Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
If Makary Is Out At FDA, 'Less Disruptive' Candidate May Replace Him
Axios: FDA Cliffhanger: Makary's Fate In Limbo
The Food and Drug Administration was supposed to be the dull and predictable part of President Trump's health bureaucracy. Instead, it's become the soap opera whose cliffhangers leave entire industries in suspense — most recently Friday's drama over reports that commissioner Marty Makary was about to be booted out. ... The Johns Hopkins physician and researcher appeared to have been spared late last week after multiple outlets reported that President Trump had authorized his firing. (Bettelheim, 5/11)
On veterans' healthcare —
Military.com: VA Expands Virtual Reality Therapy To Reach More Veterans
The Department of Veterans Affairs is significantly expanding its use of virtual reality as a therapeutic tool, partnering with Mynd Immersive to bring immersive experiences to 45 additional VA medical centers nationwide. The initiative reflects a broader institutional shift toward non-pharmacological care, particularly for chronic pain, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress. (Fuller, 5/10)
On the immigration crisis —
The Washington Post: She Fled Genital Mutilation In Togo. The U.S. Deported Her.
A judge ruled that the woman should not be deported there, so the Trump administration sent her to Ghana — which returned her to Togo. (Raji, 5/10)
On the federal reorganization and research cuts —
The Hill: Advocates Urge USAID To Release $19 Billion For Life-Saving Aid
The now-shuttered U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has told Congress it has $19 billion in funds to cover costs associated with closing out the programs it terminated last year, according to a notification sent late last month and obtained by The Hill. The notification acknowledges that the price of closing out the agency is likely to cost less than the multibillion-dollar number, but it’s unclear where the leftover funds will go. Humanitarian aid experts and Democrats are urging the administration to show some urgency in disbursing it for dire humanitarian needs. (Kelly, 5/10)
CIDRAP: NIH Grant Terminations Had Outsized Effect On Minority Researchers, Data Suggest
A new study suggests that the Trump administration’s wave of National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant terminations in 2025 disproportionately affected Black, Indigenous, and other minority researchers, as well as scientists from sexual and gender minority communities. The authors warn that the targeted disruption of these scientist’s careers may reshape the direction of US health research for years to come. (Bergeson, 5/8)
The New York Times: She Tried To Help Schools Build Healthier Playgrounds. Then Her E.P.A. Grant Was Canceled.
Kirsten Beyer was assessing the benefits of improving school playgrounds in Milwaukee. Then her E.P.A. grant was canceled. (Anthes, 5/8)
