Sophisticated gentleman alert

What lies ahead for health care in 2026 by @berkeleyjr.bsky.social @nbcnews.com

“I don’t think I ever remember seeing it this severe, this soon." "Our emergency department is full of kids coming in with the flu.” by @erikaedwards.bsky.social @nbcnews.com

he’s malfunctioning

RFK Jr and the Trump admin are moving to prohibit hospitals from providing puberty blockers, hormone therapy and surgeries to transgender minors if they want to participate in Medicare and Medicaid. by @joyurcaba.bsky.social and @erikaedwards.bsky.social

An NBC News investigation found that whooping cough vaccination rates are plummeting across the country. It's part of a larger, troubling trend of growing vaccine hesitancy that is fueling a resurgence of preventable diseases. by @erikaedwards.bsky.social @joemurph.bsky.social @nbcnews.com

he’s very proud

FDA says it may relax warning label rule for dietary supplements by @berkeleyjr.bsky.social

CDC study says Covid shots continue to protect healthy kids from severe illness

ACIP just voted to rescind the recommendation to give all newborns the hepatitis B vaccine, overturning a decadeslong policy that cut acute hep B cases in kids by 99% by Aria Bendix and @erikaedwards.bsky.social @nbcnews.com

Years after the reign of Warren Jeffs, the Short Creek community on the Utah-Arizona border is focused on rebuilding. Missed vaccines were low on the list of priorities, until now. by @erikaedwards.bsky.social

hot take: lamps are getting too small

Millions of Americans are set to see their insurance premiums spike in 2026 if enhanced Obamacare subsidies aren't extended. As open enrollment approaches, many are starting to get letters informing them of just how much those increases will be. by @berkeleyjr.bsky.social @nbcnews.com

paper towels for he but not for me 😤

Scoop! — Polling showing that a majority of Trump’s voters support vaccines was shared with several GOP lawmakers’ staffers in a closed-door meeting Wednesday, per two people familiar. The poll results may explain the shift in tone from some GOP senators Thursday. www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...

Thursday’s hearing before the Senate Finance Committee is not only a key test for Kennedy, but for Sen. Bill Cassidy, the pivotal vote behind his confirmation.

Incredible work here from Pfizer

New: Key GOP senator Bill Cassidy promises "oversight" of RFK after CDC firing/exodus. But he isn't saying what that means. He's "reserving judgment" on RFK—won't say if he has confidence or regret voting to confirm. Other Rs aren't thrilled w/ the HHS secretary. www.nbcnews.com/politics/con...

At least four top officials have resigned in the wake of CDC director Monarez's firing @erikaedwards.bsky.social @berkeleyjr.bsky.social

“Everyone wants childhood vaccines to be as safe as possible, but reviving this panel now must be put in the context of recent HHS actions.”

NEW: The FDA warned about unapproved thyroid pills, then — after MAHA backlash— said it'll "ensure access" to them www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...

In January, Dr. Elisabeth Potter says she was midway through performing a breast reconstruction surgery when a call from a representative from UnitedHealthcare came into the operating room. The health insurance company wanted to talk about the patient on the table.

RFK Jr. cuts $500 million in mRNA vaccine contracts, dealing major blow to promising area of research @nbcnews.com

This is a really fascinating story by @kaitsulliva.bsky.social - How a type of HPV can cause skin cancer in people with weakened immune systems

The U.S. gets nearly half of its brand-name prescription drugs from Europe. by @berkeleyjr.bsky.social

What. Is. Happening!!!!

Some of the panelists invited by the FDA to discuss SSRIs and pregnancy claimed that antidepressants don't work at all and depression goes away on its own. One suggested that depression was not an illness, but rather a product of “women just naturally experiencing their emotions more intensely.”

Free shipping!

Some researchers suspect the trend has to do with obesity and diet. Others point to changes in the gut microbiome.

Nine-month-old Hal was exposed to measles at day care and can’t go back for almost a month. He's too young for the measles vaccine, which isn't recommended til 1yo. When his mom has to go back to work, his dad will need to take time off - unpaid - to stay home with him. by @erikaedwards.bsky.social

Affordability policies like Medicaid expansion had the biggest weight on access. www.nbcnews.com/health/women...

Really interesting story on lipedema. How a person looks is in no way an indicator of how much pain they have. by @erikaedwards.bsky.social @nbcnews.com

NEW - Rural hospitals say they’re being forced to consider tough choices — like cutting services for children or cancer patients — after Trump signed into law a sprawling domestic policy bill that includes sweeping cuts to not only Medicaid but the ACA, as well. www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...

not a big fan of thunder

Over the 10 months Arkansas’ work requirement was in place, more than 18,000 people in the state lost Medicaid coverage. Most were working or qualified for exemptions. by @berkeleyjr.bsky.social @nbcnews.com

here’s a cat looking befuddled

The Supreme Court on Friday rejected a challenge to an Affordable Care Act provision that set up a panel to recommend preventive care services that insurers must provide at no cost to patients. The ruling gives RFK Jr more power. www.nbcnews.com/politics/sup...

First dispatch from today's ACIP meeting:

HHS Sec. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. faces questioning about his overhaul of the CDC vaccine panel, saying he never agreed to keep it unchanged.

In one week, hundreds of international doctors are due to start their medical residencies in the U.S., but they're caught in visa limbo. Hospitals often count on these residents to address provider shortages, particularly in underserved areas.

NEW: Sen. Bill Cassidy criticized Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s picks for a key federal vaccine advisory committee and called for the group’s next meeting to be delayed until more members with relevant expertise can be appointed. @nbcnews.com

when the zoomies hit

Kennedy does the thing he said for years he wanted to www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...

“Ghost networks” are directories of health care providers that are largely unreachable, out of network or don’t accept new patients. One mother spent two weeks calling providers listed by her insurance, but found no viable options for her son.

The tool — which is still in beta testing — is buggy, doesn’t yet connect to the FDA’s internal systems and has issues when it comes to uploading documents or allowing users to submit questions. great reporting from @berkeleyjr.bsky.social

catnip 🌱🌱🌱

can confirm that silver is an excellent bodega cat

The FDA picked a new strain for the fall Covid shots, a move that will likely require clinical trials for kids and adults under 65 without medical conditions. @berkeleyjr.bsky.social

Earlier this week, the FDA said that new clinical trials would be needed to give updated Covid vaccines to healthy kids and adults. An FDA advisory panel today recommended keeping the next round of shots the same - so will new clinical trials still be needed? It is unclear! @berkeleyjr.bsky.social