Disease Risks: Washington state reported the first U.S. bird-flu death of 2026 in a person exposed to infected dairy cattle. In Pakistan’s Sindh province, officials warned residents not to drink Indus River water after pollution concerns raised risks of gastrointestinal, skin and other illnesses. Healthcare Costs: KFF found employer health premiums rose 5% in 2026, with workers’ contributions for family coverage up 9%. Separately, a report says 120 million Americans lack adequate access to care, with new patients waiting an average of 31 days for appointments. Cancer Care: Max Healthcare said oncology’s share of inpatient revenue fell after it stopped supplying some high-cost chemotherapy drugs to CGHS patients, citing reimbursement rates that made them unviable. Drug Research: Teva plans to stop its Phase II trial of emrusolmin for multiple system atrophy after an interim review found little chance it would meet its main efficacy goal; no safety concerns were identified. Drug Pricing: A new Labor Department rule will require pharmacy benefit managers to disclose rebates, spread pricing and other fees to large self-insured employers from July 2027. Organ Transplants: CMS updated oversight rules for organ procurement organizations, removing a barrier to certifying new ones but leaving the process for future rulemaking.