STAT+: Medicare’s miss on Alzheimer’s drug spending

STAT PlusNewsletterHealth Care Inc. Newsletter Medicare’s miss on Alzheimer’s drug spending You’re reading STAT’s Health Care Inc. newsletter Manage alerts for this article Email this article Share this article By Bob HermanMay 11, 2026 Business of Health Care Reporter Bob Herman[email protected]Bob Herman covers health insurance, government programs, hospitals, physicians, and other providers — reporting on how money influences those businesses and shapes what we all pay for care. He is also the author of the Health Care Inc. newsletter. You can reach Bob on Signal at bobjherman.09. This is the online version of STAT’s weekly email newsletter Health Care Inc. Sign up here. Did you know the U.S. Mint requires gold coins to be made with American-made gold, but instead it gets illegally mined gold that can be traced back to a Colombian drug cartel? Truly mind-blowing stuff from this New York Times investigation. Let me know what the health care angle is on that one: [email protected].Advertisement It’s tough to make predictions, especially about the future Two years ago, my old pal Rachel Cohrs Zhang and I reported how Medicare’s actuaries predicted the new Alzheimer’s drug Leqembi would cost the program $3.5 billion in 2025. It turns out that prediction was way off. STAT+ Exclusive Story Already have an account? Log in This article is exclusive to STAT+ subscribers Unlock this article — plus in-depth analysis, newsletters, premium events, and news alerts. Already have an account? Log in Monthly $39 Totals $468 per year $39/month Get Started Totals $468 per year Starter $30 for 3 months, then $399/year $30 for 3 months Get Started Then $399/year Annual $399 Save 15% $399/year Get Started Save 15% 11+ Users Custom Savings start at 25%! Request A Quote Request A Quote Savings start at 25%! 2-10 Users $300 Annually per user $300/year Get Started $300 Annually per user View All Plans To read the rest of this story subscribe to STAT+. Subscribe Log In CMS, drug development, government agencies, insurance, legal, Medicare, Pharmaceuticals, Policy, STAT+ Submit a correction requestReprints Bob Herman Business of Health Care Reporter Bob Herman covers health insurance, government programs, hospitals, physicians, and other providers — reporting on how money influences those businesses and shapes what we all pay for care. He is also the author of the Health Care Inc. newsletter. You can reach Bob on Signal at bobjherman.09. Newsletter Unpacking the business — and secretive inner workings — of the U.S. health care industry Recommended Health Care Inc. Newsletter May 4, 2026 STAT Plus: Pump the brakes on AI, buddy; and deposition deadlock Health Care Inc. Newsletter April 27, 2026 STAT Plus: An insider reveals the real goals of prior authorization Advertisement Health Care Inc. Newsletter April 20, 2026 STAT Plus: The PBMs fight back, and arbitration doesn’t lose Health Care Inc. Newsletter April 13, 2026 STAT Plus: Trump goes soft on insurance, and a medical underwriting chart Health Care Inc. Newsletter April 6, 2026 STAT Plus: A key Medicare Advantage announcement is due today Subscriber Picks