Selena Simmons-Duffin
@selenasd.com
📤 1258
📥 721
📝 25
Health policy correspondent for NPR in DC. // Signal: selena.02 Email:
[email protected]
reposted by
Selena Simmons-Duffin
Paul Angelone
3 days ago
“Success means converting a part-time editor to full-time, hiring a longtime freelance reporter, and hiring a third reporter, who we hope will be a laid-off Washington Post journalist.”
add a skeleton here at some point
1
11
3
Not a team captain coming out by kissing his boyfriend on live TV after winning the Stanley Cup?
add a skeleton here at some point
4 days ago
1
2
0
reposted by
Selena Simmons-Duffin
Martin Austermuhle
4 days ago
A quick đź§µ: @51st.news wants to keep growing, and we need your help!
51st.news/the-51st-is-...
The Post's gutting showed us we can't trust a billionaire to do the right thing. If we want local news to survive, we need to help *build and sustain it*.
loading . . .
The 51st is expanding
D.C. needs more local journalists. You can help us hire them.
https://51st.news/the-51st-is-expanding-you-can-help/
1
16
14
reposted by
Selena Simmons-Duffin
Christina Cauterucci
4 days ago
Almost 10 years ago, I bought a gun for a Slate reporting project that never panned out. I detested guns. I thought we should ban them all. I couldn't wait to get rid of it. This is the story of how my feelings changed.
slate.com/life/2026/02...
loading . . .
Conservatives Are Terrified That People Like Me Are Buying Guns Now. Maybe They Should Be.
We’re here. We’re queer. Increasingly, we’re armed.
https://slate.com/life/2026/02/gun-range-safety-gay-lesbian-lgbtq-trump.html
2
1
2
reposted by
Selena Simmons-Duffin
jamelle
5 days ago
once my son woke me up to ask what a three dimensional hexagon was called. yes, please. ask me about the gay instead.
add a skeleton here at some point
73
3554
357
reposted by
Selena Simmons-Duffin
Jesse Thorn
9 days ago
It is really hard to get people on record about this. Because it is scary for parents like us and for our kids to be public right now. NPR has been so scrupulous about putting the human beings affected out in front and representing them fairly, as they represent themselves. Hard, important work.
0
37
2
reposted by
Selena Simmons-Duffin
Jesse Thorn
9 days ago
So grateful for @NPR’s continuing responsible, in depth, contextually-rich reporting on trans kids. Makes me really proud to be partnered with them.
www.npr.org/2026/02/05/n...
loading . . .
Plastic surgeons say transgender youth should wait until age 19 for surgery
The American Society of Plastic Surgeons says transgender youth should wait until age 19 to have any surgeries. Surgery is already rarely performed for transgender young people.
https://www.npr.org/2026/02/05/nx-s1-5702353/plastic-surgeons-say-transgender-youth-should-wait-until-age-19-for-surgery
2
38
4
This is adorable
add a skeleton here at some point
9 days ago
0
1
0
I can't stop thinking about the devastation at the Washington Post. As a reader and a D.C. resident and a fellow journalist, it is shattering.
11 days ago
0
3
0
reposted by
Selena Simmons-Duffin
Ida Bae Wells
11 days ago
Our founders, though deeply flawed, understood that democracy requires an informed citizenry and a government accountable to it people. That’s why the press is the only profession protected by the Constitution. It’s also why autocrats and oligarchs seek to control and destroy it.
143
9921
3159
reposted by
Selena Simmons-Duffin
The 51st
11 days ago
We’re working on it! But growing the newsroom our city deserves takes time, and way more resources than we currently have. BUT every member helps get us closer to building a newsroom Bezos can’t destroy:
51st.news/signup
1
102
21
reposted by
Selena Simmons-Duffin
Emily Feng
11 days ago
Have a thought for my colleague
@joannakakissis.bsky.social
and others who are reporting from Ukraine, living by candles and without heat for weeks now
www.npr.org/2026/02/04/g...
loading . . .
Greetings from Kyiv, where candles are the last option during wartime blackouts
Far-Flung Postcards is a weekly series in which NPR's international team shares moments from their lives and work around the world.
https://www.npr.org/2026/02/04/g-s1-108433/ukraine-kyiv-blackout-russia-energy-attacks-power-outages
0
14
2
reposted by
Selena Simmons-Duffin
Cato Institute
12 days ago
The US immigrant population generated more in taxes than they received in benefits from all levels of government every year from 1994 to 2023. The Cato study provides the first-ever 30-year analysis of the fiscal effects of immigration on government budgets.
https://ow.ly/jy8a50Y8kM3
80
4390
2602
reposted by
Selena Simmons-Duffin
Aaron Rupar
13 days ago
Dr Oz on rural healthcare: "There's no question about it, whether you want it or not -- the best way to help some of these communities is gonna be AI-based avatars"
loading . . .
962
1394
1287
reposted by
Selena Simmons-Duffin
Washington Post Guild
12 days ago
Join us Thursday for a rally to
#SaveThePost
!! The rally will run from noon to 1 p.m. Thursday at 1301 K St. NW!! Bring friends! Bring gloves! Bring a love of journalism!
5
129
88
reposted by
Selena Simmons-Duffin
Cato Institute
13 days ago
US citizens accounted for 95% of federal welfare fraud losses from 2013 to 2024. Noncitizens commit benefits fraud, but they are not a major part of the problem. Learn more from Cato’s
David Bier
https://ow.ly/MsKQ50Y6uK1
1
25
19
reposted by
Selena Simmons-Duffin
NPR
16 days ago
Do you want exclusive Winter Olympics coverage from NPR? Sign up for “Rachel Goes to the Games,” a behind-the-scenes newsletter at what it’s like to be at — and cover — these Games, from the POV of an NPR reporter experiencing it all for the first time.
loading . . .
NPR: Rachel Goes to the Games
We're headed to the Winter Olympics, and we want to bring you along. Get an NPR reporter's personal peek behind the curtain delivered straight to your inbox daily through the closing ceremony.
https://n.pr/3M3qkuf
7
117
20
reposted by
Selena Simmons-Duffin
Shefali Luthra
16 days ago
Citing fear of ICE, pregnant immigrants in Minnesota are -skipping prenatal care -requesting home births, even when not medically advised -going w/o adequate food Many are experiencing complications providers say can be stress-onset: diabetes, high blood pressure, and even water breaking early
loading . . .
Fear of ICE is keeping pregnant immigrants in Minnesota from critical care
Health care providers in Minnesota said pregnant patients are having more complications linked to stress. But fear of immigration agents is keeping them from prenatal care.
https://19thnews.org/2026/01/ice-fears-pregnant-immigrants-minnesota-prenatal-care/
40
2124
1071
reposted by
Selena Simmons-Duffin
René F. Najera, MPH, DrPH, FCPP
23 days ago
"The survey, conducted Jan. 5-8… found that 79% of likely 2026 voters support keeping Florida’s current vaccine requirements for schoolchildren, compared with 17% who oppose them. Support was broad... including 71% of Republicans, 84% of voters with no party affiliation, and 78% of Hispanic voters."
loading . . .
New poll: Florida voters draw the line on school vaccine mandates
Voters overwhelmingly support keeping school vaccine requirements to protect children statewide.
https://floridapolitics.com/archives/775350-new-poll-florida-voters-draw-the-line-on-school-vaccine-mandates/
0
1
1
reposted by
Selena Simmons-Duffin
Minnesota Star Tribune
23 days ago
Tomorrow’s front page of the Minnesota Star Tribune: Jan. 23, 2026
395
14710
7555
reposted by
Selena Simmons-Duffin
Marisa Kabas
24 days ago
twilight zone
loading . . .
White House posts digitally altered image of woman arrested after ICE protest
Guardian analysis shows images are the same, with Nekima Levy Armstrong looking composed in original but sobbing after alteration
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jan/22/white-house-ice-protest-arrest-altered-image?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other
57
1958
618
Story by me: "For me to be able to see my doctor to tend to my autoimmune disease, I had to marry my best friend — it's like some weird twisted plot of Will and Grace."
www.npr.org/2026/01/12/n...
loading . . .
Marrying for health insurance? The ACA cost crisis forces some drastic choices
While Congress debates bringing back Affordable Care Act subsidies, many Americans have already made life-altering decisions to afford health care.
https://www.npr.org/2026/01/12/nx-s1-5672426/aca-congress-insurance-subsidies-costs
about 1 month ago
0
1
2
Not quite! A new filing shows hhs won’t enforce until April at the earliest.
add a skeleton here at some point
about 1 month ago
0
0
0
I don’t think you’ve tagged the correct author there…
add a skeleton here at some point
about 1 month ago
1
2
0
reposted by
Selena Simmons-Duffin
Emily Feng
about 2 months ago
www.npr.org/2025/12/22/g...
loading . . .
Here are some of the NPR stories that had a big impact in 2025
A sampling of the stories NPR staff believe made some of the deepest ripples this year — reminders of what rigorous, compassionate journalism can do, and why the work remains as urgent as ever.
https://www.npr.org/2025/12/22/g-s1-99098/impact-journalism?utm_source=npr_newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_content=20251223&utm_term=10520803&utm_campaign=politics&utm_id=61789090&orgid=305&uniquet=zuDoDyD23-rpD0ZKMvMYiA
1
5
1
reposted by
Selena Simmons-Duffin
Liam Scott
about 2 months ago
Read the full email Sharyn Alfonsi sent her team about CBS pulling their segment on the Trump admin’s deportations of Venezuelan migrants
add a skeleton here at some point
55
1564
558
reposted by
Selena Simmons-Duffin
Jesse Thorn
about 2 months ago
Selena Simmons-Duffin at NPR broke the news about the trans kids’ health care ban, and now she’s following up. Note that she actually talks to doctors and trans kids, not just politicians.
www.npr.org/sections/sho...
loading . . .
Trump's push to end transgender care for young people opposed by pediatricians
Doctors and children's hospitals say nothing in the evidence has changed to justify the Trump administration's efforts to ban gender-affirming care for teens and tweens.
https://www.npr.org/sections/shots-health-news/2025/12/19/nx-s1-5649891/transgender-pediatrician-trump-rfk-jr-ban
0
50
15
reposted by
Selena Simmons-Duffin
Jesse Thorn
about 2 months ago
NPR talked to and quoted a transgender teen whose treatment is threatened. Did your news organization?
www.npr.org/sections/sho...
loading . . .
RFK Jr. and Dr. Oz announce moves to ban gender-affirming care for young people
The Trump administration Thursday proposed two rules targeting hospitals that treat transgender children and youth using Medicare and Medicaid as the lever. The move would affect trans youth who have ...
https://www.npr.org/sections/shots-health-news/2025/12/18/nx-s1-5647789/transgender-gender-affirming-care-rfk-jr-dr-oz-trump
1
90
22
reposted by
Selena Simmons-Duffin
Ross W. Duffin
about 2 months ago
If you’re concerned about the new HHS rulings on trans care, my daughter
@selenasd.com
breaks it down on the PBS Newshour
www.pbs.org/newshour/sho...
loading . . .
Trump administration moves to restrict gender affirming care for minors nationwide
The Department of Health and Human Services unveiled a series of actions meant to effectively ban transition-related medical treatments nationwide for those under 18. Stephanie Sy discussed more with ...
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/trump-administration-moves-to-restrict-gender-affirming-care-for-minors-nationwide
0
11
4
Scoop by me: "During the federal shutdown, the current leadership of the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health changed Admiral Levine's photo to remove her current legal name and use a prior name.”
www.npr.org/sections/sho...
loading . . .
HHS changed the name of transgender health leader on her official portrait
Admiral Rachel Levine was the first transgender person to be confirmed by the Senate to serve in the federal government. Her official portrait at HHS headquarters has been altered.
https://www.npr.org/sections/shots-health-news/2025/12/05/nx-s1-5633282/transgender-rachel-levine-portrait-hhs
2 months ago
2
7
3
Pretty crazy to stumble on this
@nytimes.com
Editorial Board piece from 2015: "Being transgender today remains unreasonably and unnecessarily hard. But it is far from hopeless."
www.nytimes.com/2015/05/04/o...
loading . . .
Opinion | The Quest for Transgender Equality (Published 2015)
https://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/04/opinion/the-quest-for-transgender-equality.html
2 months ago
0
2
0
reposted by
Selena Simmons-Duffin
Charles Ornstein
3 months ago
GREAT JOB ALERT! ProPublica is hiring another senior editor for our Local Reporting Network. The editor will edit the work of 4-5 reporters from our partner newsrooms, collaborating on projects that spur change. 💰 Salary range: $150,000 to $195,000 ➡️ Apply:
propub.li/3JAIqme
5
513
220
reposted by
Selena Simmons-Duffin
Mark Joseph Stern
3 months ago
New: The Supreme Court DENIES Kim Davis' request to overturn Obergefell, the marriage equality decision. No noted dissents.
www.supremecourt.gov/orders/court...
240
8286
2354
reposted by
Selena Simmons-Duffin
Raven Baxter, Ph.D.
3 months ago
When science is understandable, we all win. I've started a national petition calling on all institutions of higher education, and their accreditors, to require science communication and public engagement training for all STEM degrees. Share and sign today, it only takes a few seconds:
bit.ly/3LbnfHB
loading . . .
6
216
84
reposted by
Selena Simmons-Duffin
Emily C. Hughes
3 months ago
pre-writing a devastating obituary for your enemy is god-tier hating of a kind you don’t often see anymore. renaissance haterism. beautiful stuff.
add a skeleton here at some point
13
14478
4446
reposted by
Selena Simmons-Duffin
Michele Kelemen
3 months ago
My colleague says his heart sank as he got a glimpse of the devastation in Gaza. Must listen:
www.npr.org/2025/11/05/n...
loading . . .
A journalist's journey to Gaza's front line
NPR gets a rare glimpse inside the Israeli-occupied zone of devastated Gaza.
https://www.npr.org/2025/11/05/nx-s1-5599170/a-journalists-journey-to-gazas-front-line
1
4
1
reposted by
Selena Simmons-Duffin
KFF Health News
3 months ago
After a whooping cough outbreak killed two babies, Louisiana health officials appear to have deviated from the typical playbook for public health, waiting two months to warn the public.
kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
loading . . .
Louisiana Took Months To Sound Alarm After Two Babies Died in Whooping Cough Outbreak - KFF Health News
Louisiana health officials appear to have deviated from the usual steps for public health communications amid a whooping cough outbreak after it killed two infants.
https://kffhealthnews.org/news/article/louisiana-whooping-cough-vaccines-outbreak-health-department/
5
78
65
reposted by
Selena Simmons-Duffin
Stephen Frum
4 months ago
Thank you
@selenasd.com
! Your coverage is so important!
add a skeleton here at some point
0
3
2
reposted by
Selena Simmons-Duffin
Kevin M. Kruse
4 months ago
I keep seeing people say, oh, trans people must take a hit for the greater good and, first of all, no, you don't get to discard someone else's rights and second, we know from past experience that marginalized communities like theirs are merely the first to be targeted. They'll come for you next.
add a skeleton here at some point
122
4667
1394
reposted by
Selena Simmons-Duffin
Jesse Thorn
4 months ago
Exclusive from
@npr.org
: the Department of Health and Human Services plans to introduce a rule in early November eliminating Medicare & Medicaid funding of any kind for any hospital that offers care for transgender youth. This would make care nearly impossible to access.
www.npr.org/sections/sho...
loading . . .
Trump pushes an end to medical care for transgender youth nationally
The White House plans to bar hospitals that treat transgender children and youth from getting any Medicare and Medicaid payments. The move would affect trans youth who have private insurance, too.
https://www.npr.org/sections/shots-health-news/2025/10/30/nx-s1-5588655/transgender-trump-medicare-medicaid-gender-affirming-care
1
19
8
reposted by
Selena Simmons-Duffin
Liz Szabo
4 months ago
Trump’s proposed national ban on gender-affirming care for trans youths “could open the door for any White House to withhold all federal funding from hospitals over the provision of medical care that it disfavors.” Will abortion, birth control, vaccines, Tylenol be next?
www.npr.org/sections/sho...
loading . . .
Trump pushes an end to medical care for transgender youth nationally
The White House plans to bar hospitals that treat transgender children and youth from getting any Medicare and Medicaid payments. The move would affect trans youth who have private insurance, too.
https://www.npr.org/sections/shots-health-news/2025/10/30/nx-s1-5588655/transgender-trump-medicare-medicaid-gender-affirming-care
1
5
5
reposted by
Selena Simmons-Duffin
Steven Glaros, M.A.
4 months ago
Reporters (one of whom is my daughter) were ousted from covering immigration court hearings. Trump regime using shutdown to impinge on free press and coverage of their actions.
@hcrichardson.bsky.social
cnsmaryland.org/2025/10/28/l...
loading . . .
Local immigration court ousts reporters from hearings
HYATTSVILLE, Md. – Federal officials ordered two reporters out of immigration court on Tuesday and barred them from observing future proceedings until they get permission from the Trump administration...
https://cnsmaryland.org/2025/10/28/local-immigration-court-ousts-reporters-from-hearings/
8
535
269
reposted by
Selena Simmons-Duffin
Rosemary Westwood
4 months ago
New from me: After a whooping cough outbreak killed two infants, Louisiana health officials waited months to officially alert physicians or do public outreach.
www.npr.org/sections/sho...
loading . . .
Louisiana officials waited months to warn public of whooping cough outbreak
After a whooping cough outbreak killed two infants, Louisiana health officials waited months to officially alert physicians or do public outreach. That's not the typical public health response.
https://www.npr.org/sections/shots-health-news/2025/10/28/nx-s1-5576494/louisiana-whooping-cough-pertussis-infant-deaths
7
70
62
I’m reporting on the RIFs at HHS Office of Population Affairs. If you have info for me please get in touch on Signal @selena.02
4 months ago
0
1
0
reposted by
Selena Simmons-Duffin
Lena Sun
4 months ago
If 982 is the total number at HHS staff who were supposed to be fired, it seems the bulk of those laid off are at @CDCgov. HHS can you provide a breakdown by agency? 3/3
0
58
8
reposted by
Selena Simmons-Duffin
Yael Schacher
4 months ago
I’m going to post one here that just happened that is so upsetting.
1
21
12
reposted by
Selena Simmons-Duffin
Larry Levitt
4 months ago
This is a remarkable statistic: 18.7 million out of the 24.3 million Obamacare enrollees are in states won by President Trump in 2024.
www.kff.org/quick-take/m...
26
368
228
Thank you for your support!
add a skeleton here at some point
5 months ago
0
1
0
reposted by
Selena Simmons-Duffin
Kai Ryssdal
5 months ago
Wow
add a skeleton here at some point
27
479
58
reposted by
Selena Simmons-Duffin
An Arm and a Leg
5 months ago
Our senior producer
@emilypisacreta.bsky.social
spoke with
@selenasd.com
on
@npr.org
’s morning edition about the Obamacare rate hikes she’ll face if expanded ACA premium tax credits expire: Https://www.npr.org/2025/09/25/nx-s1-5552639/shutdown-nears-as-democrats-fight-to-extend-aca-tax-credits
loading . . .
Shutdown nears as Democrats fight to extend ACA tax credits
With a government shutdown looming, Democrats are pushing to extend key tax credits that keep ACA premiums low. Without them, millions face rate hikes or risk losing their coverage.
https://www.npr.org/2025/09/25/nx-s1-5552639/shutdown-nears-as-democrats-fight-to-extend-aca-tax-credits
1
2
1
Load more
feeds!
log in