Trump Administration Rolling Back Environmental Protections
The president promised to roll back environmental protections in the leadup to the election and he is following through. This week his administration (EPA) announced they’ll be embarking on a several months rulemaking to undermine a host of existing environmental protections – mostly focusing on rolling back carbon reduction provisions. While these changes won’t be immediate (they need to go through the federal rulemaking process) their intent is clear: to
Long COVID: Persistent Symptoms and Functional Impacts 5 Years After Infection
As the COVID-19 pandemic marks its fifth year, many people who’ve recovered from the virus continue to suffer from lingering symptoms known as “Long COVID”. This condition affects a significant portion of people who had moderate or severe COVID-19 infections, with people reporting symptoms persisting for months or even years after the initial infection. Main Symptoms of Long COVID The symptoms of long COVID vary widely and can affect multiple
Legislative Update: Week of March 17
This week was dominated by floor votes (called 3rd Read). Bills that successfully get approved on the floor vote then move over to the other chamber. Committees are also back in full swing. The Senate and House Health and Human Services Committees are meeting this week on several bills. Rather than discuss them here (this is already a long update) I’ll just link you to our weekly committee worksheet. Here’s a
FDA Bypasses Vaccines & Related Biological Products Advisory Committee: Establishes this Fall’s Influenza Vaccine Formula w/o VRBPAC Technical Review
Each March the US decides what the formulation should be for the next season’s influenza vaccine. For decades the process has been to have experts from the FDA’s Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee (VRBPAC) analyze global surveillance in the northern and southern hemispheres and make a formula recommendation to the FDA Commissioner – with the goal of having a vaccine targeting the most likely strains that’ll be the
Federal Budget News: No Government Shutdown
The U.S. House of Representatives and Senate approved a ‘continuing resolution’ this week – approving the “Full Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025”, to fund the federal government at current levels through the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2025. Here’s the text of the legislation and a section-by-section summary. What’s still unclear is whether the agencies funded by the CR will actually follow through and actually do what the CR says they’re
Public Health Journalism this Week
Arizona’s public health feels the weight of federal orders As Republicans prepare to cut Medicaid, two-thirds of GOP voters want no cuts — or higher spending • Arizona Mirror AZ psychiatric care centers an alternative to ER in times of crisis Hantavirus that killed Gene Hackman’s wife saw Arizona surge in 2024 Millions of people, including 600K in AZ, could lose Medicaid coverage under anticipated GOP cuts • Arizona Mirror