Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
As Costs Rise, SNAP Cuts Put School Meals At Risk
The Washington Post: Free Lunch Programs Vanish, Bills Climb As SNAP Cuts Ripple Through Schools
Enrollment in the nutrition assistance program dropped following last year’s sweeping GOP tax bill. Fewer children and schools now qualify for free school meals. (Lumpkin, 10/22)
The Baltimore Sun: 'Produce Subscriptions’ Promise Groceries For Some Baltimore Residents
Baltimore residents battling chronic illnesses could soon have fresh fruits and vegetables delivered to their homes for free, part of a $10 million Maryland initiative that will distribute food through 14 community partnerships statewide. (Pryce, 10/23)
In other news from California, Virginia, and Louisiana —
San Francisco Chronicle: Scammers Are Targeting Californians With Fake Prescription Calls
California health officials are warning residents about a phone scam where callers impersonating Department of Public Health employees ask for sensitive personal and financial information. The department on Thursday said it has received multiple reports of scammers pretending to be CDPH personnel and asking people to verify information about pharmacy visits and prescription requests. (Ho, 10/22)
Los Angeles Times: Supplement Sold At Gas Stations Blamed For California Man's Opioid Overdose
Public health officials in San Francisco reported a death associated with MGM-15, a lab-created and modified form of 7-OH. (Garcia, 10/22)
The Washington Post: Virginia State Sen. L. Louise Lucas Indicted In Connection With Marijuana Business
The Justice Department indicted Virginia state Sen. L. Louise Lucas, one of the most powerful Democrats in the commonwealth, as part of a long-running corruption investigation involving a family-run marijuana business. The indictment, which was returned by a federal grand jury in Virginia last week and unsealed Thursday morning, alleges that Lucas and her relatives set up a business to sell marijuana before the substance was legalized for recreational sales in the commonwealth. (Stein and Rizzo, 10/22)
The New York Times: Hall Of Fame RB Marshall Faulk Shares Parkinson’s Diagnosis, Says He’s ‘In A Good Place’
Marshall Faulk has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, the 53-year-old Pro Football Hall of Fame running back shared on The Caring Neurologist podcast this week. Faulk, who said he’s “in a good place,” has been living with the diagnosis for over a year and called himself “one of the lucky ones” after catching the disease early. The former St. Louis Rams and Indianapolis Colts star is currently the head football coach of the Southern University Jaguars in Louisiana. (Yousuf, 10/22)
