Trust Truman Newsletter — Edition 18 | June 2026 | Care Compass PA
☀️ Welcome to the June 2026 edition of Trust Truman, your guide to health, wellness, and Medicare! Summer is officially here, and we hope you are finding time to enjoy the sunshine, celebrate the graduates in your life, and spend time with family.
This month, we are bringing you two important Medicare updates, a packed Wellness Spotlight on how just a little weekly resistance training can add years to your life, plus some feel-good news and a fun local history fact to kick off your summer. Let's dive in!
🏥 Medicare Minute
1. Medicare GLP-1 Bridge Program Launches July 1
Starting July 1, 2026, CMS is launching the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge Program to help eligible Medicare Part D members access certain GLP-1 weight-loss medications at a reduced cost. The program runs through December 31, 2027, and offers a flat $50/month copay for covered medications like Wegovy, Zepbound Kwikpen, and Foundayo. (Note: Ozempic and Mounjaro are not included.) This copay is outside of normal Part D coverage. Eligibility is determined by CMS, and members currently receiving a GLP-1 through their Part D plan are not eligible for the Bridge.
Source: CMS.gov — Medicare GLP-1 Bridge
2. CMS Proposes Permanent Framework for Drug Price Negotiation
On June 12, CMS released a proposed rule to establish a permanent, predictable framework for the Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program. This builds on the program's first two years, during which CMS negotiated prices for 25 high-expenditure drugs. The first set of negotiated prices took effect January 1, 2026, and the proposed rule would extend the program through 2029 and beyond, locking in lower drug costs for millions of Medicare beneficiaries at the pharmacy counter.
🌎 Community
Tara recently spent another day at Encompass Rehabilitation Hospital of Altoona, sitting down with employees to answer their Medicare questions one-on-one. It's always a great reminder that Medicare education isn't just for retirees. Understanding your options before you're eligible makes all the difference. A huge thank you to the wonderful team at Encompass for the warm welcome, and a special shoutout to Joe for bringing the energy. 💪😄
Tara with Joe, an enthusiastic employee at Encompass. Because every great Medicare Q&A session deserves a victory pose!
💪 Wellness Spotlight: The Strength Sweet Spot
How 90 Minutes a Week Could Add Years to Your Life
A major new study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine followed more than 147,000 U.S. adults over up to 30 years, and the findings are hard to ignore. People who did 90 to 119 minutes of resistance training per week had significantly lower risks of death from multiple causes compared to those who did none.
That's roughly 15–20 minutes a day, a few days a week. Even smaller amounts made a difference: just 30 to 59 minutes per week was linked to a 12% lower risk of cancer death. The best outcomes came from people who combined resistance training with regular aerobic activity like walking or swimming.
The takeaway: you don't need to become a gym rat to reap real benefits. You just need to be consistent.
Source: Fox News Health — Weightlifting Sweet Spot Study
🏋️ Ready to Start? 3 Easy Ways to Build Strength at Home:
👉 5 Strength Training Exercises for Seniors — SilverSneakers
👉 20-Minute Senior Strength Workout (YouTube)
👉 25-Min Strength Workout for Seniors — Seated or Standing (YouTube)
As always, check with your doctor before starting a new exercise routine, especially if you have a chronic condition, recent surgery, or balance concerns. The best workout is the one you can do safely and consistently.
🤓 Quick Reads & Fun Finds
🦩 A Pink Comeback: Thousands of flamingo chicks have hatched at Lake Tuz in Turkiye, a vital breeding ground that had nearly dried up five years ago due to climate change. A new water supply project helped the wetland recover, and this year's hatch is more than double last year's. A stunning conservation win! 👉 Read more at Good News Network
🪶 A Royal First: For the first time in over 360 years, pelican chicks have hatched in London's St. James's Park! Four fuzzy hatchlings arrived last month, marking a historic milestone for the park's famous resident birds, which have called the park home since 1664, when they were gifted to King Charles II by the Russian Ambassador. 👉 Read more at The Royal Parks
🤔 Did You Know?
America's Oldest Gas Station Is Right Here in Altoona
Did you know that Altoona is home to the oldest continuously operating gas station in the United States? Reighard's Gas Station, located at 3205 Sixth Avenue, has been pumping gas and providing full service since 1909. While it may not have been the very first service station ever built, it holds the title for the oldest one still filling tanks today, surviving over a century of automotive history right in our own backyard!
💡 Insights
"We do not remember days, we remember moments." — Cesare Pavese
As summer gets underway, we hope you take the time to create and savor those special moments with the people you care about. Whether it's a family barbecue, a quiet morning on the porch, or learning something new, those are the memories that truly last.
As always, our goal is to keep you informed, empowered, and thriving. We appreciate you being part of the Trust Truman community! If you have questions or topics you'd like us to cover in a future issue, we would love to hear from you. Until next time, stay well and enjoy the summer!
💙 Tara, Truman, and The Care Compass Team
