Health Policy Updates
Pentagon temporarily pauses testosterone screening guidance as Florida proposes sweeping vaccine rule changes.
Anonymous
Key Points
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Florida’s proposed rule would leave in place vaccines required directly by state law, including immunizations against polio, diphtheria, measles, rubella, pertussis, mumps and tetanus; removing those mandates would require legislative action.
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Florida’s kindergarten immunization rate was reported at 88.9% in 2026, down from 93.3% in 2021. Two medical organizations—the Florida Chapter of the American College of Physicians and the Florida Osteopathic Medical Association—requested a public hearing on the proposed rule.
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The ACA marketplace rate filings came from 12 participating insurers; AmeriHealth Caritas Florida sought the largest increase, 39.14%, while Centene Venture Co. Florida requested the smallest, 3.87%.
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Florida pharmacies and clinics began offering updated vaccines for the 2026–27 respiratory-virus season, including Moderna’s new mRNA flu vaccine, mFLUSIVA, although availability may vary by pharmacy.
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The Labor Department’s parity guidance follows the 2024 mental-health parity rule, which imposed expanded comparative-analysis requirements for nonquantitative treatment limits. The Departments said in May 2025 that they would not enforce that rule, after an employer-group lawsuit challenged portions of it; the new bulletin provides a narrower enforcement framework focused on areas with the greatest potential for significant harm.
The Pentagon is hitting pause on a new testosterone-screening mandate. Defense Department sources say the military temporarily rescinded clinical guidance that would have required service members age 30 and older to get tested for low testosterone. The move comes as officials review the policy further.
Meanwhile, Florida is moving to weaken school vaccine rules. Florida Politics reports the state's Department of Health proposed eliminating requirements for hepatitis B, chickenpox, Hib, and pneumococcal vaccines. The changes would also make religious and moral exemptions easier to obtain—a shift that medical groups warn could worsen Florida's ongoing measles outbreak.
Pentagon Puts Testosterone Screening on Hold
The U.S. military released new clinical guidance requiring testosterone-deficiency screening for all active-duty and reserve service members aged 30 and older. Newsy Today confirmed the Pentagon has now temporarily rescinded that guidance pending further internal review. No timeline for a final decision has been announced yet.
Florida's School Vaccine Rule Faces Medical Opposition
Florida's Department of Health wants to drop vaccine mandates for four diseases: hepatitis B, varicella, Hib, and pneumococcal disease. Florida Trend reports 12 ACA insurers filed rate requests ranging from 3.87% to 39.14% for next year. But the vaccine push drew swift pushback: the Florida Chapter of the American College of Physicians and the Florida Osteopathic Medical Association both requested public hearings on the proposed rule.
Florida's kindergarten vaccination rate has already dropped sharply. Florida Politics data shows the rate fell to 88.9% in 2026 from 93.3% in 2021—a 4.4-point decline in five years. State law still requires vaccines for polio, diphtheria, measles, rubella, pertussis, mumps, and tetanus, so removing those would need legislative action.
Updated Flu and COVID Vaccines Now Rolling Out
Florida pharmacies and clinics have begun offering updated respiratory-virus vaccines for the 2026–27 season. Florida Trend reports pharmacies are stocking Moderna's new mRNA flu vaccine, mFLUSIVA, along with updated COVID-19 shots. Availability varies by location, so residents should check their local pharmacy before visiting.
Labor Department Narrows Mental-Health Parity Enforcement
The U.S. Labor Department is taking a narrower approach to enforcing mental-health parity rules for employer plans. Devdiscourse reports the agency will focus enforcement on three specific areas involving treatment limits that pose the greatest risk to workers. This shift eases compliance pressure on employers while keeping scrutiny on the most harmful practices.
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