United StatesOwnership & classification
Founded: 2015
Ownership
STAT (also STAT News) is a US health, medicine and life-sciences news site launched on 4 November 2015 by John W. Henry, owner of The Boston Globe. It is produced by Boston Globe Media Partners and run as a separate brand. Ownership traces to John Henry, the billionaire businessman who bought the Globe in 2013.
Funding
Initially free, STAT has since built a paywalled subscription business (STAT+) alongside advertising, sponsored events and conferences, financed within the privately held Boston Globe Media group. It is a commercial, for-profit operation.
Affiliation & stance
STAT has no party, state or church ties and operates as an independent commercial newsroom focused on health and biotech, owned privately by John Henry's Boston Globe Media. Because it is privately and commercially owned with no party or government control, it is classified INDEPENDENT (matching the site's existing guess).
Editorial lean
- Our estimate
- Center
- Measured from coverage
- Centerbased on 141
76/100
Factual
76/100
Objective
240
Articles
240
reports
Top stories
Most covered right now
Opinion: Supreme Court ruling on Roundup points to a confusing difference between the law and science
Confirmed Ebola cases in Congo outbreak top 1,000 with 254 deaths, authorities say
Luigi Mangione overruled his own lawyers with a 'change of heart' on psych defense, legal expert says
Democratic states sue over Medicaid work rules
Nara Organics recalls baby formula sold at Target after multistate infant botulism outbreak
Federal Trade Commission sues leading transgender health group
FDA approves first new sunscreen ingredient in more than 20 years
FDA panel recommends Moderna’s mRNA flu shot for older adults
STAT+: Cadence raises $100 million to automate chronic disease care with regulated AI
Recent coverage
Three things to watch amid Anthropic’s latest feud with the government
Anthropic, an AI company based in the United States, developed an advanced AI model called Mythos, which demonstrated exceptional capabilities in handling code. Concerned about potential cybersecurity risks, Anthropic shared limited access with cybersecurity experts before releasing a modified version called Fable to the public. However, the U.S. government quickly intervened, citing national security concerns and imposing export restrictions on Fable. Anthropic subsequently revoked access to both models. This incident has sparked discussions about the broader implications of AI regulation, with some arguing that the government's response was overly reactive rather than well-planned. Additionally, the event has raised questions about the reliability of American AI companies, prompting European leaders to consider accelerating their own AI development efforts. Meanwhile, open-source AI models from China have gained attention due to their affordability and accessibility, potentially influencing global AI strategies.
Born in the U.S.A.: Protecting the right of birthright citizenship
The article discusses the legal concept of birthright citizenship in the United States, as outlined in the 14th Amendment to the Constitution. It states that anyone born in the U.S., except for children of diplomats or invading forces, is automatically a citizen. Professor Amanda Frost explains that the wording of the amendment leaves little room for interpretation. However, public opinion remains split, with roughly half of Americans supporting granting citizenship to children of undocumented immigrants and the other half opposing it. In January 2025, former President Donald Trump issued an executive order attempting to reinterpret the 14th Amendment to exclude most children of undocumented immigrants from automatic citizenship, but this was blocked by a lower court and is currently under review by the Supreme Court. The article references historical cases such as Dred Scott v. Sandford, where the Supreme Court ruled that Black individuals could not be citizens, leading to the creation of the 14th Amendment. Another landmark case, Wong Kim Ark v. United States, affirmed birthright citizenship for those born in the U.S., including children of immigrants.
Opinion: CDC leadership continues to try to manufacture a scientific debate on vaccines where none exists
This opinion piece critiques the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for allegedly undermining its own scientific processes regarding vaccine effectiveness. The author highlights a recent 'Public Health Grand Rounds' event hosted by the CDC, which focused on methodologies for measuring vaccine effectiveness in real-world settings. During the session, CDC scientist Carrie Reed and others explained the standard approach—known as the test-negative design—which compares individuals who tested positive for a disease with those who did not. However, the author argues that CDC leadership, including Jay Bhattacharya, has taken steps that appear to hinder transparency, such as blocking the publication of internal studies on vaccine effectiveness. Additionally, the article notes changes to the advisory role of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, shifting its focus away from evaluating vaccines directly.
STAT+: Medicare takes another swing at 340B cuts to hospitals
Medicare has proposed reducing payments to hospitals for drugs purchased through the 340B drug discount program by over a third starting next year. This comes after Medicare's surveys indicated that some patients were paying more for these drugs than the hospitals did. Under the new proposal, Medicare would reimburse hospitals at the average sales price of the drugs minus 33.4%, significantly lower than the current rate of that price plus 6%. The proposal is part of a broader rule on hospital outpatient payments and has sparked controversy, with nonprofit and academic hospitals criticizing it for potentially harming safety-net providers. These hospitals are the only ones eligible for the 340B program, while for-profit hospitals would see a 7.4% pay increase under the same adjustment.
STAT+: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about Chinese trial sites being probed, RFK Jr. and peptides, and more
A bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers has launched national security investigations into major pharmaceutical companies' clinical trials in China, focusing on potential contributions to China's military capabilities. The inquiry asks companies to detail their due diligence and data protection measures, especially in Xinjiang and military hospitals. Separately, FDA scientists have stated there's insufficient evidence to permit certain peptides to be made by compounding pharmacies, challenging Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s efforts to expand access to these wellness products. The FDA's stance contrasts with Kennedy's push, as his department adds new panel members with ties to peptide businesses and clinics.
Zyn Is Safer Than Smoking. The FDA Will Finally Let It Say So.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authorized Philip Morris International (PMI), the maker of Zyn nicotine pouches, to market 20 of its products with a modified-risk claim stating that using them instead of cigarettes reduces the risk of several serious diseases, including mouth cancer, heart disease, and lung cancer. This decision aligns with scientific findings indicating that nicotine pouches expose users to far fewer harmful chemicals than traditional cigarettes. A 2023 study showed significant reductions in harmful chemical exposure among individuals who switched from smoking to nicotine pouches, with some experiencing up to a 96% decrease. Additionally, research indicates that nicotine pouches can help smokers reduce or quit cigarette use, particularly among lower-income populations. Experts argue that this approval represents a major step forward in providing smokers with safer alternatives.
STAT+: Lawmakers urge HHS to force Eli Lilly to provide 340B drug discounts to hospitals
A bipartisan group of U.S. Congress members has written to the Department of Health and Human Services, requesting that Eli Lilly be compelled to resume providing discounted drug prices to participating hospitals under the 340B program. The pharmaceutical company ceased these discounts in June 2026, citing concerns over 'duplicate discounts' and stating that many hospitals had not shared required claims data. Lilly reportedly targeted 50 large hospital systems out of around 1,000 that had not adhered to a new policy implemented earlier in the year. The company claimed that over 70% of the 2,300+ hospitals in the program had already submitted the necessary information.
STAT+: Elevance sues government over $115 million tied to Medicare Advantage star ratings
Elevance Health, a major health insurer, has filed a lawsuit against the U.S. government, claiming that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recalculated its Medicare Advantage quality ratings in a manner inconsistent with a recent court ruling. This discrepancy, according to Elevance, has resulted in a financial loss of $115 million. The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Georgia and highlights ongoing tensions within the Medicare Advantage program, where private insurers provide alternatives to traditional Medicare. Star ratings, used to assess the quality of care and customer service, determine whether plans receive additional taxpayer funds and rebates. The case underscores broader disputes over regulatory compliance and financial implications for healthcare providers.
STAT+: Up and down the ladder: The latest comings and goings
The article discusses recent personnel changes in the pharmaceutical industry, highlighting the hiring of Robert Hollingsworth as chief scientific officer at Protillion Biosciences. Hollingsworth previously held similar roles at Shoreline Therapeutics and Pfizer, where he focused on cancer vaccines and immunotherapeutics. The piece invites readers to submit their own updates on personnel movements for potential publication. The remainder of the article is reserved for STAT+ subscribers.
STAT+: What does DeGette’s loss mean for pharma?
The article discusses the implications of Representative Louise Slaughter's (DeGette) defeat in the 2024 election for the pharmaceutical industry. It notes that her loss removes a key Democratic ally who had knowledge of the industry but was not always supportive of it. The piece highlights the potential impact on regulatory oversight and legislative advocacy for the drug sector, emphasizing the shift in political influence within Congress.
STAT+: AI scientist company Edison Scientific tapped by team behind Metsera to create new biotechs
Edison Scientific, a spin-off from AI science company FutureHouse, has secured $70 million in venture funding to develop AI-driven tools for accelerating scientific discovery. Founded in 2023 by Sam Rodriques and Andrew White, FutureHouse initially focused on creating autonomous AI agents to aid researchers. After receiving significant interest from major pharmaceutical companies seeking to leverage their technology, the founders decided to launch Edison Scientific as a separate entity in late 2025. The article highlights the growing demand for AI in drug discovery and biomedical research, noting that some industry leaders view these AI agents as superior to alternatives like those developed by OpenAI or Anthropic.
Republican Tom Kean Jr. reveals depression diagnosis after his four-month absence from Congress
Republican Congressman Tom Kean Jr. of New Jersey revealed during a congressional speech that he has been undergoing treatment for depression, which explains his four-month absence from the House. Kean, who last voted on March 5, returned to the chamber after winning an uncontested primary in June. He described depression as a serious illness affecting both body and mind, and emphasized that recovery timelines vary. While Kean expressed optimism about returning to work, he did not provide specific details about his medical journey or current status. His reappearance raised questions about the impact of his absence on legislative efforts, particularly for House Republicans struggling with a narrow majority. Kean's district, which includes President Trump's Bedminster golf club, is a politically competitive area, with Democrats targeting it as a potential gain. Kean faces Democratic challenger Rebecca Bennett in November, and both Republican Speaker Mike Johnson and Trump have publicly supported his candidacy.
Dr. Oz's GLP-1 Bridge could work, but it isn't a model for price controls
The article discusses the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge program introduced by Dr. Oz, which allows eligible Medicare Part D beneficiaries to access certain GLP-1 medications for $50 per month starting July 1, 2025, through December 31, 2027. The program includes drugs like Wegovy, Zepbound, and Foundayo for weight loss. While the initiative is praised for providing affordable access to obesity treatments, the article clarifies that it is a temporary subsidy funded by taxpayers rather than a permanent price control measure. It argues that the low cost is due to market-driven reductions in prices, driven by competition and direct-to-consumer sales models. Examples include Lilly lowering prices for Zepbound and NovoCare Pharmacy offering Wegovy at discounted rates. The article warns against misinterpreting the program as evidence that government price controls are effective, emphasizing that market forces and direct patient access are the true drivers of affordability.
Overlooked
Under-reported & one-sided
