sara g miller

Federal panel behind cancer screening recommendations hasn’t met in nearly a year The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force's meetings have stalled as Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has reshaped other federal advisory committees.

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, which crafts evidence-based recommendations for cancer screenings and other preventive care hasn't met for almost a year under RFK Jr.

by @berkeleyjr.bsky.social @nbcnews.com

NIH Director Jay Bhattacharya will take over leadership of CDC temporarily The transition is the latest in a monthslong series of leadership shake-ups across federal health agencies.

Bhattacharya confirmed to @nbcnews.com that he's taking on the role of acting CDC director, in addition to running the NIH.

FDA defends its decision to not review Moderna’s mRNA flu shot The agency said it denied Moderna’s application because it refused to follow “very clear” guidance. The drugmakers says the FDA approved the design of its clinical trial.

The FDA issued an unusual defense of its decision to not review Moderna's mRNA flu shot.
by @berkeleyjr.bsky.social @nbcnews.com

Trump to launch discount drug platform Thursday evening: What to know The platform called TrumpRx will not sell drugs directly, but is expected to point buyers to drugmakers' own direct-to-consumer sites.

💊TrumpRx goes live this evening: What to know

www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...

South Carolina measles outbreak reaches 789 cases, surpassing Texas The ongoing outbreak has spread to at least 3 other states, sending hundreds of people into quarantine.

Measles in South Carolina has spread to almost 800 people, surpassing the 2025 West Texas outbreak that sickened hundreds and killed two young girls.

Cat sitting on a piano bench looking fancy

Sophisticated gentleman alert

Health care will get more expensive for some in 2026 — and cheaper for others People covered by Obamacare and Medicaid may see health care costs rise, but for people on Medicare, Biden-era negotiated drug prices are set to go into effect.

What lies ahead for health care in 2026
by @berkeleyjr.bsky.social @nbcnews.com

'So much flu': What to know as flu season ramps up early this year Doctors say that so far, kids are hit hardest with the flu. The flu shot is helping to keep them out of the hospital.

“I don’t think I ever remember seeing it this severe, this soon."
"Our emergency department is full of kids coming in with the flu.”

by @erikaedwards.bsky.social @nbcnews.com

he’s malfunctioning

HHS moves to slash funding and access to care for transgender minors The proposals announced Thursday would bar hospitals that receive federal funding from providing transition-related care to minors.

RFK Jr and the Trump admin are moving to prohibit hospitals from providing puberty blockers, hormone therapy and surgeries to transgender minors if they want to participate in Medicare and Medicaid.

by @joyurcaba.bsky.social and @erikaedwards.bsky.social

Whooping cough cases soar as vaccination rates drop In an NBC News data investigation of 31 states, about 70% of counties and jurisdictions fell below the target vaccination rate needed for community protection.

An NBC News investigation found that whooping cough vaccination rates are plummeting across the country. It's part of a larger, troubling trend of growing vaccine hesitancy that is fueling a resurgence of preventable diseases.

by @erikaedwards.bsky.social @joemurph.bsky.social @nbcnews.com

cat sitting next to cat backpack carrier, showing off slightly

he’s very proud

FDA says it may relax warning label rule for dietary supplements Supplements aren’t reviewed for safety and effectiveness, but disclaimers about health benefits are required on products.

FDA says it may relax warning label rule for dietary supplements

by @berkeleyjr.bsky.social

CDC study says Covid shots continue to protect healthy kids from severe illness Researchers found that Covid vaccines reduced the risk of emergency room and urgent care visits by 56% to 76%. It comes as some federal health officials have sowed doubt in the shots.

CDC study says Covid shots continue to protect healthy kids from severe illness

CDC advisory panel expected to vote on hepatitis B vaccine for newborns The vote was delayed on Thursday because of disagreements and confusion over the voting language.

ACIP just voted to rescind the recommendation to give all newborns the hepatitis B vaccine, overturning a decadeslong policy that cut acute hep B cases in kids by 99%

by Aria Bendix and @erikaedwards.bsky.social @nbcnews.com

This tight-knit community was recovering from a cultlike leader. Then measles got in. Years after the reign of Warren Jeffs, the Short Creek community on the Utah-Arizona border is focused on rebuilding. Missed vaccines were low on the list of priorities, until now.

Years after the reign of Warren Jeffs, the Short Creek community on the Utah-Arizona border is focused on rebuilding. Missed vaccines were low on the list of priorities, until now.

by @erikaedwards.bsky.social

hot take: lamps are getting too small

Without Obamacare subsidies, this couple’s insurance premiums are set to go up almost $2,000 The subsidies are a key sticking point in the government shutdown: Democrats in Congress say that in order to secure their votes to reopen the government, they must be extended.

Millions of Americans are set to see their insurance premiums spike in 2026 if enhanced Obamacare subsidies aren't extended. As open enrollment approaches, many are starting to get letters informing them of just how much those increases will be.
by @berkeleyjr.bsky.social @nbcnews.com

paper towels for he but not for me 😤

Ahead of Kennedy hearing, GOP saw poll showing Trump voters support vaccines The poll, conducted by veteran Republican pollsters, found that a majority of Trump voters believe vaccines save lives and support immunizations against measles and hepatitis B.

Scoop! — Polling showing that a majority of Trump’s voters support vaccines was shared with several GOP lawmakers’ staffers in a closed-door meeting Wednesday, per two people familiar.

The poll results may explain the shift in tone from some GOP senators Thursday.

www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...

Senators prepare to grill RFK Jr. amid turmoil at the CDC and vaccine changes Kennedy will face questioning from Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., who played a key role in his confirmation but has recently criticized the secretary's decisions.

Thursday’s hearing before the Senate Finance Committee is not only a key test for Kennedy, but for Sen. Bill Cassidy, the pivotal vote behind his confirmation.

A Pfizer statement reads: The success of Operation Warp Speed (OWS) and U.S. development of mRNA vaccines is a profound public health achievement. Under President Trump's leadership, American innovation led the world, helping prevent economic collapse and saving more than 14 million lives globally. Operation Warp Speed restored consumer confidence, saved over $1 trillion in health care costs due to reductions in serious illness and avoidance of hospitalizations, and rapidly scaled up domestic production. This American leadership also delivered a new platform that may drive significant innovation in cancer research. Such an accomplishment would typically be worthy of the Nobel Peace Prize, given its significant impact.

Incredible work here from Pfizer

Key GOP senator declines to elaborate on planned 'oversight' of RFK Jr. after CDC exodus Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., said he is "reserving judgment" while other Republicans expressed skepticism of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s job as HHS secretary following a recent CDC shake-up.

New: Key GOP senator Bill Cassidy promises "oversight" of RFK after CDC firing/exodus.

But he isn't saying what that means.

He's "reserving judgment" on RFK—won't say if he has confidence or regret voting to confirm.

Other Rs aren't thrilled w/ the HHS secretary.

www.nbcnews.com/politics/con...

CDC director Susan Monarez fired by Trump administration after refusing to resign, citing 'reckless directives' Monarez’s lawyers said she “refused to rubber-stamp unscientific, reckless directives.” The White House responded she was “not aligned with the President’s agenda.”

UPDATE: The White House finally weighed in - Monarez has officially been fired.

Lawyers for CDC Director Susan Monarez say 'she will not resign' A statement from HHS announcing that she was no longer the director of agency led to a flood of resignations from top officials.

UPDATE: Lawyers for Monarez say she has not resigned nor received notification that she'd been fired. "As a person of integrity and devoted to science, she will not resign,” they said.

CDC director pushed out, flood of top resignations follow The ouster comes at a tumultuous time for the embattled health agency. Other top officials also submitted their resignations Wednesday.

At least four top officials have resigned in the wake of CDC director Monarez's firing
@erikaedwards.bsky.social @berkeleyjr.bsky.social

HHS revives task force on childhood vaccine safety A lawsuit claims Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. violated a 1986 law by failing to set up a task force to make childhood vaccines safer.

“Everyone wants childhood vaccines to be as safe as possible, but reviving this panel now must be put in the context of recent HHS actions.”

FDA warns about unapproved thyroid pills — then says it'll "ensure access" to them The apparent reversal illustrates the power of the “Make America Healthy Again” movement, particularly with its focus on “natural” drugs.

NEW: The FDA warned about unapproved thyroid pills, then — after MAHA backlash— said it'll "ensure access" to them

www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...

Texas surgeon says UnitedHealthcare dispute may force her into bankruptcy Dr. Elisabeth Potter says she may be forced into bankruptcy if her clinic isn’t accepted by the insurance giant.

In January, Dr. Elisabeth Potter says she was midway through performing a breast reconstruction surgery when a call from a representative from UnitedHealthcare came into the operating room.

The health insurance company wanted to talk about the patient on the table.