February 2026 Health News
Date postedFebruary 21, 2026
Topics in this News Roundup
- Cancer
- Cardiology
- Care and Insurance Costs
- Children's Health
- Chronic Health Conditions
- Consumer and Patient Safety
- Criminalization of Medicine
- Disabled Populations and Health Care
- Environmental Health
- Eye Health
- Federal Autism Research
- Financial Concerns
- Flu and Respiratory Virus Season
- Food, Nutrition, and Food Safety
- Gastrointestinal Health
- Good News
- Government and Advocacy
- Health Care Systems
- Health Equity and Access to Care
- Health Technology
- Immunology and Allergies
- Infectious Diseases and Infections
- Insurance Coverage
- Measles Outbreak
- Medical Care
- Medical Testing and Imaging
- Medicare and Medicaid
- Medications and Prescribing
- Mental and Behavioral Health
- Neurology
- Public Health
- Public Safety
- Reproductive and Sexual Health
- Rural Populations and Health Care
- Social Safety Nets
- Substance Use and Treatment
- Vaccination
Cancer
- (New Hampshire) With hiring of Laura W. Salama, MD, Dartmouth Cancer Center now offers patients only breast medical oncologist in southern New Hampshire (Dartmouth Health, 2/20/26)
- Short-Term Surgical Outcomes at Rural Facilities Similar to Those in More Distant, Urban Facilities (HealthDay, 2/19/26)
- How to Outsmart Ovarian Cancer With One Surgery (Medscape, 2/12/26)
- Menstrual Blood a High-Sensitivity Screening Option for HPV (Medscape, 2/12/26)
- (New Hampshire) Dartmouth Cancer Center completes first combined robotic lung procedure (Dartmouth Health, 2/11/26)
- Q&A: Why Are More Americans Under 50 Years of Age Dying of Colorectal Cancer? (Medscape, 2/10/26)
- Cancer survival fell and deaths rose during first two years of COVID-19 (Managed Healthcare Executive, 2/6/26)
- Menstrual blood test could offer alternative to cervical screening for cancer (The Guardian, 2/6/26)
- NIH Grant Disruptions Slow Down Breast Cancer Research (KFF Health News, 2/3/26)
- High-Deductible Plans May Be Linked to Worse Cancer Survival (Medscape, 2/1/26)
Cardiology
- Risk of Cardiorespiratory Events Increases After Severe RSV Infection (Journal of the American Medical Association, 2/20/26)
- Heart Study Probes Diabetes Link, Sparks Debate (Medscape, 2/18/26)
- How hypertension during pregnancy impacts a woman's long-term cardiovascular health (Cardiovascular Business, 2/18/26)
- Cardiology Societies Urge Action on Environmental Risk Factors (Journal of the American Medical Association, 2/13/26)
- Oral Semaglutide Reduces Heart Failure Events in Type 2 Diabetes (American Journal of Managed Care, 2/13/26)
- Heart Device Rivals Transplant Survival in Young Patients With HF (Medscape, 2/12/26)
- How flu infections trigger heart damage (Managed Healthcare Executive, 2/12/26)
- (New Hampshire) New cardiac surgery program at Elliot expands access for local patients (NH Union Leader, 2/10/26)
- Secondary Cardiovascular Disease Prevention With Semaglutide at Cash Price Is Cost-Effective (HealthDay, 2/10/26)
- A New Clue to Why Heart Attacks Are Less Severe at Night (Journal of the American Medical Association, 2/6/26)
- Home Blood Pressure Monitoring Remains Low Despite Assistance (Journal of the American Medical Association, 2/6/26)
- Mechanisms Are Emerging for COVID-19 Vaccine−Associated Myocarditis (Journal of the American Medical Association, 2/6/26)
- Most statin side-effects not caused by the drugs, study finds (The Guardian, 2/5/26)
- Many Patients Struggle With At-Home Blood Pressure Monitoring (Medscape, 2/4/26)
- Heart failure patients who receive text messages less likely to return to hospital (Managed Healthcare Executive, 2/3/26)
Care and Insurance Costs
- State Lawmakers Seek Restraints on Wage Garnishment for Medical Debt (KFF Health News, 2/20/26)
- Trump Required Hospitals To Post Their Prices for Patients. Mostly It’s the Industry Using the Data. (KFF Health News, 2/17/26)
- Employer Premiums and Deductibles Consume Significant Portion of Income in 19 States (American Journal of Managed Care, 2/11/26)
- Free Prescription Drugs for Seniors Cut Catastrophic Spending by 62% in Poland (American Journal of Managed Care, 2/11/26)
- Senate Democrats Outline Drug Pricing Agenda to Cut Patient Costs (American Journal of Managed Care, 2/4/26)
- (New Hampshire) New Hampshire must get serious about health care costs (New Hampshire Bulletin, 2/3/26)
- Preliminary 2026 Open Enrollment Data Shows Rising Affordability Challenges for Mainers' Health Coverage (ME Department of Health and Human Services, 2/3/26)
Children's Health
- (New Hampshire) Dartmouth Health partners with North Country Hospital to provide neonatal care via telemedicine (Dartmouth Health, 2/19/26)
- Rural vs Urban: The Neonatal Care Divide in US Hospitals (Medscape, 2/19/26)
- Parents of Children With Medical Complexity Experience Challenges With At-Home Medical Devices (HealthDay, 2/18/26)
- Hospitalizations Up for Young Adults With Childhood-Onset Complex Chronic Conditions (HealthDay, 2/5/26)
- (New Hampshire) NH nurse practitioner launches mobile pediatric urgent-care service (NH Union Leader, 2/1/26)
Chronic Health Conditions
- (general)
- Parents of Children With Medical Complexity Experience Challenges With At-Home Medical Devices (HealthDay, 2/18/26)
- Global Health in Transition as Chronic Diseases Rise (Medscape, 2/17/26)
- Patients With Long-Term Conditions Prefer Remote Visits for Routine Care (American Journal of Managed Care, 2/10/26)
- Hospitalizations Up for Young Adults With Childhood-Onset Complex Chronic Conditions (HealthDay, 2/5/26)
- Anxiety and Depression
- Teens Reporting Academic Pressure Face Greater Depression Later in Life (HealthDay, 2/19/26)
- US Anxiety, Depression Rates Increasing for Certain Groups (Medscape, 2/19/26)
- Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
- Chlorine Dioxide, Raw Camel Milk: The FDA No Longer Warns Against These and Other Ineffective Autism Treatments (ProPublica, 2/18/26)
- Autism May Not Be a Male-Dominated Disorder (Medscape, 2/9/26)
- Male-to-Female Ratio for Autism Has Decreased Over Time (HealthDay, 2/6/26)
- Most Young Children With Probable Autism Not Referred (Medscape, 2/6/26)
- Celiac Disease
- Cognitive Decline and Disability
- Lifelong Cognitive Enrichment Tied to Lower Dementia Risk (Medscape, 2/19/26)
- Lead Exposure Linked to Incident Alzheimer Disease, All-Cause Dementia (HealthDay, 2/18/26)
- New study suggests shingles vaccine may reduce or delay dementia risk (Managed Healthcare Executive, 2/16/26)
- Finger-prick blood test could offer easier way to detect Alzheimer’s, researchers say (NH Union Leader, 2/2/26)
- Crohn's Disease
- Distinct Viral Signature in Blood May Signal Crohn’s Disease (Medscape, 2/20/26)
- Diabetes and Metabolic Syndrome
- Tirzepatide Use Linked to Lower Risk for Diabetic Retinopathy (HealthDay, 2/20/26)
- Heart Study Probes Diabetes Link, Sparks Debate (Medscape, 2/18/26)
- Oral Semaglutide Reduces Heart Failure Events in Type 2 Diabetes (American Journal of Managed Care, 2/13/26)
- Rural Accountable Care Organizations: Better Diabetes Care (Medscape, 2/13/26)
- Feasibility Study Shows High Wound Closure Rates in Chronic Diabetic Ulcers (American Journal of Managed Care, 2/5/26)
- Hepatitis
- (New Hampshire) House Eliminates Mandatory Hepatitis B Vaccinations for Children (InDepth NH, 2/12/26)
- (New Hampshire) Prevention Is Key: Protect Yourself from Hepatitis B (NH Public Health Association, 2/12/26)
- (New Hampshire) Vaccine skeptics renew efforts to rescind New Hampshire’s vaccine requirements in 2026 (New Hampshire Bulletin, 2/12/26)
- HIV/AIDS
- PrEP underprescribed in young women despite need (Managed Healthcare Executive, 2/5/26)
- After legal challenge, state proposes new rules for AIDS drug assistance program (Florida Phoenix, 2/3/26)
- Lipedema
- Lipedema Is Now Recognized as a Chronic Disease (Medscape, 2/20/26)
- Long COVID
- What does acute COVID-19 and long COVID look like on medical imaging? (Radiology Business, 2/13/26)
- Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
- Air Pollution Linked to Increased RA Risk in Older Adults (Medscape, 2/5/26)
- Schizophrenia
- Can Diet Cure Schizophrenia? RFK Jr. Said Yes — Experts Say No (HealthDay, 2/10/26)
Consumer and Patient Safety
- Reprocessed EP catheters recalled due to contamination risk (Cardiovascular Business, 2/10/26)
- FDA announces recall of Johnson & Johnson devices after multiple injuries, 1 death (Cardiovascular Business, 2/5/26)
- Information Updated for Abbott Libre 3 Glucose Sensor Recall (Medscape, 2/5/26)
- New recall includes nearly 23K bottles of triglycerides drug used to treat heart disease (Cardiovascular Business, 2/5/26)
Criminalization of Medicine
- Anti-Trans National Legal Risk Assessment Map: Feb 2026 (Erin In The Morning, 2/20/26)
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center to Cease Gender-Affirming Surgeries (Nashville Scene, 2/20/26)
- Abortion clinics are closing, even in states that have become key access points (CNN, 2/18/26)
- Abortion Clinics Are Shuttering Even in Major Access States (American Journal of Managed Care, 2/18/26)
- "You Outlaw It": Heritage Foundation President Announces Intent To Outlaw All Trans Adult Care (Erin In The Morning, 2/17/26)
- (New Hampshire) Democrats propose New Hampshire abortion and reproductive health shield law (New Hampshire Bulletin, 2/17/26)
- (New Hampshire) NH lawmakers consider shield law, repealing buffer zones and other abortion bills (NH Public Radio, 2/15/26)
- SMFM: Most Stringent Abortion Restrictions Tied to More Maternal Deaths (HealthDay, 2/13/26)
- Trump Administration Targets Major LGBTQ+ Health Care Centers In Latest Legal Attack (Erin In The Morning, 2/12/26)
- (New Hampshire) Bill would require anti-abortion centers be included in abortion referrals for pregnant mothers (NH Union Leader, 2/10/26)
- Court strikes down Arizona abortion restrictions (The Hill, 2/6/26)
- Planned Parenthood ends suit against Trump administration over serving Medicaid patients (New Hampshire Bulletin, 2/2/26)
- These states voted to protect abortion rights. Conservative lawmakers are not standing down (The Guardian, 2/2/26)
Disabled Populations and Health Care
- VFW says new federal rule could lower disability compensation for millions of veterans (The Hill, 2/19/26)
Environmental Health
- Rollback of EPA Mercury and Air Toxic Standards increases health risks putting all Americans at risk (American Public Health Association, 2/20/26)
- APHA and several organizations sue EPA over illegal repeal of climate protections (American Public Health Association, 2/18/26)
- Climate, health groups challenge EPA repeal of major greenhouse gas regulation (New Hampshire Bulletin, 2/18/26)
- Lead Exposure Linked to Incident Alzheimer Disease, All-Cause Dementia (HealthDay, 2/18/26)
- (New Hampshire) Fired from a federal job, this scientist is starting a community-supported research project in NH (NH Public Radio, 2/17/26)
- (New Hampshire) Farm use of PFAS-laden sludge raises health concerns. But, some ask, where else can it go? (New Hampshire Bulletin, 2/16/26)
- In farm bill, GOP takes another swing at pesticide protections loathed by MAHA (The Hill, 2/13/26)
- Trump Scuttles Key Climate Finding Used to Control Greenhouse Gases (HealthDay, 2/13/26)
- APHA and several health leaders say endangerment finding repeal disregards health harms (American Public Health Association, 2/12/26)
- MassDEP and DPH Joint Statement on the Trump Administration's Decision to Eliminate the Endangerment Finding (MA Department of Public Health, 2/12/26)
- APHA joins broad coalition of groups condemning illegal inaction of EPA (American Public Health Association, 2/11/26)
- Wildfire Smoke Fine Particulate Matter Has Long-Term Impact on Mortality (HealthDay, 2/11/26)
- EPA to repeal landmark finding that climate change endangers the public (The Hill, 2/10/26)
- NH lawmakers consider bill that can strip towns of control over landfill expansions (Concord Monitor, 2/7/26)
- Air Pollution Linked to Increased RA Risk in Older Adults (Medscape, 2/5/26)
- Lead Exposure Even Later in Childhood Affects Later Mental Health (Medscape, 2/4/26)
- Trump’s environmental rollbacks contradict RFK Jr’s healthy America promise, report finds (The Guardian, 2/4/26)
Eye Health
- Tirzepatide Use Linked to Lower Risk for Diabetic Retinopathy (HealthDay, 2/20/26)
- (New Hampshire) New Hampshire’s residents deserve access to timely eye care (New Hampshire Bulletin, 2/18/26)
Federal Autism Research
- Chlorine Dioxide, Raw Camel Milk: The FDA No Longer Warns Against These and Other Ineffective Autism Treatments (ProPublica, 2/18/26)
Financial Concerns
- Medical imaging industry group shares tariff concerns (Radiology Business, 2/10/26)
Flu and Respiratory Virus Season
- 52 Kids Have Died From Flu So Far This Season as Child Hospitalizations Rise (HealthDay, 2/2/26)
Food, Nutrition, and Food Safety
- Nearly 3.4 million pounds of recalled Trader Joe’s chicken fried rice products may contain glass (The Hill, 2/20/26)
- What Nutrition Experts Say About the New Dietary Guidelines for Americans (Journal of the American Medical Association, 2/20/26)
- BJ’s Wholesale Club Issues Salmon Recall Across Seven East Coast States (HealthDay, 2/19/26)
- What Nutrients Are GLP-1 Users Lacking? (Medscape, 2/19/26)
- Peanut Butter Sold in 40 States Recalled Over Possible Plastic Contamination (HealthDay, 2/18/26)
- FDA Expands Tater Tot Recall Tied to Possible Plastic Contamination (HealthDay, 2/17/26)
- FDA investigating outbreak of ‘extensively’ antibiotic resistant salmonella linked to supplement (HealthExec, 2/17/26)
- Baby food sold across the US recalled due to possible health risk (The Hill, 2/14/26)
- Chips Ahoy! Baked Bites Brookie Recalled Over Possible Choking Risk (HealthDay, 2/11/26)
- New Mexico Baby Dies From Listeria Linked to Raw Milk, Health Officials Warn (HealthDay, 2/5/26)
- Costco recalls beignets sold in 23 states due to undeclared allergen (The Hill, 2/3/26)
Gastrointestinal Health
- Distinct Viral Signature in Blood May Signal Crohn’s Disease (Medscape, 2/20/26)
- Nonceliac Gluten Sensitivity Common in Irritable Bowel Syndrome (Medscape, 2/20/26)
- Celiac Disease Linked to Poor Overall Health, Functional Limitations, and Care Gaps (Medscape, 2/3/26)
Good News
- (New Hampshire) More Than 500 BILH Physicians Named Top Doctors (Exeter Hospital, 2/18/26)
- (New Hampshire) Dartmouth Health employees recognized among top young professionals in New Hampshire (Dartmouth Health, 2/17/26)
- (New Hampshire) 291 Dartmouth Health Doctors Ranked Among New Hampshire’s Best For 2026 (Dartmouth Health, 2/16/26)
- (New Hampshire) CMC Gifts $250,000 to Support Children and Families at Mark Stebbins Community Center (Catholic Medical Center, 2/9/26)
- (New Hampshire) HCA Healthcare Foundation awards $25,000 to Gather to help build food security (Portsmouth Hospital, 2/9/26)
- (New Hampshire) Dartmouth Health members recognized for excellence by Press Ganey (Dartmouth Health, 2/5/26)
- (New Hampshire) Dartmouth Health adds 11 new providers from various disciplines across health system (Dartmouth Health, 2/3/26)
- (New Hampshire) LRH Surgeon First in the State to Adopt Innovative Orthopedic Surgical Solution (Littleton Regional Hospital, 2/3/26)
Government and Advocacy
- General
- (New Hampshire) In State of the State, Ayotte touts first-year policy wins, takes shots at other New England states (New Hampshire Bulletin, 2/5/26)
- (New Hampshire) State of State: Ayotte Aims To Make NH More Affordable, Healthier, Increase Nuclear Power (InDepth NH, 2/5/26)
- Trump administration directs rescission of $1.5B from blue states on health, transportation (The Hill, 2/5/26)
- Senate talks to revive ACA tax credits appear to be fizzling out (The Hill, 2/4/26)
- 8 wins for doctors, patients in latest federal budget deal (American Medical Association, 2/3/26)
- Trump signs $1.2T spending package that funds HHS, enacts PBM reforms, telehealth and hospital-at-home measures (Fierce Healthcare, 2/3/26)
- Trump signs funding bill, setting up immigration enforcement debate (New Hampshire Bulletin, 2/3/26)
- Care and Insurance Costs - View more Care and Insurance Costs articles >>
- State Lawmakers Seek Restraints on Wage Garnishment for Medical Debt (KFF Health News, 2/20/26)
- Senate Democrats Outline Drug Pricing Agenda to Cut Patient Costs (American Journal of Managed Care, 2/4/26)
- Disabled Populations and Health Care - View more Disabled Populations and Health Care articles >>
- Environmental Health - View more Environmental Health articles >>
- In farm bill, GOP takes another swing at pesticide protections loathed by MAHA (The Hill, 2/13/26)
- Trump Scuttles Key Climate Finding Used to Control Greenhouse Gases (HealthDay, 2/13/26)
- MassDEP and DPH Joint Statement on the Trump Administration's Decision to Eliminate the Endangerment Finding (MA Department of Public Health, 2/12/26)
- EPA to repeal landmark finding that climate change endangers the public (The Hill, 2/10/26)
- NH lawmakers consider bill that can strip towns of control over landfill expansions (Concord Monitor, 2/7/26)
- Trump’s environmental rollbacks contradict RFK Jr’s healthy America promise, report finds (The Guardian, 2/4/26)
- Health Care Systems - View more Health Care Systems articles >>
- (New Hampshire) Coos County Hospital Execs Would See Pay Frozen In Some Layoffs If Bill Passes (InDepth NH, 2/18/26)
- Behind Oregon’s first-in-nation law curbing corporate medicine (American Medical Association, 2/9/26)
- Health Equity and Access to Care - View more Health Equity and Access to Care articles >>
- Anti-Trans National Legal Risk Assessment Map: Feb 2026 (Erin In The Morning, 2/20/26)
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center to Cease Gender-Affirming Surgeries (Nashville Scene, 2/20/26)
- "You Outlaw It": Heritage Foundation President Announces Intent To Outlaw All Trans Adult Care (Erin In The Morning, 2/17/26)
- European Parliament Votes Overwhelmingly For "The Full Recognition Of Trans Women As Women" (Erin In The Morning, 2/13/26)
- Trump Administration Targets Major LGBTQ+ Health Care Centers In Latest Legal Attack (Erin In The Morning, 2/12/26)
- (New Hampshire) New Hampshire’s ‘bathroom bill’ vetoed for the third time (New Hampshire Bulletin, 2/9/26)
- (New Hampshire) Ayotte issues first veto, rejecting bill to segregate by biological sex (NH Union Leader, 2/6/26)
- With ICE Using Medicaid Data, Hospitals and States Are in a Bind Over Warning Immigrant Patients (KFF Health News, 2/6/26)
- California AG Bonta Files Groundbreaking Lawsuit Against Rady Children’s Hospital for Dropping Trans Youth GAC (Erin In The Morning, 2/4/26)
- California AG sues Rady Children's Health over halted gender-affirming care services (Fierce Healthcare, 2/4/26)
- Insurance Coverage - View more Insurance Coverage articles >>
- Trump Team’s Planned ACA Rule Offers Its Answer to Rising Premium Costs: Catastrophic Coverage (KFF Health News, 2/13/26)
- Medical Care - View more Medical Care articles >>
- Clinics Sour on CMS After Agency Scraps 10-Year Primary Care Program Only Months In (KFF Health News, 2/13/26)
- Medicare and Medicaid - View more Medicare and Medicaid articles >>
- (New Hampshire) Senate rejects Democratic effort to reverse New Hampshire’s Medicaid premium system (New Hampshire Bulletin, 2/20/26)
- (New Hampshire) Hospital Provider Taxes and Support for Medicaid Financing in New Hampshire (NH Fiscal Policy Institute, 2/16/26)
- (New Hampshire) Study: Federal Changes Put New Hampshire’s Fourth-Largest Tax Revenue Source at Risk Beginning in 2028 (NH Fiscal Policy Institute, 2/16/26)
- New Medicaid Work Rules Likely To Hit Middle-Aged Adults Hard (KFF Health News, 2/11/26)
- Medications and Prescribing - View more Medications and Prescribing articles >>
- FDA Will Require Only 1 Study to Approve New Drugs, Speeding Up Process (American Journal of Managed Care, 2/19/26)
- PBM Reforms in New Bill May Not Lower Drug Costs for Patients (American Journal of Managed Care, 2/17/26)
- Benefits of TrumpRx Prescription Drug Site Are Limited, Experts Say (Medscape, 2/13/26)
- The Clear Labels Act Would Change What You Know About Your Prescription Medication (ProPublica, 2/6/26)
- Trump to launch TrumpRx.gov, branding his push to lower prescription prices (NH Union Leader, 2/5/26)
- TrumpRx launches with 40 brand-name medications available, including popular weight-loss drugs (HealthExec, 2/5/26)
- After legal challenge, state proposes new rules for AIDS drug assistance program (Florida Phoenix, 2/3/26)
- Mental and Behavioral Health - View more Mental and Behavioral Health articles >>
- (New Hampshire) House kills ‘red flag law’ bill allowing removal of firearms during mental health crises (New Hampshire Bulletin, 2/12/26)
- Public Health - View more Public Health articles >>
- NIH Institute Told To Drop ‘Biodefense’ and 'Pandemic Preparedness' Language From Website (HealthDay, 2/18/26)
- Judge blocks planned Trump administration health cuts to Democratic states (The Hill, 2/13/26)
- States Sue to Block $600 Million Cut to Public Health Funds (HealthDay, 2/13/26)
- RFK Jr. pledged more transparency. Here’s what the public doesn’t know anymore (AP, 2/12/26)
- RFK Jr. promised to restore trust in US health agencies. A year later, it’s eroding (AP, 2/12/26)
- Opinion: Stay in your lane, doc (Concord Monitor, 2/11/26)
- Trump Pulls $600M in Public Health Funds From Four States (HealthDay, 2/11/26)
- ‘It is astonishing’: Congress rebuffs Trump push to slash $33B from health, human services (New Hampshire Bulletin, 2/6/26)
- Reproductive and Sexual Health - View more Reproductive and Sexual Health articles >>
- Abortion clinics are closing, even in states that have become key access points (CNN, 2/18/26)
- Abortion Clinics Are Shuttering Even in Major Access States (American Journal of Managed Care, 2/18/26)
- (New Hampshire) Democrats propose New Hampshire abortion and reproductive health shield law (New Hampshire Bulletin, 2/17/26)
- (New Hampshire) NH lawmakers consider shield law, repealing buffer zones and other abortion bills (NH Public Radio, 2/15/26)
- SMFM: Most Stringent Abortion Restrictions Tied to More Maternal Deaths (HealthDay, 2/13/26)
- (New Hampshire) Bill would require anti-abortion centers be included in abortion referrals for pregnant mothers (NH Union Leader, 2/10/26)
- Court strikes down Arizona abortion restrictions (The Hill, 2/6/26)
- Planned Parenthood ends suit against Trump administration over serving Medicaid patients (New Hampshire Bulletin, 2/2/26)
- These states voted to protect abortion rights. Conservative lawmakers are not standing down (The Guardian, 2/2/26)
- Social Safety Nets - View more Social Safety Nets articles >>
- RFK Jr. Expands Faith-Based Addiction Care as Drug Use and Homelessness Rise (HealthDay, 2/4/26)
- HHS plans to invest $100M to support addiction recovery and address homelessness (Fierce Healthcare, 2/2/26)
- Vaccination - View more Vaccination articles >>
- (New Hampshire) In a surprise move, House rejects ban on child vaccine mandates (NH Union Leader, 2/20/26)
- CDC vaccine advisory committee meeting canceled for next week (CNN, 2/19/26)
- CDC vaccine panel meeting postponed amid RFK Jr bid to reshape policy (The Guardian, 2/19/26)
- (New Hampshire) House Kills Bill To Repeal Vaccine Mandates (InDepth NH, 2/19/26)
- (New Hampshire) New Hampshire House votes down anti-vaccine bill (New Hampshire Bulletin, 2/19/26)
- FDA Reverses Course, Will Review Moderna’s mRNA Flu Vaccine (American Journal of Managed Care, 2/18/26)
- Exclusive-California Preparing Lawsuit over Trump Administration Vaccine Changes (Medscape, 2/17/26)
- FDA refuses to consider Moderna flu shot in move experts claim is part of ‘anti-vaccine agenda’ (The Guardian, 2/13/26)
- (New Hampshire) House Eliminates Mandatory Hepatitis B Vaccinations for Children (InDepth NH, 2/12/26)
- (New Hampshire) Vaccine skeptics renew efforts to rescind New Hampshire’s vaccine requirements in 2026 (New Hampshire Bulletin, 2/12/26)
- US participating in influenza vaccine meeting: WHO (The Hill, 2/11/26)
- FDA refuses to review Moderna’s mRNA flu vaccine application (Force of Infection, 2/10/26)
- (New Hampshire) Bill to end vaccine mandates pits personal choice against community health (NH Public Radio, 2/5/26)
- (New Hampshire) Bill proposing to end child vaccine mandates draws a crowd (NH Union Leader, 2/4/26)
- (New Hampshire) Vaccine Bills Address Immunization Requirements, Religious Exemptions (InDepth NH, 2/4/26)
- Florida Republicans advance bill to weaken vaccine protections for children (The Guardian, 2/1/26)
- US committee is reconsidering all vaccine recommendations (The Guardian, 2/1/26)
Health Care Systems
- (New Hampshire) ‘We need every bit’: Franklin health center secures congressional funds to expand facility (Concord Monitor, 2/19/26)
- (New Hampshire) Coos County Hospital Execs Would See Pay Frozen In Some Layoffs If Bill Passes (InDepth NH, 2/18/26)
- (New Hampshire) Freezing North Country hospital executives' pay after layoffs debated (NH Union Leader, 2/18/26)
- Behind Oregon’s first-in-nation law curbing corporate medicine (American Medical Association, 2/9/26)
- Hospitals experience 60% rise in bankruptcies, despite overall industry decline (HealthExec, 2/2/26)
Health Equity and Access to Care
- Anti-Trans National Legal Risk Assessment Map: Feb 2026 (Erin In The Morning, 2/20/26)
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center to Cease Gender-Affirming Surgeries (Nashville Scene, 2/20/26)
- "You Outlaw It": Heritage Foundation President Announces Intent To Outlaw All Trans Adult Care (Erin In The Morning, 2/17/26)
- (New Hampshire) ICE Detainee in Dover, NH Has Fighters in His Corner (InDepth NH, 2/16/26)
- European Parliament Votes Overwhelmingly For "The Full Recognition Of Trans Women As Women" (Erin In The Morning, 2/13/26)
- How to conduct health equity work amid politicization, threats (Fierce Healthcare, 2/13/26)
- US Patients Getting ICEd-Out of Health Care (Journal of the American Medical Association, 2/13/26)
- Video Interpreters Improve Care for Deaf Patients (Medscape, 2/13/26)
- Trump Administration Targets Major LGBTQ+ Health Care Centers In Latest Legal Attack (Erin In The Morning, 2/12/26)
- (New Hampshire) New Hampshire’s ‘bathroom bill’ vetoed for the third time (New Hampshire Bulletin, 2/9/26)
- American Medical Association Says Gender Surgeries for Minors Should Wait (HealthDay, 2/6/26)
- (New Hampshire) Ayotte issues first veto, rejecting bill to segregate by biological sex (NH Union Leader, 2/6/26)
- Lawyer says Vermont pastor, detained by ICE in NH, is being denied diabetes medication (NH Public Radio, 2/6/26)
- With ICE Using Medicaid Data, Hospitals and States Are in a Bind Over Warning Immigrant Patients (KFF Health News, 2/6/26)
- Plastic Surgeons Urge Waiting Until Age 19 for Gender Surgery (HealthDay, 2/5/26)
- The Cowardice Of American Medicine On Trans Youth Care (Erin In The Morning, 2/5/26)
- What stakeholders are saying about gender-transition interventions for minors (HealthExec, 2/5/26)
- California AG Bonta Files Groundbreaking Lawsuit Against Rady Children’s Hospital for Dropping Trans Youth GAC (Erin In The Morning, 2/4/26)
- California AG sues Rady Children's Health over halted gender-affirming care services (Fierce Healthcare, 2/4/26)
- Surgery society disavows ‘gender affirming’ interventions for young people (HealthExec, 2/3/26)
- Prior Authorization Ranked Top Barrier to Health Care Access After Cost (American Journal of Managed Care, 2/2/26)
- Public health crisis unfolding in Minneapolis as residents avoid healthcare (The Guardian, 2/2/26)
Health Technology
- ‘Very dangerous’: a Mind mental health expert on Google’s AI Overviews (The Guardian, 2/20/26)
- 3 legal concerns for providers using AI to refill prescriptions—or to do anything similar anytime soon (HealthExec, 2/17/26)
- Generative AI Health Platforms Under Regulatory Review (Medscape, 2/16/26)
- OIG audit of hospital’s cybersecurity finds vulnerabilities in common web applications (HealthExec, 2/4/26)
Immunology and Allergies
- Risk Factors Associated With Child Food Allergy Identified (HealthDay, 2/17/26)
- Higher Rates of EOE and Food Allergy Found Mostly in White Male Teens (Medscape, 2/4/26)
Infectious Diseases and Infections
- (New Hampshire) Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center wins $500K grant to increase care capabilities in event of serious infectious diseases (Dartmouth Health, 2/18/26)
- Pertussis Infection in Adults (Journal of the American Medical Association, 2/18/26)
- (New Hampshire) Prevention Is Key: Protect Yourself from Hepatitis B (NH Public Health Association, 2/12/26)
- TrumpRx, Super Bowl commercials, flu B is here, and more (Your Local Epidemiologist, 2/10/26)
- People's CDC, COVID-19, Weather Report, February 9, 2026 (People's CDC, 2/9/26)
- Outbreak Outlook - National - February 8 (Force of Infection, 2/8/26)
- Officials warn of tuberculosis outbreak at California high school (The Hill, 2/2/26)
- Outbreak Outlook - National - February 1 (Force of Infection, 2/1/26)
Insurance Coverage
- Trump Team’s Planned ACA Rule Offers Its Answer to Rising Premium Costs: Catastrophic Coverage (KFF Health News, 2/13/26)
Measles Outbreak
- South Carolina Hospitals Aren’t Required to Disclose Measles-Related Admissions. That Leaves Doctors in the Dark. (ProPublica, 2/20/26)
- Campus vaccine strategies put to test by rising measles cases (The Hill, 2/19/26)
- A Florida College Has Reported More Than 40 Measles Cases (HealthDay, 2/17/26)
- Maine CDC Announces Another Four Measles Cases; No New Exposure Locations Identified (ME Department of Health and Human Services, 2/17/26)
- Possible measles exposure reported at Philadelphia International Airport (The Hill, 2/16/26)
- Doctors Bear the Burden as ‘medical Freedom’ Fuels Worst US Measles Outbreak in 30 Years (Medscape, 2/13/26)
- Measles Cases Rise in North Carolina as Public Exposures Are Reported (HealthDay, 2/12/26)
- Vermont Department of Health Confirms Case of Measles (VT Department of Health, 2/12/26)
- March for Life attendees may have been exposed to measles, DC health officials say (The Hill, 2/9/26)
- Maine CDC Confirms Case of Measles in Maine (ME Department of Health and Human Services, 2/6/26)
- Measles Spreads to College Campuses as Cases Rise Across 17 States (HealthDay, 2/5/26)
- Two Measles Cases Found at Texas Immigrant Detention Center (HealthDay, 2/4/26)
- Measles case confirmed in Wisconsin (The Hill, 2/3/26)
- (New Hampshire) Study says NH’s lower measles vaccination rate increases the chance of outbreak (NH Public Radio, 2/2/26)
Medical Care
- Lipedema Is Now Recognized as a Chronic Disease (Medscape, 2/20/26)
- Claims for younger adults are on the rise: UnitedHealthcare, HAC study (Fierce Healthcare, 2/13/26)
- Clinics Sour on CMS After Agency Scraps 10-Year Primary Care Program Only Months In (KFF Health News, 2/13/26)
- Patients With Long-Term Conditions Prefer Remote Visits for Routine Care (American Journal of Managed Care, 2/10/26)
- Feasibility Study Shows High Wound Closure Rates in Chronic Diabetic Ulcers (American Journal of Managed Care, 2/5/26)
- Use of Collaborative Care Grows Rapidly, Uneven Medicaid Coverage Drives State Gaps (American Journal of Managed Care, 2/4/26)
Medical Testing and Imaging
- What does acute COVID-19 and long COVID look like on medical imaging? (Radiology Business, 2/13/26)
Medicare and Medicaid
- (New Hampshire) Senate rejects Democratic effort to reverse New Hampshire’s Medicaid premium system (New Hampshire Bulletin, 2/20/26)
- Forced Disenrollments Among Medicare Advantage Beneficiaries Following 2026 Plan Exits (Journal of the American Medical Association, 2/18/26)
- (New Hampshire) Hospital Provider Taxes and Support for Medicaid Financing in New Hampshire (NH Fiscal Policy Institute, 2/16/26)
- (New Hampshire) Study: Federal Changes Put New Hampshire’s Fourth-Largest Tax Revenue Source at Risk Beginning in 2028 (NH Fiscal Policy Institute, 2/16/26)
- New Medicaid Work Rules Likely To Hit Middle-Aged Adults Hard (KFF Health News, 2/11/26)
Medications and Prescribing
- FDA Will Require Only 1 Study to Approve New Drugs, Speeding Up Process (American Journal of Managed Care, 2/19/26)
- PBM Reforms in New Bill May Not Lower Drug Costs for Patients (American Journal of Managed Care, 2/17/26)
- Benefits of TrumpRx Prescription Drug Site Are Limited, Experts Say (Medscape, 2/13/26)
- FDA approves removal of black box warning for six menopausal hormone therapies (Managed Healthcare Executive, 2/13/26)
- 5 Things to Know About the Oral GLP-1 Era (American Journal of Managed Care, 2/6/26)
- The Clear Labels Act Would Change What You Know About Your Prescription Medication (ProPublica, 2/6/26)
- Express Scripts Avoids Fines but Agrees to Major Structural Overhaul (American Journal of Managed Care, 2/5/26)
- PrEP underprescribed in young women despite need (Managed Healthcare Executive, 2/5/26)
- Trump to launch TrumpRx.gov, branding his push to lower prescription prices (NH Union Leader, 2/5/26)
- TrumpRx launches with 40 brand-name medications available, including popular weight-loss drugs (HealthExec, 2/5/26)
- After legal challenge, state proposes new rules for AIDS drug assistance program (Florida Phoenix, 2/3/26)
Mental and Behavioral Health
- ~20 Percent of Households Have Child Needing Mental Health Treatment (HealthDay, 2/20/26)
- Teens Reporting Academic Pressure Face Greater Depression Later in Life (HealthDay, 2/19/26)
- US Anxiety, Depression Rates Increasing for Certain Groups (Medscape, 2/19/26)
- JAMA Investigation: 26% of Trans and Gender Diverse Youth Have Attempted Suicide (Erin In The Morning, 2/18/26)
- (New Hampshire) Portsmouth Regional Hospital announces $25,000 grant to support suicide prevention education (Portsmouth Hospital, 2/18/26)
- (New Hampshire) House kills ‘red flag law’ bill allowing removal of firearms during mental health crises (New Hampshire Bulletin, 2/12/26)
- Bow mother’s loss fuels fight for improved mental health care access (Concord Monitor, 2/10/26)
- Can Diet Cure Schizophrenia? RFK Jr. Said Yes — Experts Say No (HealthDay, 2/10/26)
- Trans Youth Suicides Skyrocketed In UK After Care Drawdown; Government Covers It Up (Erin In The Morning, 2/9/26)
- Incidence of Psychotic Disorders Higher in More Recent Birth Cohorts (HealthDay, 2/3/26)
- (New Hampshire) NH Suicide Prevention Annual Report Released (National Alliance on Mental Illness NH, 2/2/26)
Neurology
- Lifelong Cognitive Enrichment Tied to Lower Dementia Risk (Medscape, 2/19/26)
- New study suggests shingles vaccine may reduce or delay dementia risk (Managed Healthcare Executive, 2/16/26)
- Autism May Not Be a Male-Dominated Disorder (Medscape, 2/9/26)
- How Do GLP-1 Agonists Fit Into Stroke Care? (American Journal of Managed Care, 2/6/26)
- Male-to-Female Ratio for Autism Has Decreased Over Time (HealthDay, 2/6/26)
- Most Young Children With Probable Autism Not Referred (Medscape, 2/6/26)
- Exposure to Wildfire Smoke Fine Particulate Matter Linked to Increased Stroke Risk (HealthDay, 2/5/26)
- Finger-prick blood test could offer easier way to detect Alzheimer’s, researchers say (NH Union Leader, 2/2/26)
Public Health
- (New Hampshire) From Conversation to Action: Learnings from the Strafford County Public Health Advocacy Breakfast that Matter Now (NH Public Health Association, 2/19/26)
- NIH Institute Told To Drop ‘Biodefense’ and 'Pandemic Preparedness' Language From Website (HealthDay, 2/18/26)
- The Dose: Halting vaccine innovation, younger colorectal cancer deaths, lingering flu, and good news (Your Local Epidemiologist, 2/18/26)
- Global Health in Transition as Chronic Diseases Rise (Medscape, 2/17/26)
- Judge blocks planned Trump administration health cuts to Democratic states (The Hill, 2/13/26)
- States Sue to Block $600 Million Cut to Public Health Funds (HealthDay, 2/13/26)
- RFK Jr. pledged more transparency. Here’s what the public doesn’t know anymore (AP, 2/12/26)
- RFK Jr. promised to restore trust in US health agencies. A year later, it’s eroding (AP, 2/12/26)
- Opinion: Stay in your lane, doc (Concord Monitor, 2/11/26)
- Trump Pulls $600M in Public Health Funds From Four States (HealthDay, 2/11/26)
- ‘It is astonishing’: Congress rebuffs Trump push to slash $33B from health, human services (New Hampshire Bulletin, 2/6/26)
- New York City and Illinois join WHO network after Trump pulls US out of global health body (The Guardian, 2/4/26)
- The best (and worst) ranked states for women’s health (Managed Healthcare Executive, 2/4/26)
- Nipah in India, measles is the first building block to fall, flu increasing again, and US out but CA in on WHO (Your Local Epidemiologist, 2/3/26)
- With CDC Alerts Less Dependable, These Options Could Help (Medscape, 2/2/26)
Public Safety
- (New Hampshire) Water damage forces temporary closure of state health agency building (Concord Monitor, 2/19/26)
Reproductive and Sexual Health
- Early prenatal care declining in US: CDC data (The Hill, 2/19/26)
- Early prenatal care, considered best for moms and babies, is on the decline in the US (AP, 2/19/26)
- Abortion clinics are closing, even in states that have become key access points (CNN, 2/18/26)
- Abortion Clinics Are Shuttering Even in Major Access States (American Journal of Managed Care, 2/18/26)
- (New Hampshire) Democrats propose New Hampshire abortion and reproductive health shield law (New Hampshire Bulletin, 2/17/26)
- (New Hampshire) NH lawmakers consider shield law, repealing buffer zones and other abortion bills (NH Public Radio, 2/15/26)
- SMFM: Most Stringent Abortion Restrictions Tied to More Maternal Deaths (HealthDay, 2/13/26)
- (New Hampshire) Bill would require anti-abortion centers be included in abortion referrals for pregnant mothers (NH Union Leader, 2/10/26)
- Court strikes down Arizona abortion restrictions (The Hill, 2/6/26)
- Water Fluoridation Not Associated With Adverse Birth Outcomes (Journal of the American Medical Association, 2/6/26)
- After Years of Silence, Texas Medical Board Issues Training for Doctors on How to Legally Provide Abortions (ProPublica, 2/5/26)
- Planned Parenthood ends suit against Trump administration over serving Medicaid patients (New Hampshire Bulletin, 2/2/26)
- These states voted to protect abortion rights. Conservative lawmakers are not standing down (The Guardian, 2/2/26)
Rural Populations and Health Care
- Health systems unite to close specialty care gap in rural America (Managed Healthcare Executive, 2/18/26)
- Rural Accountable Care Organizations: Better Diabetes Care (Medscape, 2/13/26)
- With 417 rural hospitals at risk of closing, Rural Health Transformation funds may be too little, too late, report warns (Fierce Healthcare, 2/11/26)
Social Safety Nets
- Postdischarge Text Messages Boost Pursuit of Public Benefits Assistance (HealthDay, 2/19/26)
- RFK Jr. Expands Faith-Based Addiction Care as Drug Use and Homelessness Rise (HealthDay, 2/4/26)
- HHS plans to invest $100M to support addiction recovery and address homelessness (Fierce Healthcare, 2/2/26)
Substance Use and Treatment
- (New Hampshire) Kratom’s promise vs. its current risks: Why regulation matters in New Hampshire (New Hampshire Bulletin, 2/13/26)
- (New Hampshire) Kratom is a widely available drug in New Hampshire — and it’s not safe for human consumption (New Hampshire Bulletin, 2/9/26)
- (New Hampshire) Manchester, Nashua see big drops in opioid overdoses, deaths (NH Union Leader, 2/6/26)
Vaccination
- (New Hampshire) In a surprise move, House rejects ban on child vaccine mandates (NH Union Leader, 2/20/26)
- 2024-2025 COVID-19 Vaccines Provided Moderate Protection Against JN.1 Variants (American Journal of Managed Care, 2/19/26)
- CDC vaccine advisory committee meeting canceled for next week (CNN, 2/19/26)
- CDC vaccine panel meeting postponed amid RFK Jr bid to reshape policy (The Guardian, 2/19/26)
- (New Hampshire) House Kills Bill To Repeal Vaccine Mandates (InDepth NH, 2/19/26)
- (New Hampshire) New Hampshire House votes down anti-vaccine bill (New Hampshire Bulletin, 2/19/26)
- FDA Reverses Course, Will Review Moderna’s mRNA Flu Vaccine (American Journal of Managed Care, 2/18/26)
- (New Hampshire) No vaccines, no safety net: NH’s child care centers are not ready for a measles outbreak (New Hampshire Bulletin, 2/18/26)
- Exclusive-California Preparing Lawsuit over Trump Administration Vaccine Changes (Medscape, 2/17/26)
- FDA refuses to consider Moderna flu shot in move experts claim is part of ‘anti-vaccine agenda’ (The Guardian, 2/13/26)
- (New Hampshire) House Eliminates Mandatory Hepatitis B Vaccinations for Children (InDepth NH, 2/12/26)
- (New Hampshire) Vaccine skeptics renew efforts to rescind New Hampshire’s vaccine requirements in 2026 (New Hampshire Bulletin, 2/12/26)
- Vaccines Are a National Security Issue, Says Global Health Official (Medscape, 2/12/26)
- AMA Launches Independent Vaccine Review After CDC Criticism (HealthDay, 2/11/26)
- US participating in influenza vaccine meeting: WHO (The Hill, 2/11/26)
- FDA refuses to review Moderna’s mRNA flu vaccine application (Force of Infection, 2/10/26)
- (New Hampshire) Bill to end vaccine mandates pits personal choice against community health (NH Public Radio, 2/5/26)
- (New Hampshire) Bill proposing to end child vaccine mandates draws a crowd (NH Union Leader, 2/4/26)
- (New Hampshire) Vaccine Bills Address Immunization Requirements, Religious Exemptions (InDepth NH, 2/4/26)
- Florida Republicans advance bill to weaken vaccine protections for children (The Guardian, 2/1/26)
- US committee is reconsidering all vaccine recommendations (The Guardian, 2/1/26)