Apr 22 Cherokee Nation files lawsuit targeting CVS and other pharmacies in opioid crisis By Megan Thielking, STAT “These drug wholesalers and retailers have profited greatly by allowing the Cherokee Nation to become flooded with prescription opioids,” the lawsuit alleges. Continue reading
Apr 21 FDA: Codeine cough syrup should not be given to kids By Kate Sheridan, STAT The FDA issued its strongest level of drug warnings Thursday concerning opioid pain-reliever use in children. Continue reading
Apr 21 For doctors, a clamp down on visas could have an uneven effect in the U.S. By Michelle Andrews, Kaiser Health News Hospitals use the H-1B Visa program to recruit foreign doctors to fill crucial positions in underserved or rural areas of the country. A recent executive order signed by President Trump could limit the number of visas awarded annually. Continue reading
Apr 20 The Rover Pipeline leaked millions of gallons of drilling fluid into Ohio wetlands By Courtney Norris Energy Transfer Partners is coming under renewed scrutiny for two pipeline spills that released more than 2 million gallons of drilling fluid into Ohio wetlands earlier this month. Continue reading
Apr 20 Scientists say most marijuana strains act basically the same By Angus Chen, Scientific American Cannabis breeders have long been crossing plants to develop distinctive strains that purportedly do different things. But many scientists see the whole thing as a pipe dream. Continue reading
Apr 20 Under Trump, states may demand work for Medicaid By Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar, Associated Press In a break from past policy, the federal Health and Human Services department has notified governors it stands ready to permit new state programs encouraging work. Continue reading
Apr 19 Hospital inspections, kept secret, may soon become public By Charles Ornstein, ProPublica The federal government has proposed requiring that accreditors release reports on the problems they find during hospital inspections. Right now, the reports are secret. Continue reading
Apr 18 A new worry for smokers' families: 'thirdhand smoke' By Carmen Heredia Rodriguez, Kaiser Health News Smokers expose their families to increased levels of nicotine and chemical residue left behind from cigarettes known as "thirdhand smoke."… Continue reading
Apr 18 Veterans Affairs launches pilot program with CVS to reduce wait times for veteran care By Hope Yen, Associated Press Some ailing veterans can now use their federal health care benefits at CVS "MinuteClinics" to treat minor illnesses and injuries, under a pilot program announced Tuesday by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Continue reading
Apr 18 Meet Nate Butkus, the 6-year-old with a science podcast By Andrew Joseph, STAT On his podcast, six-year-old Nate Butkus has talked radiation with a US government scientist, evolution with a Harvard researcher, and, most recently, genome-editing with MIT’s Kevin Esvelt. Continue reading