Health Equity & Access Weekly Roundup: May 8, 2026

Psychedelic Therapy EO Is a Major Step for Mental Health, but Access Barriers Remain, Experts Say

A new executive order from President Donald J. Trump aims to accelerate the research, regulation, and integration of psychedelic-assisted therapies into US health care, with a particular focus on veterans and treatment-resistant mental health conditions such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression. Experts interviewed by The American Journal of Managed Care^® (AJMC^®), including Brett Waters, cofounder of Reason for Hope and the Veteran Mental Health Leadership Coalition, and Scott Shannon, MD, CEO of the Board of Psychedelic Medicine and Therapies and founder of Wholeness Center, said the order represents a major shift in federal support for psychedelic medicine by directing agencies to streamline FDA review, speed Drug Enforcement Administration rescheduling, expand research funding, and prepare the Department of Veterans Affairs for potential implementation. Advocates highlighted ongoing challenges surrounding workforce training, infrastructure, psychotherapy requirements, insurance reimbursement, and legal barriers tied to Schedule I substances, including the need for congressional action such as the proposed Freedom to Heal Act. Although supporters see psychedelic therapies as a transformative departure from traditional symptom-management psychiatry, they cautioned that meaningful patient access will depend on sustained federal coordination, funding, clinical infrastructure, and updated reimbursement models capable of supporting these intensive treatments.

Supreme Court Temporarily Restores Mifepristone Access by Mail

The Supreme Court temporarily restored nationwide access to the abortion pill mifepristone by mail, pausing a lower court ruling from the Fifth Circuit that would have required the drug to be dispensed in person rather than prescribed through telemedicine. Associate Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr. issued the temporary administrative stay while the full court considers the case, which stems from a lawsuit filed by Louisiana challenging FDA policies allowing telehealth prescribing and mail delivery of mifepristone. The case highlights the growing legal and political battle over abortion access following the overturning of Roe v Wade, as Republican-led states seek stricter abortion limits while Democratic-led states expand telehealth protections. The article also notes that medication abortion now accounts for most abortions in the US, with telehealth playing an increasingly important role in expanding access, particularly for patients living far from in-person care.

MFN Drug Pricing Proposal Raises Questions Around Access, Innovation, and Commercial Coverage

The Trump administration’s proposed most-favored-nation (MFN) drug pricing framework aims to lower US prescription drug costs by tying prices to the second-lowest net price among 8 comparable high-income countries, with projected savings approaching $600 billion over 10 years. The policy would apply to newly launched drugs and existing therapies, with major anticipated savings in Medicaid spending on antipsychotics, antiretrovirals, biologics, diabetes drugs, and cancer treatments. The framework could significantly affect access to costly therapies such as glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists, reducing direct-to-consumer prices for drugs like semaglutide and tirzepatide and expanding Medicare coverage through a new demonstration program beginning in 2026. Fertility medications are also expected to see notable price reductions. However, the policy faces substantial uncertainty and political resistance, as critics question the administration’s assumptions, the lack of transparency surrounding manufacturer agreements, and whether drugmakers may avoid launching products in reference countries to protect pricing power. Industry groups and conservative organizations have also raised concerns that the policy could pressure pharmaceutical innovation and resemble foreign price controls, leaving the long-term durability and real-world impact of the framework unclear.

Can the 988 Crisis Lifeline Keep Up With Demand Amid Ongoing Staffing Shortages?

A new study found that although the 988 suicide and crisis lifeline has received more than 18 million contacts since launching in 2022 and has been associated with reductions in youth suicide deaths, many call centers continue to face major staffing and funding challenges. Surveying 159 centers across 47 states and territories, researchers found that only 29% reported being fully staffed, with most centers struggling to secure funding, meet rising contact volumes, recruit workers, and retain staff. Centers allowing remote work had fewer recruitment difficulties but greater challenges obtaining hiring resources, while centers relying entirely on paid staff reported more recruitment problems than those using volunteers. Despite billions in federal funding and growing recognition of the lifeline’s importance during the ongoing mental health crisis, the study warns that workforce shortages could threaten service quality, response times, and counselor well-being, highlighting the need for sustainable funding models and stronger recruitment and retention strategies.

The Science Is Here, But the Systems Are Not: Experts Chart a Path Forward in Oncology Care

At an Institute for Value-Based Medicine^® event hosted by AJMC in Philadelphia, oncology experts from leading regional academic centers discussed major advances and persistent barriers in cancer care across lung cancer, breast cancer, multiple myeloma, and clinical trial access. Panelists highlighted ongoing challenges in implementing comprehensive biomarker testing for non–small cell lung cancer, particularly for underserved patients facing delays, insurance barriers, and limited access to molecular testing. Discussions on breast cancer focused on the rapid expansion of biomarkers and ctDNA monitoring while also addressing the emotional burden and uncertainty these technologies can create for patients. In multiple myeloma, experts examined the growing complexity of treatment sequencing involving chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapies and bispecific antibodies, emphasizing the importance of patient preferences and quality of life. The event concluded with a broader conversation about the structural barriers that limit clinical trial enrollment, including financial hardship, lack of culturally tailored outreach, and fragmented institutional collaboration. Across all sessions, speakers stressed that scientific innovation alone is insufficient without intentional efforts to improve equity, access, coordination, and patient-centered care.