Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Trump's Frequent Medical Exams Aren't Unusual For An Elderly Person, Former White House Doc Says
PBS NewsHour: Trump's 4th Medical Checkup Renews Public Scrutiny Of His Health
President Trump’s health is under renewed scrutiny as frequent screenings appear at odds with proclamations of exceptional well-being. This morning, the commander-in-chief had the fourth publicly announced exam of his second administration. White House correspondent Liz Landers reports on what we know – and don’t know – about the health of the president. (Landers and Midura, 5/26)
On PTSD treatments —
Military.com: VA Launches MDMA Clinical Trial To Measure Effects On PTSD, Mental Health
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) on Tuesday announced a new clinical trial of methylenedioxymethamphetamine-assisted therapy, more commonly known as MDMA, to evaluate the safety and efficacy when treating current and former military personnel for severe mental health disorders including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and alcohol use disorder. The latest announcement comes on the heels of a strong federal government-wide push across multiple branches to study and, ultimately, lawfully recognize different modalities like MDMA, psilocybin, LSD and ibogaine. Legislation has been crafted on bipartisan levels in both the U.S. House and Senate to accelerate the pace for which the VA, Food & Drug Administration (FDA) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) can collectively give the green light for more widespread use in controlled settings. (Mordowanec, 5/26)
MedPage Today: FDA Approves Neuromodulation Device To Treat PTSD Symptoms
The FDA granted de novo approval for a neuromodulation device to treat symptoms associated with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), maker Neurovalens announced Tuesday. The wearable, non-invasive device -- dubbed Modius Spero -- uses electrical vestibular system stimulation to target specific brain areas. It is prescribed and overseen by a healthcare professional as part of a comprehensive PTSD care plan. (Monaco, 5/26)
More news about the Trump administration —
NBC News: Trump Administration Floats Requiring All Federal Workers To Sign NDAs
The Trump administration is proposing a rule to require federal workers to sign nondisclosure agreements, according to a draft notice the Office of Personnel Management posted Tuesday. “OPM believes that a governmentwide NDA form will promote consistency across Government, better protect confidential information, and better inform Federal employees of their rights and obligations regarding confidential information,” says the notice, which was posted to the Federal Register. (Gregorian and Dean, 5/26)
KFF Health News: Montana Hurries To Adopt Trump’s Medicaid Work Rules Amid Budget Woes
Montana plans to be one of the first states to enforce President Donald Trump’s work mandate for Medicaid enrollees, adding another challenge for state health officials trying to plug a massive budget hole. Clinicians and patient advocates say the incoming changes will deliver a twofold blow: They expect the work requirements to kick more patients off Medicaid, meaning fewer can afford care, while the health department’s budget problems make it harder for doctors to serve those who keep the coverage. (Houghton, 5/27)
USA Today: RFK Jr. Wrangles Snakes Barehanded, Gets Bitten In Latest Animal Video
Add snakes to the list of creatures Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has wrangled. Kennedy, in a now-viral video he posted May 26 on X, is seen grabbing and picking up two of the creatures at the home of Dr. Mehmet Oz, the administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. (Walrath-Holdridge, 5/26)
Also —
Bloomberg: Why The US Is Importing Record Amounts Of Honey
Honey is hot these days, with Americans consuming more of it per capita than ever, even as wider sweetener use plateaus. Demand is being fueled by a combination of trends, including a move by consumers away from processed sweeteners such as high-fructose corn syrup and toward so-called clean eating. Even though honey still spikes blood sugar like any other sweetener, it benefits from a vague health halo — It has antioxidants! It might help with your allergies! Bees make it! — that’s driving both restaurants and home chefs to increasingly swap it in. (Peng, 5/26)
