Deeply saddened for my friends and former colleagues at the WSJ health and science team who I hear were laid off today. During a government shut down over….health

on this week's #WTHealth: shutdown fallout, vaccine changes, a new generic abortion pill and more; with @alicemiranda.bsky.social, @sarahkarlin-smith.bsky.social and CNN's Tami Luhby. Plus Sarah Grusin of @nhelp.bsky.social on immigrants and federal health programs: kffhealthnews.org/news/podcast...

So about the efforts to restore trust….

Story from when we first broke RFK looking to bankrupt vaccine injury fund with autism addition kffhealthnews.org/news/article...

I think this is real

The new $50 billion rural health fund will be a significant injection of money for struggling health systems. But, it’s temporary and does not make up for the looming $137 billion in Medicaid cuts in rural areas.

Thank you #BobDylan for the Outlaw tour (I was even named after your Bard College gf) Your new Where’s Waldo approach of hiding in shadows behind a hoodie created an audience disconnect. Tho your voice resonates. Still feel lucky to have heard him.

On a slightly personal note, I always post on #national suicide prevention day in honor of my Dad, James Peterson, a freedom rider who was shot at for his work who took his life when I was almost 4. Please know you are not alone. Call 988. People care and it is vital we break down stigmas. ❤️

As sources of vaccine info move away from CDC and fragment — to doctors, state health departments, professional societies — this is who the public trusts:

NEW analysis on the GOP megabill's core policy choice: each millionaire's tax cut is paid for by taking away health insurance from 4 people while reducing health care benefits from many others.

"Kennedy wants to see the Pfizer and Moderna messenger RNA-based covid-19 vaccines pulled from the market, according to two people familiar with the planning who asked not to be identified because they’re not authorized to speak to the press," @stephaniearmour.bsky.social reports.

Insider Sources say that RFK’s plan is to pull all COVID shots from US As COVID spikes again.

Happy National Dog Day from Maisie

NEW: After DOGE outed Mohammad Halimi on social media, Taliban intelligence agents blindfolded and took three of his family members to a remote prison. They were repeatedly beaten and questioned about Halimi and his recently publicized work for the United States.

Insurance companies bank on people giving up. HR might be able to help escalate your case. Health Care Helpline from @npr.org and KFF Health News has some tips. kffhealthnews.org/news/article...

When you try to do yoga and end up taking a nap.

Reupping this story kffhealthnews.org/news/article...

They are addictive

Calgary removed fluoride from its water supply in 2011, but residents voted to reverse course after worsening dental health among children www.nytimes.com/2025/06/30/w...

It’s been a ruff week. Maisie is here for you.

Maisie mood: Happy

Fired HHS employees allege in a new class-action lawsuit that DOGE terminations were based on “hopelessly error-ridden” personnel records with “systemic inaccuracies.”

BREAKING: The Trump admin is scrapping Biden admin guidance that hospitals in states with abortion bans can't turn away pregnant patients experiencing medical emergencies. The move comes amid court battles over the guidance in Idaho, Tennessee and Texas. www.cms.gov/newsroom/pre...

Maisie mood

The latest on MAHA in the Lone Star State. USDA posts tracker for SNAP restriction waivers. FDA Commissioner Marty Makary pushes back on Washington Post food safety story. foodfix.co/texas-legisl...

The House-passed reconciliation bill causes an estimated 1.4 million undocumented immigrants to lose health coverage. That’s not because the federal government pays for Medicaid for them. It’s because the bill penalizes states using their own money to cover immigrants.

Last week / this week

In light of today’s recommendation on COVID vaccines for pregnant women, this 2022 piece by @deldeib.bsky.social is newly relevant. COVID-Related Stillbirths Didn’t Have to Happen

ACOG is deeply disappointed by HHS’s move to drop COVID-19 vaccine recommendations in pregnancy. The science is clear: COVID-19 remains dangerous in pregnancy and vaccination protects both patients and newborns. The vaccine is safe and protects families. Read our full statement: buff.ly/OGue7sO

Kennedy, Makary, and Bhattacharya announced on X that they are pulling recommendations for Covid vaccines. They will no longer be part of the childhood vaccination schedule, and they're no longer recommended for pregnant people. There's a process for changing recs. It's not posting a video on X.