Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
FDA Approves First Generic HIV Prevention Shot As Hopes Rise For Wider Global Access
Stat: FDA Approves Generic Version Of HIV Prevention Shot Lenacapavir
After months of anticipation, the Food and Drug Administration gave tentative approval to Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories to make a generic version of a groundbreaking HIV prevention medicine, a key step in widening access for dozens of low- and middle-income countries. (Silverman, 11/2)
AP: DEA Approves Registrations For 900-Plus Medical Marijuana Dispensaries
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration has for the first time issued registrations to medical marijuana dispensaries, a bureaucratic maneuver under President Donald Trump’s historic rescheduling of the drug that could pave the way for the businesses to receive tax benefits long denied the industry. The agency issued the registrations Friday to more than 900 state-licensed dispensaries in Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, South Dakota, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia, the Justice Department said in a news release. The department did not immediately identify the approved businesses. (Johnson, 10/30)
ProPublica: House Democrats Demand Answers On 500+ U.S. Citizens Detained By Immigration Agents
Citing ProPublica’s recent investigation, House Democrats are again asking the Trump administration to explain why hundreds of U.S. citizens have been held by immigration agents and how the government verifies citizenship during immigration operations. In an October letter to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, California Rep. Lou Correa and 39 other legislators demanded the administration share the number of citizens that immigration agents have detained and how the government is tracking such encounters. They also asked for more information about how agents are trained to verify citizenship and legal status. (Foy, 11/2)
On military healthcare —
Military.com: Navy Airman Who Attempted Suicide On USS Abraham Lincoln Speaks Out
"I didn't want to be there anymore," said airman Nicholas McKelvey, 19. He blamed 12-hour flight deck shifts, little food and extreme heat. (Plummer, 11/3)
Military.com: Navy Warns Of More Deployments Of Up To 11 Months After USS Abraham Lincoln Scrutiny
The Navy has said sailors should expect a greater number of lengthy deployments for the foreseeable future, because of logistics and financial concerns the military service is facing. (Plummer, 11/2)
Military.com: 100% VA Disability Ratings Nearly Doubled. Proven Fraud Cases Number Only In The Hundreds
The number of veterans holding a 100% disability rating from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has nearly doubled in four years, surpassing 2 million. This has fueled accusations of widespread fraud, though federal oversight records tell a more complicated story. (Gramegna, 11/3)
Military Times: Marine Corps Removes Extension Waivers For Transgender Troops Fighting To Remain In The Military
The U.S. Marine Corps announced Friday that transgender troops whose service contract is set to expire will no longer be able to apply for extension waivers while they argue their case to continue serving before a military separation board. (Ceder, 11/2)
