group. The $8650 price for Bristol Myers' Myeloma drug Pomalyst is 60% below list; 30% below the gross price paid in 2024.
It's not clear how the IRA discounts on Pfizer's Xtandi and Ibrance compare to the MFN prices because those have not been released. (3/5)
It's not clear how the IRA discounts on Pfizer's Xtandi and Ibrance compare to the MFN prices because those have not been released. (3/5)
The MFN price for GLP-1s is $245 starting next year. The 2027 IRA price for Novo Nordisk's Ozempic is slightly more at $274. The discounts negotiated for Merck's Janumet and Boehrigner Ingelheim's Tradjenta are >80% below their list prices. (2/5)
November 26, 2025 at 3:12 AM
The MFN price for GLP-1s is $245 starting next year. The 2027 IRA price for Novo Nordisk's Ozempic is slightly more at $274. The discounts negotiated for Merck's Janumet and Boehrigner Ingelheim's Tradjenta are >80% below their list prices. (2/5)
The S&P 500 Health Care Sector notching an all-time high today, with $LLY's record sending its market cap to $1.04 Trillion.
November 25, 2025 at 6:30 PM
The S&P 500 Health Care Sector notching an all-time high today, with $LLY's record sending its market cap to $1.04 Trillion.
GSK's COPD Ellipta inhalers were second in overall utilization to the GLP-1s, with 1.7 million Medicare members using the drugs, followed by ABBV's IBS treatment Linzess with 626K members.
November 25, 2025 at 4:38 PM
GSK's COPD Ellipta inhalers were second in overall utilization to the GLP-1s, with 1.7 million Medicare members using the drugs, followed by ABBV's IBS treatment Linzess with 626K members.
Novo's drugs tallied $14.4 B in gross costs over a year ended 2024, but the most expensive drugs were the cancer meds like BMY's Miyeloma drug Pmalyst, with a list price of $21,700. PFE's breat cancer treatment Ibrance was second at with a list price of $15, 700.
November 25, 2025 at 4:34 PM
Novo's drugs tallied $14.4 B in gross costs over a year ended 2024, but the most expensive drugs were the cancer meds like BMY's Miyeloma drug Pmalyst, with a list price of $21,700. PFE's breat cancer treatment Ibrance was second at with a list price of $15, 700.
The other health care count down right now, is the IRA Price Negotiation reveal for the 15 drugs selected for 2027.
The names need to be revealed by Nov. 30th.
We already know NVO's GLP-1s will carry the MFN price of $245 starting next year.
The names need to be revealed by Nov. 30th.
We already know NVO's GLP-1s will carry the MFN price of $245 starting next year.
November 25, 2025 at 4:30 PM
The other health care count down right now, is the IRA Price Negotiation reveal for the 15 drugs selected for 2027.
The names need to be revealed by Nov. 30th.
We already know NVO's GLP-1s will carry the MFN price of $245 starting next year.
The names need to be revealed by Nov. 30th.
We already know NVO's GLP-1s will carry the MFN price of $245 starting next year.
Apparently “Jacob Reed” is not as good at career placement as he claims… and probably does not appreciate my snark.
November 21, 2025 at 8:24 PM
Apparently “Jacob Reed” is not as good at career placement as he claims… and probably does not appreciate my snark.
There’s one guy named Carl I wouldn’t begrudge winning the jackpot…
😉 @carlquintanilla.bsky.social
😉 @carlquintanilla.bsky.social
November 19, 2025 at 10:17 PM
There’s one guy named Carl I wouldn’t begrudge winning the jackpot…
😉 @carlquintanilla.bsky.social
😉 @carlquintanilla.bsky.social
IVF can be so fraught for couples it's understandable that they'd want to boost the odds of success.
NYC start-up Nucleus Genomics is among new firms promising to help pick the embryo with the best chance of survival and lifelong health.
Its new ad campaign: have your best baby.
Does it work? (1/2)
NYC start-up Nucleus Genomics is among new firms promising to help pick the embryo with the best chance of survival and lifelong health.
Its new ad campaign: have your best baby.
Does it work? (1/2)
November 17, 2025 at 5:07 PM
IVF can be so fraught for couples it's understandable that they'd want to boost the odds of success.
NYC start-up Nucleus Genomics is among new firms promising to help pick the embryo with the best chance of survival and lifelong health.
Its new ad campaign: have your best baby.
Does it work? (1/2)
NYC start-up Nucleus Genomics is among new firms promising to help pick the embryo with the best chance of survival and lifelong health.
Its new ad campaign: have your best baby.
Does it work? (1/2)
Seems Novo Nordisk is doing a Black Friday sale ahead of Thanksgiving, with an introductory GLP-1 price of $199 for new customers; after two months it's back to $349.
November 17, 2025 at 2:44 PM
Seems Novo Nordisk is doing a Black Friday sale ahead of Thanksgiving, with an introductory GLP-1 price of $199 for new customers; after two months it's back to $349.
Alexa+ is a little too Hal3000 when it comes to turning off ads and annoying suggestions. It keeps saying it will do it but it never stops.
I give it a D-
I give it a D-
November 15, 2025 at 1:41 PM
Alexa+ is a little too Hal3000 when it comes to turning off ads and annoying suggestions. It keeps saying it will do it but it never stops.
I give it a D-
I give it a D-
...And the XLV closes down just over half a percent.
November 14, 2025 at 9:02 PM
...And the XLV closes down just over half a percent.
If the XLV Health Care ETF finishes higher today, it would match a record 10-day gain for the sector. The biggest driver: Eli Lilly, which hit a new all-time high today, and is up for the 11th session out of the last 12.
Cigna is the 5th best performer this month.
Cigna is the 5th best performer this month.
November 14, 2025 at 8:33 PM
If the XLV Health Care ETF finishes higher today, it would match a record 10-day gain for the sector. The biggest driver: Eli Lilly, which hit a new all-time high today, and is up for the 11th session out of the last 12.
Cigna is the 5th best performer this month.
Cigna is the 5th best performer this month.
I started at CNBC 23 years ago today. One early big story I covered was Katrina 20 years ago, when I grossed out the control room reporting on a company that decontaminated water. We took some from a yucky puddle, treated it with solution and then I drank it.
Nothing like hearing "Eww" in your ear!
Nothing like hearing "Eww" in your ear!
November 11, 2025 at 4:47 PM
I started at CNBC 23 years ago today. One early big story I covered was Katrina 20 years ago, when I grossed out the control room reporting on a company that decontaminated water. We took some from a yucky puddle, treated it with solution and then I drank it.
Nothing like hearing "Eww" in your ear!
Nothing like hearing "Eww" in your ear!
HHS HRT announcement: "After more than two decades of fear and misinformation surrounding hormone replacement therapy... the U.S. Food and Drug Administration... is initiating the removal of broad 'black box' warnings from HRT products for menopause."
www.hhs.gov/press-room/f...
www.hhs.gov/press-room/f...
November 10, 2025 at 4:16 PM
HHS HRT announcement: "After more than two decades of fear and misinformation surrounding hormone replacement therapy... the U.S. Food and Drug Administration... is initiating the removal of broad 'black box' warnings from HRT products for menopause."
www.hhs.gov/press-room/f...
www.hhs.gov/press-room/f...
President Trump proposes taking funds sent to "money sucking Insurance Companies" and giving it to Americans to buy their own coverage -- effectively a national Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangement plan. Ironically, health insurers have been pushing ICHRA for small employers.
November 10, 2025 at 4:06 PM
President Trump proposes taking funds sent to "money sucking Insurance Companies" and giving it to Americans to buy their own coverage -- effectively a national Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangement plan. Ironically, health insurers have been pushing ICHRA for small employers.
Insurers are down because a one-year tax credit extension won't stabilize the ACA market.
Folks on the federal exchange have until December 15th to sign up. Next year passing credits at year-end does nothing to resolve uncertainty for setting 2027 rates.
A "Doc Fix' cadence won't work for insurance.
Folks on the federal exchange have until December 15th to sign up. Next year passing credits at year-end does nothing to resolve uncertainty for setting 2027 rates.
A "Doc Fix' cadence won't work for insurance.
November 10, 2025 at 2:34 PM
Insurers are down because a one-year tax credit extension won't stabilize the ACA market.
Folks on the federal exchange have until December 15th to sign up. Next year passing credits at year-end does nothing to resolve uncertainty for setting 2027 rates.
A "Doc Fix' cadence won't work for insurance.
Folks on the federal exchange have until December 15th to sign up. Next year passing credits at year-end does nothing to resolve uncertainty for setting 2027 rates.
A "Doc Fix' cadence won't work for insurance.
Insurers are down because a one-year tax credit extension credits won't stabilize ACA market.
Folks on the federal exchange have until December 15th to sign up. And passing credits at year-end does nothing to resolve uncertainty for setting 2027 rates.
A "Doc Fix' cadence won't work for insurance.
Folks on the federal exchange have until December 15th to sign up. And passing credits at year-end does nothing to resolve uncertainty for setting 2027 rates.
A "Doc Fix' cadence won't work for insurance.
November 10, 2025 at 2:30 PM
Insurers are down because a one-year tax credit extension credits won't stabilize ACA market.
Folks on the federal exchange have until December 15th to sign up. And passing credits at year-end does nothing to resolve uncertainty for setting 2027 rates.
A "Doc Fix' cadence won't work for insurance.
Folks on the federal exchange have until December 15th to sign up. And passing credits at year-end does nothing to resolve uncertainty for setting 2027 rates.
A "Doc Fix' cadence won't work for insurance.
I was this many days old before I ever got to report from the White House, with a great CNBC crew!
November 6, 2025 at 9:19 PM
I was this many days old before I ever got to report from the White House, with a great CNBC crew!
Cash pay will be available on TrumpRx starting in 2026, when that launches.
November 6, 2025 at 5:10 PM
Cash pay will be available on TrumpRx starting in 2026, when that launches.