Morning Briefing for Tuesday, May 6, 2025
May 6, 2025
Morning Briefing
We’d like to speak with personnel from the Department of Health and Human Services or its component agencies about what’s happening within the federal health bureaucracy. Please message us on Signal at (415) 519-8778 or get in touch here.
FDA, EPA Are Tasked With Speeding Up US Pharma Manufacturing Process
May 6, 2025
Morning Briefing
President Donald Trump’s executive order limiting regulatory hurdles is intended to scale back the time it takes to get plants running. “We don’t want to be buying our pharmaceuticals from other countries because if we’re in a war, we’re in a problem, we want to be able to make our own,” he said.
Trump Blocks Some Gain-Of-Function Research Funding, Promotes Oversight
May 6, 2025
Morning Briefing
The latest executive order is aimed at preventing possible pandemics as scientists study viruses and other pathogens, the White House says. Separately, Harvard has been told it won’t receive any new research funding from the government.
Taking Unusual Stance, Justice Dept. Urges Dismissal Of Abortion Pill Case
May 6, 2025
Morning Briefing
The lawsuit, which aims to restrict access to mifepristone, was to be heard in the Texas courtroom of Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk, a Trump appointee who opposes abortion. One legal expert said President Donald Trump might be acting cautiously on abortion ahead of the midterm elections.
FDA’s Top Drug and Food Safety Inspector Retires Amid Steep Cuts
May 6, 2025
Morning Briefing
Michael Rogers, who announced his retirement Monday, has worked at the FDA for 34 years. Also on Monday, FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary announced various changes to the department. Also in the news: Labcorp, Function Health, Abbott Laboratories, and Johnson & Johnson.
Health Care Union Elects A New Leader
May 6, 2025
Morning Briefing
Yvonne Armstrong will replace George Gresham as president of 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East. Other health industry news is about telemarketers using an Obamacare loophole, the effects of a UnitedHealth cyberattack, and more.
Nearly 23% Of Patients On Long-Acting Painkillers Become Addicted To Opioids
May 6, 2025
Morning Briefing
The new numbers, released Monday, are far higher than those in drugmakers’ marketing materials, Bloomberg reports. Other public health news is on marijuana’s effect on fetal development, heart disease risk after the shingles vaccine, a popemobile-turned-mobile clinic, and more.
First Edition: Tuesday, May 6, 2025
May 6, 2025
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Despite Historic Indictment, Doctors Will Keep Mailing Abortion Pills Across State Lines
By Rosemary Westwood, WWNO
May 6, 2025
KFF Health News Original
When a New York physician was indicted for shipping abortion medications to a woman in Louisiana, it stoked fear across the network of doctors and medical clinics who engage in similar work. But some physicians vowed not to stop.
At Social Security, These Are the Days of the Living Dead
By Darius Tahir
May 6, 2025
KFF Health News Original
In recent weeks, Social Security has been plagued by problems related to technology, system errors, and even the marking of living people as dead.
HIV Testing and Outreach Falter as Trump Funding Cuts Sweep the South
By Amy Maxmen
May 6, 2025
KFF Health News Original
A disruption in federal funds has jeopardized HIV testing and outreach in Mississippi, and researchers warn of a resurgence of the epidemic in the South.
Scientist In Charge Of US Preparedness Backed Debunked Covid Drug
May 5, 2025
Morning Briefing
Steven J. Hatfill, who pushed hydroxychloroquine against all scientific evidence in the early days of the pandemic, has joined the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response and is now tasked with preparing the U.S. for disasters such as pandemics and biological and chemical attacks.
Major Supplier Of Medical Products Adding Surcharge To US Shipments
May 5, 2025
Morning Briefing
MilliporeSigma says the extra fees, which will take effect Monday, are a direct response to President Donald Trump’s tariffs. The company is owned by Merck KGaA, which is based in Germany.
Huge Health Fair In St. Louis Offering Free Care To Uninsured, Underinsured
May 5, 2025
Morning Briefing
From May 5-8, more than 1,800 health care professionals and volunteers will converge at America’s Center in downtown to provide free medical, dental, and vision care for up to 1,200 people per day. Other states making news are Colorado, California, Massachusetts, and Alabama.
Overconsuming Cinnamon Might Interfere With Drug Absorption
May 5, 2025
Morning Briefing
A study shows cinnamon can rapidly clear prescription drugs from the body, which could limit their effectiveness. However, it does not specify how much cinnamon is too much. More news explores stomach cancer diagnoses, celiac disease, and more.
A Dose Of Upbeat And Inspiring News
May 5, 2025
Morning Briefing
Today’s stories are on antivenom, prosthetics, autism, and more.
White House Requests 26% Cut To HHS’ Discretionary Budget
May 5, 2025
Morning Briefing
The massive cuts would apply to the 2026 fiscal year, which starts in October. As Stat reports, requests such as this are rarely passed by Congress without major changes.
Trump Eyes Drugmakers’ Medicaid Revenues As One Way To Fund Tax Cuts
May 5, 2025
Morning Briefing
Other Medicaid news is on the effort to push back against Medicaid cuts and a warning from one House Republican. Also: a plan to reopen Alcatraz; children’s rights as part of the deportation debate; and more.
