U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced a new federal rule that prohibits state Medicaid plans and CHIP funds from covering gender-affirming hormone therapies and procedures for minors. The rules define such care to include puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, and surgical operations. Although the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. asserted serious risks, many leading medical associations affirm the safety of this type of care.

Donald Trump's executive order regarding vaccines does not change US recommendations for shots, yet experts warn that it creates confusion and doubt about vaccines. They predict this will result in more illness and possibly deaths among children. The order was an attempt to reinstate changes to the vaccine schedule made by Robert F Kennedy Jr., which had previously been halted by a federal judge.

Child advocates warn that proposed changes to the federal Head Start program could eliminate vital child health and safety standards in Ohio and nationally. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced rules that transfer oversight of education, background checks, and ratios to states. Critics argue these reductions risk removing developmental screenings, strict teacher qualifications, and existing low-child-ratio requirements.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced a federal rule that prohibits state Medicaid and CHIP plans from covering gender-affirming procedures, including puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones, for minors under age 18. The policy takes effect on October 13, though state plans may receive continued federal funding for up to six months for current patients. This move faces opposition from leading medical associations who affirm the safety of gender-affirming care.

Donald Trump issued an executive order aiming to scale back childhood immunization schedules and space out shots into separate visits. While this move could appeal to some Make America Healthy Again voters, it is also attracting political attacks designed to hurt aligned candidates. Public health experts have warned that spacing out shots could increase the risk of infection with vaccine-preventable diseases.

President Donald Trump issued an executive order aiming to scale back the childhood immunization schedule and space out shots into separate visits. While this move may appeal to some voters, public health experts have warned that spacing out vaccines could increase infection risk with vaccine-preventable diseases. Meanwhile, political opponents are utilizing the action as a message point during midterm elections.

The federal government awarded a $150 million contract to Burke Law Group to represent 1,800 unaccompanied children in federally operated shelters. Immigrant legal aid groups criticized this move, warning that it is an attempt to undermine minors' rights and that the children will not receive meaningful due process. The article also notes that federal efforts have repeatedly attempted to erode legal mandates for immigrant minors by withholding payments from service providers.

The federal government awarded a $150 million contract to Texas-based Burke Law Group, a corporate law firm with 26 staff, to represent 1,800 unaccompanied migrant children. Advocates criticize the move as undermining due process and fast-tracking deportations, citing the firm's lack of immigration law expertise. The Trump administration has previously issued stop work orders and withheld payments from nonprofit legal aid providers for these children.

A 2025 federal study by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration found that marijuana use in the US surpassed cigarette smoking, with 43.8 million users versus 36.1 million. Alcohol remained the most commonly used substance, with 129.1 million monthly users. Marijuana use was highest among adults aged 18-25, while cigarette smoking was more common among older adults.

The U.S. Senate confirmed Dr. Erica Schwartz as the next director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) with a 51-44 vote. The confirmation followed a tense July hearing over concerns about political interference in vaccine policy, and she received backing from Senate Health Committee chair Bill Cassidy despite initial reservations. Only one Democrat, Virginia’s Tim Kaine, supported the nomination.

The article discusses the transfer of responsibilities for administering the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and civil rights enforcement from the U.S. Department of Education to the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Justice, arguing these moves risk weakening protections for students with disabilities. A Senate committee recently voted to oppose some of these transfers, highlighting concerns about delays in addressing educational rights violations.

Federal Judge Richard Stearns denied 25 states' request to block Medicaid work requirements, upholding a Jan 1 deadline set by Congress. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act mandates states to require Medicaid recipients to work or engage in activities for 80 hours monthly, with states arguing the new 'medically frail' exemption is too narrow.

A federal judge denied 25 states' request to pause Medicaid work requirements, upholding a congressional mandate that requires Medicaid expansion states to impose 80-hour monthly work, education, or volunteer mandates for coverage. The states argued the rule's medical frailty exemptions were too narrow, but the judge ruled the January 1 deadline set by Congress must be met.

A federal judge denied 25 states' request to block new Medicaid work requirements, enforcing a Jan. 1 deadline for implementation. The rule mandates Medicaid recipients in 42 states to work, attend school, or volunteer 80 hours monthly, with exemptions for those deemed 'medically frail' under federal guidance.

Internal CDC and HHS emails from Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s first months as HHS secretary were exposed in late June, providing a real-time look into officials' activities. The emails are linked to the reason for a lawsuit against him.

A federal judge denied 25 Democratic-led states’ request to block Medicaid work requirements, requiring states to meet a Jan. 1 deadline. The rule mandates that Medicaid recipients in 42 states and the District of Columbia work, attend school, or volunteer 80 hours monthly to retain coverage, with states arguing the new exemptions for medically frail individuals are too narrow and costly.

A coalition of states, including California, sued federal health agencies over new Affordable Care Act provisions, arguing they unlawfully increase costs and reduce enrollment. The states claim the 2027 Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters shifts costs to enrollees and states while expanding access to low-coverage catastrophic plans.

A federal judge denied 25 Democratic-led states' request to pause Medicaid work requirements, which mandate 80 hours of monthly work, education, or volunteering for Medicaid recipients. The ruling upholds a Jan. 1 deadline set by Congress for states to implement the requirements, part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

A federal judge denied 25 states' request to block Medicaid work requirements, requiring states to meet a Jan. 1 deadline to implement rules mandating 80 hours of monthly work, school, or volunteer activity for Medicaid coverage. The states argued new federal guidance narrowed exemptions for medically frail individuals, but the judge found no justification for halting the rule.

A federal judge denied a request from 25 Democratic-led states to pause new Medicaid work requirements, which mandate 80 hours of monthly work, education, or volunteering for coverage eligibility. The deadline for states to implement the rules remains January 1, as outlined in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

A federal audit found over 9,000 foster children were temporarily placed in hotels, offices, and other unsafe settings in 2022-2023 due to placement challenges, particularly for older children and those with behavioral/mental health needs. Tennessee's child welfare commissioner faces lawsuits alleging mistreatment, and Arizona and Texas accounted for nearly half of all reported placements.

A video shows 200 migrant children at a California container site during Xavier Becerra’s tenure at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Hilton's campaign highlights whistleblower allegations and claims Becerra ignored concerns about placing unaccompanied migrant children.

The U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee advanced Dr. Erica Schwartz's nomination to lead the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention with a 13-10 vote. The confirmation hearing included bipartisan concerns about political interference in vaccine policy, though all GOP members supported her bid and Sen. Tim Kaine was the sole Democrat to back her nomination.

A federal audit revealed over 9,000 foster children were temporarily placed in hotels, offices, and other unsafe settings due to placement challenges, particularly for older children and those with behavioral/mental health needs. The pandemic and opioid crisis exacerbated the issue, with Arizona and Texas accounting for nearly half of the placements. Tennessee’s child welfare commissioner faces lawsuits alleging mistreatment of foster children.

A federal audit found over 9,000 foster children temporarily placed in hotels, offices, and other unsafe settings across 49 states from January 2022 to June 2023. Tennessee's child welfare commissioner is a defendant in lawsuits alleging mistreatment, and states struggled to place older children and those with behavioral/mental health needs amid the pandemic and opioid crisis.

A federal audit found over 9,000 foster children were temporarily placed in hotels, office buildings, and other unsafe settings due to placement challenges. Tennessee's DCS commissioner faces lawsuits alleging mistreatment, and states like Arizona and Texas accounted for nearly half of all emergency placements.

A federal audit found over 9,000 foster children were temporarily placed in hotels, offices, and other unsafe settings between 2022 and 2023, with challenges in placing older children and those with behavioral/mental health needs. Tennessee's child welfare commissioner is named in lawsuits alleging mistreatment, and Arizona and Texas accounted for nearly half of all emergency placements.

Four Democratic lawmakers question if HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s family will profit from a Merck HPV vaccine settlement.

Mid-South Immigration Advocates in Tennessee is closing due to Trump administration funding cuts, leaving 800 low-income immigrant children without legal representation. The organization cites a new policy requiring disclosure of confidential client information as a reason for withheld federal payments, leading to dire consequences including increased deportation risks for children.

Mid-South Immigration Advocates announced it will close due to delayed federal reimbursements for legal services to unaccompanied minors, a heat advisory was issued for Middle Tennessee, and a 300-acre land acquisition was announced for Beaman Park.

Ohio special education advocates express concerns that recent federal changes, including moving the Office of Special Education to HHS and the Office for Civil Rights to DOJ, will complicate services for students with disabilities and undermine the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Critics argue the shift risks stigmatizing students by prioritizing a medical model over educational needs.

The Trump administration froze over $1 billion in Medicaid payments to California and Minnesota, citing the need for additional documentation to verify claims at high risk for fraud. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and CMS deferred $867 million to California and $199 million to Minnesota, targeting specific providers identified as high-risk based on historical billing patterns.

The Sixth Circuit declined to force the federal government to enforce the Affordable Care Act's nondiscrimination provision against private insurers paying nurse anesthetists less than doctors for the same services. The American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology sued the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, arguing insurers' disparate compensation violates the ACA, but the court found the association lacked standing because the harm stemmed from insurers, not HHS.

The U.S. federal government has frozen over $1 billion in Medicaid payments to California and Minnesota due to fraud concerns, with the Trump administration citing the need for more documentation on high-risk claims. The move is part of a broader crackdown targeting Medicaid fraud in Democratic-led states, including previous actions against other states.

The Trump administration has frozen over $1 billion in Medicaid payments to California and Minnesota, citing the need for additional documentation to prevent fraud. The federal government deferred $867 million to California and $199 million to Minnesota, requiring states to provide evidence for Medicaid claims or face future payment reductions.

Civil rights groups sued the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for failing to respond to a Freedom of Information Act request about childcare funding restrictions linked to fraud claims against Somali childcare providers and Democratic state officials. The groups seek correspondence between federal officials and far-right social media influencer Nick Shirley.

A report by the Urban Indian Health Institute found that federal funding cuts have led to over 1,000 unmet requests for help from American Indian and Alaska Native survivors of violence, including safe housing and counseling. The Trump administration's cuts to agencies like the Department of Justice and Health and Human Services reduced services, with 36% to 41% of programs affected. Congressional testimony highlighted financial uncertainty causing staff layoffs and hesitancy to reinstate programs.

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth announced mandatory annual testosterone screening for troops aged 30 or older to address testosterone deficiency, with voluntary hormone replacement therapy available for those diagnosed. The policy faces criticism from Democrats, who contrast it with Hegseth's prior ban on transgender service members requiring hormone therapy.

A report by the Urban Indian Health Institute found that federal funding cuts have led to over 1,000 unmet requests for help from American Indian and Alaska Native survivors of violence. Tribal organizations reported reduced services including safe housing, counseling, and legal assistance, with the Trump administration cutting millions from grants at the Departments of Justice and Health and Human Services.

A report by the Urban Indian Health Institute found that federal funding cuts under the Trump administration led to over 1,000 unmet requests for services for American Indian and Alaska Native violence survivors, including 690 safe housing-related requests. The cuts, affecting departments like Justice and Health and Human Services, caused reductions in services such as counseling and legal assistance, with Rep. Adelita Grijalva discussing the issue in a congressional hearing.