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RELEASE: DELAWARE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CONSORTIUM HIRES ADMINISTRATOR - State of Delaware News
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | Wednesday, December 17, 2025 Media Contact: Alexis Wrease Email: alexis.wrease@delaware.gov Phone: (302) 622-2677 Delaware Behavioral Health Consortium Hires Administrator Wilmington — The Delaware Behavioral Health Consortium (BHC) is excited to welcome Katie Leibel-Marin as its Administrator. With extensive experience in strategic development, budget management, community engagement, and board management, Leibel-Marin […]
More than 10% of Congress won't return to their seats after 2026
NPR is tracking the record number of congressional lawmakers – now more than one in ten current members – who have announced plans to retire or run for a different office in 2026.
Congress live updates as GOP lawmakers join Democrats to force vote on extending health care subsidies
DraftKings promo code: Get $200 in bonus bets for Bulls-Cavaliers, Delaware-Louisiana, Timberwolves-Grizzlies
DraftKings offers a $200 bonus on a $5 winning wager for Wednesday NBA and college football betting
Seattle passes new transparency law aimed at political consultants
The bill is Seattle City Council President Sara Nelson’s last as a member of the council and would target outgoing Mayor Bruce Harrell's unique advisor arrangement.
State-County Mental Health Talks Blow Past Deadlines
“Let’s be real. If all we are doing is restoring somebody—which, to be blunt, is forced medication and flash cards on basic court procedures like ‘Who is a judge?’ ‘What does your lawyer do?’—it is not treatment.”
Jack Smith set for private interview with lawmakers about Trump investigations
Smith is expected to discuss both of his investigations of Trump but will not answer questions that call for grand jury materials
What to know about the upcoming Epstein files release
A new federal law requires the Justice Department to release by Friday a massive trove of investigative documents related to Jeffrey Epstein.
Wright State, Central State not compliant with Ohio ‘science of reading’ standards, state audit finds
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine announced this week that Wright State and Central State are two of 10 Ohio universities not fully compliant with a new state law requiring Ohio’s teaching institutions to ban literacy approaches other than the “science of reading” from their curriculum.
Apparent serial scammer cons Toledo business owner out of a donation to a fake charity event
“Miss Alex” has ripped off multiple businesses this year and is wanted by law enforcement
Delaware defeats Rider 65-57
NEWARK, Del. (AP) Macon Emory's 17 points helped Delaware defeat Rider 65-57 on Tuesday.
How AI Sees Science Differently Than We Do
About this episode: What if the great discoveries of science came in the “wrong” order? The Laws of Thermodynamics were discovered well after the creation of algebra, classical physics, and chemistry, but are perhaps much more important to our basic understanding of the universe. Chris Edwards argues that AI will
The Guardian view on Trump’s BBC lawsuit: grievance politics with a purpose
Editorial: The US president has repeatedly targeted American media in an attempt to muzzle debate and scrutiny. His attempt to export the bullying must be resisted
Ohio State, other schools fail reading audit as DeWine demands action
Many educator preparation programs at Ohio colleges are aligned with a law requiring the "science of reading" be taught, but some are not.
Apple’s next iPhone 17 model could fix predecessor’s biggest flaw
A new report from The Information included an exciting detail about the forthcoming iPhone 17e: MagSafe support is coming.
Ohio audit: Cleveland State, nine other universities not compliant with ‘science of reading’ law
Ten Ohio colleges and universities – including many of the state’s largest – aren’t following a new state law to train future educators only in the phonics-based “science of reading” method of teaching kids to read.
House GOP moderates weigh deal with Democrats on ACA subsidies
"It's idiotic, it's political malpractice," Rep. Mike Lawler told reporters of Johnson refusing to give them a vote on ACA subsidies
UK announces independent probe into foreign interference in politics
Minister says probe in response to case of ex-Reform UK lawmaker Nathan Gill, jailed for taking pro-Russia bribes.
UK to hold inquiry into foreign financial interference in domestic politics
Review, which will focus on effectiveness of political finance laws, follows conviction of former Reform politician for accepting bribes
Live updates: House, Senate attempt to move ahead on health plans with deadline looming
Congressional lawmakers on Tuesday are scrambling to hammer out plans to address rising insurance premium costs before their holiday recess, as the expiration of Affordable Care Act subsidies looms…
Ramanujan’s 100-year-old pi formula is still revealing the Universe
Ramanujan’s elegant formulas for calculating pi, developed more than a century ago, have unexpectedly resurfaced at the heart of modern physics. Researchers at IISc discovered that the same mathematical structures behind these formulas also describe real-world phenomena like turbulence, percolation, and even black holes. What once seemed like pure mathematics now appears deeply intertwined with the physical laws governing the universe.
One Big Beautiful Bill Act Complicates State Health Care Affordability Efforts
The federal budget bill President Donald Trump signed into law in July is creating uncertainty for states trying to rein in health care spending. In California, a lawsuit by the hospital industry challenging state spending caps cites the law, which will slash Medicaid spending, as one of many financial pressures.
Starmer urged to stand up for BBC against Trump’s ‘outrageous’ $10bn lawsuit
Ed Davey says prime minister must make it clear lawsuit is ‘unacceptable’ as US president quotes Badenoch to back ‘fake news’ claim
Pentagon "escalating" its review of Sen. Mark Kelly over video urging defiance of illegal orders
The Pentagon says it is "escalating" a probe into Sen. Mark Kelly, one of six Democratic lawmakers who urged service members to "refuse illegal orders."
Some Republican lawmakers call for mass expulsion of American Muslims
Comments from Rep. Randy Fine (R-Florida) and Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Alabama) reflect a brazen Islamophobic sentiment being voiced by some in the party.
Judge expresses skepticism toward Epstein victim lawsuit against big banks alleging they facilitated sex-trafficking
The Jeffrey Epstein victims' lawsuits resembled two others, against JPMorgan Chase and Deutsche Bank, which settled for hundreds of millions.
Lawsuit: Spurs icon David Robinson accuses business partner of diverting more than $34 million
San Antonio Spurs legend David Robinson filed a lawsuit last week alleging his business partner diverted tens of millions of dollars to fund a new venture without his knowledge.
Colorado Law Adopting Uniform Utilization Review Standards for Behavioral Health Treatment Goes into Effect January 1, 2026
Colorado House Bill 25-1002, effective January 1, 2026, amends Colorado Revised Statutes § 10-16-104(5.5) to require health benefit plans to use
ACA shoppers face sticker shock as Congress dithers on health care
With subsidies that help consumers pay their health insurance premiums set to expire, health care shoppers face staggering prices. Lawmakers are running out of time to agree on a solution.
Rob Reiner supported social justice causes, political issues
Rob Reiner, who famously played Archie Bunker's liberal son-in-law, went on to be an outspoken supporter of social causes and Democratic voices.
Blindsided: Iconic Gainesville businesses included in 49 ADA lawsuits
Owners forced to settle or spend after dozens of mirror suits.
Op Ed: Wisconsin Candidates Decry Money in Politics, Plan to Raise Tons of It
2015 state law with 'billionaires' loophole' has transformed Wisconsin elections.
Latest round of talks between Ukraine, U.S. conclude as Trump seeks swift peace
There were no immediate comments on the talks in Berlin that involved Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner
‘Politics in the guise of international law’: Israel rejects ICC decision to continue its Gaza probe
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Senators fear sports gambling is getting out of control, raise regulation
A string of scandals involving illegal gambling and alleged game rigging in pro sports is getting the attention of lawmakers on Capitol Hill, with some arguing Congress should have a greater role i…
Rep. Kevin Kiley talks about this week's vote to extend the ACA subsidies
Some lawmakers are filing discharge petitions to bring plans to extend ACA subsidies to a vote this week. NPR's A Martinez speaks to Rep. Kevin Kiley, R-Calif., about challenging House leadership.
Bills seek to promote telemedicine and regulate AI in New Hampshire’s health insurance industry
A Nashua lawmaker has filed two bills related to New Hampshire’s health insurance industry: one would prohibit health insurers from using artificial intelligence to overrule doctors while the other would prevent insurers from reimbursing providers less money for equivalent services provided via telemedicine.
O’Neill Institute’s Center for Health and Human Rights and Ríos host High Court Justices for Second Annual Judicial Dialogues on Health and the Law in Latin America and the Caribbean
The O’Neill Institute’s Center for Health and Human Rights at Georgetown Law and Ríos Strategic Lawyering for Social Justice held the second annual Judicial Dialogues on Health and the Law in Latin America and the Caribbean event.
Vote for Week 2 Delaware HS Athlete of the Week, presented by Delaware Orthopaedic Specialists
Voting is free on Delaware Online. The winner will be announced on Dec. 19.
SIX FLAGS ENTERTAINMENT CORPORATION (NYSE: FUN) DEADLINE ALERT: Bernstein Liebhard LLP Reminds Six Flags Entertainment Corporation Investors of Upcoming Deadline
Six Flags Entertainment Shareholder Lawsuit Filed - Contact Bernstein Liebhard For More Information...
Kast wins Chile's presidency, deepening regional shift to law-and-order politics
Jose Antonio Kast won Chile's presidential election on Sunday, leveraging voter fears over rising crime and migration to steer the country in its sharpest rightward shift since the end of the military dictatorship in 1990.
Homicide detectives investigating at address connected with Hollywood director Rob Reiner
Homicide detectives from the Los Angeles Police Department are on scene and conducting an investigation at an address associated with Hollywood director Rob Reiner, a law enforcement source tells CNN.
Chile elects Kast as president, deepening regional shift to law-and-order politics
Jose Antonio Kast won Chile’s presidential election on Sunday, leveraging voter fears over rising crime and migration to take the country to its sharpest rightward shift since the end of dictatorship in 1990.
My tween kept asking to chat with her friends online. Now, in Australia, I can just say, 'it's against the law.'
Leon Spencer, an Australian dad, wants his kids to meet up with friends in person, not become products for advertisers.
Congress races against the clock to avert skyrocketing health care costs for millions
Lawmakers are scrambling to address skyrocketing health care costs in the final days before Congress leaves Washington for the holidays, with enhanced tax credits that make insurance premiums more affordable for millions of Americans set to expire at the end of the month.
Congress races against the clock to avert skyrocketing health care costs for millions
Lawmakers are scrambling to address skyrocketing health care costs in the final days before Congress leaves Washington for the holidays, with enhanced tax credits that make insurance premiums more affordable for millions of Americans set to expire at the end of the month.
Jasmine Crockett's Senate campaign makes first Houston stop
She stopped in at the same church she attended when she was a student at the University of Houston law school.
Hacker hijacks Amazon accounts via Kindle ebook
An ethical hacker has warned Kindle users against downloading ebooks from third-party sites after discovering flaws that can expose credit cards
Bill and Hillary Clinton’s Stance on Epstein Testimony Dec. 10
Bill and Hillary Clinton’s lawyer writes a letter on Dec. 10 to the House Oversight Committee opposing their live testimony regarding the Jeffrey Epstein investigation.
School politics class: Berenberg made largest unlawful UK political donation with £300,000 for Tories
Established UK political parties
Manchin urges lawmakers to stop acting in ‘attack mode’ amid political violence
Former senator’s comments echo recent call from Erika Kirk that ‘everyone has responsibility’ to tone down hatred
Ben Gibson reappointed General Counsel of Republican National Lawyers Association
Gibson was one of Florida’s electors in the presidential election for 2024 in the Electoral Collage.
Can Lawmakers Find a Solution to Expiring Health Care Subsidies?
The United States Senate rejected a pair of health care bills that would have delivered relief to more than 20 million Americans before the end of the year. Now, cost-saving subsidies added to the Affordable Care Act in 2021 are likely to expire on New Year’s Eve, causing patient prices to increase by as much as 100%. NBC’s Anne Thompson reports in this week’s Sunday Focus.
Week in politics: Crunch time for new health insurance plans, Trump sued over White House renovations, Americans killed by ISIS
Despite being in control of the White House and Congress, Republicans have been unable to pass their health care agenda. We look at why that's the case, as well as a new lawsuit against the president.
Week in politics: Crunch time for new health insurance plans, Trump sued over White House renovations, Americans killed by ISIS
Despite being in control of the White House and Congress, Republicans have been unable to pass their health care agenda. We look at why that's the case, as well as a new lawsuit against the president.
Week in politics: Crunch time for new health insurance plans, Trump sued over White House renovations, Americans killed by ISIS
Despite being in control of the White House and Congress, Republicans have been unable to pass their health care agenda. We look at why that's the case, as well as a new lawsuit against the president.
Apple Releases Emergency Patch For Two Zero-Day Flaws Used In Highly Targeted Attacks
Apple has issued urgent security updates to address two critical zero-day vulnerabilities that have been exploited in sophisticated real-world attacks targeting specific individuals, the company confirmed this week. The patches are part of a broader emergency update that spans iOS, iPadOS, macOS, wa
iOS 26.2—Update Now Warning Issued To All iPhone Users
Apple has released iOS 26.2, fixing 26 iPhone flaws, two of which are already being used in real-life attacks. Here's what you need to know.
Ethics commission investigates progressive Portland city councilors over August retreat
Oregon ethics officials will investigate whether six Portland city councilors violated public meetings law when they met for a private August retreat.
Why Yankees' Ryan McMahon needs to fix 'obvious' flaw
McMahon led all MLB hitters in strikeout rate last season.
Teen’s video a ‘Breakthrough’ in science communication
Seventeen-year-old Grace Lee from Chula Vista is gaining national attention as a finalist in the global Breakthrough Junior Challenge, an annual competition that invites students to create original videos explaining complex scientific ideas in creative and engaging ways. Founded in 2015, the contest encourages young people to break down advanced scientific theories using imagination and storytelling— “Steven Spielberg meets Albert Einstein,” as organizers describe it. Lee’s submission centers on the principle of least time in physics, a concept that explains why light always travels the path that takes the least amount of time. To bring the idea to life, she used intricate origami characters and stop-motion animation, along with simple at-home experiments, she said. “The fact that light always travels via the path that takes the least amount of time sounds simple at first, but nature is full of surprises,” she said. “This principle is actually very profound and underlies many different fields in physics that seem completely unrelated, from optics to Newton’s laws to Einstein’s theory of relativity.” Also, origami has long been one of her passions and integrating it into her project felt natural. She often makes origami gifts for friends and teaches origami in her school clubs. “A single 10-second scene would take hours to craft,” she said, noting the mixture of stop-motion and post-production editing required to animate expressions and movement. To ensure the science remained accurate and accessible, she spent time reading books and online resources, writing a script, creating a storyboard, and filming and editing repeatedly until the visuals worked.The experiments were among the biggest challenges. To demonstrate water waves, she used everyday household items — “a spatula and an electric toothbrush to vibrate the waves, glass in a baking pan for different depths, and an iPhone flashlight so the waves would be visible.” She also put careful thought into explaining the principle through analogies, including a gingerbread man and a fox. “Analogies and visuals are incredibly important,” she said. “Visual demonstrations allow viewers to see how the science actually works.” Beyond the competition, Lee is deeply involved in science leadership and advocacy. She serves as International President of miRcore, the world’s largest student computational biology organization, with 136 chapters across five countries. She leads a 20-member executive board, organizes outreach connecting schools worldwide, and has helped run workshops at locations including Scripps Research Institute and the University of Michigan. “I used to be intimidated,” she said, but she gradually grew her skills and confidence. “Now I am no longer afraid to use my voice and enthusiasm to bring out the best in others.” Her research experience includes two peer-reviewed papers on asthma and vaping. Misconceptions around vaping, she said, show why clear science communication matters. “Our research shows that there is long-term harm to your lungs on the cellular level that isn’t obvious unless you come down with an illness like the flu,” she said. Lee also founded Full Hearts at Eastlake High School, transforming the small club into one of the school’s largest, with hands-on service projects in partnership with local nonprofits. She continues mentoring younger students to sustain the mission. If she wins the Breakthrough Junior Challenge, Grace hopes the $100,000 science lab prize for her school will expand opportunities for students who have limited access to equipment and hands-on science outside the classroom.
How a political clash ended with Delaware's U.S. Attorney resigning
A court ruling and ongoing standoff between the Trump administration and Delaware's senators prompted the resignation of Delaware's U.S. attorney.
iOS 26.2—Update Now Warning Issued To All iPhone Users
Apple has released iOS 26.2, fixing 26 iPhone flaws, two of which are already being used in real-life attacks. Here's what you need to know.
Apple Issues Security Updates After Two WebKit Flaws Found Exploited in the Wild
Apple fixes two exploited WebKit bugs targeting specific users, issuing security updates across iOS, macOS, and Safari.
Michigan authorizes probe into athletic department after Sherrone Moore firing
Michigan is looking inward in the aftermath of firing Sherrone Moore as a law firm investigates the athletic department's handling of the situation
KC civil rights leaders back Black business owners in $70 million Westport lawsuit
Local civil rights groups are backing Black business owners in a $70M RICO suit alleging Westport CID prevented Black-focused nightlife from opening in Kansas City.
Trump order blocking state AI laws could slow health AI adoption, leave patients vulnerable
Trump's order to block state AI laws could help the tech industry but hurt health systems looking to adopt AI safely, and leave patients vulnerable.
Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick is fundraising off of charges she stole $5M from FEMA
Democratic lawmaker fundraises off indictment, claiming political retaliation amid serious federal charges.
Female athletes protesting transgender competition in sports drop lawsuit against OSAA
Two female athletes dropped a lawsuit they had filed alleging that the OSAA discriminated against them for protesting transgender competition in women's sports.
Google and Apple roll out emergency security updates after zero-day attacks
Apple released patches for all of its flagship devices to fix security flaws under attack. Google also updated Chrome to remediate one vulnerabilty exploited in the attacks.
With ACA subsidies set to lapse, millions of Americans face a painful spike in health plan costs
Trump's plan to limit student loans for nurses is facing bipartisan backlash
Over 140 bipartisan lawmakers wrote to oppose the Education Department's plan to place new student-loan limits on nursing programs.
Julianne Murray steps down as Delaware U.S. Attorney, citing politics
Delaware's top federal prosecutor for the past six months submits her resignation, and has a lot to say about it.
These new 2026 health care laws are taking effect in Pa., N.J. and Del.
Bills on diagnostic breast cancer testing, GLP-1 medications, lead paint and breastfeeding were signed into law.
RFK Jr is a danger to public health – but local Maha laws could be a bigger threat
An array of under-the-radar initiatives are taking hold across the US, often tied to immunization, fluoridation and raw milk
50 Cent to get $50 million from the state for Shreveport projects. There are clawbacks.
Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson gets big state support for Shreveport plans.
‘Pig butchering’ cryptocurrency scam cheats Minnesota business owner out of $500K
The scam’s target went to law enforcement after being asked for another $240,000, according to a court filing.
Essentia Health hosts local lawmakers at St. Joseph’s Medical Center ahead of legislative session
Sandy Zutz-Wiczek, vice president of operations at Essentia, led a tour of the hospital and discussed how lawmakers can help ensure rural communities preserve access to high-quality care
ObamaCare impasse sets stage for January health care battle
Only a holiday miracle can prevent ObamaCare subsidies from expiring on Jan. 1, setting up a major health care fight next month when lawmakers turn their attention to a 2026 spending bill and anoth…
Sticker Shock: Obamacare Customers Confront Premium Spikes as Congress Dithers
With subsidies that give consumers extra help paying their health insurance premiums set to expire, lawmakers are again debating the Affordable Care Act. The difference this time: It’s happening in the middle of ACA open enrollment.
New laws to be considered after ‘harrowing stories’ from ex-Vodafone franchisees
Concerns about power imbalance in franchise agreements amid claims over firm’s treatment of small-business owners
Buss: Are politics better with s---?
Ideas and the law — bedrocks of our society — are not sharpened by the use of profanity; they are exposed for their weakness.
Long: As NASCAR antitrust lawsuit reaches settlement, a win for fans who get their sport back
23XI Racing co-owner Michael Jordan credited "level heads" in reaching an agreement.
Hochul signs several bills into law on artificial intelligence regulations
One piece of legislation aims to stop artificial intelligence from being used to essentially recreate people who have died.
In a setback for Trump, Indiana lawmakers defeat redistricting plan
Republicans resisted the call by President Trump for redistricting. He and the state's Republican governor threatened to back primary challenges against Senators who wouldn't get on board.
Wisconsin State Patrol drops reminder: In-car entertainment might be breaking the law
(WFRV) – Ever wonder if motorists in Wisconsin can look at or operate an electronic device for entertainment while driving? Well, the state patrol provided some clarification. The Wisconsin S…
Florida House advances proposal to mandate E-Verify
Only companies with 25 or more employees are required to use the system under current state law.
DOJ sues Colorado Secretary of State for refusing to release voter information
The U.S. Department of Justice has filed a lawsuit against Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold after she refused to provide the agency with voter information. Last week, the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division asked Griswold’s office to provide unredacted voter data, including full names, dates of birth, residential addresses, and driver’s license numbers. Federal authorities […]
Some lawmakers see path for health care compromise after failed Senate votes
Michael Jordan's 23XI Racing Settles Lawsuit with NASCAR: 'Going to Grow the Sport'
Michael Jordan’s race team will continue to compete in NASCAR after Thursday's settlement. Here's what to know.
Michael Jordan prevails in settlement of antitrust lawsuit against NASCAR
Jordan's 23XI Racing team, along with Front Row Motorsports, reached a deal with NASCAR on the ninth day of their federal trial.
SC minority business leaders say paperwork 'quotas' in state law never met their goal
SC business groups don’t see the governor's pause of minority set asides as much of a loss since many agencies weren’t meeting quotas.
Live updates: Indiana Senate prepares for a final vote on redistricting
The vote may come down to the wire as on-the-fence lawmakers hear final arguments.
Lawmakers move to phase out health-specific retirement benefit
Lawmakers may instead bulk up Hoosier START, the state's defined benefit plans. They say that would offer retirees and current staff greater flexibility.
Essentia Health, Minnesota Business Partnership convene lawmakers ahead of legislative session
Essentia Health, Minnesota Business Partnership convene lawmakers ahead of legislative session
Analysis: The Civil Rights law that Stephen Miller says ruined America
Trump’s key aide thinks the country was better off with strict quotas that sought to preserve the racial makeup of the country in the 1920s and so favored immigrants from Western and Northern Europe over what he called “third world countries.”
With Republicans Divided, Indiana Senate Set to Vote on Redistricting
President Trump wants a new congressional map in Indiana that would boost Republicans, but he has struggled to win over some state lawmakers in his party.
The New WHO Pandemic Treaty and Global Health Governance: Incorporating Common but Differentiated Responsibilities into PABS - Georgetown Journal of International Affairs
On May 20, 2025, the World Health Assembly unanimously adopted the World Health Organization (WHO) Pandemic Agreement, an international treaty designed to strengthen pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response. The product of three years of arduous negotiations, the treaty marks a new era of global cooperation in public health. However, core aspects of the agreement remain unresolved—notably the Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing (PABS) System, which is intended to ensure equitable access to pandemic-related materials and benefits. To support the successful implementation of the WHO Pandemic Agreement, the principle of “common but differentiated responsibilities” should be formally incorporated into the negotiating agenda of the PABS annex. Introduction For the first time, an international treaty has enshrined the principle of “One Health,” the compelling idea that the health of animals, humans, and the environment all contribute to pandemic risks. SARS (2003), H1N1 (2009–10), Ebola (2014–16), and COVID-19 all emerged through zoonotic spillover from animal hosts—respectively, civets, hogs, and bats. Together, they underscore the need for a coordinated, cross-sectoral approach. The Pandemic Agreement responds to this call, requiring state parties to acknowledge the ecological interplay and commit to a comprehensive “One Health” strategy. Specifically, Article 5 charges governments to address “the drivers of pandemics and the emergence and re-emergence of infectious disease at the human-animal-environment interface,” including wild animal markets, deforestation, and antibiotic overuse. Yet the effectiveness of this “One Health” vision depends equally on the free flow of scientific information and data among countries and institutions. Just as environmental and animal health factors have been neglected in past global frameworks, so too has data sharing been marginalized, despite its centrality to timely detection and response. The Pandemic Agreement takes an important step by requiring governments to enhance data collection and cooperate with the World Health Organization (WHO). However, these provisions will remain aspirational without a robust Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing (PABS) annex. The PABS system will determine whether countries and researchers can rapidly exchange pathogen samples and genetic data while ensuring equitable access to resulting research and development, including diagnostics, therapeutics, and vaccines. Without such mechanisms, the treaty’s promise to operationalize “One Health” and strengthen global preparedness will risk becoming largely symbolic, echoing earlier failures to translate shared principles into coordinated action. Equity Concerns When the 2025 Health Assembly adopted the Pandemic Agreement, it left the difficult question of access to pathogens and the sharing of resulting benefits to be addressed in a separate agreement. Negotiations on this separate agreement, PABS, are now underway in Geneva. Yet governments remain divided over fundamental questions of equity between the countries that primarily contribute to the system and those that primarily draw from it—and consequently benefit. For example, wildlife in countries bordering the equator is likely to produce PABS materials, but companies in Europe are likely to use them to develop lucrative products. The most likely contributor countries are likely to be those biodiverse countries around the equator, such as Brazil, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Indonesia, where the number of human-mammalian viral host interactions is large. Conversely, countries most likely to benefit from this material are those with the technology, investors, and infrastructure to capitalize on genomic data, such as the United States, EU member states, and Japan. This imbalance reflects a broader pattern seen in prior international frameworks. Now, as in the past, the wealthiest countries in the world (a useful heuristic is membership of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)) disproportionately benefit from systems in which pathogens and genomic sequencing data are contributed to a common source. Under the International Agreement on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (the “Plant Treaty” or “Seed Treaty”) and the Pandemic Influenza Preparedness (PIP) Framework, companies from Europe and North America disproportionately withdraw biological samples and data for development into lucrative medical products. Their governments and companies have both statutory and contractual claims to the products that those companies correspondingly produce. PABS appears poised to follow the same pattern. The text calls for strong language on access to pathogens and associated data, but the corresponding benefits that should flow to poorer countries are couched in equivocal or non-binding language. Common but Differentiated Responsibilities To address these inequities, the principle of “common but differentiated responsibilities” should be formally incorporated into the negotiating agenda of the PABS annex. Common but differentiated responsibilities are often a feature of climate change negotiations. The basic principle is that, even though all countries should reduce carbon emissions, governments that became rich and powerful through massive carbon emissions (e.g., France, the United Kingdom, the United States) should have a greater obligation to address the resulting crises. Applied to PABS, it would require that governments hosting and supporting companies developing lucrative products carry greater obligations toward the cost of running the PABS system; share benefits or final medical products; and transfer technology to help countries worldwide develop their own capacities to innovate and manufacture vaccines during an emergency. For example, an annex could mandate that any company based in an OECD country that withdraws PABS material would be obligated to donate the resulting diagnostics, therapeutics, or vaccines to the WHO during a public health emergency or pandemic. Questions remain about how robust those donations would be, but the principle is that they should deliver highly significant lifesaving benefits to be equitably shared. Theoretically, this approach mirrors the PIP Framework, in which companies withdrawing influenza samples are required to pay half of the operating costs. In practice, however, the framework has fallen short. The PIP Framework Secretariat has struggled to secure payments from companies, with companies often disagreeing over how much is owed. Additionally, without another pandemic influenza to test the strength of the agreement during a public health emergency, corporate compliance with sharing mechanisms remains unknown. Even if these limitations did not characterize the PIP Framework, partially paying for operating expenses does not address the inequity in access to genetic data and pathogen samples that left less developed countries last in line for COVID-19 vaccines (and, before them, H1N1). Common but differentiated responsibilities would go further, addressing governments’ legitimate grievances regarding information sharing. It would make withdrawals of PABS material and resulting products more transparent, building trust across the board. Enforcement and Enduring Success A key implication of this approach is that the governing mechanism of the PABS must have real enforcement authority. The WHO Pandemic Agreement delegates its core governance responsibilities to a Conference of the Parties (COP)—a governing body composed of one representative from each participating government, similar to those established under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. The proposed WHO Pandemic Agreement COP is charged with oversight functions but ultimately possesses no real authority to compel a government to take any action it does not wish to take. The text does not give the COP the ability to, for example, sanction a party that does not comply with either textual obligations or PABS provisions. In other words, there are no effective mechanisms in place to ensure compliance. Perhaps just as significant, establishing a meaningful enforcement mechanism within the PABS system would strengthen the WHO’s credibility and its ability to ensure compliance across global health governance. By setting a precedent for accountability, such a mechanism could enhance the organization’s authority not only within the Pandemic Agreement but also in enforcing the revised International Health Regulations and other frameworks for public health emergencies. Conclusion The PABS annex can—and should—be different. It should establish clear responsibilities for funding as well as for sharing the diagnostics, therapeutics, and vaccines that result from contributions to the system. The system, in turn, must include a dedicated body empowered to hold governments and the corporations they sponsor accountable for their responsibilities before, during, and after pandemics. Doing so would restore trust in the broader agreement, which was eroded as commitments were repeatedly diluted while parties scrambled to meet their own self-imposed deadlines during the Pandemic Agreement negotiations. A robust PABS Annex would cement a grand social bargain. Wealthier countries and their corporations would gain unimpeded access to scientific information essential for developing and manufacturing lifesaving medical products. As such, they would stand to gain considerable economic benefit. Yet that privilege must be matched with responsibility. The grand bargain must include not only the right to innovate, but also the duty to ensure that innovation serves all. As medical products are developed and produced through collective contributions, every person must have equal access. All human beings deserve an equitable chance to survive—to save their own life, the lives of their families, and the well-being of their communities. … Sam Halabi, JD, MPhil, is the Bette Jacobs Endowed Professor at Georgetown University’s School of Health and the Director of the Center for Transformational Health Law at Georgetown Law. He serves as the co-lead for the WHO’s Working Group on Regulatory Consideration on AI and Health’s training workstream. He earned his JD from Harvard, his MPhil from Oxford, and undergraduate degrees from Kansas State University. Lawrence Gostin, LLD (Hon.), JD, BA, is University Distinguished Professor and Founding Director and Timothy and Linda O’Neill Professor of the O’Neill Institute for National and Global Health Law. He is the author of Global Health Security: A Blueprint for the Future (Harvard University Press, 2021); Global Health Law (Harvard University Press, 2014); Public Health Law: Power, Duty, Restraint (University of California Press, 3rd ed., 2016); Public Health Law and Ethics: A Reader (University of California Press, 3rd ed., 2018); Law and the Health System (Foundation Press, 2014); Principles of Mental Health Law & Practice (Oxford University Press, 2010). He also directs the WHO Collaborating Center at Georgetown University. Image Credit: United States Mission Geneva, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Lawmakers explain their bipartisan efforts to tackle rising health insurance premiums
'Common Ground': Reps. Tom Suozzi, D-N.Y., and Don Bacon, R-Neb., discuss their efforts to make health insurance more affordable and prevent premium spikes on 'Special Report.'
James Uthmeier: More than 900 Starbucks locations in Florida engaged in hiring discrimination
The lawsuit says DEI hiring practices by coffee giant excluded nonminority workers.