EY U.S. has identified eight major trends expected to shape the health sector in 2026 and beyond, as organizations respond to mounting economic, regulatory, and workforce pressures. The analysis finds that healthcare leaders are accelerating digital transformation while strengthening safeguards around artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and financial resilience.
AI adoption continues to expand beyond pilots, with 88% of health executives expressing trust in AI tools, though EY notes that responsible deployment, clear guardrails for agentic AI, and education for clinicians and patients will be essential. Cyber risk also remains a top concern, as 72% of executives report moderate to severe financial impacts from cyber incidents, reinforcing the need to treat cybersecurity as a strategic priority rather than an expense.
The report also points to selective mergers and acquisitions, offshore clinical services, and deeper reliance on third-party vendors as levers to manage rising costs and labor shortages. Talent development through upskilling is highlighted as critical, particularly as AI and digital tools reshape roles across care delivery and administration. Regulatory uncertainty, including potential Medicaid funding reductions affecting more than 10 million people, is expected to push providers and payers to rethink operating models.
Kim Dalla Torre, EY Global and Americas Health Sector Leader, said, “As we enter 2026, the health sector is at a turning point,” adding that leaders must balance innovation with resilience. She noted that “leaning into solutions now could drive value and care models that are sustainable for everyone’s future.”