Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
1 Dead, 9 Missing After Hazardous Chemical Tank Implodes In Washington State; Authorities Say There's No Threat To Public
AP: Chemical Tank Implodes At Washington Mill, Killing 1 And Leaving 9 Missing
A massive chemical tank holding nearly a million gallons of a highly corrosive liquid imploded and collapsed Tuesday at a Washington paper mill, killing at least one worker and leaving nine others unaccounted for with no hope for rescue, authorities said. (Rush and Boone, 5/27)
The New York Times: Evacuation Orders Lifted As Southern California Chemical Tank Cools
Southern California officials lifted a sweeping evacuation order in Orange County late Tuesday after firefighters announced they had stabilized a damaged chemical tank that had posed a risk of a potentially catastrophic explosion or spill. (Hubler and Raney, 5/26)
Reproductive health news from North Carolina and Arkansas —
WXII: ‘Legacy Of Life’: North Carolina Family Shares How Kyle Busch’s Bundle Of Joy Fund Helped Them Overcome Infertility
In the wake of his death, NASCAR driver Kyle Busch is being remembered not only for his historic wins on the track but also for his work to help families experiencing infertility. In 2015, he and his wife, Samantha, started the Bundle of Joy Fund after struggling to conceive and undergoing in vitro fertilization to have their two children. The couple recognized that the cost of IVF procedures can be out of reach for many families, so they decided to help lift that burden by providing grants. (Kendall, 5/25)
ProPublica: In Arkansas, Emily Waldorf Nearly Died After Being Denied Miscarriage Care
On the morning of Sept. 16, 2024, Emily Waldorf’s preschooler found her curled on the bathroom floor. Waldorf had felt a strange pressure during a shower, like a balloon bulging into her vagina, and was now bleeding. “I can be your pillow, mommy,” her daughter said, nuzzling into her neck. Waldorf was 17 weeks pregnant. She and her husband, Justin, dropped their daughter off at her grandparents’ and rushed to Washington Regional Hospital in Fayetteville, Arkansas, where Waldorf worked as an acute care physical therapist. (Surana, 5/26)
More health news from across the U.S. —
WLRN Public Media: Florida Lawmakers Reach Deal To Restore Funding For HIV Medication Assistance Program
Florida lawmakers have reached a budget deal to fund the AIDS Drug Assistance Program, reversing the cuts made by the Florida Department of Health earlier this year. The new deal, struck Monday, restores eligibility to 400% of the federal poverty level ($62,600 per year), reverses the drug restrictions and provides $75 million to run the program. (Gillespie, 5/26)
AP: Supreme Court Rejects Meta's Bid To Avoid Vermont Teen-Harm Lawsuit
The Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected a push to avoid a lawsuit alleging that Facebook and Instagram harmed young users, a decision that comes as social media companies increasingly face legal scrutiny. Parent company Meta Platforms Inc. appealed after Vermont’s highest court allowed a suit filed by its attorney general in 2023 to move forward. The company is facing similar lawsuits from states across the country, accusing it of knowingly designing addictive features. (Whitehurst, 5/26)
The Baltimore Sun: Maryland Advocates Call For Mandatory Radon Testing Laws
As a nonsmoker with no family history of cancer, Anju Bhargava had no reason to think her occasional cough could be something serious. But then, about four years ago, she was diagnosed with lung cancer, and a subsequent test of her Ellicott City home found elevated levels of the radioactive gas radon, the leading cause of lung cancer in nonsmokers. (Marbella, 5/27)
The Washington Post: Human Composting Turns Bodies To Soil. Now It's An Option In Maryland.
From the outside, the grocery-store-size facility that sits off a highway a short drive from Baltimore looks like a Costco store. Inside is the equipment for one of the funeral industry’s fastest-growing trends: human composting. (Hedgpeth, 5/27)
MPR News: South Minneapolis Native American Clinic And Housing Set To Open In September
The Native American Community Clinic announced this week that its south Minneapolis health clinic and affordable housing project is expected to open in September. And those interested in applying for one of its units are able to apply today. (Medina, 5/26)
St. Louis Post-Dispatch: St. Louis Police Look To Launch Drone Unit To Respond To Emergencies
St. Louis police aim to launch a fleet of remote-controlled drones to respond to emergencies before officers can arrive on scene. The department said Tuesday that drones would be stationed at docking stations throughout the city "based on crime trends, 911 call volume, response patterns and operational needs." (Nelson, 5/26)
KFF Health News: KFF Health News’ ‘Letters To The Editor’: Readers Address Drugged Driving, Suicide Prevention, Worker Shortages
KFF Health News gives readers a chance to comment on a recent batch of stories. (5/27)
