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Health Ministry changes medical cannabis guidelines, passes responsibility to insurance funds
Cannabis may still be considered in severe cases, such as insomnia or acute distress, but only alongside proven treatments like psychotherapy and under close supervision.
Health Ministry panel advises halt to use of medical cannabis for smoking, backs alternatives
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‘The reality, for better or worse’: Columbia comp sci students and faculty grapple with AI’s disruption of the field
‘The reality, for better or worse’: Columbia comp sci students and faculty grapple with AI’s disruption of the field ‘The reality, for better or worse’: Columbia comp sci students and faculty grapple with AI’s disruption of the field A field that once seemed like a direct path to stable, lucrative work is becoming less certain under AI, students and faculty told Spectator. By Ria Vasishtha and Arjun Menon May 3, 2026 Shanying Liu / Deputy Illustrations Editor Asia Genawi, SEAS ’29, first encountered artificial intelligence during her sophomore year at her high school in Indiana. Back in 2023, policies on AI varied widely—even within the same district—and some schools had no guidance at all. As Genawi began to see the effects of AI trickle into her classroom, she turned to guidance from her home state’s Department of Education, which she said she found “outdated and inaccessible.” Genawi spent the rest of her high school career dedicated to the issue, including writing a 15-page memo exploring varying AI policies across Indiana schools, which she sent to every Indiana state senator and representative whose contact information she was able to find. She later helped draft a bill that would have required public high schools to establish and share their own AI policies with students in an accessible format. But with so many other bills already awaiting referral, hers never made it to committee. When Genawi arrived at Columbia to study computer science, she found that the gaps she had spent years trying to address in Indiana had followed her there. Many students and professors were also grappling with what AI meant for the field. Across Columbia’s undergraduate schools, computer science has become the most popular major—accounting for around 11 percent of degrees awarded in Columbia College, 32 percent in the School of Engineering and Applied Science, and 12 percent in the School of General Studies in 2024. While the number of computer science majors in SEAS grew from 166 to 173 during the 2024-25 academic year, the total number across the three schools fell around 4.5 percent from 393 to 375, driven by declines at Columbia College and General Studies. At Barnard, it has grown to become the second most popular major as of 2025, up from third the year prior. The number of degrees awarded have grown fivefold since 2016. Faculty members and students in the department told Spectator that the surge in the major’s popularity has been driven in large part by its apparent promise of a secure, well-paid career path. However, they noted that the recent rise of generative AI has compromised the sense of stability that once defined the field, even as interest in technical skills among students persists. According to data from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York in 2024, out of 74 majors tracked, computer science had the fifth highest unemployment rate among majors at 7 percent, while computer engineering had the second highest at 7.8 percent. “Anecdotally, people are moving away from CS as a major,” Daniel Bauer, a senior lecturer in the computer science department, said. “They’re still taking some of our classes, right, because they think they need that, but they’re instead majoring in other things.” Bauer described a field that had shifted from what he called a “nerdy outlier discipline” to one that “everyone needs,” a sign that technical skills have become a baseline expectation across industries with the emergence of AI. “A lot of people thought, ‘Oh, it’s a guaranteed path to a stable income. You get a six-figure job right out of your undergrad,’” Bauer said. Now, companies may see AI as a way to reduce demand for entry-level programmers, especially in what he calls “code monkey jobs,” roles where a large number of employees are “just writing out code nine-to-five.” Chris Murphy, a senior lecturer in the computer science department, described the current moment as the convergence of two forces: the downturn of the job market and generative AI coming onto the scene. “Things kind of started to really pick up in 2014, 16,” he said, recalling the years after the weaker 2010 market. Murphy added that this was also a period where “students were getting more experience outside of class than they were inside of class” through internships, jobs, and side projects. Murphy suggested that the earlier momentum helped make computer science feel like both an academic program and a reliable pathway into work. That feeling is harder to sustain now as the industry reconfigures, which is a shift that students are seeing firsthand. Rebecca Yu, SEAS ’27, said that during a recent internship in Big Tech, she saw that “every single tech company was racing to integrate” large language models. She added that her manager said her intern class was the first to complete their assigned projects, which she attributed to the increased efficiency that comes with AI. Frank Liu, SEAS ’29, said that with AI lowering the barrier to coding, companies now expect everyone to write code. “A lot of companies outright say if you’re not using coding in your job, you might get fired for not being productive enough,” Liu said. Yu similarly expressed that students increasingly have to accept AI being a part of industry workflow, adding that many also “make use of it to maximize their productivity.” Richard Li, CC ’28, described a “franticness” among his peers as the pace of change accelerates. He explained how “some new tool” is released regularly, noting that tools rise and fall in prominence within weeks. He has come to believe that he doesn’t need to “match that speed all the time” and keep up with every development. Li has learned that AI tools allow him to “take a breath” and “get back into the loop much easier than before” when he needs to. While some companies specifically target Columbia when hiring, sending representatives to campus career fairs and recruiting large numbers from Columbia, a computer science degree cannot be treated as a static credential, Yu described. “You can’t just get your degree and stop learning after that. You have to always be learning,” Yu said. “That is something you basically have to expect for your job.” AI has not only affected students’ decisions to major in computer science, but also reshaped how the subject is taught. Across departments, faculty members no longer treat work done outside the classroom as a reliable measure of understanding, shifting instead toward in-person exams, quizzes, and attendance checks. While homework once made up as much as 60 to 70 percent of a student’s grade in computer science classes, Murphy said that breakdown has since flipped, with exams and quizzes now accounting for the majority. “The assumption—especially among pessimists—is that they’re using it to do their homework,” Murphy said. “They take the homework assignment. They put it into generative AI. Out comes the solution. Submit solution. The end.” Murphy said that faculty members ranged in their responses from fully prohibiting AI use to actively teaching students how to effectively work with AI. He said he shifted his approach this year after his teaching assistants called his belief that students weren’t using the technology “naïve,” and now permits students to use AI on assignments. His surveys of students in his introductory classes have told a more complicated story than the one so-called pessimists offer: Around 60 to 70 percent of students who reported using AI said they used it to have concepts explained to them, to clarify assignment instructions, to generate test cases, or to create practice questions. “Those are all ways that you might have had a tutor in the past to do that, and now you have this AI essentially as your tutor,” he said. Bauer has taken a different approach, teaching students how to use AI productively without sacrificing the core principles of the discipline. “People who are trained to actually use AI tools productively, while being in charge of designing the overall project, will be very much in demand in the next couple of years,” he said. Over the past year, a working group of computer science faculty has been redesigning the introductory and intermediate programming sequence to integrate generative AI as both a subject and a tool, representatives from SEAS wrote in a statement to Spectator. The effort is “coordinated” across the department, “not course-by-course,” with a systematic assessment of how AI integration is affecting student outcomes underway to shape the next round of changes. The goal, the department explained, is for students to be able to “read, verify, and reason about code, whether they or a model wrote it.” Tony Dear, senior lecturer in the computer science department, is piloting individualized AI feedback in a discrete mathematics course, while a machine learning course is also testing a Socratic AI dialogue system designed to “guide inquiry rather than supply answers,” the statement reads. Beyond individual courses, SEAS funded seven cross-departmental faculty projects in generative AI this past academic year, spanning biomedical engineering, chemical engineering, industrial engineering, and computer science, according to the statement. This phenomenon extends beyond the computer science department. SEAS’ new AI minor, which it announced in November 2025, reflects the University’s attempt to adapt. The minor is specifically designed for noncomputer science majors and aims to provide “essential AI knowledge” while emphasizing practical and responsible use across disciplines, according to the SEAS website. At the center of the minor is AI in Context, a course taught by a team of faculty from the departments of computer science, applied mathematics, philosophy, music, literature, and the Writing Center, the representatives told Spectator. Bauer described it as targeted at students who want to bring AI into fields like economics or biology, rather than as a path into software engineering itself. At the graduate level, SEAS announced a new Master of Science in artificial intelligence in February, with the inaugural cohort starting in the fall. While recognizing how AI has helped them navigate coursework, students also described its rise as isolating, even among members of the Application Development Initiative, one of Columbia’s largest computer science clubs. “As people start to ask AI for questions that they would normally ask students and members, it starts to isolate people” Li said. Alexa Kafka, BC ’27, echoed Li’s sentiment, pointing out that computer science has always been a collaborative discipline with code reviews and pull requests, even as AI makes independent work easier. Despite this, Kafka noted that she hasn’t been to office hours “in at least a year.” Bauer added that faculty are exploring long-term solutions to the assessment problem. “One of the things that we’re trying to do at the department or school level is to maybe move towards computerized testing facilities,” Bauer said, referring to ideas in the department to revitalize computer labs as an alternative to pen-and-paper exams. “We have to accept that this is the reality, for better or worse.” But more exams, students say, does not mean better learning, nor does it reflect how computer science is actually done. “Code is so variable and can be approached in so many directions, there’s never just going to be one correct answer. There can be multiple optimal solutions,” Kafka said. Students also expressed concern that the shift toward exam-heavy grading pulls focus away from the applied, project-based work that better reflects both discipline and industry expectations. ADI has tried to respond more quickly than the curriculum can. Through a vibe coding workshop this past semester, club members said they wanted to help students understand not just that AI exists, but how to use it deliberately. “Vibe coding” refers to the practice of prompting AI to write code for a task or project, and has become widespread enough that ADI felt the gap in formal instruction was worth addressing, according to Sophia Huang, BC ’29. The workshop introduced students to the concept of context engineering, which Shaina Sahu, SEAS ’27, described as not just writing a prompt, but optimizing “the rest of the relevant information that you would feed into the model.” Without that, students said that AI-generated code can fail at scale or introduce difficult-to-detect bugs. Genawi said the shift toward AI has changed what it means to be good at computer science. “I think the shift has kind of gone towards what can you create and what can you do, instead of, what do you know,” she said. Indeed, during ADI DevFest, its annual hackathon, Li said more teams are trying to complete their projects than in years past. While sign-ups have historically outpaced submissions, Li said this is beginning to change because teams “have a tool that completes the vision for them.” While many students see AI as an equalizer that lowers the barrier to entry for coding and technical work, Murphy said it also creates new equity concerns inside the classroom around who can afford stronger tools and who already knows how to use them. “The equity issues I worry about are students who have access to paid versions of things versus free versions of things,” he said. Although popular AI models like ChatGPT and Claude have free versions available, both have paid models that can reach over $100 per month, which output different qualities of code. Murphy also pointed to differences in prior exposure to AI literacy itself. “Students who go to high schools or K-12 education, where they’re taught AI literacy, prompt engineering, context engineering, they understand how to do this, as opposed to students who go to schools who don’t teach that,” he said. “Then they come in, and then they’re somehow expected to know how to use these tools.” For Genawi, those disparities begin long before students arrive on campus. “It’s very interesting to consider how lucky you were geographically,” she said. “To be born where you were is influencing your ability to get access to these spaces.” Students like Yu, though broadly apprehensive about the future of computer science, are not without hope. “I’m optimistic, because I think if you’re truly passionate about CS, there will definitely be a place in the field to do something you want to do,” she said. Senior Staff Writer Ria Vasishtha can be contacted at ria.vasishtha@columbiaspectator.com. Follow Spectator on X @ColumbiaSpec. Staff Writer Arjun Menon can be contacted at arjun.menon@columbiaspectator.com. Follow Spectator on X @ColumbiaSpec. Want to keep up with breaking news? Subscribe to our email newsletter and like Spectator on Facebook. Produced with Spectate by Emily Ta
Christus Health begins operations at Titus Regional Medical Center
Titus Regional Medical Center rebrands as CHRISTUS Health takes over operations
CHRISTUS Health has officially begun operations at Titus Regional Medical Center (TRMC), ushering in a new era for patients and families in Mount Pleasant and across Northeast Texas.
Rapid City Medical Center joins Monument Health System
Rapid City Medical Center will join the Monument Health system effective May 4, 2026. Leaders say patients can expect continuity of care with the same providers and expanded resources.
3 Medical Routines That Older People May Not Need
Some screenings and treatments no longer make sense for patients as they age. Researchers have just added a few more to the list.
Grand Forks Public Health advises against using kratom products without medical oversight
Kratom is a plant, native to Southeast Asia, that is used in products that people ingest to self-treat pain, anxiety, depression and opioid withdrawal. The products are not FDA approved.
The politics of Trump's ballroom
WEST PALM BEACH, Florida — President Trump was about a half-hour into his second speech of the day, musing about the danger he faced last week at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner. “Saturday night, it was good for one thing. People are loving my ballroom now,” Trump told a crowd last night. “That’s the only thing. They love my ballroom.” Ever since he was hustled off stage at the Washington Hilton last week, after an attempted shooter breached the dinner’s security perimeter and sent guests diving to the floor, the president has argued that the incident is proof for why his White House ballroom is needed. Only his planned $400 million, 90,000-square-foot project, Trump has reasoned, can keep a president truly safe at major events. It’s true that a bunch of GOP lawmakers have jumped on board with new legislation and words of support for Trump’s project. House Speaker Mike Johnson, Sen. Rand Paul and other prominent Republicans went on TV to talk about the need for a ballroom. But as we reported at The Washington Post this week, “people” aren’t really changing their minds on Trump’s ballroom. A new Post-ABC News-Ipsos poll found that most Americans still oppose the ballroom project: 56 percent against it versus 28 percent in favor. The numbers are the same as a poll from last year, the Post’s polling whiz Scott Clement found. Other new polls have found similar margins, too. “I’m just not a giant fan, especially of extravagance,” one independent voter told me. “I mean, in the era we’re in right now, given how much people are struggling, it just doesn’t make a lot of sense to me to spend $400 million on a ballroom.” How we got here The Washington Post has followed Trump’s ballroom project very closely. (My colleague Jonathan Edwards may have written the most total words of any reporter about the project; I may be second.) The project exploded as a national issue after Trump tore down the White House’s East Wing after initially promising not to touch it.1 Historic preservationists sued, and about a month ago, a federal judge ordered a halt to ballroom construction.2 The only way the ballroom could proceed, U.S. District Judge Richard Leon ruled, was if Congress explicitly authorized Trump’s plans. (An appeals court has stayed Leon’s order for now.) The judge’s ruling raised an obvious question: would Congress authorize the project? Keep in mind, “authorization” doesn’t mean that Congress needs to necessarily fund the planned $400 million project; they could just sign off on the private donations that Trump has solicited to pay for the ballroom.3 But GOP lawmakers really didn’t want to talk about the ballroom, we reported at The Post just a few weeks ago. One major reason was the ballroom’s bad polling — not a small detail with many of their own midterm elections looming. The White House Correspondents’ Dinner incident, and Trump’s advocacy, may have changed the political conversation around the ballroom. As this week’s polling shows, it doesn’t seem to have affected the fundamental questions surrounding the project. To put it another way, voters still say that cost-of-living concerns are top-of-mind heading into the midterms. Some Republican and independent voters have told me that they see the ballroom as a vanity project that will help Trump but do nothing for their own lives. It might not help Republicans that Trump has dismissed some of the cost-of-living concerns. He’s described “affordability” as a buzzword manufactured by Democrats whose policies helped cause inflation. “They’ve got one good line of bullshit,” Trump said in his first speech yesterday, delivered at a Florida retirement community known as The Villages. Thanks for reading Dan Diamond's newsletter! Subscribe for free to stay up-to-date on my work. Subscribe Speaking of Trump’s speeches… I’m down in Florida because it’s my “duty week” as a White House reporter — basically, I follow the president wherever he goes. (And then hand the baton off to one of my Washington Post colleagues next week.) As part of my duty week, I’ve spent a few days covering the White House’s reaction to Saturday’s attempted shooting, including officials’ review of the security protocols to protect the president. Trump was restrained in the wake of the incident, addressing the nation from the White House briefing room about the need for peaceful dialogue and trying to lower the temperature. But he’s clearly been itching to get back out of the White House, and I was curious to hear how his Florida speeches would go. And — to my ears — it was an unburdened Trump. Not the one we saw Saturday night in the White House briefing room, but the one we witnessed on the campaign trail in 2024. Loose, dropping profanities, mocking everyone, including members of his team. “We have a man here who knows more about Medicaid, Medicare, medical crap than any human being. Where’s Dr. Oz? Where the hell are you, stand up,” Trump said, referring to Mehmet Oz, the administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. “It’s the most boring trip I’ve ever made. He’s telling me about Medicare, Medicaid. All I want to do is take care of you, I don’t care. I said, ‘You work out the details.’” I wrote up the speech, as Trump headed to West Palm Beach to deliver more remarks a few hours later. The White House didn’t like my story. Their rapid-response team called it the work of a “total loser”4 and “a miserable TDS-ridden moron.” You can be the judge of whether it’s a fair story or the product of someone afflicted with “TDS.” (The White House’s shorthand for “Trump Derangement Syndrome.”) I’ve pasted the story below with a gift link, meaning that you don’t need to be a Washington Post subscriber to read it. It might prompt you for an email address, though. Meanwhile, I’ll be down in Florida for the rest of the weekend, covering the president. It’s TBD whether those stories will be deemed TDS-afflicted, too. 1 Jonathan details the past six months of ballroom fallout, reactions and the implications for executive authority here. I also had a great time talking about Trump’s ballroom and other projects with Australia’s ABC News Daily on a podcast this week. 2 The judge allowed underground construction and national security-related work to continue. But that hasn’t been enough for Trump, who says the ballroom itself is essential for his protection. 3 The ballroom donors include companies like Palantir, Google and Amazon. For transparency, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos owns The Washington Post, where I work. No one has ever interfered with our team’s coverage of the ballroom or our mentions of Amazon or Bezos, and if that changed, I’d speak out. 4 To be fair, I’ve spent the morning working on stories and writing this Substack post rather than enjoying the beautiful Florida weather. So they may be onto something about who’s winning and who’s losing.
NYC hospitals gearing up for nightmarish World Cup diseases as fans descend on metro
Hospitals in New Jersey and New York, along with millions of their medical personnel, have been undergoing intense training for the past two years to deal with the 1.2 million people from around the...
The Cannabis Industry’s New Best Friend? President Trump
The administration’s decision to relax federal regulations on medical marijuana comes with big tax breaks for many cannabis companies, and could drive new investment in the budding sector.
North Shore Health introduces custom ambulance as the summer season approaches
North Shore Health Emergency Medical Services will add a custom ambulance this summer as crews respond to calls across Cook County. The vehicle is the first four-wheel-drive ambulance in the fleet, a feature that helps responders navigate the county’s varied terrain in all types of weather. “What makes this unique is that we worked as...
First malaria drug for babies is approved in ‘major public health milestone’
WHO prequalification of Coartem Baby means newborns can be safely treated rather than using medication for older children
From brain health to diabetes: 3 reasons to get your vitamin D levels checked
In this study roundup, Medical News Today compiles the latest evidence on the benefits of Vitamin D, focusing on the key findings from 3 studies on diabetes, IBD, Alzheimer's disease.
Trump returns to public events, delivering profane speech
In his first public speech since the White House correspondents’ dinner, the president mocked transgender weightlifters and the “medical crap” an adviser was telling him.
Direct Relief Ships 5.9M Doses of Medicine for Maternal Health, Disaster Response and Pediatric Care
Over the past seven days, Direct Relief dispatched 443 shipments of requested medical aid to health care providers across 36 U.S. states and territories and 16 countries. The shipments included 5.9…
Surgery still outperforms GLP-1 drugs in terms of heart health
Both treatment options are effective, but metabolic and bariatric surgery was linked to more significant cardiovascular risk reductions than GLP-1 medications.
Maine nurses demand Maine Health cancel its contract with Palantir Technologies
Maine Medical Center Nurses are demanding that Maine Health cancel its contract with Palantir Technologies, the tech company powering ICE surveillance.
Hunnicutt, national wellness leader, joins North Dakota’s rural health transformation effort | Health and Human Services North Dakota
North Dakota Health and Human Services (HHS) today announced Dr. David Hunnicutt, as a Rural Health Transformation Program strategist. Hunnicutt brings more than two decades of nationally recognized leadership to this role, having served 20 years as CEO of WELCOA—one of the largest and most influential corporate health and wellness organizations in the U.S. As principal of his own consulting firm, he spent seven years partnering with Dakota Medical Foundation (DMF) and the Impact Institute to design and launch initiatives that elevate leaders across North Dakota and strengthen the state’s capacity for long-term community well-being.
'Sham' network accessed 300,000 medical records, including Michigan's
As many as 300,000 patient medical records were tapped by a network of "bad actors," a federal lawsuit says. Among them: 551 from Michigan Medicine.
Nebraska becomes first U.S. state to enact Medicaid work requirements
The MED Foundation of Mercer Health Awards $22,500 to Local Students Pursuing Careers in Healthcare
The Medical, Educational and Development (MED) Foundation of Mercer Health recently awarded a total of $22,500 to local high school seniors furthering their education in the medical field after graduation. Scholarships were awarded to students from each of the six high schools in Mercer County. All applicants were interviewed by a scholarship selection panel, and […]
Commencement 2026: Graduating students ready to lead, heal, and transform the future of health and science: Center Times Plus, UT Southwestern, Dallas, TX
Commencement Advance 2026--Spring commencement 2026 celebrates the achievements and dreams of graduating students at the Peter O’Donnell Jr. School of Public Health, UT Southwestern Medical School, and UT Southwestern Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences.
Commencement 2026: Graduating students ready to lead, heal, and transform the future of health and science: Center Times Plus, UT Southwestern, Dallas, TX
Commencement Advance 2026--Spring commencement 2026 celebrates the achievements and dreams of graduating students at the Peter O’Donnell Jr. School of Public Health, UT Southwestern Medical School, and UT Southwestern Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences.
Tens of thousands could lose Medicaid coverage as Nebraska becomes first state to implement GOP work requirement
Nebraska is launching work requirements in Medicaid on Friday, becoming the first state to implement a key pillar of the Republicans’ “big, beautiful bill.”
Media Recap: Behavioral Health and Drug Manufacturer Pressures
Adam Carlson, senior vice president of Advocacy, MHA, joined J.J. Hodshire, president and chief executive officer, Hillsdale Hospital, for a press conference April 17 to discuss how proposed cuts to Medicaid will further destabilize hospitals already experiencing financial strain.
Health savings accounts can be a record-keeping nightmare. Here's why
Consumers with health savings accounts can reimburse themselves years later for medical bills. But they have to keep the receipts — or risk IRS penalties.
Big Pharma throws support behind Ashley Moody in US Senate race
A number of pharmaceutical companies had their drugs removed from a list slated for price reduction negotiations with Medicare officials, thanks to legislation that Moody supported.
Medicare Advantage health plans may cut extra benefits in 2027
Americans enrolled in Medicare Advantage health plans should expect to see fewer extra benefits like gym memberships and vision and dental coverage next year, investors and industry experts say.
States Rush To Figure Out How To Enforce Trump's Medicaid Work Requirements
By Rachel Spears and KFF Health News HealthDay ReportersFRIDAY, May 1, 2026 (HealthDay News) — State officials remain unsure how to enforce a requirement for many adult Medicaid enrollees to show they’re working — even as one state launches its program this week. They’re taking a variety of ...
It's Day 1 of Medicaid work requirements in Nebraska. People are worried
Starting May 1, many people covered by Medicaid in Nebraska have to prove they are working. It's a requirement most states will have to implement under President Trump's budget law, beginning in January.
Nebraska rolls out Medicaid work requirements, putting thousands at risk of losing coverage
The state is opting to begin the program eight months ahead of the federally mandated deadline in Trump's "big, beautiful bill."
PwC will drop cover for weight-loss drugs from employee health plans
Big Four accountancy balks at high cost of medication it says has become ‘cultural phenomenon’
Medicare portal database exposed health providers’ Social Security numbers
It is the latest technical problem related to the Trump administration’s push to create a national directory of health providers.
Don’t toss cannabis leaves: Scientists found rare compounds with medical potential
Scientists have uncovered a surprising new layer of complexity in Cannabis, identifying dozens of previously unknown compounds—including the first-ever evidence of rare molecules called flavoalkaloids in its leaves. These compounds, prized for their potential health benefits, were hidden among a rich mix of plant chemicals that vary dramatically even between just a few strains.
Former employee sues Dartmouth Health for wrongful termination and retaliation
Former chief quality and value officer Carol Barsky alleged that the hospital retaliated against her after she reported medical equipment safety concerns.
Aurora Mental Health to lay off 111 employees, citing Medicaid funding cuts
Phillips-Henry said the organization is 'committed to ensuring that no client experiences a gap in care as a result of these closures'
Medicare, Medicaid privileges officially end at Laurel Ridge Treatment Center
As of Thursday morning, Laurel Ridge officially was cut off from Medicare and Medicaid benefits. Patients using those forms of coverage will now have to seek treatment elsewhere.
Johnson & Johnson to acquire Atraverse Medical
The move, once finalized, helps Johnson & Johnson add multiple FDA-approved technologies to its EP portfolio.
Monthly Momentos: April 2026
The James LeVoy Sorenson Center for Medical Innovation officially opens, breaking ground on a new AirMed hanger, unlocking secrets of human development, and more April highlights.
Registered nurses, allies to demand Maine Health cancel contract with Palantir Technologies
Maine Medical Center registered nurses will hold a press conference on Friday, May 1 in Portland to demand Maine Health cancel its contract with Palantir Technologies. Joined by their allies in the Purge Palantir campaign, nurses will detail why leaders of Maine’s public institutions and health care organizations should refuse collaborations with the surveillance software giant.
Can AI help doctors avoid missed diagnoses? A new study suggests yes
AI may help doctors avoid missed diagnoses, but it still needs real-world testing and human oversight before it can guide patient care.
Gov. Josh Stein signs $319M Medicaid funding bill in North Carolina
Gov. Josh Stein signed a $319M bill Thursday, April 30, 2026, ending a months-long North Carolina Medicaid impasse to provide funding care for 3 million residents while adding policy changes.
DOJ Launches New West Coast Health-Fraud Strike Force
As part of a push to combat Medicare and Medicaid fraud, the department will field more prosecutors to fight an increase in fraud in Western states.
Governor signs bill to continue funding Medicaid in N.C.
North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein signed the Medicaid funding bill into law. The health insurance program faced running out of money within weeks.
Gerald Chan to Deliver UConn Health’s 55th Commencement Address
On May 11 Scientist and Venture Capitalist Gerald Chan will be the Commencement Speaker for the Graduating Class of 2026 UConn medical, dental, and graduate ...
Integrated Counselors: Bringing mental health to the physical world - Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma
Choctaw Nation Behavioral Health provides integrated counselors in clinic settings to support patients experiencing emotional distress, difficult diagnoses, or needing support during medical visits.
Health care remains under attack 10 years after key UN resolution
Attacks on health workers and facilities deprive people of critical medical care.
Smog from wildfires increasingly harmful, data show
American baby formula testing, Medicaid work requirements, and more Morning Rounds health news
From Antibiotic Discovery to the Role of Religion in Health, Pre-Med Student Has Already Investigated Major Questions in the Medical World
Hailey DeWalt is not slowing down as she approaches graduation
State Health Department Begins to Prepare Medicaid Patients for New Work Requirements
As Montana nears its July 1 deadline to begin implementing new community engagement requirements for Medicaid expansion enrollees, the state’s Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) is hosting informational webinars to inform patients of the changes. During the first webinar Tuesday afternoon, Jessie Counts, human services executive director for the department, went […]
Report: Oklahoma health system performs poorly across all racial, ethnic groups
Health research and policy nonprofit the Commonwealth Fund warns that federal cuts and restrictions to Medicaid and the ACA Marketplace could worsen outcomes.
Reid Hoffman Thinks Doctors Should Ask AI for a Second Opinion
The LinkedIn cofounder now has an AI drug discovery startup—and thinks not asking chatbots for medical advice is “bordering on committing malpractice.”
Owner of autism center raided by feds tied to another business billing Minnesota Medicaid
Federal raids at autism centers in Minnesota reveal multiple Medicaid-billing businesses under shared ownership, a pattern first exposed by 5 INVESTIGATES.
Beyond medication: factors contributing to uncontrolled hypertension from the 2023 Indonesian health survey
Hypertension Research - Beyond medication: factors contributing to uncontrolled hypertension from the 2023 Indonesian health survey
Health Care Affordability in the United States, From Crisis to Action
U.S. health care costs exceed $5T yearly, driving delayed care and debt. Experts urge reforms to improve affordability, access, and health outcomes. delivery of health care; financial stress; health care costs; health policy; patient advocacy
Supporting better health through sustainable weight management
Through Weight Engage, Optum Rx is helping people build healthier habits while supporting better outcomes and greater affordability for employers and patients alike
Paxton accuses Houston-area business of running birth tourism scheme
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is accusing a Houston-area business of running a “birth-tourism” operation, coaching clients through visa scrutiny and falsely advertising medical and nursing services.
Elevance Health and 2 More Stocks to Buy. Better Days Are Ahead for Medicaid Providers.
BofA Securities upgrades Elevance Health and gives a rare double upgrade to Centene and Molina Healthcare.
Lawmakers urged by AHA to support key health initiatives in FY 2027 appropriations bill
The AHA April 29 urged House and Senate appropriations committee leaders to fund health care programs that have been successful in improving access to care for patients and communities nationwide, as the committee begins drafting the fiscal year 2027 appropriations bills. The AHA encouraged Congress to support various programs focusing on the health care workforce, maternal and child health, rural health, disaster preparedness, medical research and behavioral health. Additionally, the AHA urged legislators to include specific bill language that would bar the use of funds for the implementation of a 340B Rebate Model Program at the Department of Health and Human Services.
Arkansas Health Insurance Marketplace Data Show Changes in Enrollment, Plan Selection, Premiums
New data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services show that marketplace plan enrollment in Arkansas decreased by 3.8% in the 2026 open enrollment period compared to 2025, but there was a shift in the types of plans selected and a notable increase in average plan premiums.
Rising premiums push younger workers to rethink employer health plans
Rising health insurance costs are prompting some younger, healthier workers to reconsider employer-sponsored coverage, creating new strains for workers and warning signs for employers, Bloomberg writes. As premiums climb and take-home pay tightens, some employees are opting for alternatives, such as medical cost-sharing plans, limited-benefit coverage or going uninsured altogether to save hundreds of dollars […]
She set out to become a clinical psychologist. Now she’s leading a US movement to save science
Colette Delawalla launched Stand Up for Science to push back against the Trump’s cuts to medical and scientific research
Essentia Health-St. Mary's Medical Center welcomes Adam Weber to practice trauma surgery
Adam Weber, a certified physician assistant practicing trauma surgery, is thrilled to join Essentia Health-St. Mary’s Medical Center.
Proactive storytelling enables military health mission, says top Military Health System communications advisor
Richard H. Breen Jr., former director of communications and public affairs for the Military Health System, discusses how strategic communications is a crucial part to enabling the achievement of military medical objectives.
Psychedelics offer exciting promise for mental health – if rolled out right
While the early data are impressive, making psychedelic therapy available at scale requires the government to ensure safety and efficacy the way we do for other medications.
Racial health gaps persist in Pa., N.J. and Del. as Medicaid cuts loom, report finds
The Commonwealth Fund’s 2026 State Health Disparities Report showed health care gaps were the greatest among Hispanic residents.
Baystate Health reaches agreement to take over Mercy Medical Center in Springfield
Baystate Health, which operates its flagship hospital in Springfield, is acquiring the city's other hospital, Mercy Medical Center.
NC county social service agencies brace for deluge of work as Medicaid work requirements go into effect
About 10 percent of county social services positions dedicated to Medicaid are currently vacant, even as recertification work will double.
Radiologists implore HHS to punish payers who undermine surprise-billing protections
Over 100 specialty societies and state medical associations wrote to Health and Human Services and other departments to voice their growing frustration with the No Surprises Act.
Paxton's frivolous lawsuits hurt Texas' business-friendly climate
Attorney General Ken Paxton's many lawsuits generate publicity but sometimes promote medical misinformation, harm businesses and defy common sense.
Why We Need to Ease the Path to Post-Prison Health Care
Medicaid is a lifeline for people returning from incarceration but there are too many hurdles, and new work requirements will make things worse. Governments need to take some important steps now.
US Seeks New Nominees for Key Preventive Health Panel
By Deena Beasley April 28 (Reuters) - The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, overseen by Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., on Tuesday asked for nominations to the influential task force that decides which preventive medical care is provided at no cost to patients. The Preventive ...
6 things the hospital-at-home model needs to scale up nationally
Earlier this year Congress extended CMS’s hospital-at-home waiver for five years via the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2026. With that bold stroke, ‘HaH’ services became eligible for Medicare reimbursement through September of 2030.
While we argue, schizophrenia advances
Nature Mental Health - In this World View, Constanza Morén, a biomedical researcher and daughter of a man with schizophrenia, calls for humility and collaboration to bridge the divide between...
Bristol Hospital aims to finalize UConn deal by January
Executives at Bristol Health and UConn Health have signed a letter of intent for the latter to buy Bristol Hospital by 2027.
IV fluids recalled over possible contamination—patients face risk of vascular complications
Particulate matter may be present in certain 1-liter containers of B. Braun Medical's Lactated Ringer's Injections. If this enters a patient's circulatory system, it could lead to a series of adverse events.
Brody Scholars past and present praise program expansion, impact
The Brody Scholars program is set to expand thanks to the generosity of the family that has championed medical education across the region.
NFL legend Lawrence Taylor gets promising update amid serious health scare
There’s encouraging news coming out of New Jersey regarding NFL legend Lawrence Taylor. The legendary New York Giants linebacker is reportedly recovering and showing signs of improvement after being hospitalized following a serious medical emergency late last week. According to…
Tri-Area Community Health to pay nearly $514K in settlement for improperly billed Medicare payments
TACH previously repaid $321,075.56 toward the total settlement amount.
Baystate Health, Trinity Health sign Mercy transition deal
Baystate Health and Trinity Health of New England sign agreement to transition Mercy Medical Center, ensuring high-quality care in Western Massachusetts.
Mercy Medical Center to join Baystate Health under new agreement
Two of the region’s healthcare systems have agreed to join forces and integrate one system into the other.
Lawrence Taylor Reportedly Making Progress With Serious Health Issue
NFL legend Lawrence Taylor is recovering after a scary medical emergency he suffered late last week.
Legislature to hold final votes on N.C. Medicaid funding
Medicaid gives health insurance to more than 3 million people in North Carolina. The program was set to run out of money within weeks.
Apple Vision Pro Used in World-First Cataract Surgery
Apple's Vision Pro has hit another medical-use milestone, with a New York ophthalmologist becoming the first surgeon to perform cataract surgery using the spatial computing headset. Dr. Eric Rosenberg of SightMD completed the initial procedure in October 2025 and has since performed hundreds of additional cases using ScopeXR, a surgical platform he co-developed for Apple's mixed reality device.
Fraud in MN: FBI conducts new raids in Minneapolis on Medicaid providers
The FBI is conducting new raids on Medicaid providers in the Twin Cities on Tuesday amid an ongoing fraud investigations.
Defense Health Agency’s OPMED team engaging with special operations community during SOMA in Raleigh this week
Team members with the Defense Health Agency’s Operational Medical Systems Program Management Office are showcasing their military medical development and acquisition programs during the Special Operations Medical Association (SOMA) annual conference this week in Raleigh, North Carolina, April 28 through May 1.
What has AI done for healthcare administration lately?
Administrative AI can meaningfully cut providers’ price tags on prior authorization processes. Yet the technology adds to billing intensity, inflating medical spending as it does so.
Three UT Southwestern faculty members elected to National Academy of Sciences
The National Academy of Sciences (NAS) today elected three UT Southwestern Medical Center scientists into its membership. Election to the NAS is one of the highest honors in the United States for American scientists.
Federal government demands renewal for every healthcare provider that receives Medicaid
Vermont and the 49 other states have been asked to respond to the federal inquiry on their plans to recertify Medicaid providers, especially “high risk” providers.
Medical debt vs. Medicaid expansion: One state has a clear winner
Researchers found enrollment correlated with big reductions in medical debt as signaled by collections activity and subprime credit scores.
Broward Health Foundation Raises Nearly $3.5 Million at 13th Annual Broward Health Ball
The 13th Annual Broward Health Ball raised nearly $3.5 million to support medical education and patient care. Learn more about the evening's impact and donors.
Watertown medical practice to reopen
A Watertown medical practice that closed its doors earlier this month will reopen.
Congressman Cohen Announces $$6.8 Million Grant to Christ Community Health Services
WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9) today announced that Christ Community Health Services will receive a grant of $6,832,768 from the Health Resources and Services Administration of the Department of Health and Human Services to operate its programs for its economically or medically vulnerable patients.Congressman Cohen made the following statement:
Facebook Has a Health Scam Problem
A new report found hundreds of thousands of scam ads for medical products, some of which were illegal or had been deemed dangerous.
DEA Will Start Accepting Applications From Medical Marijuana Businesses That Want Federal Rescheduling Protections This Week
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has announced that it will begin accepting applications this week for medical marijuana businesses to apply for federal protections being granted under the Trump administration’s cannabis rescheduling process. The agency’s “Medical Marijuana Dispensary Registration Portal” is set to go live on Wednesday at 9 AM ET. The move follows last […]
Sibel Health Awarded a $3.5 million ARPA-H Direct-to-Phase II SBIR Contract to Develop a First-In-Class Wearable Sensor for Continuous Edema Monitoring
/PRNewswire/ -- Sibel Health, an award winning medical technology company, today announced that it has been awarded a $3.5 million dollar Direct-to-Phase II...
Lawmakers introduce bipartisan bill to speed up prior authorization in Medicare Advantage
Several healthcare stakeholders have voiced their support for the effort, including the Medical Group Management Association.
Lawmaker calls for special session on marijuana: week in politics
As the feds officially declassified marijuana as a less dangerous drug, Nashville lawmaker calls for a special session to legalize medical cannabis.