The government reopens; weight-loss drugs drive retail boom; Canada loses measles-free status – Morning Medical Update

The Government reopens — what that means for physicians

The monthlong federal shutdown is over, but physician practices are not out of the woods yet. A bipartisan spending deal restores government funding through January 30, 2026, easing immediate concerns over frozen claims and halted program renewals. The Medical Group Management Association (MGMA) welcomed the resolution, noting it “avoids further disruption to patient care and physician practice operations.” Yet major questions persist — especially around telehealth rules that expired September 30 and Medicare reimbursement updates delayed by the shutdown. Practices should now verify compliance for post-September telehealth claims, track payment trends and brace for continued administrative turbulence well into 2026. Read more from Physicians Practice.

Weight-loss drugs drive retail boom this Black Friday

The GLP-1 wave is reshaping waistlines and wardrobes. A new Sunlight.com survey of 1,500 U.S. adults finds that people taking GLP-1 medications plan to spend more than twice as much on clothing this Black Friday as non-users — $350 versus $150 on average. Nearly two-thirds of users say most of their old clothes no longer fit, and 67% now enjoy shopping more than before starting treatment.

Canada loses measles-free status amid rising outbreaks

Canada has officially lost its measles elimination status after continuous community transmission for more than a year, according to the Pan American Health Organization. The country has reported over 5,100 cases and two infant deaths in 2025 — a resurgence linked to declining childhood vaccination rates that have fallen below the 95% threshold needed for herd immunity. Canada had maintained measles-free status since 1998, contributing to the Americas’ regional elimination declared in 2016. Health experts called the reversal “deeply worrisome,” noting it underscores the danger of vaccine hesitancy even in high-resource nations. NBC News has more.