Suzan DelBene Commentary: RFK Jr.’s AI Pilot Program is a Trojan Horse for privatizing Medicare
Earlier this year, Joanne, a Medicare patient from Quilcene, Washington, went to her doctor for severe pain in her lower back, down her leg and on the top of her foot. An MRI showed that a herniated disc was pressing on her sciatic nerve. Joanne’s doctor prescribed an epidural steroid injection to help alleviate the […]
‘Drop the T’ movement gains steam as ex-GLAAD President calls for end to trans youth procedures
The former president of GLAAD has said the prominent LGBTQ advocacy group erred in supporting the medicalization of children who identify as trans, calling for an end to such treatments even if it means admitting the approach was misguided. Herndon Graddick, who led GLAAD from 2012 to 2013, made the comments in the third episode […]
2025 Federal Politics Recap: Trump’s Return Sparks Sweeping Changes
In 2025, President Donald J. Trump’s second term began with an unprecedented wave of executive action, signing 225 orders in a record-breaking push to reshape federal policy. Below are our highlights of our 2025 federal politics coverage. Trump signs order to reschedule marijuana for medical use On December 18, 2025, President Donald J. Trump signed […]
HHS activates Defend the Spend system, evidence now required for ACF childcare payments to combat fraud
WASHINGTON, D.C.—In a press statement released today, HHS Deputy Secretary Jim O’Neill, alongside Assistant Secretary Alex Adams who oversees the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), announced the immediate freeze of all federal child care payments to Minnesota and nationwide activation of the Defend the Spend system amid allegations of widespread fraud in child care […]
Washington secures $181 million in federal funds for rural health
BALTIMORE—Washington state has secured $181.3 million in federal funding for 2026 as part of a sweeping $50 billion initiative to bolster rural health care nationwide, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced Monday, December 29. The award marks the first installment for Washington under the Rural Health Transformation Program, which will distribute $10 billion […]
HHS declares Public Health Emergency in Washington amid historic flooding
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. declared a public health emergency for Washington state on Christmas Eve, aiming to ease health care access amid devastating storms, high winds, flooding, landslides and mudslides that have battered the region. The move follows President Donald J Trump’s approval of an emergency declaration earlier this […]
Hospitals performing gender-affirming care on children to lose Medicare and Medicaid funding
WASHINGTON, D.C.—The United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) today announced it will terminate Medicare and Medicaid to any hospital that performs sex-rejecting procedures on minors, taking action to remove gender dysphoria as a disability, and sending “warning letters” to breast binder manufacturers. HHS Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr announced a series of […]
MAGA-juana: Trump poised to reschedule Cannabis, igniting stock surge
WASHINGTON, D.C.—President Donald J Trump is preparing to issue an executive order as early as Monday directing federal agencies to reclassify marijuana from its current Schedule I status to Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act, according to multiple sources familiar with the discussions. The move, first reported by The Washington Post, would mark the […]
FDA takes steps to ease fears over hormone therapy for menopause
WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced on Monday, November 10, a series of measures aimed at updating guidance on hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for menopausal women, including the removal of longstanding “black box” warnings from certain products. “Today, we are standing up for […]
Conservative firebrand Charlie Kirk: A phoenix rising from the ashes
GLENDALE, Ariz.—In a profound act of grace that echoed through a sea of tens of thousands of mourners, Erika Kirk, widow of conservative firebrand Charlie Kirk, publicly forgave her husband’s assassin, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, during Sunday’s memorial service at State Farm Stadium. “I forgive him,” she said, invoking Jesus Christ’s words from the cross, “Father, […]
