The FDA has approved the first over the counter (OTC) birth control pill Thursday; the US Chamber of Commerce has filed a motion for preliminary injunction on the Medicare Drug Price Negotiation program; individuals living in historically redlined areas are likely to have worse heart health.
FDA Approves First OTC Birth Control Pill
The FDA’s approval today of the first over-the-counter (OTC) birth control pill could greatly expand contraception access, reports The New York Times. The norgestrel tablets (Opill) would be the most effective nonprescription birth control available, and could be especially helpful for those who don’t have the resources to visit a doctor. It is expected to be available in the United States in stores and online early in 2024. The cost is still to be determined, but the manufacturer said it would have a consumer assistance program.
Motion Filed Against Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program
The US Chamber of Commerce filed a motion on Wednesday to prevent the application of the Medicare Drug Price Negotiation program, according to The Hill. This program was first established by the Inflation Reduction Act, which is currently facing several legal challenges. The Chamber filed a lawsuit confronting the constitutionality of the program in June, saying it violated the First, Fifth, and Eighth Amendments. This was just one of several suits filed by the drug industry, including PhRMA, Merck & Co, and Bristol Myers Squibb.
Worse Heart Health Linked to Redlined Areas
Even though redlining officially ended in the 1940s, its effects continue to harm marginalized communities today, suggests a new study published this week in JAMA Network Open, reports STAT. Among veterans living with cardiovascular disease, those who lived in historically redlined neighborhoods (with a “D” rating) had a 13% greater risk of dying from any cause and a 14% higher risk of facing a major adverse cardiovascular event vs those who lived in historically White, wealthy areas, said the study. This is the first substantial national survey to look at the association between redlining and comprehensive cardiovascular risk, presenting current evidence of how historical racism can affect generational health.
Congress Urged to Repeal Comstock Act Threatening Reproductive Rights and Public Health
May 16th 2024In a joint letter addressed to Congress, Healthcare Across Borders, Take Back the Court Action Fund, and UltraViolet Action called out the resurgence of the Comstock Act, urging immediate action to repeal this century-old law that threatens reproductive rights and public health in the US.
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Frameworks for Advancing Health Equity: Urban Health Outreach
May 9th 2024In the series debut episode of "Frameworks for Advancing Health Equity," Mary Sligh, CRNP, and Chelsea Chappars, of Allegheny Health Network, explain how the Urban Health Outreach program aims to improve health equity for individuals experiencing homelessness.
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Panel Addresses Minority Physician Shortage, Maternal Health at Senate Committee Hearing
May 15th 2024The senate hearing held by the US Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, led by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I, Vermont), chairman of the committee, and ranking member Sen. Bill Cassidy, MD, (R, Louisiana), addressed the critical issue of physician and health care worker shortages, as well as the maternal health crisis, in the US.
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House lawmakers are expected to advance a contracting ban today on 5 Chinese research firms; US government officials temporarily relaxed strict guidelines on how laboratories handle, store, and transport H5N1 bird flu samples; a recent report found that the number of abortions occurring in the US continued to grow despite bans.
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