Cyberattack Chaos: UnitedHealth Under Fire
UnitedHealth CEO Andrew Witty found himself in the hot seat during recent Senate and House hearings, facing lawmakers’ ire over the Change Healthcare cyberattack that wreaked havoc on payment processing nationwide. Beyond probing the attack, senators questioned whether UnitedHealth’s size has rendered it “too big to fail.” Senate Finance chair Ron Wyden admonished Witty, suggesting that Americans don’t buy into the notion of corporate immunity: “I think that your company, on your watch, let the country down.” Explore more insights from the hearings, including a surprising admission from Witty and a timeline for potential patient impacts, courtesy of Brittany Trang’s coverage.
Pasteurization Prevails: Milk Safe Amid Bird Flu Outbreak
In a reassuring development for milk enthusiasts, recent FDA and academic studies confirm that pasteurization effectively deactivates the H5N1 bird flu virus. Research spanning 38 states, conducted by institutions like Ohio State University and St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, affirms the safety of dairy consumption despite widespread avian flu concerns among dairy cows. While the full analysis awaits public release, Megan Molteni’s report for STAT underscores the efficacy of pasteurization in safeguarding milk.
EcoHealth Alliance Under Scrutiny
Amidst a contentious hearing, Republican lawmakers advocate for stripping federal funds from the EcoHealth Alliance and launching a criminal investigation. Accusations of misrepresentation and failure to disclose risky studies have drawn bipartisan concern, though Democrats refrain from outright defunding demands. EcoHealth’s president, Peter Daszak, denies engaging in gain-of-function research, yet fails to satisfy both sides regarding the organization’s activities. Delve deeper into Sarah Owermohle’s coverage of the heated hearing and its implications.
Presidential Health: Unanswered Questions
Veteran physician-reporter Larry Altman poses pointed queries for former President Trump and President Biden regarding their health. From concerns about Biden’s public perception of age to inquiries about Trump’s dietary habits post-presidency, Altman’s questions shed light on crucial health issues facing past and current leaders. Rick Berke’s discussion with Altman offers insights into the lingering uncertainties surrounding presidential health.
FDA Alerts: Brain Biopsies Raise Red Flags
Mount Sinai’s practices regarding brain biopsies on live patients come under FDA scrutiny, with concerns raised about potential risks to subjects. Despite FDA reservations, the biopsies continued without communication of the agency’s findings to Mount Sinai. Investigative reporting by Katherine Eban reveals discrepancies in the information provided by Mount Sinai researchers, underscoring ethical and procedural concerns surrounding the Living Brain Project.
DEA Reversal Averts Opioid Shortage
The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) reverses a policy aimed at addressing opioid shortages in hospitals, which paradoxically risked exacerbating the problem. Initially implementing quarterly quotas for opioid production to counter shortages, the DEA’s move clashed with FDA-approved larger quantities, causing regulatory confusion. John Wilkerson’s report illuminates the DEA’s decision to revert to annual quotas for injectable opioids and semi-annual quotas for other Schedule II controlled substances, averting potential supply disruptions.
