May 18 How many Zika-infected infants will develop microcephaly and other FAQs By Nsikan Akpan An outbreak detective squad from the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention offers the latest insights on Zika virus. Continue reading
May 18 Watch 7:11 Veterans Affairs Dept. reformers find the fix is not in By PBS News Hour Two years ago, the Department of Veterans Affairs was rocked by scandal — reports of poor care and months-long wait periods in VA hospital that lled to the resignation of VA Secretary Eric Shinseki’s resignation and sweeping reforms. But recent… Continue watching
May 18 New York may drop sales tax on tampons and pads By Fred Mogul, WNYC Five states have eliminated sales taxes on pads and tampons: New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Maryland and Minnesota. In New York, a bill awaits the governor’s signature, and other efforts to improve access to sanitary products are underway. Continue reading
May 17 HIV rates soar among men who have sex with men in Southern states, D.C. By Helen Branswell, STAT Rates of HIV infection among men who have sex with men are highest in six Southern states and the District of Columbia, according to a new analysis, conducted by researchers at Emory University. Continue reading
May 17 Feds cap how much sensitive medical data employers can collect through wellness programs By Julie Appleby, Kaiser Health News Employer wellness programs can gather medical information from employees and spouses — so long as financial incentives or penalties don’t exceed 30 percent of the annual cost for an individual in the company’s group health plan, according to final rules issued… Continue reading
May 16 Watch 53:55 PBS NewsHour full episode May 16, 2016 By PBS News Hour Monday on the NewsHour, Donald Trump hits back at David Cameron as Democrats prepare for future primaries. Also: The Supreme Court punts on Obamacare’s contraception mandate, the schism within the Democratic party, Amy Walter and Tamara Keith talk politics, Bosnian… Continue watching
May 16 3 months later, Congress ready to act on Obama’s call to battle Zika By Andrew Taylor, Associated Press WASHINGTON — Congress is ready to act on President Barack Obama’s long-stalled request for emergency funds to combat the Zika virus, which has been linked to serious birth defects and other major health problems. Continue reading
May 16 Fix for VA health snarls veterans and doctors in new bureaucracy By Quil Lawrence, NPR News Veterans are still waiting to see a doctor even after Congress and the Veterans Affairs Department came up with a fix. Continue reading
May 16 Here’s a map that shows each state’s top cause of death By Tim Henderson, Stateline Although the top causes of death are similar for most states, many states have their own peculiar hard cases. Continue reading
May 16 Boston hospital records first penis transplant in U.S. By Eric Boodman, STAT In a 15-hour procedure earlier this month, a man received a penis transplant from a deceased donor at Massachusetts General Hospital. Continue reading