Apr 13 Gender-affirming care ban in Nebraska advances to final vote after closed door promise By Margery A. Beck, Associated Press Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh, who has been among the most vocal in opposing the bill, sobbed on the mic. "I am sorry," she cried, addressing parents of transgender children. "I'm sorry there's nothing more I can do in my power. You… Continue reading
Apr 13 Watch 5:35 How abortion providers are navigating the swiftly-changing legal landscape By Geoff Bennett, Karina Cuevas The White House will ask the Supreme Court to intervene in the legal battle surrounding the abortion medication mifepristone. A federal appeals court ruled in favor of continuing access to the drug, but also limited its distribution through the mail… Continue watching
Apr 13 Black women face greater risk of death and trauma due to childbirth. This reporter explored why By Laura Santhanam, Nicole Ellis, Casey Kuhn In a yearlong investigation, Capital B national health reporter Margo Snipe examined how disinvestment in health care systems that served predominantly Black communities led to maternal health care deserts and worsened outcomes. Continue reading
Apr 13 Cases of HMPV spike in early spring. Here's what to know about this common virus By John V. Williams, The Conversation Similar to the patterns seen with COVID-19, flu and RSV, HMPV is making a comeback after years of being repressed by people wearing masks and social distancing. Continue reading
Apr 13 Court maintains abortion pill access but tightens restrictions By Paul J. Weber, Jessica Gresko, Associated Press The decision late Wednesday temporarily narrowed a ruling by a lower court judge in Texas that had completely blocked the Food and Drug Administration’s approval of the nation’s most commonly used method of abortion. Continue reading
Apr 12 Watch 6:50 White House asks appeals court to overturn ruling suspending abortion pill access By Amna Nawaz The recent dueling court rulings on the use of mifepristone ignited a new debate over women's health. The Biden administration has asked an appeals court to overturn the controversial Texas ruling to suspend the FDA's approval of the abortion pill. Continue watching
Apr 12 Watch 9:01 Rural healthcare access at risk as public health efforts become politicized By Dr. Alok Patel The pandemic highlighted the power of local health departments and brought backlash from people who said these authorities were overreaching. In the wake of the turmoil, many were overhauled, leaving an outsized impact on rural parts of the country. With… Continue watching
Apr 12 Exploring the health care challenges rural Americans face across 5 states By Nicole Ellis, William Brangham and Caleb Hellerman, Global Health Reporting Center From life expectancy to maternal mortality, Americans living in rural regions face some of the greatest health care challenges in the country. In a new series called Rural RX, PBS NewsHour correspondent William Brangham and producer Caleb Hellerman of the… Continue reading
Apr 12 Mix of vet tranquilizer, fentanyl 'emerging threat,' White House drug office says By Geoff Mulvihill, Associated Press The U.S. Office of National Drug Control Policy is designating the tranquilizer xylazine when mixed with fentanyl as an emerging threat. Continue reading
Apr 11 Watch 5:36 Abortion pill ruling opens door to more political pressure on medical regulators By Amna Nawaz, Dorothy Hastings The country is closely watching how the battle over abortion medication unfolds in federal courts. It follows a Texas judge’s decision to overturn FDA approval of the mifepristone. But there’s also growing concern over what that ruling could mean for… Continue watching