Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
NC Abortion Clinic Closure Highlights Growing Strain On Providers
North Carolina Health News: NC Loses Abortion Clinic As Pressures Mount On Providers
North Carolina now has one fewer abortion clinic, shrinking access to the procedure in a state where nearly 48,000 abortions were provided in 2025. Last week, A Woman’s Choice closed its clinic in Greensboro, North Carolina’s third-largest city. The closure leaves 17 abortion clinics in North Carolina, scattered over nine counties across the state, that provide in-person abortion care to thousands of patients — including people traveling from more restrictive states across the Southeast. (Crumpler, 5/8)
KFF Health News: KFF Health News’ ‘What The Health?’: Abortion Pill Politics
A decision Friday night by a federal appeals court not only has raised new questions about the continued availability of the abortion pill mifepristone but has also thrust the abortion issue back into the spotlight. That’s something the Trump administration had hoped to avoid during the midterm elections. Meanwhile, this week Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Marty Makary, the agency’s scientists, and President Donald Trump tussled over whether to approve fruit-flavored vapes, which might help adults quit smoking but also might attract youths to vaping. (Rovner, 5/7)
More health news from across the U.S. —
Cardinal News: Blacksburg Nonprofit Helps Abolish $51 Million In Medical Debt In Southwest Virginia
A Blacksburg-based nonprofit has eliminated more than $51 million of medical debt for 35,007 residents in Southwest Virginia, according to a press release. (Schabacker, 5/8)
The CT Mirror: CT Nursing Home Oversight Bill Clears Final Hurdle
A bill that seeks to bring more scrutiny to nursing home ownership and analyze private equity investment in nursing facilities gained final passage in the Connecticut House Wednesday. (Carlesso, 5/7)
AP: Overflowing Idaho Prisons Are Sending Women With Good Behavior To ‘The Hole’
On the nearly four-hour drive from a southeast Idaho prison, Kristine Scott was optimistic. One of 15 women transferred on April 3 to a minimum security prison in Boise, Scott was told she’d work at the community reentry center and live in one of the least restrictive facilities in Idaho’s prison system. But when the women arrived at the South Idaho Correctional Institution, Scott said staff told them there weren’t enough beds available in the dorms. Instead, she and five other women were led to a segregated housing unit usually reserved as punishment for inmates who violate the rules or pose a safety risk — a unit known to prisoners as “the hole.” (Bryen, 5/7)
The Colorado Sun: Nearly Half Of Coloradans Experiencing Food Insecurity Don’t Qualify For SNAP
As a single mother, Cinthya Garcia used to receive about $600 in monthly Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits to support herself and her six children living with her in Commerce City. With the SNAP funds, Garcia could buy meat and fresh produce to make nutritious meals for her family. (McCoy, 5/8)
The 19th: In CA, Survivors Call On Gavin Newsom For Funding To Combat Domestic Violence
“Before I say anything, I want everyone here to take a moment and think about someone finally reaching out for help and there’s no one here to answer,” Jazz LedBetter said to a crowd of over 250 survivors of abuse and advocates against domestic violence and sexual assault. (Mithani, 5/6)
KFF Health News: In California Governor Race, Single-Payer Is A Litmus Test. There’s Still No Way To Pay For It
When Gavin Newsom ran for California governor in 2018, his support for a state-run single-payer healthcare system was considered a risky move and earned him hefty labor endorsements. Today, leading Democrats in the wide-open race to succeed Newsom have embraced single-payer as a political necessity, an answer to voters fed up with rising premiums and other spiraling healthcare costs. But with no clear front-runner, they are sparring among themselves in debates and political ads over who is most committed to a government-run model. (Mai-Duc, 5/8)
Also —
Orlando Sentinel: Law Student Gives Part Of Her Liver To 4-Year-Old In ‘Living Donor’ Operation
Sophie Byroade was scrolling on Facebook last summer when she stumbled on an unusual post: It was from a mother looking for a liver donor for her sick three-year-old son. “Nolan needs a liver hero,” it read. The post described Nolan Smith as a “sweet, dinosaur-loving, music-dancing, water-splashing” child –– all things that reminded Byroade of her five-year-old sister. (Gomez, 5/3)
Chicago Tribune: Visitation Held For Chicago Officer Slain In Hospital Shooting
The city prepared to say its final goodbye to Chicago police Officer John Bartholomew, as visitation for the slain 10-year CPD veteran was held in Edgewater. (Kenny and Gorner, 5/7)
