Management

Pharmacies Can’t Deny Prescription Birth Control or Emergency Contraception, Biden Administration Says

Refusing patients prescription medications because of their potential pregnancy status could violate federal anti-discrimination law, per new federal guidance.

Tech

Bad Data and Old Tech Hamper CDC's Ability Track COVID Exposures on Flights

Because of its clunky, outdated data system, the CDC can't quickly identify how many people were exposed to a sick person on a plane, a recent GAO report states.

Management

The Federal Prisons Agency is Reviewing its Reproductive Care Options for Inmates

Prisons and jails “present unique barriers to abortion access," says the Urban Institute, a think tank.

Management

Vaccine and Testing Delays for Monkeypox Echo Failures in Early COVID Response

Public health officials say monkeypox is not as dangerous as covid and can be handled well with current treatments and if those at risk use caution. But the rollout of vaccines has been slow and led to angst among some at-risk people.

Management

Coronavirus Roundup: OMB Director Tests Positive for COVID-19

There’s a lot to keep track of. Here’s a list of this week’s news updates and stories you may have missed.

Management

How Pfizer Won the Pandemic, Reaping Outsize Profit and Influence

The drugmaker has the best-selling vaccine to prevent covid and the most effective drug to treat it. Its success has overshadowed the government’s covid-fighting strategy.

Workforce

What You Need to Know About Monkeypox

For now, monkeypox poses a low risk to the U.S. public, but it could become a problem if the spread is left unchecked. Here’s what everyone should know about it.

Oversight

Government Watchdogs Attack Medicare Advantage for Denying Care and Overcharging

The Government Accountability Office and the Health and Human Services inspector general’s office say seniors enrolled in the program are suffering and taxpayers are getting bilked for billions of dollars a year.

Management

The Latest on the Formula Shortage and What the Government is Doing About It

Republican lawmakers are demanding a briefing and internal communications from the White House on the shortage.

Management

Here’s How the Federal Government is Responding to the Baby Formula Shortage

The Michigan facility at the center of the crisis had to temporarily cease production again, but the FDA commissioner reassured consumers that “we’ll have more than enough product to meet current demand.” 

Management

Coronavirus Roundup: The Federal Government Plans for Young Kids’ Vaccines Amid Funding Crunch

There’s a lot to keep track of. Here’s a list of this week’s news updates and stories you may have missed.

Management

GovExec Daily: A Conversation With Public Health AmeriCorps' New Director

Courtney Bublé interviews AJ Pearlman about her new role and the partnership between CDC and Americorps.

Management

CDC and AmeriCorps Team Up to Bolster the Public Health Workforce

“We saw throughout the COVID pandemic that there was a real need to support local communities, not only in responding to COVID, but also in their broader public health needs,” the new director says.

Tech

How Long Does COVID-19 Vaccine Protection Last?

COVID vaccines provide protection, but immunity wanes over time. Researchers found a drop from 83% after the first month to 22% after five or more months.

Management

The Federal Response to Monkeypox: Empathy, Equity, Science and Transparency

Mitigating the virus comes down to “testing, tracing and timely vaccines and treatments,” a senior health official says.