NewzIntel.com

Category: Health

  • MIL-OSI USA: Padilla, Schiff Raise Alarm on Trump Administration Targeting Cuts to Medicare and Medicaid

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.)

    Padilla, Schiff Raise Alarm on Trump Administration Targeting Cuts to Medicare and Medicaid

    Senators: “We write to say no to Elon Musk and DOGE, and demand hands off Medicare or Medicaid”

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff (both D-Calif.) joined Senators Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), and 27 other Democratic Senators in demanding President Donald Trump, Elon Musk, and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) refrain from making cuts to Medicare and Medicaid to pay for tax cuts for billionaires. Their letter comes after Elon Musk and DOGE officials gained access to key payment and contracting systems at the Centers for Medicaid & Medicare Services (CMS).

    In 2025, roughly 160 million Americans will rely on the programs CMS administers and oversees, including Medicare, Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program, and the Health Insurance Marketplaces.

    Last year, 68 million seniors and people with disabilities — including 6.6 million Californians — relied on Medicare coverage for essential health care, including hospital visits, screenings for cancer, diabetes, and depression, and prescription drugs. Nearly 80 million Americans relied on Medicaid, making it the largest public health insurance program in the United States. That includes 15 million people enrolled in California’s Medicaid program, Medi-Cal, which covers almost a third of all adults and half of all kids in the state.

    “We write to say no to Elon Musk and DOGE, and demand hands off Medicare or Medicaid. We strongly oppose any efforts by Musk — or anyone else in your administration — cutting or damaging these vital programs. Medicare and Medicaid must not be raided to pay for tax cuts for billionaires,” wrote the Senators. “Every cut risks Americans paying more, waiting longer, and wading through more insurance red tape for care. Every cut risks hospitals and community health centers struggling harder to keep their doors open and forcing health providers and workers out of their jobs.”

    “It is dangerously unacceptable that an unelected Musk and his unqualified acolytes have access to sensitive CMS systems and are ready to bypass Congress to make life and death decisions affecting millions of Americans,” continued the Senators. “No one asked for this lawless approach to our critical government health care systems. We urge you to stop this threat to Americans’ health care, now.”

    In addition to Senators Padilla, Schiff, Markey, and Warren, the letter is also signed by Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Senators Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Andy Kim (D-N.J.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.).

    Senators Padilla and Schiff have fought relentlessly against the Trump Administration’s dangerous attacks on the American health care system. Last week, Senators Padilla and Schiff joined Senators Klobuchar, Sanders, and 30 other Senators in calling on Acting Secretary of Health and Human Services Dorothy Fink to end the unprecedented freeze on all external health communications and funding. After the Trump Administration paused crucial communications from federal health agencies last month, Senator Padilla joined Senator Schatz in introducing a resolution calling for uninterrupted health warning services for the American people.

    Full text of the letter is available here and below:

    Dear President Trump:

    We write with alarm at recent actions by your Administration that put Medicare and Medicaid at risk – threatening access to care for 140 million Americans. On February 5, Elon Musk and representatives of his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) gained access to key payment and contracting systems at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), the agency that administers these vital programs. Masquerading as a false crusade against waste, fraud, and abuse, Musk appears intent to break the programs that seniors, people with disabilities, children, and families rely on to get their health care. We write to say no to Elon Musk and DOGE, and demand hands off Medicare or Medicaid. We strongly oppose any efforts by Musk – or anyone else in your administration – cutting or damaging these vital programs. Medicare and Medicaid must not be raided to pay for tax cuts for billionaires.

    Medicare and Medicaid are lifelines for millions of Americans. In 2024, 68 million seniors and people with disabilities seniors relied on Medicare coverage for essential health care, including hospital visits, screenings for cancer, diabetes, and depression, and prescription drugs. Nearly 80 million Americans relied on Medicaid, making it the largest public health insurance program in the United States. Medicaid provides funding to states for services at nursing homes, hospitals, rural health clinics as well as home health services, addiction and mental health services, and family planning. Americans rely on Medicaid for pregnancy and childbirth, as well as long-term services and supports to care for people with disabilities, older adults, and chronically ill Americans.

    But now, DOGE is invading CMS, posing immeasurable risks to Americans’ health care. DOGE representatives, with no training or expertise, could make unilateral, politically motivated decisions to target both beneficiaries and health care providers while blocking access to care and essential payments for services. Every cut risks Americans paying more, waiting longer, and wading through more insurance red tape for care. Every cut risks hospitals and community health centers struggling harder to keep their doors open and forcing health providers and workers out of their jobs.

    We continue to fight for a health care system that works better for all Americans, so they experience lower costs, shorter wait times, and receive better care. But your Administration, Elon Musk, and DOGE have already made that harder. Your Administration is already responsible for the shut-down of Medicaid portals across all 50 states, disruptions to vital health care communication, closures of community health centers, and significant delays in funding for life-saving health research. Cuts to Medicare and Medicaid will only serve to deepen the harm.

    It is dangerously unacceptable that an unelected Musk and his unqualified acolytes have access to sensitive CMS systems and are ready to bypass Congress to make life and death decisions affecting millions of Americans. No one asked for this lawless approach to our critical government health care systems. We urge you to stop this threat to Americans’ health care, now.

    Sincerely,

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Duckworth, Warren Press Trump Health Nominee Dr. Oz on Dangerous Anti-Abortion Views

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Illinois Tammy Duckworth

    February 13, 2025

    [WASHINGTON, D.C.] – Today, U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) pressed Dr. Mehmet Oz, President Trump’s nominee for the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), on his hostile anti-abortion record as his nominee process begins. If confirmed as CMS Administrator, Dr. Oz would be in charge of Medicare, Medicaid and Affordable Care Act (ACA) coverage, exercising broad authority over reproductive health care access.

    “Leaving the issue of women’s reproductive freedom to the whims of local officials — a position you have consistently expressed is dangerous and has already produced a patchwork of abortion laws across the country, creating legal confusion, harms to public health, and vast disparities in access to care,” wrote the Senators.

    Dr. Oz has a hostile record on abortion that raises serious concerns about how he might use his role at CMS to slash or eliminate access to critical reproductive health care. Dr. Oz praised the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, has described himself as “100% pro-life” and has stated that he looks “forward to supporting” anti-abortion policy. Notably, he also said that a woman’s decision to get an abortion should be up to “women, doctors [and] local political leaders [emphasis added]”—a particularly concerning comment on women’s health.

    “Given the role CMS plays in shaping reproductive health care access, the CMS Administrator will cause grave damage if they do not stand firmly in defense of women’s reproductive rights. Yet throughout your career, you have staunchly opposed abortion, which makes it difficult to believe you would take women’s sexual and reproductive health seriously,” the Senators concluded.

    Given Dr. Oz’s alarming record on reproductive rights, the lawmakers demanded answers to a series of questions about how he would use CMS authorities to impact reproductive health care access if confirmed to serve as its Administrator.

    The letter came just before the Senate vote on Robert F. Kennedy’s confirmation to serve as Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). In his confirmation hearing, Kennedy said: “I agree with President Trump that every abortion is a tragedy…I’m going to implement his policies.”

    In his first three weeks in office, Donald Trump has already worked to roll back women’s reproductive rights. Trump signed a slew of executive orders undoing Biden-era protections and reinstating harmful policies implemented in his first term. The Trump Administration also scrubbed critical information from government websites, eliminated HHS’s Interagency Task Force on Reproductive Healthcare Access and revoked guidance directing CMS and HHS to increase access to abortion services.

    The full text of the letter is available on Senator Duckworth’s website.

    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Crapo Supports RFK Jr. for HHS Secretary

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Idaho Mike Crapo

    Washington, D.C.–The United States Senate today confirmed Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to serve as Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) by a vote of 52-48.  In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Finance Committee Chairman Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) spoke to Mr. Kennedy’s vision for HHS and his commitment to prioritizing consumer choice and transparency.

    “When his nomination for the role of Secretary of HHS was announced, Mr. Kennedy stated, ‘We have a generational opportunity to bring together the greatest minds in science, medicine, industry, and government to put an end to the chronic disease epidemic.  I agree with him.  We have got to get into the business of making America healthy again,” said Crapo.  “He will bring a fresh perspective to health care, prioritizing consumer choice, information transparency and early interventions to strengthen the well-being of all Americans. . . . I encourage my colleagues to support his nomination.”

    Mr. Kennedy’s nomination was previously reported favorably out of the Senate Finance Committee by a bipartisan vote of 14 to 13.

    Read Senator Crapo’s full remarks below:

    “Thank you, Mr. President.

    “I rise today in support of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s nomination to be Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and to urge my colleagues to vote in favor of his confirmation.

    “Contrary to the attacks that have constantly been made on him, he has made it very clear that he will support safe vaccinations and just wants to see that research is done and done well.

    “When his nomination for the role of Secretary of HHS was announced, Mr. Kennedy stated, ‘We have a generational opportunity to bring together the greatest minds in science, medicine, industry, and government to put an end to the chronic disease epidemic.’

    “I agree with him.  We have got to get into the business of making America healthy again.

    “Mr. Kennedy’s dedication to this commitment has been apparent throughout his nomination process.

    “He will bring a fresh perspective to health care, prioritizing consumer choice, information transparency and early interventions to strengthen the well-being of all Americans.

    “He has been responsive to a wide variety of questions from Members on both sides of the aisle, appearing before two Committees and answering hundreds of questions for the record.

    “Not to mention going through the extensive vetting process of the Finance Committee, which is the most extensive vetting process that any candidate for the Administration goes through in the Senate.

    “While some of my colleagues continue to question his financial agreements, Mr. Kennedy met and then exceeded the requirements set forth by the Office of Government Ethics. 

    “I encourage a strong ‘yes’ vote for Robert F. Kennedy to be the next Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Merkley, Wyden Raise the Alarm Over NIH Funding Cuts that Derail Lifesaving Research, Cost Lives and Jobs in Oregon

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore)
    February 13, 2025
    Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden joined an effort led by Washington State’s U.S. Senator Patty Murray in expressing serious alarm over the Trump Administration’s threats to cut the National Institutes of Health’s (NIH) federal funding to research universities?and institutions across America and in Oregon, including groundbreaking medical and health research being done at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), University of Oregon (UO), Oregon State University (OSU), Portland State University (PSU), and many others in the state.
    As the largest public funder of biomedical research in the world, NIH plays a critical role in sustaining the research infrastructure necessary for scientific breakthroughs, infectious disease prevention, and medical technology innovation. The cuts would set us back generations in finding lifesaving cures and treatments to illnesses such as Alzheimer’s, cancer, and Parkinson’s, and stopping medical trials would cost lives. 
    Additionally, the Trump Administration’s NIH funding cuts could cost the U.S. economy billions of dollars and threaten the livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of workers. Nationally, NIH research supported more than 412,000 jobs and fueled nearly $93 billion in new economic activity in Fiscal Year 2023, while costing less than 1 percent of the federal budget. In Oregon, NIH invested $417 million, which directly supported more than 5,000 jobs and nearly a billion dollars in economic activity, and indirectly supported over 17,000 jobs in Oregon’s broader bioscience economy.  
    The entire Democratic caucus sent the letter to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. urgently detailing how these steps the Trump Administration is taking would have a catastrophic impact on research institutions and our economy.
    “The Trump Administration has left researchers, universities, and health systems with great uncertainty about whether they can continue to support entire research programs and patient clinical trials across the country. Institutions and grantees nationwide are dealing with an unprecedented external communications “pause” enacted by new leadership at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the lack of transparency regarding the Administration’s illegal funding freeze, and the uncertainty of how new Executive Orders would be applied to their critical work. These actions resulted in NIH freezing grant reviews and cancelling advisory meetings, delaying critical funding that scientists need to continue advancing new cures and treatments. These disruptions do not just slow research—they cost lives,” the Senators wrote.
    Last week, the NIH announced it would set the maximum reimbursement rate for indirect costs to 15 percent—creating a serious funding shortfall for research institutions of all types across the country. This move won’t produce cost savings—it will just shift costs to states that can’t afford to pay the difference. Importantly, this action by the Trump administration is illegal—Congress’ bipartisan Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations Bill prohibits modifications to NIH’s indirect costs.
    “This change to NIH’s indirect cost rate represents an indiscriminate funding cut that will be nothing short of catastrophic for the lifesaving research that patients and families are counting on. The Administration’s new policy means that research will come to a halt, sick kids may not get the treatment they need, and clinical trials may shut down abruptly,” the Senators continued.
    On Monday, a federal judge in Boston temporarily blocked the NIH rate cut and set a hearing for February 21st, but the Senators are pressing the administration to abandon the proposed cuts full stop.
    “Our standing as a world leader in funding and producing new medical and scientific innovations has been put at risk by these recent actions from the Trump Administration. We urge you to stop playing political games with the lifesaving work of the NIH and to allow NIH research to continue uninterrupted,” the Senators concluded.
    Merkley and Wyden signed the letter led by Murray alongside the entire Senate Democratic caucus: Senators Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Chris Coons (D-DE), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Dick Durbin (D-IL), John Fetterman (D-PA), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Angus King (I-ME), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Ed Markey (D-MA), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Jon Ossoff (D-GA), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Gary Peters (D-MI), Jack Reed (D-RI), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Tina Smith (D-MN), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Mark Warner (D-VA), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Peter Welch (D-VT), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI).
    The letter is available HERE and the full text is below.
    Dear Secretary Kennedy,
    We write to express our serious concern with the Trump Administration’s recent decisions that threaten to undermine the nation’s biomedical research infrastructure and set us back generations. The steps the Trump Administration has taken will create a serious funding shortfall for research institutions nationwide, threaten to undermine progress on lifesaving scientific advancements, could cost the U.S. economy billions of dollars, and threaten the livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of workers.  
    As the largest public funder of biomedical research in the world, NIH plays a critical role in sustaining the research infrastructure necessary for scientific breakthroughs in cancer treatment, infectious disease prevention, and medical technology innovation, among many others. President Trump has wreaked havoc on the nation’s biomedical research system in recent weeks. In his first several days in office, President Trump imposed a hiring freeze, communications freeze, ban on travel, and cancellation of grant review and advisory panels that are necessary to advance research. While some of these efforts have been reversed, they continue to cause confusion and miscommunication among researchers and recipients of NIH funds. 
    Just last week, NIH announced an illegal plan to cap indirect cost rates that research institutions rely on. In capping indirect cost rates at 15 percent for NIH-funded grants, this policy would cut funding essential for conducting research, such as operating and maintaining laboratories, equipment, and research facilities. This change to NIH’s indirect cost rate represents an indiscriminate funding cut that will be nothing short of catastrophic for the lifesaving research that patients and families are counting on. The Administration’s new policy means that research will come to a halt, sick kids may not get the treatment they need, and clinical trials may shut down abruptly.
    These confusing and harmful policy changes threaten patient safety. The strength of the American research enterprise – recognized as the best in the world – is built on Congress’ bipartisan commitment to supporting essential research infrastructure. This funding, which Congress has long appropriated on a bipartisan basis, fuels groundbreaking medical discoveries and cements the United States’ position as the global leader in biomedical research.
    In addition to the stifling impact on discovering new cures and ripping away treatment from those who need it, changes to NIH policy and communications threaten jobs in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, with everyone from custodians, to research trainees, to scientists facing potential layoffs. NIH research supported more than 412,000 jobs and fueled nearly $93 billion in new economic activity in Fiscal Year 2023. Every dollar the NIH invests in research generates almost $2.50 in economic activity. These reckless policy changes not only threaten biomedical innovation and research, but also the livelihoods of thousands of workers in every state across the nation.
    The Trump Administration has left researchers, universities, and health systems with great uncertainty about whether they can continue to support entire research programs and patient clinical trials across the country. Institutions and grantees nationwide are dealing with an unprecedented external communications “pause” enacted by new leadership at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the lack of transparency regarding the Administration’s illegal funding freeze, and the uncertainty of how new Executive Orders would be applied to their critical work. These actions resulted in NIH freezing grant reviews and cancelling advisory meetings, delaying critical funding that scientists need to continue advancing new cures and treatments. These disruptions do not just slow research – they cost lives.
    The NIH plays a critical role in our nation’s efforts to fund scientific advancements that improve health and save lives. Our standing as a world leader in funding and producing new medical and scientific innovations has been put at risk by these recent actions from the Trump Administration. We urge you to stop playing political games with the lifesaving work of the NIH and to allow NIH research to continue uninterrupted.
    Sincerely,

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Impact of new RSV vaccine

    Source: Scottish Government

    Report shows fewer older people hospitalised.

    Health Secretary Neil Gray has welcomed a report showing the new RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) vaccine has led to a significant decrease in hospitalisations among older people.

    Public Health Scotland (PHS) research, published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases Journal, demonstrates that vaccination resulted in a 62% reduction in RSV-related hospitalisations among the eligible 75-79 age group.

    The Scottish Government invested £4.2 million via health boards in the vaccine supply. The programme began last August following expert scientific advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI).

    Mr Gray said:

    “Once again we see evidence of the role which vaccinations play in preventing serious illness and keeping people out of hospital.

    “We were pleased to be the first nation in the UK to introduce the new RSV vaccine in time to maximise the benefit to the more vulnerable ahead of winter. This research demonstrates just how many people avoided ending up in hospital as a result.

    “RSV can be very serious for older adults, newborns and infants – potentially causing lung disease such as pneumonia.

    “It is encouraging to see that by the end of November, 68% of eligible older adults had received their vaccinations and I’d urge all those eligible to come forward for their vaccine when called. It is incredibly important for older adults and pregnant women to protect their newborn babies from RSV.”

    Background

    RSV vaccine during pregnancy | NHS inform

    RSV vaccine for adults | NHS inform 

    The RSV programme was in addition to winter vaccines offered, such as flu, Covid-19 and pneumococcal.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Murray Leads Entire Democratic Caucus in Raising Alarm Over Trump Admin Pushing Illegal Indiscriminate Funding Cuts to NIH, Derailing Lifesaving Research

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington State Patty Murray

    ICYMI: Senator Murray Slams Indirect Cost Rate for NIH as Massive Indiscriminate Cut, Setting Back Progress on Lifesaving Research

    NIH research supported more than 412,000 jobs and fueled nearly $93 billion in new economic activity in Fiscal Year 2023

    Washington state receives $1.29 billion in NIH funding that supports nearly 12,000 jobs and nearly $3 billion in economic activity; STATE BY STATE analysis HERE of total NIH funding, jobs supported, and economic activity supported through NIH research

    Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee and a senior member and former Chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, led the entire Senate Democratic Caucus in sending a letter to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. expressing serious alarm over the Trump Administration’s recent decisions that threaten to undermine America’s biomedical research infrastructure and set us back generations. The steps the Trump administration has taken would create a serious funding shortfall for research institutions nationwide, threaten to undermine progress on lifesaving scientific advancements, and could cost the U.S. economy billions of dollars and threaten the livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of workers. 

    “As the largest public funder of biomedical research in the world, NIH plays a critical role in sustaining the research infrastructure necessary for scientific breakthroughs in cancer treatment, infectious disease prevention, and medical technology innovation, among many others. President Trump has wreaked havoc on the nation’s biomedical research system in recent weeks. In his first several days in office, President Trump imposed a hiring freeze, communications freeze, ban on travel, and cancellation of grant review and advisory panels that are necessary to advance research. While some of these efforts have been reversed, they continue to cause confusion and miscommunication among researchers and recipients of NIH funds,” Senator Murray and the Members wrote.

    Last week, the NIH announced it would set the maximum reimbursement rate for indirect costs to 15 percent—creating a serious funding shortfall for research institutions of all types across the country. This move would dismantle the biomedical research system and stifle the development of new cures for disease. It won’t produce cost savings—it will just shift costs to states who can’t afford to pay the difference. Importantly, this action by the Trump administration is illegal—Congress’ bipartisan Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations Bill prohibits modifications to NIH’s indirect costs.

    “This change to NIH’s indirect cost rate represents an indiscriminate funding cut that will be nothing short of catastrophic for the lifesaving research that patients and families are counting on. The Administration’s new policy means that research will come to a halt, sick kids may not get the treatment they need, and clinical trials may shut down abruptly,” the senators wrote. On Monday, a federal judge in Boston temporarily blocked the NIH rate cut and set a hearing for February 21st.

    The senators’ letter points out that, in addition to the stifling impact on discovering new cures and ripping away treatment from those who need it, changes to NIH policy and communications threaten jobs in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. NIH research supported more than 412,000 jobs and fueled nearly $93 billion in new economic activity in Fiscal Year 2023 and every dollar the NIH invests in research generates almost $2.50 in economic activity. 

    “The Trump Administration has left researchers, universities, and health systems with great uncertainty about whether they can continue to support entire research programs and patient clinical trials across the country. Institutions and grantees nationwide are dealing with an unprecedented external communications “pause” enacted by new leadership at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the lack of transparency regarding the Administration’s illegal funding freeze, and the uncertainty of how new Executive Orders would be applied to their critical work. These actions resulted in NIH freezing grant reviews and cancelling advisory meetings, delaying critical funding that scientists need to continue advancing new cures and treatments. These disruptions do not just slow research—they cost lives,” the senators continued.

    “Our standing as a world leader in funding and producing new medical and scientific innovations has been put at risk by these recent actions from the Trump Administration. We urge you to stop playing political games with the lifesaving work of the NIH and to allow NIH research to continue uninterrupted.”

    The letter was signed by the entire Senate Democratic caucus: in addition to Senator Murray, Senators Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Chris Coons (D-DE), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Dick Durbin (D-IL), John Fetterman (D-PA), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Angus King (I-ME), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Ed Markey (D-MA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Jon Ossoff (D-GA), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Gary Peters (D-MI), Jack Reed (D-RI), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Tina Smith (D-MN), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Mark Warner (D-VA), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Peter Welch (D-VT), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), and Ron Wyden (D-OR) signed onto the letter.

    As a longtime appropriator and former Chair of the Senate HELP Committee, Murray has long fought to boost biomedical research, strengthen public health infrastructure, and make health care more affordable and accessible. Over her years as a senior member of the Appropriations Committee, she has secured billions of dollars in increases for biomedical research at the National Institutes of Health, and during her time as Chair of the HELP Committee she established the new ARPA-H research agency as part of her PREVENT Pandemics Act to advance some of the most cutting-edge research in the field. Senator Murray was also the lead Democratic negotiator of the bipartisan 21st Century Cures Act, which delivered a major federal investment to boost NIH research, among many other investments. 

    A PDF of the letter is available HERE and the full text is below.

    Dear Secretary Kennedy,

    We write to express our serious concern with the Trump Administration’s recent decisions that threaten to undermine the nation’s biomedical research infrastructure and set us back generations. The steps the Trump Administration has taken will create a serious funding shortfall for research institutions nationwide, threaten to undermine progress on lifesaving scientific advancements, could cost the U.S. economy billions of dollars, and threaten the livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of workers. 

    As the largest public funder of biomedical research in the world, NIH plays a critical role in sustaining the research infrastructure necessary for scientific breakthroughs in cancer treatment, infectious disease prevention, and medical technology innovation, among many others. President Trump has wreaked havoc on the nation’s biomedical research system in recent weeks. In his first several days in office, President Trump imposed a hiring freeze, communications freeze, ban on travel, and cancellation of grant review and advisory panels that are necessary to advance research. While some of these efforts have been reversed, they continue to cause confusion and miscommunication among researchers and recipients of NIH funds.

    Just last week, NIH announced an illegal plan to cap indirect cost rates that research institutions rely on. In capping indirect cost rates at 15 percent for NIH-funded grants, this policy would cut funding essential for conducting research, such as operating and maintaining laboratories, equipment, and research facilities. This change to NIH’s indirect cost rate represents an indiscriminate funding cut that will be nothing short of catastrophic for the lifesaving research that patients and families are counting on. The Administration’s new policy means that research will come to a halt, sick kids may not get the treatment they need, and clinical trials may shut down abruptly.

    These confusing and harmful policy changes threaten patient safety. The strength of the American research enterprise – recognized as the best in the world – is built on Congress’ bipartisan commitment to supporting essential research infrastructure. This funding, which Congress has long appropriated on a bipartisan basis, fuels groundbreaking medical discoveries and cements the United States’ position as the global leader in biomedical research.

    In addition to the stifling impact on discovering new cures and ripping away treatment from those who need it, changes to NIH policy and communications threaten jobs in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, with everyone from custodians, to research trainees, to scientists facing potential layoffs. NIH research supported more than 412,000 jobs and fueled nearly $93 billion in new economic activity in Fiscal Year 2023. Every dollar the NIH invests in research generates almost $2.50 in economic activity. These reckless policy changes not only threaten biomedical innovation and research, but also the livelihoods of thousands of workers in every state across the nation.

    The Trump Administration has left researchers, universities, and health systems with great uncertainty about whether they can continue to support entire research programs and patient clinical trials across the country. Institutions and grantees nationwide are dealing with an unprecedented external communications “pause” enacted by new leadership at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the lack of transparency regarding the Administration’s illegal funding freeze, and the uncertainty of how new Executive Orders would be applied to their critical work. These actions resulted in NIH freezing grant reviews and cancelling advisory meetings, delaying critical funding that scientists need to continue advancing new cures and treatments. These disruptions do not just slow research – they cost lives.

    The NIH plays a critical role in our nation’s efforts to fund scientific advancements that improve health and save lives. Our standing as a world leader in funding and producing new medical and scientific innovations has been put at risk by these recent actions from the Trump Administration. We urge you to stop playing political games with the lifesaving work of the NIH and to allow NIH research to continue uninterrupted.

    Sincerely,

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Pressed by Sen. Murray, McMahon Can’t Name a Single Requirement of Landmark Education Law; Murray Grills McMahon on Trump Plans to Dismantle Education Department, DOGE Access to Sensitive Student Data

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington State Patty Murray

    ***WATCH: Senator Murray questions Education Secretary nominee Linda McMahon***

    Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), a senior member and former chair of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP), pressed Linda McMahon, President Trump’s nominee to serve as Education Secretary, on how she would approach the job of leading our nation’s Department of Education as President Trump calls the Department a “con job,” says he wants it closed “immediately”, hopes McMahon will “put herself out of a job,” and as Trump, Elon Musk, and DOGE have already begun illegally gutting the Department.

    Senator Murray began by pressing McMahon on whether she will ensure enacted funding gets out to serve students as directed and on DOGE staffers setting up camp at the Department of Education, where they have reportedly fed sensitive personal and financial data from the department into artificial intelligence software. “They’ve already been given access to highly-sensitive student data, and have already started holding back money that Congress decided, on a bipartisan basis, was needed to help our schools and students,” Murray said.

    “We are also hearing, as you know, about an Executive Order coming any day that will seek to dismantle the Department of Education. These are bipartisan laws–you indicated that you understood that… if confirmed, do you commit to getting every dollar we have invested in our students and schools out to them?”

    McMahon responded that the DOGE staffers were “doing an audit,” to which Murray pressed further: “I understand an audit. But when Congress appropriates money, it is the administration’s responsibility to put that out as directed by Congress, who has the power of the purse. So what will you do if the President or Elon Musk tells you not to spend money Congress has appropriated to you?”

    McMahon said at first that the Department would “certainly spend” money Congress passed, before immediately following up with: “But I do think it is worthwhile to take a look at the programs before money goes out the door. It’s much easier—it is much easier to stop the money as it’s going out the door than it is to claw it back.”

    Murray made clear in response: “The process by law is that you look at that, you make recommendations to Congress. …. So, I mean the question really is–who decides how much federal funding public schools get in Seattle, where it’s already been allocated… Elon Musk or Congress?”

    Murray continued her questioning by asking Ms. McMahon about the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), bipartisan legislation to rewrite the No Child Left Behind Act that Murray negotiated while Ranking Member of the Senate HELP Committee. The legislation gave states more flexibility in using federal education funds, eliminated one-size-fits-all mandates, and established strong federal guardrails to hold states and schools accountable. Murray argued that the Department of Education must do more to implement the law—pointing out that less than 42 percent of schools identified for comprehensive support and improvement had a plan that met all requirements of the law, and the recent National Assessment of Educational Progress showed that our lowest-performing students continue to fall furthest behind and exacerbate pre-pandemic achievement gaps.

    “What specific actions will you take to implement the ESSA law?” Murray asked. “Can you name a couple of the requirements that are in that law that you will make sure are implemented?”

    When McMahon declined to name a single requirement of ESSA, Murray pressed on: “Do you know what the requirements are? Do you know about the requirements for targeted support and improvement schools, or the annual report card requirement? Can you name any of the requirements?”

    When McMahon demurred, Murray asked again about any provisions she could name.

    McMahon responded, “No, I want to study it further and get back to you on that.”

    Next, Murray asked about reports that Elon Musk and his DOGE staff have been given access to the personal information of students and their families—including their Social Security numbers, driver’s license numbers, date of birth, and what college they are enrolled in. While DOGE’s access is temporarily paused due to litigation, Murray noted, “There is a real potential for that kind of information to be abused, or for students’ privacy to be placed in jeopardy if the courts end up ruling against the students. And we know that DOGE could use that highly personal information to then target students and target their families or cut off access to Pell Grants for students at a college that someone perceives opposes, maybe, President Trump’s policies.”

    “So I want to ask you, do you believe that DOGE employees should have access to private student data?”

    When McMahon suggested that DOGE employees are operating “under certain restraints,” Murray pressed on: “I have to tell you it is deeply concerning that we have DOGE staffers—we don’t know who they are, they’re not held accountable—getting access to students’ private information. I think that should frighten everyone.”

    A senior member and former chair of the HELP Committee, Senator Murray has championed students and families at every stage of her career—fighting to help ensure every child in America can get a high-quality public education. Among other things, Senator Murray negotiated the bipartisan Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), landmark legislation that she got signed into law, replacing the broken No Child Left Behind Act. As a longtime appropriator, she has successfully fought to boost funding to support students and invest in our nation’s K-12 schools, and she has secured significant increases to the Pell Grant so that it goes further for students pursuing a higher education. Senator Murray also successfully negotiated the FAFSA Simplification Act, bipartisan legislation to reform the financial aid application process, simplify the FAFSA form for students and parents, and significantly expand eligibility for federal aid.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Murray Statement on Meeting with NIH Nominee Jay Bhattacharya

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington State Patty Murray

    ICYMI: Senator Murray Slams Indirect Cost Rate for NIH as Massive Indiscriminate Cut, Setting Back Progress on Lifesaving Research

    ICYMI: Senator Murray Leads Entire Democratic Caucus in Raising Alarm Over Trump Admin Pushing Illegal Indiscriminate Funding Cuts to NIH, Derailing Lifesaving Research

    ICYMI: In Senate Budget Committee, Republicans Block Murray Amendment Reversing NIH Cuts

    Murray: “Trump and Elon—either through sheer ignorance or a genuine lack of caring—are putting lifesaving research in America on life support… canceling and postponing important NIH grant review and advisory council meetings. Tens of thousands of grants at NIH have already been held up by the Trump administration’s illegal actions—creating an enormous backlog that is already jeopardizing jobs, entire labs, and most importantly, the development of treatments and cures.”

    Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), a senior member and former Chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee (HELP), released the following statement after meeting with Dr. Jayanta “Jay” Bhattacharya, President Donald Trump’s nominee to be Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Murray has been a leading voice speaking out against the Trump administration’s attempts to freeze federal funds and to lower the maximum NIH reimbursement rate for indirect costs, which would create a serious funding shortfall for research institutions of all types across the country, stifling the development of new cures for disease, and ripping treatments away from patients in need.

    “Trump and Elon—either through sheer ignorance or a genuine lack of caring—are putting lifesaving research in America on life support. From their attempts to illegally rip funding away from our research institutions, which would catastrophically derail the development of cures and treatments that sick patients are counting on, to an unprecedented freeze on external communications, to canceling and postponing important NIH grant review and advisory council meetings.

    “Tens of thousands of grants at NIH have already been held up by the Trump administration’s illegal actions—creating an enormous backlog that is already jeopardizing jobs, entire labs, and most importantly, the development of treatments and cures.

    “In our meeting today, I pressed Dr. Bhattacharya on the Trump administration’s reckless attacks on biomedical research and whether DOGE will play a role in deciding which scientists to hire and fire at NIH. I also asked Dr. Bhattacharya to lay out the steps he would take to ensure women’s health research is a priority at NIH, and that it isn’t undermined by this administration’s witch hunt against whatever they decide is allegedly ‘woke’.

    “It is incredibly important that we have a leader at NIH who will stand up for the agency’s role as a world leader in lifesaving research, stand up for science and truth, and stand up to this administration’s brazen attempts to undermine lifesaving work. While I appreciated the opportunity to meet with Dr. Bhattacharya today, I am not any less alarmed by how thoughtless and destructive this administration’s approach to NIH research has been.”

    As a longtime appropriator and former Chair of the Senate HELP Committee, Murray has long fought to boost biomedical research, strengthen public health infrastructure, and make health care more affordable and accessible. Over her years as a senior member of the Appropriations Committee, she has secured billions of dollars in increases for biomedical research at the National Institutes of Health, and during her time as Chair of the HELP Committee she established the new ARPA-H research agency as part of her PREVENT Pandemics Act to advance some of the most cutting-edge research in the field. Senator Murray was also the lead Democratic negotiator of the bipartisan 21st Century Cures Act, which delivered a major federal investment to boost NIH research, among many other investments. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Tuberville Speaks with Trump’s Nominee for Education Secretary Linda McMahon During Senate HELP Hearing

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Tommy Tuberville (Alabama)

    WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) spoke with Linda McMahon, President Trump’s nominee to lead the U.S. Department of Education, during her confirmation hearing before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee. During their conversation, Senator Tuberville and Ms. McMahon spoke about the need to promote skills-based education and workforce development programs, which Senator Tuberville has been a huge advocate for during his time on the HELP Committee.

    During the hearing, Ms. McMahon also reemphasized her support for preserving Title IX and protecting women’s sports. Senator Tuberville introduced a bill, the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act, which would make President Trump’s Executive Order protecting women’s sports permanent.

    The conversation follows yesterday’s announcement that Senator Tuberville will serve as Chairman of the HELP Subcommittee on Education and American Families, where he will continue his work to promote workforce development programs, preserve Title IX protections for girls and young women, and empower parents to make the best educational decisions for their children.

    Read excerpts from Senator Tuberville and Ms. McMahon’s exchange below or watch on Rumble or YouTube. 

    Photo by Jack Gruber, USA TODAY

    TUBERVILLE: “Thank you, Chairman. Ms. McMahon, thanks for being here today, and thanks for wanting to take on this monumental task. You know, I’m a football coach. I’m not a lawyer. I’m not a business guy—taught high school and worked my way up for forty years. This country gives you one thing, and it’s what I taught my kids when I coached—the country doesn’t owe you anything but an opportunity. And that’s the reason this country is the greatest country on the face of the earth. Now when you lose that opportunity—and I’ve lost many times—I’ve gotten my tail back up and gone again. But that’s where you learn it, through education. I’ve been to every state in this country recruiting, going to high schools—except for Alaska—in my forty years. In my forty years of coaching and going into high schools, there’s not been a bigger disappointment than our education system. I’ve seen it decline for forty years. It’s gotten worse. You’re gonna have the task of trying to bring it back. It’s gonna be hard to do because you’re gonna be fought from every side. This is not Democrat, Republican, black, white. It’s not. It’s an American problem. I’ve spent tens of thousands of dollars of my budget when I was coaching in bringing kids in after I test them—they couldn’t read past the sixth grade reading level, but they had 3.5 GPAs when they came to my university. We’re failing. It is a disaster. If you can’t read, you can’t learn. And that’s the one of the first things that we gotta get back to is teaching our kids to read. We got a lot of teachers that don’t teach reading like you and I learned. It’s different. We have all this nonsensical teaching of what we call ‘Common Core’ for math. I still haven’t figured that out. But thanks for wanting to take this on because there’s a lot of obstacles going to be in your way. And so don’t be afraid to make changes. We’ve had a K-12 system for years. It’s a failure. It is an absolute failure. Let’s teach our kids. That’s the only chance they got to survive in this world, which is gonna be very, very competitive. Now, we have things that get in our way and and what’s deterring our kids nowadays. That thing right there [holds up iPHONE]. I had problems coaching with it. I was enemy number one when I told them, ‘Put that damn phone up, don’t bring it to my dressing room because I want you to listen and learn, not be on there listening to music and reading the nonsense you see on there.’ So, you’ve got a lot of obstacles. The one thing I think we need to do is just look at K-12 and [ask] ‘What do we do? How do we get better?’ I’m all for workforce development in the last two years of high school, teaching kids to learn to use their hands. And what’s your thoughts on that? About work in high school—I’m not talking about past high school—I’m talking about the last couple of years.”

    McMAHON: “Well, thank you, Senator. I think when you and I met in your office—and I appreciated that time—I discussed with you that I probably dated myself by saying that when I was in high school, in your senior year in high school, you could take vocational programs, which meant that you went to school the first part of the day, the second part of the day, you could have a job. You could be learning a skill or a trade, and those credits would count towards your education. I think we need to get back to more of that. We are not teaching skills-based learning in our schools anymore. And I think we have to look at our entire education system and say, ‘Four-year college is not for everyone.’ For those particular jobs that require doctors, lawyers, engineers—that require four years, then I think—”

    *protestor interrupts*

    SEN. CASSIDY: “Ms. McMahon, please suspend. The Committee will come to order. Capitol Police are asked to remove the individual from the room.”

    TUBERVILLE: “I don’t think she knows how to read. Or listen.”

    SEN. CASSIDY: “Again, members of the audience are reminded that disruptions will not be permitted while the committee conducts its business. And with that, Ms. McMahon, please resume.”

    McMAHON: “Thank you. So, I think we do have to get back to teaching basics in school, K-12, but to continue on to what we were talking about, we don’t have enough skills-based learning. We don’t have enough internships or apprenticeship programs. I’d also like to see, more dual credits in our high schools, our junior and senior years that would count towards community colleges or other institutes that would get students through college faster if, in fact, that is the plan that they are going to take. So, we have so much that we can do to help our students get prepared to have a good income and a good livelihood. And if they can graduate from high school with some skills-based [learning] already, they can even start a business of their own. They can decide at that particular point, ‘I want to put more money towards my own education. But in the meantime, I am prepared to make a living.’ But I think we have to look at education and say, our vocational and skills-based training is not a default education. It can be something. It can be front and center so that students who are inclined to go in that direction actually should be encouraged to do that. It’s not one-size-fits all.”

    TUBERVILLE: “I would hope too that you would look—my time’s almost up—would look at the number of teachers we have now as compared to administrators. We need teachers. We don’t need people up sitting in the office with their feet propped up. We need people in the classroom teaching these kids. Hold them accountable and put more money in the teachers and less money in administrators. I think we’d be a heck of a lot better off. Thank you. Thank you very much.”

    McMAHON: “Thank you.”

    Senator Tommy Tuberville represents Alabama in the United States Senate and is a member of the Senate Armed Services, Agriculture, Veterans’ Affairs, HELP, and Aging Committees.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Health Resignations – Dr Sarfati’s resignation another blow to underfunded health system – PSA

    Source: PSA

    The resignation of director-general of health Dr Diana Sarfati is a further symptom of the Government’s chaotic mismanagement and underfunding of the health system, the PSA says.
    PSA Acting National Secretary Fleur Fitzsimons says Dr Sarfati’s resignation will create more turmoil in an overstretched health system being put under further pressure by the Government’s demands for health spending cuts.
    “The alarm bells should be ringing in the health sector. Dr Sarfati’s resignation follows those of Health New Zealand Chief Executive Margie Apa and Director of Public Health Nicholas Jones in the past few weeks.
    “The fundamental problem in health is that the Government is starving our health system of the funding needed to run it.
    “Hard working public servants delivering health care like Dr Sarfati are being asked to work miracles to somehow keep a groaning system working for New Zealanders,” Fitzsimons says.
    “That’s why we have started litigation in the Employment Relations Authority aimed at stopping rushed and damaging job cuts in health to meet the Government’s savings targets.
    “These cuts will endanger the lives of patients and see thousands of dedicated and essential health workers lose their jobs,” says Fitzsimons.
    Fitzsimons says the Public Service Association for Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi would like to thank Dr Sarfati for her work, which was an example of the dedicated service of so many public servants.
    The Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi is Aotearoa New Zealand’s largest trade union, representing and supporting more than 95,000 workers across central government, state-owned enterprises, local councils, health and community groups.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Attorney General Bonta: California DOJ Is Ready to Defend Reproductive Rights at Tomorrow’s Hearing on Providence St. Joseph Hospital Lawsuit

    Source: US State of California Department of Justice

    Thursday, February 13, 2025

    Contact: (916) 210-6000, agpressoffice@doj.ca.gov

    OAKLAND — California Attorney General Rob Bonta today issued the following statement in advance of tomorrow’s hearing on Providence St. Joseph Hospital’s (Providence) attempt to dismiss the Attorney General’s lawsuit alleging that the hospital violates multiple laws by, as a matter of policy, denying pregnant patients the emergency abortion care they need. 

    “At the California Department of Justice, we are fully committed to protecting reproductive rights. Whether threats to those rights are coming from Washington D.C. or within California, we will not back down,” said Attorney General Bonta. “As we have made clear in our briefs, Providence is in the wrong. There is no legal basis to dismiss our case. Denying emergency abortion care to pregnant patients who need it is unlawful under multiple laws, and we are looking forward to making our case at tomorrow’s hearing.” 

    BACKGROUND

    On September 30, 2024, Attorney General Bonta announced a lawsuit against Providence in Eureka, California. Filed in Humboldt County Superior Court, the lawsuit alleges that the hospital violated California’s Emergency Services Law (the state level analogue to the federal EMTALA statute), the Unruh Civil Rights Act, and the Unfair Competition Law. One particular patient, Anna Nusslock, had her water break when she was 15 weeks pregnant with twins on February 23, 2024. Despite the immediate threat to her life and health, and her pregnancy no longer being viable, Providence refused to treat her. She had to travel to a small critical access hospital called Mad River, 12 miles away, where she was actively hemorrhaging by the time she was on the operating table. In October 2024, Mad River Community Hospital closed its labor and delivery unit — leaving Providence the only available option for women in Humboldt County. The next person in Anna’s situation will face the agonizing choice of risking a multi-hour drive to another hospital or waiting until they are close enough to death for Providence to intervene. 

    On October 29, 2024, Attorney General Bonta announced securing a stipulation from Providence that will ensure the hospital follows California law while the case proceeds.

    A copy of the People’s Opposition to Defendant’s Demurrer — or Providence’s attempt to dismiss the Attorney General’s lawsuit — can be found here.

    # # #

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: VIDEO: Senator Peters Takes to Senate Floor to Oppose Nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for Secretary of Health and Human Services

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Michigan Gary Peters
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) spoke on the Senate floor in opposition to the nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to serve as Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Peters underscored his concerns over Kennedy’s severe lack of qualifications for the critical position, given the fact that, if confirmed, Kennedy would be tasked with managing federal programs that millions of Americans depend on every day, including Medicare and Medicaid, and agencies such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), National Institutes of Health (NIH), and other agencies that prepare for and respond to public health and medical emergencies. Following his remarks, Peters voted against Kennedy’s nomination.
    “Throughout his entire nomination process, it has become clear that Mr. Kennedy is wholly unprepared to lead this Department,” said Senator Peters. “Mr. Kennedy’s lack of experience and basic understanding of our nation’s health care system is, to say the least, extremely alarming. We cannot confirm a nominee who doesn’t even know the most basic answers about programs that he’s actually in charge of administering.” 
    Peters continued, “We need a Secretary who will protect the health of Americans. Robert Kennedy is not that Secretary. And if he is confirmed to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, the American people will ultimately pay the price with their health.”

    To watch a video clip of Senator Peters’ remarks, click here.
    During his remarks, Peters highlighted concerns that Michiganders from across the state shared with his office over Kennedy’s nomination:
    “Since Mr. Kennedy was nominated to lead HHS, I’ve heard from thousands of my constituents from every corner of Michigan, from densely populated cities to some of the most rural areas in our state, who are deeply concerned about how his plans for the department would impact families. For example, I’ve heard from countless folks about the rising cost of health care that is squeezing Michigan families’ budgets. Health care prices are rising faster than inflation, making it even harder for people to get the care that they need.
    “I’ve heard from a constituent who has operated a food pantry in her community for 13 years. She worries about what will happen to the people that she serves if they do not have access to the food security programs made possible by HHS.
    “I received a letter from a social worker in Michigan who helped students who were traumatized by the horrific shootings at Oxford High School in Michigan and Michigan State University. She is worried that, without proper mental health resources, Americans who have been impacted by senseless gun violence, whether at school, at their places of worship, at night clubs, or at shopping malls, they will grieve and struggle alone.
    “A Michigan scientist who specializes in CDC research contacted my office. They fear that if Mr. Kennedy is confirmed, it could impact their ability, and the ability of thousands of researchers all across our country, to conduct medical research that is literally saving lives.
    “A concerned mother wrote me and my office that when she was 38 weeks pregnant, she told me that Mr. Kennedy’s long history of spreading dangerous medical disinformation and undermining public health initiatives is directly at odds with how she plans to keep her future child from infectious disease.
    “I’ve even heard from parents who are concerned about Mr. Kennedy’s narrative suggesting vaccines cause autism. Because he has given credibility to these lies, and questioned facts from scientists and doctors, these parents worry that their children will not receive the most basic, routine care that they deserve.   
    “I also heard from a constituent who was born before the polio vaccine was approved. She said that, to this day, she can still remember the relief on her mother’s face when the polio vaccine became available. This moment has stuck with her throughout her 30-year career as a registered nurse, where she has made it her life’s work to study and safely administer vaccines in her community.” 
    “And let’s be clear. Let’s be absolutely clear. Vaccines are scientifically proven to protect against diseases like chickenpox, polio, influenza, and yes, COVID-19.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Lee Introduces Healthy SNAP Act, Stopping Tax Dollars from Subsidizing Junk Food

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Utah Mike Lee
    WASHINGTON – Senator Mike Lee (R-Utah) has introduced the Healthy SNAP Act. The bill would exclude soft drinks, candy, ice cream, and prepared desserts from being purchased with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. The bill also requires the Secretary of Agriculture to ensure that eligible food promotes the health of SNAP recipients and reflects nutrition science, public health concerns, and cultural eating patterns. Rep. Josh Brecheen (R-OK) has introduced the bill in the House of Representatives. 
    “American tax dollars should not be used to pay for junk food and endanger the health of the most vulnerable Americans,” said Sen. Lee. “The fastest way to Make America Healthy Again is to encourage balanced diets and stop subsidizing unhealthy food choices. The Healthy SNAP Act is a solid step forward in building a society where all families can be enjoy strength, health, and good nutrition.”
    “President Trump has been given a mandate by the majority of Americans to Make America Healthy Again, and those in his administration, like RFK Jr. and Senator Marco Rubio, have directly advocated for eliminating junk food purchases with SNAP,” said Rep. Brecheen. “This legislation advances President Trump’s agenda by ensuring that SNAP is used for nutritious foods, rather than junk foods and soda that contribute to long-term health issues.”
    “The SNAP program should not prey on low-income populations by perpetuating the consumption of sugary drinks designed to be addictive filled with artificial additives. It’s time to use our SNAP dollars wisely, to incentivize and provide healthier options in low-income areas so all Americans can live healthier and longer. We need more government dollars going towards food that actually provides health rather than take it away – this starts with removing the junk.” –Vani Hari, Founder of Food Babe & Truvani
    “With 38% of U.S. teens now afflicted with pre-diabetes, it is the height of public policy insanity to subsidize soda and candy for the neediest children. SNAP money should be going to American farmers and ranchers, not soda companies. This bill will ensure that.” -Calley Means, Founder of Truemed 
    BACKGROUND
     
    The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) exists to provide nutritious food to low-income Americans who are struggling to make ends meet. Over 42 million people, roughly 1 in 8 Americans, are currently receiving SNAP benefits. However, over 20 percent of all SNAP dollars are used to purchase soda, candy, desserts, and other junk food items, which is projected to total $240 billion over the next decade. One of the key aspects of President Trump’s agenda is to “Make America Healthy Again”, and one of the ways to work toward that goal is to prevent SNAP dollars from being used to purchase unhealthy and ultra-processed junk food items that fuel the rise of chronic disease in the United States. Obesity, and the chronic diseases it causes, costs the United States healthcare system nearly $173 billion every year.[1] Taxpayer-funded SNAP benefits should not continue to fund the growth of chronic disease in the United States. 
    The Healthy SNAP Act would exclude soda, candy, ice cream, and prepared desserts from SNAP eligibility. The bill would also direct the Secretary of Agriculture to review foods qualified under SNAP every five years to ensure that new and relevant nutrition data is reflected in SNAP food guidelines. The legislation is endorsed by Heritage Action for America.
     
    You can read the bill text HERE.
    You can read the one-pager HERE.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cornyn Votes to Confirm Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for HHS Secretary

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Texas John Cornyn

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) released the following statement after Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was confirmed as Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS):

    “As HHS Secretary, RFK Jr. will lead with a fresh perspective and renewed focus on the physical and mental health of Texans and all Americans. I was glad to support his nomination and am eager to get to work with him and President Trump to make America healthy again.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: $3 million boost for palliative care research

    Source: New South Wales Government 2

    Headline: $3 million boost for palliative care research

    Published: 14 February 2025

    Released by: Minister for Health, Minister for Medical Research

    The Minns Labor Government is committing $3 million to improve health outcomes for patients, carers and families with end of life and palliative care needs in NSW.

    The funding for The End of Life and Palliative Care Research Grant Program aims to translate research projects into practical benefits and support collaboration between NSW Health, research institutes, community organisations, non-government organisations and Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations.

    Eligible agencies will receive up to $300,000 over three years for smaller scale research projects, and up to $600,000 for larger scale research activity.

    Recipients of the funding will conduct research in the following priority areas:

    • Pharmacological and non-pharmacological management for patients
    • Collaborative care models to improve experience
    • Culturally and socially inclusive care for Aboriginal, culturally and linguistically diverse, and LGBTIQ+ patients, carers, families and communities
    • Psychosocial support for grief, loss and bereavement for patients, carers, families and communities. 

    The Program will run a competitive application process to identify research projects. Expressions of Interest applications open on 14 February 2025 and will close on 23 March 2025.

    More information can be found on the NSW Health website.

    Quotes attributable to Minister for Health Ryan Park:

    “The Minns Labor Government is committed to improving the comfort and experience of people with life-limiting illnesses during what is an extremely challenging time for patients and their families.

    “I am proud to announce this initiative which reaffirms our commitment and aims to translate projects into tangible benefits for people with end of life and palliative care needs in NSW.”

    Quotes attributable to Minister for Medical Research David Harris:

    “I am pleased our government is committing funding for research and innovation that is so critical to improving the experiences of palliative care and end of life patients and the community. 

    “I appreciate all the hard work and collaboration efforts to implement this fantastic initiative.

    “Importantly, these priority research areas have been informed through extensive consultation with the NSW palliative care sector, including clinicians, policy managers, academics and advocacy groups.”

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: From homes to hospitals, Canada’s food environments need reform

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Sara F.L. Kirk, Professor of Health Promotion; Scientific Director of the Healthy Populations Institute, Dalhousie University

    Healthy eating sounds deceptively simple — just eat more fruits and vegetables and avoid junk food, right? However, healthy eating really isn’t easy.

    A new report illustrates how ubiquitous unhealthy foods are, how aggressively they are promoted and how hard it is to access healthy foods in places we spend our time.

    We are part of a team of 18 nutrition and food policy experts from across Canada who looked at research from the past five years to expose the environmental factors that influence what people in Canada buy and eat. We explored many different factors, like the quality of food, food marketing practices and what foods are available in places like hospitals, schools and grocery stores.

    The report is part of an international network called INFORMAS (International Network for Food and Obesity/Non-communicable Diseases (NCDs) Research, Monitoring and Action Support). Our findings reinforce that, from homes to hospitals, Canada’s food supply needs reform.

    What we see is what we get

    Unhealthy food is everywhere, and that makes it hard to avoid: what we see is what we get. Our report found that most packaged foods in grocery stores are unhealthy. In fact, two-thirds of them were high in salt, sugar or saturated fat. Only 12 per cent were low in these nutrients.

    Unhealthy foods are readily available for purchase. One study showed that children in Ottawa had, on average, 19 places to purchase foods within one kilometre of their school. In Vancouver, that number was as high as 45.

    In-store environments also thwart healthy purchases: 50 per cent of stores had “power walls” of candy, snacks and sugary drinks, tempting consumers at the checkout, while only around one in five stores operated a junk-free checkout. And nearly all hospital cafeterias and recreation centre vending machines sold sugary drinks.

    Unhealthy foods are also heavily marketed, particularly to children. One study estimated that children aged six to 11 see more than 4,000 food ads on their digital devices each year, while older children see twice that number. Around 90 per cent of the ads that children saw on their digital devices were deemed less healthy based on their sugar, sodium and saturated fat content.

    A closer look at marketing on five food product categories in the INFORMAS Canada report found that one-third of products carried marketing targeting to children.

    For example, almost 46 per cent of breakfast cereals used marketing techniques that made products look fun or cool, or used cartoon characters and celebrities, to entice young consumers. More than 90 per cent of products using these techniques were unhealthy. Of 75 per cent of foods that had some sort of health or nutrition claim on their packaging highlighting healthy attributes of products, 45 per cent of these products were also high in salt, sugar or saturated fat.

    Unhealthy foods are big, cheap and easy

    Our report illustrates how, in many ways, the cards are stacked against us in terms of healthy eating. The food industry, where power is often concentrated within the hands of a few large, multinational companies, continues to create and market unhealthy foods, despite stated commitments to do better.

    With unhealthy foods so available and tempting, it’s no surprise that many Canadians struggle to eat according to Canada’s Food Guide.

    Our unhealthy food environments are making us sick and we all pay the price. Unhealthy eating has been estimated to cost more than $15.8 billion, including direct healthcare costs of $5.9 billion. With unhealthy eating a leading risk for death and the second leading risk for disability in Canada, there is a strong moral and economic imperative for action to improve food environments.

    Creating healthier food environments

    It doesn’t have to be this way. In addition to providing benchmarking data, our report offers a road map for policymakers, industry leaders and advocates to collaborate in creating healthier, more equitable food environments for all Canadians.

    Canada can also draw inspiration from global leaders in food policy like Chile and Mexico. Both countries have introduced bold front-of-package warning labels for foods high in sugar, sodium or saturated fats, combined with restrictions on marketing unhealthy products to children and taxes on unhealthy foods.

    Canada will follow suit with front-of-package labels in January 2026, but policy change in these others areas is lacking.



    Read more:
    Front-of-package food labels: A path to healthier choices

    Mexico has implemented front-of-package food label regulations flagging unhealthy foods. Canada will follow suit in 2026.
    (Shutterstock)

    Taxes on sugary drinks already exist in more than 45 countries, with the United Kingdom recently seeing reductions in sugar consumption after a sugary drink tax was implemented. Canada, unfortunately, is lagging behind, with Newfoundland & Labrador the only province with a tax on sugary drinks.

    As Canada’s national school food policy rolls out, there are opportunities to protect school food from vested interests. These actions need to be extended to other food environments — our homes, hospitals and grocery stores.

    With the threat of tariffs being imposed by the United States and potentially creating major challenges for food affordability, more Canadians are looking for a food supply that is made in Canada. Creating healthier food environments and food systems takes a strong commitment from leaders at all levels (federal, provincial, territorial and municipal).

    Our benchmarking report can help create a nutrition transition that nourishes our population and supports our healthy food producers, farmers and fisheries. This report makes the case for improving our food environments and shows the way to a healthier future for all Canadians.

    Sara F.L. Kirk has received funding from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Public Health Agency of Canada, Research Nova Scotia and Dalhousie University Office of Advancement. She is a co-author on the report being discussed in this article.

    Lana Vanderlee receives funding from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, the US National Institutes of Health, the Fonds de recherche du Québec – Santé and has received funds from Health Canada. She is currently supported by a Canada Research Chair in Healthy Food Policy (Tier 2).

    – ref. From homes to hospitals, Canada’s food environments need reform – https://theconversation.com/from-homes-to-hospitals-canadas-food-environments-need-reform-249540

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Supportive-living home for people with brain injuries coming to Parksville

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    Stephanie Higginson, MLA for Ladysmith-Oceanside –

    “Having a supportive-living home for people with acquired brain injuries that will serve the central and north Island is big news for the people and their families who live in the area and need these services. Having access to quality health care when people need it, where they live is a priority for our government.  The care people receive will help them with physical, cognitive and emotional therapy, and improve their overall quality of life.”

    Leah Hollins, board chair, Island Health –

    “This new service aligns with Island Health’s goal to provide patient-centred, accessible and equitable care for Vancouver Island residents and will address an identified gap in specialized brain injury services on central Island. By expanding and improving the services provided to people living with brain injuries, we can improve quality of life for clients, provide hope for improved wellness, better support families and caregivers, and reduce strain on hospitals and long-term care resources.”

    Dean, client, Island Health Brain Injury Program –

    “This program will greatly serve to create community and belonging, as well as dependability, consistency and calm to life, and living for those supported.”

    Ashley Ormiston, regional program co-ordinator, Island Health Brain Injury Program –

    “Living with a brain injury can be life-altering. With early intervention and focused, timely interventions, we know people with brain injuries can begin to recover, improve their health and gain independence to reintegrate into society.”

    Patti Flaherty, CEO, Connect –

    “We are thrilled to partner with Island Health and expand Connect’s life redesign model to Vancouver Island. Our team has more than 30 years of experience supporting individuals after brain injury and strokes in Langley, Kelowna and Ontario. Our Parksville location will provide a safe, nurturing environment, empowering the people we support to redesign their lives and thrive.”

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: On Senate Floor, Senator Hassan Speaks Out About Danger RFK Jr. Poses to Families and Public Health

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Hampshire Maggie Hassan

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH) today voted against the nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Yesterday, Senator Hassan delivered remarks on the floor of the U.S. Senate to highlight Kennedy’s lack of basic knowledge about the health care programs that he would oversee which help millions of Americans, his history of promoting dangerous anti-vaccine conspiracy theories, his recent reversal on reproductive rights, and his complete absence of qualifications to lead such a critical department. Click here to see Senator Hassan’s remarks.

    Key quotes from Senator Hassan:

    • “Mr. Kennedy has spent his lifetime arguing for a woman’s reproductive freedom. But he now abandons what he used to refer to as a core value for a title, and for what he apparently thinks is more important than freedom – being in Donald Trump’s orbit. Americans have a particular disdain for those who sell out the freedom of their fellow citizens in pursuit of power. We call such people many things; we seldom call them Mr. Secretary.”
    • “No one in this body would hire even an entry-level health care staffer who did not understand the basics of Medicaid and Medicare. Why should we exercise a different, weaker standard for the person who is supposed to be in charge of both? Why, with this Administration, does the bar go even lower when the office becomes even higher? If Mr. Kennedy cannot be bothered to learn the basics about Medicare and Medicaid, he will certainly not bother to stand up for them.”
    • “He hides his anti-vaccine conspiracies under a cloak of deniability. Sometimes he outright lies. But most of the time he insists that he is merely raising questions and that he is simply a man looking for answers. […] It is fine to ask questions; it’s often urgently important. But it’s not doctors who are ignoring Mr. Kennedy’s questions. It is Mr. Kennedy who is ignoring their answers.”
    • “The problem is not that Mr. Kennedy is asking uncomfortable questions. The problem is that Mr. Kennedy himself is not willing to accept the answers to them. The problem is that Mr. Kennedy is wasting our time and our money with dishonest and already settled debates, debates that distract us from the task at hand – the task of tackling the real and significant health problems that are facing our country. Because in his lifetime of fearmongering, what good has Mr. Kennedy actually contributed to the mission of public health? Mr. Kennedy says he wishes to make America healthy again. But when Mr. Kennedy suggested that the polio vaccine gave people cancer, what child did he make healthier?”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Release: Bloodbath continues for health leadership

    Source: New Zealand Labour Party

    The Government continues to tear apart New Zealand’s health leadership, sacking or forcing the resignation of our top medical experts.

    “I am concerned to hear of the resignation of the Director-General of Heath Dr Diana Sarfati today,” acting Labour health spokesperson Peeni Henare said.

    “Christopher Luxon thinks a purge of health leadership will turn around the health system while he refuses to invest properly for the health of New Zealanders.

    “Dr Sarfati is a world-leading cancer research expert, improving survival rates and closing inequities in treatment. If the Government doesn’t reach its cancer targets without Dr Sarfati they have no one to blame but themselves.

    “We acknowledge Dr Sarfati’s leadership when the Ministry of Health continued to give evidenced-based advice on tobacco control despite a hostile government.

    “Health is complex, and firing the leadership may come back to haunt the Prime Minister.

    “As Simeon Brown struggles to get up to speed on the complex health portfolio, it’s as if Christopher Luxon is getting rid of everyone who disagrees with him. It’s an absolute disgrace, causing damage that will ripple for years to come.

    “The Director-General of Health has gone, the Director of Public Health stepped down, the Health New Zealand board was sacked and the Health New Zealand Chief Executive resigned.

    “The executive leadership team of Health New Zealand has been gutted, and the organisation’s Chief Financial Officer was structured out of a job. Luxon is fast running out of other people to blame for his Government’s failures.

    “I wish Dr Diana Sarfati all the best for her next role and thank her for the commitment, mahi and expertise she gave for the better health of New Zealand,” Peeni Henare said.

    Stay in the loop by signing up to our mailing list and following us on Facebook, Instagram, and X.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI: $TOCKHOLDER ALERT: The M&A Class Action Firm Encourages Shareholders of EMKR, CCRN, WMPN, ALVR to Act Now

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, Feb. 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Monteverde & Associates PC (the “M&A Class Action Firm”), has recovered millions of dollars for shareholders and is recognized as a Top 50 Firm by ISS Securities Class Action Services Report. We are headquartered at the Empire State Building in New York City and are investigating:

    • EMCORE Corporation (NASDAQ: EMKR), relating to its proposed merger with Velocity One Holdings, LP. Under the terms of the agreement, EMCORE stockholders will receive $3.10 per share of EMCORE common stock they own.

    ACT NOW. The Shareholder Vote is scheduled for February 27, 2025.

    Click here for more information https://monteverdelaw.com/case/emcore-corporation-emkr/. It is free and there is no cost or obligation to you.

    • Cross Country Healthcare, Inc. (NASDAQ: CCRN), relating to the proposed merger with Aya Healthcare. Under the terms of the agreement, shares of Cross Country will be converted into the right to receive $18.61 in cash.

    ACT NOW. The Shareholder Vote is scheduled for February 28, 2025.

    Click here for more https://monteverdelaw.com/case/cross-country-healthcare-inc-ccrn/. It is free and there is no cost or obligation to you.

    • William Penn Bancorporation (Nasdaq: WMPN), relating to its proposed merger with Mid Penn Bancorp, Inc. Under the terms of the agreement, shareholders of William Penn will receive 0.4260 shares of Mid Penn common stock for each share of William Penn common stock. Additionally, all options of William Penn will be rolled into Mid Penn equivalent options. The implied transaction value is approximately $13.58 per William Penn share.

    ACT NOW. The Shareholder Vote is scheduled for April 2, 2025.

    Click here for more information https://monteverdelaw.com/case/william-penn-bancorporation-wmpn/. It is free and there is no cost or obligation to you.

    • AlloVir, Inc. (Nasdaq: ALVR), relating to its proposed merger with Kalaris Therapeutics. Under the terms of the agreement, AlloVir will acquire 100% of the outstanding equity interest of Kalaris. Upon completion, pre-Merger AlloVir stockholders are expected to own approximately 25.05% of the combined company.

    ACT NOW. The Shareholder Vote is scheduled for March 12, 2025.

    Click here for more information https://monteverdelaw.com/case/allovir-inc-alvr/. It is free and there is no cost or obligation to you.

    NOT ALL LAW FIRMS ARE THE SAME. Before you hire a law firm, you should talk to a lawyer and ask:

    1. Do you file class actions and go to Court?
    2. When was the last time you recovered money for shareholders?
    3. What cases did you recover money in and how much?

    About Monteverde & Associates PC

    Our firm litigates and has recovered money for shareholders…and we do it from our offices in the Empire State Building. We are a national class action securities firm with a successful track record in trial and appellate courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court. 

    No company, director or officer is above the law. If you own common stock in any of the above listed companies and have concerns or wish to obtain additional information free of charge, please visit our website or contact Juan Monteverde, Esq. either via e-mail at jmonteverde@monteverdelaw.com or by telephone at (212) 971-1341.

    Contact:
    Juan Monteverde, Esq.
    MONTEVERDE & ASSOCIATES PC
    The Empire State Building
    350 Fifth Ave. Suite 4740
    New York, NY 10118
    United States of America
    jmonteverde@monteverdelaw.com
    Tel: (212) 971-1341

    Attorney Advertising. (C) 2025 Monteverde & Associates PC. The law firm responsible for this advertisement is Monteverde & Associates PC (www.monteverdelaw.com). Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome with respect to any future matter.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-Evening Report: NZ depends on the rules-based world Trump is dismantling – why the silence?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alexander Gillespie, Professor of Law, University of Waikato

    The Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ 2023 strategic foreign policy assessment, “Navigating a shifting world”, accurately foresaw a more uncertain and complex time ahead for New Zealand. But already it feels out of date.

    The Trump administration’s extreme disruption of the international order (which New Zealand helped construct) is going further and faster than foreseen in the assessment. Were another nation responsible, the government would have been quick to condemn it.

    But New Zealand has so far been largely mute while Trump has quit the World Health Organization and the Paris Climate Accord, attacked foreign assistance programs and withdrawn funding from key United Nations organisations.

    Had Russia or China threatened the annexation or acquisition of Canada, Panama and Greenland, New Zealand would have reacted strongly. But it has said nothing substantive.

    The United States still belongs to the World Trade Organization and various regional trade agreements. But Trump’s use of tariffs threatens havoc throughout the multilateral trade system.

    Similarly, Trump has not quit the International Court of Justice. But his proposal to remove two million Palestinians from Gaza amounts to an unequivocal rejection of the court’s recent ruling on Israeli policies and practices in the Occupied Territories – as well as international law.

    On all these fronts, New Zealand has preferred not to make a stand.

    The coming Russia-Ukraine test

    While other countries have been quick to criticise Trump’s Gaza plan, New Zealand has opted not to comment until greater clarity is available, other than to reiterate its support for a two-state solution for Palestine.

    When Trump imposed sanctions on the International Criminal Court, New Zealand (along with Australia and Japan) failed to join a statement from 79 other countries expressing unwavering support for the court.

    The next likely test will be Trump’s attempt to broker a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine. While the goal is undoubtedly worthy, the question will be at what cost.

    If the price is ignoring the UN Charter, and if European supporters of Ukraine find the illegal annexations of its sovereign territory unpalatable, New Zealand will face a stark choice.

    For Australia, with its special trade relationship with the US and membership of the AUKUS security pact, this may be simple politics. For New Zealand, without a special free trade agreement with the US, frozen out of ANZUS and not part of AUKUS, the equation is more complex.

    Discord in the Pacific

    Last year, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said New Zealand must “stand up for this international rules-based system that has actually served New Zealand incredibly well”. Quietly sitting down will not be an option forever.

    Furthermore, all this is happening against the backdrop of New Zealand’s apparently waning influence in its own back yard, the South Pacific.

    While China seeks to expand its own influence, cuts and possible retrenchment in New Zealand’s aid budget suggest little appetite for tangible counteraction.

    The loss of influence was first apparent with Kiribati, which has steered towards a much closer relationship with China since 2022. More recently, China has made inroads into other Pacific countries, including the Solomons and East Timor, working in an increasingly grey zone with support for civilian and military security.

    But the recent fracture with the Cook Islands takes things to a new level.

    Struggling to find a voice

    While no longer a dependency, the Cooks’ free association agreement with New Zealand gives its people immense benefits, including citizenship and the right to work and live in New Zealand.

    In return, the Cooks undertakes to consult over foreign affairs matters, including any policy or initiative that might affect the interests of the other signatory.

    But the development of a somewhat opaque “comprehensive strategic partnership” with China blindsided New Zealand, and has strained what is meant to be a good-faith relationship. Again, however, New Zealand has struggled to find its voice.

    If it speaks too loudly, it risks further undermining that special Pacific relationship, as well as irritating its largest trade partner, China. If it speaks too softly, the respect and influence the country deserves will fade.

    New Zealand’s vaunted independent foreign policy is a fine ideal and has been a workable mechanism to navigate the challenges facing a small trading nation reliant on a rules-based global order.

    This has worked well for the past few decades. But as the old world order erodes, losing its voice for fear of offending bigger powers cannot become the country’s default position.

    Alexander Gillespie does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. NZ depends on the rules-based world Trump is dismantling – why the silence? – https://theconversation.com/nz-depends-on-the-rules-based-world-trump-is-dismantling-why-the-silence-249857

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rosen Votes Against Confirming Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Secretary of Health and Human Services

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV)

    WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) released the following statement after voting against the confirmation of Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. as Secretary of Health and Human Services.
    “At a time when Republicans are looking to cut Medicaid to pay for their tax cuts for billionaires, I have no confidence Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. is going to stand up to protect this critical program, ” said Senator Rosen. “His dangerous conspiracy theories and reckless statements are also a danger to public health, and make him unfit to lead the Department of Health and Human Services. For these reasons, I voted against his confirmation.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Makes a Reproductive Freedom Announcement

    Source: US State of New York

    Earlier today, Governor Kathy Hochul made a reproductive freedom announcement.

    VIDEO: The event is available to stream on YouTube here and TV quality video is available here (h.264, mp4).

    AUDIO: The Governor’s remarks are available in audio form here.

    PHOTOS: The Governor’s Flickr page will post photos of the event here .

    A rush transcript of the Governor’s remarks is available below:

    Good afternoon. At 1:41 p.m. today, this office received an order of extradition for a New York doctor, an abortion provider, who lives upstate. She has been accused of participating in a murder, and they’re saying that she is to be charged with the crime of a criminal abortion by means of abortion-inducing drugs. This is a very serious offense.

    As I have said before, in the State of New York, at my direction, we have put in place strict shield laws that anticipated this very situation: That in the aftermath of the overturning of Roe v. Wade — the established law for 49 years that gave women the rights that my mother’s generation had to fight for, that my generation took for granted, that are no longer there for my daughter’s generation — after 49 years of having the established law of the nation overturned by this Supreme Court, we knew that in the State of New York that we had providers who could be vulnerable.

    And what we’re talking about is also the amendments we put in place after the original law was signed in 2022. We also contemplated a prescription of a telemedicine prescription for this legally abortion-inducing drug, which has been on the market and approved by the FDA for over 20 years. It is safe and it has been legal.

    Louisiana has changed their laws, but that has no bearing on the laws here in the State of New York. Doctors take an oath to protect their patients. I took an oath of office to protect all New Yorkers, and I will uphold not only our constitution, but also the laws of our land. And I will not be signing an extradition order that came from the Governor of Louisiana: Not now, not ever. I want to be very clear on that.

    And to establish that this is known across the State, we have sent out a law enforcement notice that certain out-of-state warrants are not enforceable in the State of New York. So anyone who possibly pulls over an individual or is involved in a situation for a doctor who is protected under our laws is told, “You are not to cooperate and enforce this extradition.”

    So I want to be clear that we have taken all the steps we can to protect this doctor to continue allowing her to continue practicing what we believe is reproductive health, which I believe is an essential right.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cantwell Sounds Alarm on Trump Funding Cuts for Lifesaving Biomed Research

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington Maria Cantwell
    02.13.25
    Cantwell Sounds Alarm on Trump Funding Cuts for Lifesaving Biomed Research
    State University is on the front lines of avian flu research – Trump’s NIH cuts could jeopardize pandemic response
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and senior member of the Finance Committee, joined the entire Senate Democratic Caucus in sending a letter to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. expressing serious alarm over the Trump Administration’s recent decisions that threaten to undermine America’s life-saving biomedical research infrastructure, in violation of federal law.
    “This change to NIH’s indirect cost rate represents an indiscriminate funding cut that will be nothing short of catastrophic for the lifesaving research that patients and families are counting on. The Administration’s new policy means that research will come to a halt, sick kids may not get the treatment they need, and clinical trials may shut down abruptly,” the Senators wrote.
    Last week, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) announced it would set the maximum rate for indirect costs to 15 percent—creating a serious funding shortfall for research institutions of all types across the country. This move would dismantle the biomedical research system and stifle the development of new cures for disease.
    This Trump administration action is blatantly illegal as Congress’ bipartisan Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations law prohibits modifications to NIH’s indirect costs. Moreover, Congress specifically included this language in the law after President Trump similarly tried to unilaterally impose a sweeping across-the-board cut for research institutions in his first term – and Congress has included it in every appropriations law since then.
    Research entities in Washington state received $1.29 billion in NIH funding in Fiscal Year 2023, which supports nearly 12,000 jobs and nearly $3 billion in economic activity. A state by state analysis of total NIH funding, jobs supported, and economic activity supported through NIH research is available HERE.
    Earlier this week, Washington state Attorney General Nick Brown joined 21 other attorneys general in filing a multi-state lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for Massachusetts challenging the move. A federal judge in Boston temporarily blocked the NIH rate cut and set a hearing for February 21st.
    Sen. Cantwell discussed the repercussions of the proposed NIH cuts during her floor speech explaining her opposition to RFK Jr.’s nomination to head the Health and Human Services Administration last night. Video of Sen. Cantwell’s speech is available HERE, audio HERE, and transcript HERE.
    For decades, Sen. Cantwell has remained a staunch supporter of medical innovation and evidence-based science, including treatments for fentanyl addiction, abortion, vaccinations, stem cell research, and more.
    The full text of the letter is HERE and below.
    Dear Secretary Kennedy,
    We write to express our serious concern with the Trump Administration’s recent decisions that threaten to undermine the nation’s biomedical research infrastructure and set us back generations. The steps the Trump Administration has taken will create a serious funding shortfall for research institutions nationwide, threaten to undermine progress on lifesaving scientific advancements, could cost the U.S. economy billions of dollars, and threaten the livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of workers. 
    As the largest public funder of biomedical research in the world, NIH plays a critical role in sustaining the research infrastructure necessary for scientific breakthroughs in cancer treatment, infectious disease prevention, and medical technology innovation, among many others. President Trump has wreaked havoc on the nation’s biomedical research system in recent weeks. In his first several days in office, President Trump imposed a hiring freeze, communications freeze, ban on travel, and cancellation of grant review and advisory panels that are necessary to advance research. While some of these efforts have been reversed, they continue to cause confusion and miscommunication among researchers and recipients of NIH funds.
    Just last week, NIH announced an illegal plan to cap indirect cost rates that research institutions rely on. In capping indirect cost rates at 15 percent for NIH-funded grants, this policy would cut funding essential for conducting research, such as operating and maintaining laboratories, equipment, and research facilities. This change to NIH’s indirect cost rate represents an indiscriminate funding cut that will be nothing short of catastrophic for the lifesaving research that patients and families are counting on. The Administration’s new policy means that research will come to a halt, sick kids may not get the treatment they need, and clinical trials may shut down abruptly.
    These confusing and harmful policy changes threaten patient safety. The strength of the American research enterprise – recognized as the best in the world – is built on Congress’ bipartisan commitment to supporting essential research infrastructure. This funding, which Congress has long appropriated on a bipartisan basis, fuels groundbreaking medical discoveries and cements the United States’ position as the global leader in biomedical research.
    In addition to the stifling impact on discovering new cures and ripping away treatment from those who need it, changes to NIH policy and communications threaten jobs in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, with everyone from custodians, to research trainees, to scientists facing potential layoffs. NIH research supported more than 412,000 jobs and fueled nearly $93 billion in new economic activity in Fiscal Year 2023. Every dollar the NIH invests in research generates almost $2.50 in economic activity. These reckless policy changes not only threaten biomedical innovation and research, but also the livelihoods of thousands of workers in every state across the nation.
    The Trump Administration has left researchers, universities, and health systems with great uncertainty about whether they can continue to support entire research programs and patient clinical trials across the country. Institutions and grantees nationwide are dealing with an unprecedented external communications “pause” enacted by new leadership at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the lack of transparency regarding the Administration’s illegal funding freeze, and the uncertainty of how new Executive Orders would be applied to their critical work. These actions resulted in NIH freezing grant reviews and cancelling advisory meetings, delaying critical funding that scientists need to continue advancing new cures and treatments. These disruptions do not just slow research – they cost lives.
    The NIH plays a critical role in our nation’s efforts to fund scientific advancements that improve health and save lives. Our standing as a world leader in funding and producing new medical and scientific innovations has been put at risk by these recent actions from the Trump Administration. We urge you to stop playing political games with the lifesaving work of the NIH and to allow NIH research to continue uninterrupted.
    Sincerely,

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Graham Statement On RFK Jr. Confirmation

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for South Carolina Lindsey Graham

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today made this statement after voting to confirm Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Kennedy Jr. was confirmed by a vote of 52-48.

    “Every president deserves their team. I look forward to working with RFK Jr. to improve our quality of life and health in America.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Warren, Bonamici Renew Fight Against Misinformation in Pregnancy Care

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts – Elizabeth Warren

    February 13, 2025

    Bill Text (PDF) 

    Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Representative Suzanne Bonamici (D-Ore.) reintroduced the Stop Anti-Abortion Disinformation (SAD) Act, to crack down on attempts by crisis pregnancy centers (CPCs) to deceive and misinform women seeking reproductive health care. 

    Senators Edward Markey (D-MA), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Catherine Cortez Masto, (D-Nev.), Richard Durbin, (D-Ill.), Mazie Hirono (D-HI) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) joined as co-sponsors. 

    CPCs routinely rely on deceptive advertising practices to trick pregnant women into thinking they offer comprehensive reproductive health care, only to discourage them from getting abortions. These deceptive tactics include making false claims about reproductive health care and lying about the risks of receiving an abortion or using certain forms of contraception. CPCs, which are generally not Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)-covered entities, have been found to falsely claim to be HIPPA-compliant in order to collect women’s sensitive health information and in some cases even disclose that data to law enforcement. 

    Nationwide, false advertising by CPCs is preventing women from getting the reproductive health care they need. The SAD Act would direct the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to prescribe rules prohibiting disinformation in the advertising of abortion services. It would also give the Federal Trade Commission authority to enforce these rules and collect penalties from organizations, including CPCs, that violate these rules. 

    Senator Warren and Representative Bonamici first introduced this bill in the 117th Congress. 

    “Fighting back against misinformation and deceptive practices is an important tool to protect access to safe and reliable reproductive care. Reproductive rights are under attack in our country. This bill will help us push back against crisis pregnancy centers’ attempts to undermine a woman’s right to choose,” said Senator Warren.

    “Crisis pregnancy centers further their own anti-choice agenda by taking advantage of people seeking reproductive care,” said Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici. “Tragically, when CPCs provide false and misleading information about abortion and contraception, patients do not get necessary medical care. The Stop Anti-Abortion Disinformation (SAD) Act will put an end to these unfair and deceptive practices so pregnant Americans can access comprehensive, science-based reproductive care.”

    “Crisis pregnancy centers rely on predatory practices to spread deceptive, misleading information and dissuade patients from receiving necessary health care. Patients deserve objective medical guidance from professionals—not inaccurate, stigmatizing, and even life-threatening information. The Stop Anti-Abortion Disinformation Act stops these centers from interfering with patient care and ensures that patients are receiving all of the information they need to make the best decisions for their health,” said Senator Blumenthal.

    “It is critical that patients seeking reproductive care are given accurate medical advice from a trusted doctor, and not preyed on with misinformation from anti-abortion organizations posing as ‘crisis pregnancy centers,’” said Senator Booker. “This legislation will protect women seeking reproductive health care, including abortion care, from fraudulent clinics and predatory lies.”

    “When women seek reproductive health care, they should be able to trust that their provider is offering comprehensive, factual information.  Efforts by crisis pregnancy centers, many of which use half-truths and false advertising to mislead women about their options, undermine the reproductive rights of women,” said Senator Durbin. “I’m joining Senator Warren and Congresswoman Maloney to crack down on the deceptive practices of crisis pregnancy centers.”

    “Women who need reproductive care need certified, comprehensive health care providers with medical expertise to ensure they can make an informed decision about their health care,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “Crisis pregnancy centers intentionally confuse vulnerable women in a way that can put their health in danger.”

    “As Republicans cut away at access to reproductive care and amplify health disinformation, it is more important than ever to demand the truth. The Stop Anti-Abortion Disinformation Act is crucial for stopping peddlers of mis-and-disinformation in their tracks, so they do not continue to mislead, lie, and scare people from getting the care they need. Abortion care is health care, and every American should be able to access this care safely,” said Senator Markey.

    “MAGA Republicans are on a crusade to destroy reproductive rights nationwide by spewing misinformation and pushing deceptive practices that undermine access to vital reproductive services,” said Senator Merkley. “We need to get politicians and pundits out of the exam room. Our bill ensures that crisis pregnancy centers across the country will not be able to mislead or lie to Americans seeking reproductive health care, including abortion care.”

    “So-called ‘crisis pregnancy centers,’ propped up by anti-choice extremists, are notorious for misleading women about the services they provide and lying to them about their options for evidence-based reproductive health care. CPCs have also been known to deliberately deceive women into thinking their private health information is protected when it’s not, since they aren’t bound by HIPAA like real health care providers,” said Senator Murray. “As Republican state legislatures continue to funnel taxpayer money to these unaccountable anti-abortion centers, it’s more important than ever that Congress cracks down on their deceptive practices–that’s what this legislation is about.”

    “With reproductive rights constantly under threat, it’s vital that people can access reliable and trustworthy abortion care. These people are preying on pregnant women with misinformation and blatant lies about abortion. It’s wrong, and it’s why Vermont passed legislation to hold them accountable for their lies,” said Senator Welch. “Our bicameral legislation follows Vermont’s lead and requires accountability for engaging in deceptive practices that undermine reproductive rights.”

    “In a post-Roe world, it’s more important than ever that women everywhere have accurate information on which to base their reproductive care decisions,” Senator Wyden said. “Deceptive ‘crisis pregnancy centers’ target vulnerable patients who are looking for medical providers they can trust with their health, safety, and wellbeing and, instead, intercept them with false, harmful misinformation. ‘Crisis pregnancy centers’ must be stopped.

    “The unchecked spread of disinformation about reproductive health continues to endanger patients. This must end. 

    This bill will help stop crisis pregnancy centers from spreading deceptive advertising about abortion, and work to guarantee that everyone can get the accurate information and quality care they need and deserve. Planned Parenthood Action Fund is grateful to Sen. Warren and Reps. Bonamici and Sykes for re-introducing the Stop Anti-Abortion Disinformation Act and for their continued leadership in the fight to protect sexual and reproductive health care and rights. It’s time to end the manipulative tactics of these fake clinics so that all patients can control their own bodies, lives, and futures,” said Alexis McGill Johnson, president and CEO, Planned Parenthood Action Fund. 

    As a practicing OBGYN, I know firsthand how important it is that pregnant people have access to accurate information so that they can make important decisions about their care and lives without bias, stigma or shame,” said Dr. Raegan McDonald-Mosley, Power to Decide CEO and practicing OB-GYN. “We urge Congress to pass the ‘SAD Act’ so that every person has access to medically accurate information and the power to decide their reproductive futures.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Syria: Thousands of displaced head home, but many refugees still wary

    Source: United Nations 2

    Humanitarian Aid

    More than 825,000 people who were displaced within Syria have returned to their areas of origin since December, the UN humanitarian affairs office, OCHA, said on Thursday. 

    The development comes as a recent survey of Syrian refugees in the region reveals that some 75 per cent of respondents have no plans to go back anytime soon.

    OCHA said movements out of displacement camps in Syria remain limited, with some 80,000 people departing from sites in the northwest since December and roughly 300 others leaving the Areesha camp in the northeast this past Tuesday.

    Nearly two million people remain displaced in the northwest, and many are living in overcrowded sites and fragile tents.  Among them are more than 615,000 who remain newly displaced across the country since fleeing their homes after 27 November.

    The date marked the start of a major offensive by opposition fighters against the Syrian Army and forces loyal to the Assad regime, which was overthrown some 10 days later.

    Winter weather support

    The UN and partners continue to provide assistance as conditions and funding allow, including winter aid to northern Syria, where the weather is particularly harsh at this time of the year.

    Partners have carried out emergency repairs of roads and sewage systems that were affected by past flooding in the northwest, while nine markets are currently being rehabilitated near displacement camps. 

    Since December, more than 260,000 children in Idleb and northern Aleppo have been supported with heaters, winter clothes and other aid, OCHA said.  Winter kits were also distributed to 500 children in Qamishli, in Al-Hasakeh governorate.

    Illnesses and infections on the rise

    During the same period, health partners have deployed mobile medical teams, provided mental health support, and reinforced facilities with heating and insulation, reaching 800,000 people in the northwest.

    They warn, however, of a significant rise in influenza-like illnesses and severe acute respiratory infections, which are causing further strain to the underfunded health sector. More than 100 health facilities in the northwest are out of funds since the start of the year.

    Humanitarians also sounded the alarm over the shortfall in funding for their operations to support 6.7 million Syrians through March.  Less than 10 per cent of the $1.2 billion needed has been received to date.

    Refugees return home

    Meanwhile, more than 270,000 Syrian refugees have returned home since early December, according to the UN refugee agency, UNHCR.

    A recent UNHCR survey of Syrian refugees across the region found that 27 per cent of respondents intend to return home within the next 12 months, compared to just 1.7 per cent prior to the fall of the Assad regime.

    The results show, however, that roughly three-quarters of Syrian refugees have no plans to go home in the next year and are instead waiting to see how the situation evolves.

    Currently 5.5 million Syrian refugees are living in Türkiye, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq and Egypt.

    Factors affecting return

    The reasons why Syrian refugees are reluctant to return range from the lack of housing or access to their properties, concern over the security situation, the disruption to basic services, and economic challenges including a lack of jobs.

    UNHCR and partners are providing returnees and others in need with basic household items, repairs to damaged homes, emergency cash assistance, support to replace lost identity documents and psychological counselling, among other services.

    The agency is appealing for greater support from the international community to meet the immense needs. 

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI: Definitive Healthcare Announces Timing of Its Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2024 Financial Results Conference Call and Webcast

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    FRAMINGHAM, Mass., Feb. 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Definitive Healthcare Corp. (“Definitive Healthcare”) (Nasdaq: DH), an industry leader in healthcare commercial intelligence, today announced that it will report financial results for its fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2024, on Thursday, February 27, 2025 after market close. The company will host a conference call and webcast at 5:00 PM (ET) / 2:00 PM (PT) to discuss the company’s financial results.

    A live audio webcast of the event will be available on the Definitive Healthcare’s Investor Relations website at https://ir.definitivehc.com/.

    A live dial-in will be available at 877-358-7298 (domestic) or +1-848-488-9244 (international). Shortly after the conclusion of the call, a replay of this conference call will be available through March 29, 2025 at 800-645-7964 or 757-849-6722. The replay passcode is 1765#.

    About Definitive Healthcare
    At Definitive Healthcare, our mission is to transform data, analytics, and expertise into healthcare commercial intelligence. We help clients uncover the right markets, opportunities, and people, so they can shape tomorrow’s healthcare industry. Our SaaS products and solutions create new paths to commercial success in the healthcare market, so companies can identify where to go next. Learn more at definitivehc.com.

    Media Contact:
    Bethany Swackhamer
    bswackhamer@definitivehc.com

    Investor Relations Contact:
    Brian Denyeau
    ICR for Definitive Healthcare
    brian.denyeau@icrinc.com

    Source: Definitive Healthcare Corp.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Duckworth Votes Against Confirming Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to Serve as HHS Secretary

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Illinois Tammy Duckworth
    February 13, 2025
    [WASHINGTON, D.C.] – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) released the following statement after the Senate confirmed Robert F. Kennedy Jr. by a vote of 52-48 to serve as Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services:
    “I am extremely disappointed that my Republican colleagues lacked the basic courage necessary to vote against Robert F. Kennedy Jr. This man is an unqualified, anti-science, anti-vax extremist—and it will be our kids, not Mr. Kennedy, who pay the price, when he refuses to ensure they are protected against preventable yet deadly diseases like measles or whooping cough.
    “I’m also gravely concerned that Mr. Kennedy’s confirmation will further endanger Medicaid, putting at risk the roughly 80 million Americans who rely on it. With every passing day, it becomes clearer and clearer that Republicans care more about tax breaks for the billionaires they pal around with on the golf course than prescriptions for the middle-class folks who actually work at Mar-a-Lago.
    ‘They’re not making America great again—they’re making America sick again. That’s the Trump-Kennedy promise.”
    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Future Women Leaders in Medicine

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    Angela McCarthy, a third year medical student at UConn, is already making an impact as a leader in medicine.

    McCarthy is the first UConn medical student elected to serve as president of the American Medical Women’s Association (AMWA) Region 1. In this role, she successfully planned and hosted the association’s Region 1 Conference on January 25. She was elected to her leadership position by medical students across New England.

    The AWMA Region 1 Conference in Boston on Jan. 25 was attended by over 250 attendees (Photo by Olivia Kuk/Boston University medical student).

    “Women now make up over half of medical school classes across the U.S., but we still have work to do to ensure equal representation in leadership roles,” says McCarthy who is from Glastonbury, Conn. “It was an honor for UConn to lead this conference, and I’m grateful for the support that made it possible.”

    The annual meeting’s theme, “Women Supporting Women,” emphasized mentorship, collaboration, and career advancement for women in medicine. The event was sponsored by UConn School of Medicine and its Group on Women in Medicine and Science (GWIMS). The conference brought together over 250 attendees, including physicians, medical students, and premedical students from across New England. Many UConn medical students and UConn undergraduates attended.

    Hands-on clinical skills training workshops were also held at the event. (Photo by Olivia Kuk/Boston University medical student).

    In addition to McCarthy’s leadership in New England for AMWA’s Region 1, UConn medical student Pooja Prasad in the Class of 2026 holds a national position as one of AMWA’s Advocacy Chairs. Also, Connecticut Children’s Division Head of Rheumatology and associate professor of pediatrics at UConn School of Medicine Dr. Barbara Edelheit is the faculty advisor for UConn School of Medicine’s AMWA group. She serves in a national position as chair of AMWA’s Mentorship Committee and was a panelist on the opening Women in Medicine panel of this year’s Region 1 conference.

    “Angela did an incredible job planning and coordinating the AMWA Region 1 conference. She’s truly a standout student leader and a role model,” applauds Edelheit. “I’ve been so lucky to work alongside her and the amazing University of Connecticut medical students in my role as their AMWA faculty advisor. They’re an inspiring, brilliant group of women who are going to make a lasting impact in the world of medicine.”

    Five UConn medical students also moderated panels at the conference, while UConn faculty member Dr. Megan Herbst and second-year UConn medical student Veronica Arroyo Rodriguez developed a hands-on point of care ultrasound workshop for attendees.  The

    Mentorship group workshops underway at this year’s AWMA’s Region 1 conference (Photo by Olivia Kuk/Boston University medical student).

    Clinical Simulation Center at UConn Health lead by Jim Behme donated materials for skills workshops, including portable ultrasounds, IV placement arms, and high-tech mannequins for intubation practice.

    “This conference was a major achievement for the UConn School of Medicine. It highlights the strength of our student leadership and the school’s commitment to advancing women in medicine,” shares McCarthy.

    McCarthy concludes, “I couldn’t have pulled off this conference without the help of my peers, especially the other AMWA student leaders at UConn and across New England.”

    The 2025 AWMA Region 1 conference (Photo by Olivia Kuk/Boston University medical student).

    MIL OSI USA News –