 Health Care |
Health Care |
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Bipartisan lawmakers raise alarms over vapes from China |
House lawmakers are calling on federal regulators to crack down on illicit e-cigarettes imported from China as their popularity grows among young people. |
In a letter exclusively provided to The Hill, Reps. Rob Wittman (R-Va.) and Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Ill.) wrote to Robert Califf, head of Food and Drug Administration (FDA), following up on unanswered inquiries they had sent to the agency in November. "While we appreciate the recent joint federal operation resulting in the seizure of more than 1.4 million units of illegal e-cigarettes in December 2023, much more needs to be done," they wrote. "Illegal vaping products from the PRC [People's Republic of China] now make up more than half of all vaping products sold in the United States and contribute significantly to underage vaping rates." The lawmakers noted data from the FDA that indicated more than 1 in 4 youth report using e-cigarettes daily, and most of them say they prefer flavored versions. They specifically cited the brand Elf Bar — which 56 percent of users reported using — as being "illegally imported" from China. The product line features brightly colored e-cigarettes with various fruity flavors. Critics have widely argued that these sorts of products are purposely designed to appeal to children and young adults. Despite the FDA issuing a ban on most fruit and mint-flavored e-cigarettes, products continue to flow into the U.S. and become available for purchase. The lawmakers asked what the FDA planned to do to stem the flow of e-cigarettes from China and whether it planned to enforce legal proceedings against manufacturers. They also asked why the FDA has not issued a rule requiring foreign manufacturing registration, which the Tobacco Control Act allows for. The agency is overdue in its task of reviewing pre-market tobacco product applications, which are required for new tobacco products to be legally marketed in the U.S. The FDA previously said it would finish reviewing applications by the end of December 2023 but missed that deadline. Krishnamoorthi and Wittman requested to know when the FDA would complete its reviews and pressed the agency over the delay. |
Welcome to The Hill's Health Care newsletter, we're Nathaniel Weixel and Joseph Choi — every week we follow the latest moves on how Washington impacts your health. |
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How policy will be impacting the health care sector this week and beyond: |
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Two studies cited by plaintiffs and a federal judge in Texas that purported to show the harms of the common abortion pill mifepristone have been retracted by the publisher of the scientific journal they first appeared in. Sage Publications said it retracted three studies about mifepristone, two of which were cited heavily by Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk last year when he sided with a group of anti-abortion physicians and revoked … |
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The number of seizures of psychedelic mushrooms increased significantly over a five-year period, according to a study funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). Law enforcement seizures nationwide of "magic mushrooms" rose from 402 in 2017 to 1,396 in 2022. Alongside the rising number, the total weight of mushrooms, which contain the psychoactive component psilocybin, increased from 498 pounds to 1,861 pounds … |
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A listeria outbreak in 11 states has been linked to recalled dairy products, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said Tuesday. The CDC said the listeria outbreak has resulted in 26 illnesses, 23 hospitalizations and two deaths. Rizo-López Foods recalled the dairy products because "they have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes," it said in a press release Tuesday. The products … |
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A MESSAGE FROM KIDNEY CARE ACCESS COALITION |
Dialysis patients and their families are being harmed. |
A new bipartisan bill will restore essential protections – for patients and their families. Congress: pass H.R. 6860, the bipartisan Restore Protections for Dialysis Patients Act. Learn more |
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Branch out with a different read from The Hill: |
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Ecuador officials name likely source of tainted cinnamon that poisoned U.S. children |
Officials in Ecuador have named the likely source of contaminated ground cinnamon used in fruit pouches tied to more than 400 potential cases of lead poisoning in U.S. children, the Food and Drug Administration said Tuesday. Carlos Aguilera, a cinnamon-processing company in Ecuador, supplied the spice added to WanaBana and other applesauce … |
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Local and state headlines on health care: |
- Alabama health agencies say they're seeing increased need, staffing shortages (Alabama Reflector)
- Florida lawsuit against feds could delay expansion of child health insurance (Tampa Bay Times)
- Feds cite Asheville's Mission Hospital for 'immediate jeopardy,' HCA division president tells staff (NC Health News)
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Health news we've flagged from other outlets: |
- Supreme Court to weigh whether Covid misinformation is protected speech (Stat)
- Respiratory virus season in the US isn't over yet (CNN)
- 'I'm fed up:' Frustrations grow as ADHD drug shortage continues (NBC News)
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Most read stories on The Hill right now: |
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A House GOP effort to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas failed in embarrassing fashion Tuesday as three Republicans joined Democrats … Read more |
| Reps. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) and Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) unveiled a resolution Tuesday that declares former President Trump "did not engage in insurrection … Read more |
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You're all caught up. See you tomorrow! |
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