Author: Nathaniel Weixel

Kindergarten vaccination exemptions at highest level ever

The percentage of kindergarteners whose parents opted them out of school-required vaccinations rose to the highest level yet during the 2022-2023 school year, according to new federal data released Thursday. The drop in coverage for routine vaccinations against diseases like measles, mumps, and rubella increase the chances of an outbreak, and underscore the continued fallout…

Haley on abortion: ‘We don’t need to divide America’

Former Gov. Nikki Haley called for civility in the abortion debate and refused to commit to any specific abortion ban, saying that she would only sign a bill that can get through Congress. “I would support anything that would pass. But you have to be honest with the American people,” Haley said during the third…

FDA approves blockbuster Eli Lilly drug for weight loss

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Eli Lilly’s blockbuster diabetes drug for weight loss management Wednesday, giving patients another tool and opening the door to potentially much wider use.  Formal FDA approval means tirzepatide could be covered by most insurance plans, making it more affordable for millions of patients and likely adding to the…

Millions more adults should be screened for lung cancer under new American Cancer Society guidelines

Nearly 5 million additional Americans should be screened for lung cancer, according to an updated guideline released Wednesday by the American Cancer Society (ACS). The update marks the first change to screening recommendations in a decade. The group now recommends annual screening with low-dose computed tomography for men and women between the ages of 50 and…

Social conservatives see promise in new House Speaker

Presented by Kidney Care Access Coalition — Social conservatives plan to press Johnson on bringing anti-abortion and anti-transgender policies up for a vote. {beacon} Health Care Health Care The Big Story Social conservatives see promise in new House Speaker The House GOP’s election of Rep. Mike Johnson (La.) as Speaker is likely to give an…

Biden administration looks to avoid vaccine hiccups as COVID-19 treatment coverage goes commercial

The Biden administration is looking to avoid hiccups in the rollout of new COVID-19 vaccines as it begins shifting coverage of coronavirus treatments to the private market. Private insurance companies will need to start covering treatments beginning Wednesday, but the federal government’s supply will remain available for providers to order and distribute from until it…