Alejandra O'Connell Domenech

1 day ago | thehill.com | Nathaniel Weixel |Joseph Choi |Alejandra O'Connell Domenech

SCOTUS rules Planned Parenthood can be cut off from Medicaid In a ruling made along ideological lines, the Supreme Court ruled on Thursday that Medicaid beneficiaries don’t have the right to sue to obtain care from a provider of their choice, paving the way for South Carolina to block Planned Parenthood from receiving Medicaid funds. The law says “any individual” insured through Medicaid “may obtain” care from any qualified and willing provider.

2 days ago | thehill.com | Alejandra O'Connell Domenech |Joseph Choi |Nathaniel Weixel

Health and Health Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr’s remade vaccine advisory panel kicked off its two-day meeting Wednesday despite calls to delay the proceedings, including by Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.), the HELP Committee chairman who cast the deciding vote to confirm Kennedy. The meeting was marked by drama even before it started. Kennedy gutted the entire Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) less than two weeks ago and appointed eight new members just days later.

3 days ago | thehill.com | Alejandra O'Connell Domenech |Joseph Choi |Nathaniel Weixel

During the hearing, Democratic lawmakers questioned Kennedy about his time at HHS Secretary. Here are some key takeaways:Rep. Frank Pallone (D-N.J.) criticized Kennedy for his lack of transparency despite his promise to bring “radical transparency” to the agency. Pallone cited HHS’s lack of response to congressional inquiries as well as the firing of the entire Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.

4 days ago | thehill.com | Nathaniel Weixel |Joseph Choi |Alejandra O'Connell Domenech

The ad, titled “Science is Our Superpower,” targets swing district House GOP incumbents in Iowa, Arizona, Nebraska, and New Jersey. “We’re losing ground to China,” the ad states. “Turning our backs on science holds us back.”The administration’s actions—from eliminating programs and federal departments to slashing grants for scientific research— are leading to an exodus of scientists, and other countries are looking to capitalize.

1 week ago | thehill.com | Alejandra O'Connell Domenech |Nathaniel Weixel |Joseph Choi

It’s the first meeting of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) since Kennedy fired all 17 members and appointed eight new panelists, several of whom are vocal vaccine critics. As part of its scaled-down two-day meeting beginning Wednesday, the committee is set to vote on influenza vaccines that contain thimerosal — an ingredient wrongly linked to autism.