On January 27, 2026, the Trump administration announced what it called “a historic expansion” of the Mexico City Policy, a longstanding U.S. rule restricting foreign aid funding related to abortion. The expansion extends the policy beyond abortion to include activities related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and gender‑affirming care. Effective February 26, 2026, the change represents the most significant revision to the policy in its 40‑year history and could substantially reshape the distribution of U.S. foreign assistance worldwide.

Recent developments at the federal legislative and regulatory levels signal a significant shift toward greater transparency requirements in the pharmacy benefit management (PBM) industry.

Seven states have passed Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) laws related to single-use packaging and plastic food serviceware, with other states considering similar legislation. The intent of these laws is to hold the producers of covered materials financially responsible for their ultimate disposal. Certain states are also requiring the reduction of plastic or non-recyclable plastic used in these materials over time. Legislation is in various stages of implementation, and Oregon is the first state to issue fees to producers. In connection with a legal challenge to Oregon’s EPR program, a court recently granted a preliminary injunction, preventing Oregon from enforcing the law against the plaintiff (an industry group) pending resolution of the case. Meanwhile, CalRecycle continues to struggle with finalizing its proposed regulations implementing California’s EPR law, this time withdrawing its proposed regulations to tinker with provisions related to food and agricultural commodities.