1. UnitedHealth, CVS Health head to court to protect PBM information: 5 things to know Full story

2. US COVID deaths hit 6-month high & 7 other updates Full story

3. CareFirst, Highmark unite on labor union-specific health plan Full story

4. Virtual healthcare is positioned to address social determinants. Click here for 3 reasons it will work.

5. COVID-19 copay, deductible returns may encourage vaccination Full story

6. Sutter Health to pay $90M to resolve false claims allegations days after reaching antitrust settlement Full story

7. The 4 drugs Optum is watching this year Full story

8. The hospitalist and the health system — How these 3 organizations are managing costs and improving productivity without burdening physicians. 

9. Top hospital employers in each state, per Forbes Full story

10. 10 Blue Cross Blue Shield affiliates' influence ranked by state Full story

11. Viewpoint: It's time to recalibrate expectations about the COVID-19 endgame Full story

12. Two top FDA vaccine leaders to retire Full story

13. Court grants early approval of Anthem class-action eating disorder settlement Full story

14. Daily COVID-19 stats, state-by-state:

• Vaccines administered 
• Population fully vaccinated 
• Test positivity rates 
• Death rates 
• Hospitalizations