 Health Care |
Health Care |
|
|
GOP senator moves to revoke abortion pill approval |
Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) introduced a bill on Wednesday to remove approval for the abortion pill mifepristone, claiming that instances of adverse side effects are higher than is being reported. |
Mifepristone was approved for medication abortions in 2000. When taken in combination with misoprostol, it is the most common form of abortion performed in the U.S., accounting for about two out of three abortions in the country. "We've known for years that mifepristone is risky but it's really just in the last few years that we've learned that this drug is inherently dangerous and it is inherently prone to abuse," Hawley said in a press conference, citing a study of 875,000 mifepristone prescriptions showing that in 11 percent of cases in which women take the drug to end a pregnancy, there are "serious adverse health" effects. His bill would ban the sale of mifepristone for use in abortions but would still allow it to be prescribed to treat Cushing's syndrome, a rare disorder associated with high cortisol levels for prolonged periods of time. The legislation would also give women who suffered because of the drug the right to sue its makers in court. "This is something for Congress to do. Congress needs to act," said the senator from Missouri. "Only Congress at this stage can withdraw the certification for abortion for mifepristone in an effective way. Only Congress can do it and make it permanent." "I'm going to make that case to my colleagues," he added. Conservative lawmakers often claim that mifepristone is a uniquely dangerous medication. Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) has previously labelled it a "serious danger" to women. The Food and Drug Administration states in its own guidance on mifepristone that the drug is safe. "The FDA's periodic reviews of the postmarketing data for Mifeprex and its approved generic have not identified any new safety concerns with the use of mifepristone for medical termination of pregnancy through 70 days of gestation," the FDA's Q&A on mifepristone states. Read more from The Hill's Alex Bolton. |
Welcome to The Hill's Health Care newsletter, I'm Joseph Choi — every week we follow the latest moves on how Washington impacts your health. |
|
| How policy will be impacting the health care sector this week and beyond: |
|
|
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a warning to Novo Nordisk over its alleged failure to report adverse side effects, including death, in patients who took its GLP-1 medications, popularly known as Ozempic and Wegovy. The FDA wrote in a March 5 letter that it observed "serious violations" of reporting requirements during an inspection at a Novo facility in early 2025. The letter cited three deaths … |
| |
|
A new report released by the bipartisan Senate Joint Economic Committee (JEC) on Tuesday found that overpaying for Medicare Advantage (MA) plans caused Medicare Part B premiums to rise across the board. According to the JEC’s report, overpayments to MA plans caused standard monthly Medicare Part B premiums to go from $185 in 2025 to $203 in 2026. The report defined “overpayments” as the difference between … |
| |
|
Branch out with a different read: |
|
|
RFK Jr. undergoing rotator cuff surgery |
Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will undergo rotator cuff surgery on Tuesday, with plans to return to the office soon after, according to a department spokesperson. “Secretary Kennedy will undergo rotator cuff surgery this Tuesday and plans to return to the office the following Monday,” an HHS spokesman told The Hill. News that Kennedy, 72, was undergoing surgery was first reported … |
|
|
Local and state headlines on health care: |
- Virginia health officials warn of increased tick activity (WFXR)
- Lawmakers reopen fight over Louisiana's 50-year-old medical malpractice cap (NOLA.com)
- Annual report shows NM benefited from $133M in National Institutes of Health grants (Source New Mexico)
|
|
|
Health news we've flagged from other outlets: |
- BioNTech founders to depart, form new mRNA-focused company (Stat)
- Cosmetic surgery investigation prompts warnings for patients, and a push for tighter safety standards (KFF Health News)
- Diabetics who rely on glucose monitors are alarmed by recall linked to 7 deaths (NBC News)
|
|
|
Opinions related to health submitted to The Hill: |
|
|
You're all caught up. See you tomorrow! |
400 N Capitol Street NW Suite 650, Washington, DC 20001 |
Copyright © 1998 - 2026 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. |
|
|
|
If you believe this has been sent to you in error, please safely unsubscribe.
No comments:
Post a Comment