AI poised to legally prescribe medications in select U.S. states by end of 2026 (Multiple Sources) Why it matters: Utah's regulatory sandbox transitions AI from clinical assistant to clinical actor, forcing health systems to scenario-plan workforce strategy, governance frameworks, and competitive positioning before the commodity care automation wave arrives.

Digital health IPO momentum builds as startups like Freenome, Ro, Maven Clinic, Virta Health emerge on 2026 IPO watchlists (Industry Reports) Why it matters: The 2026 IPO wave will separate digital health survivors from pretenders—audit your vendor relationships now, because financial fragility in your partners becomes operational risk in your organization.

Healthcare data breaches show continued decline in 2025 volume, but sophistication rises (HHS OCR, Fortified Health Security) Why it matters: Fewer breaches but rising sophistication means your security strategy must shift from perimeter defense to continuous detection, third-party governance, and workforce resilience—because the next attack will be faster, smarter, and targeting your vendors, not just you.