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Jill Burcum

@jburcum.bsky.social
2.1K followers 1.7K following 533 posts

Minnesota Star Tribune opinion writer on health care. Applying Minnesota mom sensibilities to coverage: don't fib, don't be mean & you better have done your homework. StarTribune.com

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Reposted by Jill Burcum
Krutika Kuppalli, MD FIDSA @krutikakuppalli.bsky.social · 12h
A lab worker’s death after a reported accident in Russia has raised concern for #plague. A reminder: As the US dismantles public health, we weaken our ability to detect and contain the next threat. Cutting surveillance doesn’t eliminate danger. It makes us slower to see it.
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Minnesota Star Tribune @startribune.com · 03/10/2026
A cluster of three major health system mergers in Minnesota this year reflect urgency among providers to grow and generate efficiencies that shield them from looming federal cutbacks.
bit.ly
Minnesota hospitals chase strength through size
A cluster of three major health system mergers in Minnesota this year reflect urgency among providers to grow and generate efficiencies that shield them from looming federal cutbacks.
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Frank Conniff @frankconniff.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Brutal! The Cornell rapists had to write those essays in longhand while still recovering from a slap on the wrist.
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Texas Tribune @texastribune.org · 28/09/2026
Breaking: The Texas Tribune has identified the ICE agent who witnesses say fired through an open van window and killed 52-year-old Lorenzo Salgado Araujo in Houston nearly three months ago.
texastribune.org
ICE agent who shot Lorenzo Salgado Araujo in Houston identified
The federal government has withheld his identification, even as major state and local law enforcement agencies across the country typically identify officers involved in shootings on the job soon afte...
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Emily Gorcenski @emily.gorcen.ski · 28/09/2026
Here’s the most incredible story you’ll read today. A small plane with four people aboard crashes in a field. Another pilot witnesses it. That pilot happens to be flying a bunch of skydivers. They offer to jump to assist, are given permission. The skydivers happen to be EMTs. Everyone survives.
wisn.com
Skydivers alert emergency crews, assist after plane crashes near East Troy airport
Four people were aboard the single-engine plane when it went down in a cornfield near Carvers School Road in East Troy at about 1:30 p.m.
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Kevin M. Kruse @kevinmkruse.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
This is like accusing someone of robbing a bank because they deposited money and never withdrew it
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Kathleen Bachynski @bachynski.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
“As of May 2026, the C.D.C. had 30 percent fewer employees than it did before the layoffs…Interviews with more than 30 current & former employees reveal the agency is now tightly controlled by Mr. Kennedy and his associates, and its scientists are finding it increasingly difficult to do their jobs”
nytimes.com
‘Zombified’ C.D.C., Hobbled by Cuts, Struggles to Fulfill Scientific Mission
The agency has lost its independence and nearly a third of its staff, as Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and associates have tightened control.
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The Bulwark @thebulwark.com · 25/09/2026
@crampell.bsky.social examines Trump’s latest plan to bring down record-high diesel prices: ban U.S. diesel exports for 90 days. There’s just one problem. It could backfire spectacularly and make fuel markets even more dysfunctional. lnk.thebulwark.com/4xOhnqh?utm_...
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Prof Gavin Yamey MD MPH @gavinyamey.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Another study finds no link between taking acetaminophen (Tylenol) during pregnancy & autism or ADHD The study examined data from 7 meta-analyses involving more than 3 million participants I wish RFK Jr & Trump would stop terrorizing people about this drug onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com
Prenatal exposure to paracetamol and the risk of autism and attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder: An umbrella review and meta‐meta‐analysis
This meta-meta-analysis synthesizes evidence on prenatal paracetamol exposure and neurodevelopmental outcomes. Crude analyses suggest small associations with autism and ADHD, but these attenuate subs...
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Kevin M. Kruse @kevinmkruse.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
We used to be a proper planet, one that rewarded its top scholars in style.
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Timothy McBride @mcbridetd.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Exclusive | RFK Jr.’s Enhanced Security Was Funded With Money From Minority Health Office Cost of health secretary’s security grew from roughly $10 million in fiscal year 2025 to $17 million in fiscal year 2026 www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
wsj.com
Exclusive | RFK Jr.’s Enhanced Security Was Funded With Money From Minority Health Office
The cost of the health secretary’s security grew from roughly $10 million in fiscal year 2025 to $17 million in fiscal year 2026.
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Timothy McBride @mcbridetd.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Federal Judge Pauses Deportation of Man Shot by ICE in Texas www.wsj.com/us-news/law/...
wsj.com
Federal Judge Pauses Deportation of Man Shot by ICE in Texas
The Venezuelan immigrant was taken into federal custody with a bullet still lodged in his back, his lawyer says.
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amanda moore 🐢 @noturtlesoup17.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Alex Driggars at the Austin Statesman tweeted a photo of the traffic camera at the intersection of today's ICE shooting in Austin. Just went and checked, and this is from 4 minutes ago. Crowd not leaving.
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Norm Eisen @normeisen.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
BREAKING: We have updated the Court with the latest developments in Trump's apparent moves to demolish the Kennedy Center  The EXISTING INJUNCTION prevents demolition The Court has ordered the government to say what the hell it is doing by 10 AM @repbeatty.bsky.social, DDA & WLG will fight this!
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Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty @hennepinatty.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty statement on Christian Castro:
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Jill Burcum @jburcum.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
👇👇👇
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Dr. Vin Gupta @vinguptamd.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
“MAHA” says environmental exposures are driving chronic disease. So why is the EPA of the same administration weakening protections against some of the best-documented environmental health risks? Yet again, California stepping into the void of federal leadership.
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FT Edit @ftedit.ft.com · 15/09/2026
The 10-year US Treasury yield hit 5 per cent yesterday, as the world’s most watched financial marker moves towards levels not seen since the lead-up to the global financial crisis. "This is a moment to pay attention to," said a Wall Street strategist. Read the story on #FTEdit 👉 ft.trib.al/xGZefru
Line chart showing the 10-year US Treasury yield from 2007 to 2026. Yields fell from around 5% before the financial crisis to below 1% in 2020, then climbed sharply. By 2026, the benchmark yield has returned to 5%, its highest level in roughly two decades.
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Zahra Hirji @zhirji.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Scoop: The EPA is expected to formally rescind carbon pollution standards for fossil fuel-fired power plants as soon as Monday, according to people familiar with the matter. Tag team with @bloomberg.com’s Ari Natter and Jen Dlouhy. Gift link: www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
bloomberg.com
EPA Poised to Repeal Carbon Standards for Coal, Gas Power Plants
The US Environmental Protection Agency is expected to formally rescind carbon pollution standards for fossil fuel-fired power plants as soon as Monday, according to people familiar with the matter.
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Jill Burcum @jburcum.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
www.startribune.com/mn-infertili...
startribune.com
Burcum: The fight for fertility coverage needs a governor in its corner
"It's hard to think of a more pro-family policy than helping those confronting infertility turn their dreams of having children into reality," columnist Jill Burcum writes.
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Carl Quintanilla @carlquintanilla.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
“.. Obama urged House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Democrat of New York, to assemble a clear framework for a public conversation about A.I. policy, should Democrats win back the House ..” @nytimes.com www.nytimes.com/2026/09/13/u...
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Justin Wolfers @justinwolfers.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
Latest inflation data just dropped. And... prices are still rising at an uncomfortably high rate. Headline inflation was 3.4% over the past year. This month, prices grew by 0.4%. This is pretty much as expected, but no-one was expecting good news.
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Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 10/09/2026
Trump is having trouble reading and slurring heavily as he approaches 2 hours of speaking
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Catherine Rampell @crampell.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
Since becoming president again, Trump has promised: -$5000 stimulus checks via "DOGE dividend" -$2000 stimulus checks via "tariff dividend" -$1000+ checks via "savings" from expiring ACA subsidies -$5000 "dividend" if Rs win midterms No checks have been issued www.thebulwark.com/p/trump-magi...
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Dr. D Boulware, MD MPH @drboulware.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
Pentagon seeks to secretly divert $2 Billion from the National Institutes of Health to fund Iran War without Congressional approval. thehill.com/homenews/hou...
thehill.com
Pentagon sought to divert NIH funds for defense use, top House Appropriations Democrat says
The Pentagon is attempting to divert billions of dollars from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to bolster the agency’s budget, according to the top Democrat on the House Appropria…
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Jill Burcum @jburcum.bsky.social · 29/08/2026
www.startribune.com/burcum-lake-...
startribune.com
Burcum: ‘Lake America’ is absurd. The threat to Minnesota trade is serious.
Minnesota has much to lose in a prolonged trade war with Canada. Here’s what key candidates for governor, U.S. Senate and the Second Congressional District would do about it.
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Jill Burcum @jburcum.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
Lower the flags for Dolly! She was a national treasure. RIP to a legend.
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Jill Burcum @jburcum.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
Minnesota also checks both these boxes.
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ProPublica @propublica.org · 24/08/2026
We obtained 3,000 pages of emails sent by execs asking that their facilities be exempted from Clean Air Act rules. As of mid-July, the White House has approved ~200 requests. Tomorrow at 4 pm ET, join us for an event exploring the impact (w/ @chicagotribune.com @deepsouthtoday.org @latimes.com):
events.propublica.org
Clean Air Act: Dismantling One of the Country’s Bedrock Environmental Laws
Join us for a discussion about the rollback of the Clean Air Act and what it means for public health in communities across America.
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Jill Burcum @jburcum.bsky.social · 23/08/2026
GIFT LINK: www.startribune.com/walz-nonferr...
startribune.com
Burcum: Walz order strikes sensible middle ground on mining near the Boundary Waters
Gov. Tim Walz’s new executive order does not ban mining in the state. It stops nonferrous mining in one fragile area: the Rainy River Headwaters Watershed, columnist Jill Burcum writes.
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Peter Sagal @petersagal.bsky.social · 23/08/2026
In his speech yesterday, Canada PM Mark Carney seemed to try to explain to the President what a “trade deficit” is. You’re not just giving another country 100s of millions of dollars… You’re buying things from them! That you want!
Another prominent justification for U.S. tariffs has been their claim that, since the United States runs a trade deficit with Canada, we were "ripping them off"
But the United States' narrow merchandise trade deficit only exists because the U.S. buys so much of its energy from us.
Canada fuels American growth: supplying 99% of their natural gas imports, 85% of electricity imports, and 60% of crude oil imports. I don't think they want us to stop sending it.
And the comprehensive U.S.-Canada trade balance, which includes the many services - from finance to entertainment - that we buy from the U.S. shows a persistent American trade surplus.
Most fundamentally, trade is about building mutual strength - creating a relationship that benefits both countries.
For example, Canada is the largest customer for U.S. cars - in fact, we buy more American-built cars than the United Kingdom, Japan, and China combined.
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The New York Times @nytimes.com · 22/08/2026
Breaking News: The U.S. said Canada had declined a trade deal to stave off 50% tariffs, which will take effect at midnight.
nyti.ms
U.S. Says Canada Has Declined a Trade Deal to Stave Off Tariffs
United States trade representative Jamieson Greer said that it was a “missed opportunity for Canada.” The surprising development means tariffs against $20 billion of Canadian goods come into effect at midnight.
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Thomas Seal @twseal.bsky.social · 22/08/2026
Carney's statement says important progress was made in talks but "last-minute changes in the US proposed terms were unfair, uneconomic, and called into question the reliability of any deal" Full statement:
pm.gc.ca
Statement by Prime Minister Carney on Canada-U.S. trade negotiations
We have recognised from the beginning that America has changed, and that we will not return to our old relationship. Our government understood, before many, that America is altering all its trade rela...
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Jill Burcum @jburcum.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
It’ll be interesting to see how Klobuchar handles this. Does she try to put the same distance between her and the Walz order as Hauschild?
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Eric Topol @erictopol.bsky.social · 11/08/2026
Vaccine benefit in children "Since 1974, vaccination has averted 154 million deaths, including 146 million among children younger than 5 years of whom 101 million were infants younger than 1 year." www.thelancet.com/journals/lan... The most striking benefit was for vaccination vs measles (Figure)
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American Oversight @americanoversight.org · 07/08/2026
ICE is planning to make sure field agents have body cams by the end of September. But its policy to only release footage that is in the agency’s “best interest” means taxpayers may be paying millions for cameras without benefitting from their oversight. apnews.com/article/ice-...
apnews.com
ICE will release body camera video only when seen in the agency’s ‘best interests,’ policy says
Immigration and Customs Enforcement is moving to equip officers with body cameras in the next two months but the public should not expect to quickly see footage of every critical incident.
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Jill Burcum @jburcum.bsky.social · 08/08/2026
Gift link: www.startribune.com/angie-craig-...
startribune.com
Burcum: Putting Flanagan and Craig to the test on health care
Columnist Jill Burcum asked the DFL candidates for their positions on several pressing Minnesota health care issues to provide a more detailed look at how they’d approach the job in the U.S. Senate.
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Joan Alker @joanalker1.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
We’ve update our Medicaid enrollment tracker and the news for children isn’t good. Since January 2025 there has been a shocking drop of 2.3 million kids enrolled in Medicaid/CHIP. This means the child uninsured rate is likely going up.
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Jill Burcum @jburcum.bsky.social · 02/08/2026
GIFT LINK: www.startribune.com/ice-immigran...
startribune.com
Burcum: If everything’s fine inside Whipple, let reporters inside
"This isn’t about letting a reporter in for a photo op. An agency permitted to operate without regular, independent observation has every incentive to hide or minimize its mistakes," columnist Jill Bu...
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Peter Baker @peterbakernyt.bsky.social · 27/07/2026
As Trump administration signs a civilian nuclear cooperation deal with Saudi Arabia, a number of the president's allies and relatives, including members of his cabinet, stand to benefit if his big bet on nuclear power pays off. www.nytimes.com/2026/07/26/u...
nytimes.com
Trump Is Pushing Nuclear Energy, Including Saudi Deal. His Family and Supporters Could Benefit.
In some cases, no direct line can be drawn from the president’s domestic nuclear agenda to his family or close allies. But they have overlapping business ties that could position them for gains.
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Amanda Katz @katzish.bsky.social · 24/07/2026
‘"Never in my career until now have I felt that those edits, those suggestions, came from a place of misinformation or politics," Vega said. "That's the difference."’
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Carl Quintanilla @carlquintanilla.bsky.social · 23/07/2026
“.. the Trump administration decided to remove four service members killed this past weekend from the list .. because their deaths occurred after President Trump declared a cease-fire ..” @nytimes.com www.nytimes.com/2026/07/23/u...
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Jill Burcum @jburcum.bsky.social · 24/07/2026
I thought RFK Jr was going to strengthen trust in our health care system? This is a joke.
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Liz Szabo @lizszabo.bsky.social · 24/07/2026
The zillionth study finding COVID vaccines are safe for both pregnant people and babies. Vaccinated women had babies just as healthy as unvaccinated women. Getting sick with COVID during pregnancy, however, is very risky for moms and babies.
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CIDRAP @cidrap.bsky.social · 23/07/2026
Quick takes: -Ebola death toll tops 1,000 -Delaware declares measles outbreak -H9N2 avian flu in China Read more: bit.ly/4bab3RP.
bit.ly
Quick takes: Ebola death toll tops 1,000, Delaware declares measles outbreak, H9N2 avian flu in China
The case-fatality rate for the Ebola outbreak is 40%.
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Gretchen Goldman, PhD @gretchentg.bsky.social · 23/07/2026
A devastating but lesser known part of federal science attacks is on the federal science advisory system. In a new post, I discuss the state of play on federal advisory committees and how the scientific community is pushing back through independent science efforts. blog.ucs.org/gretchen-gol...
Graph of terminated federal advisory committees over time
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Ryan Marino, MD @ryanmarino.bsky.social · 23/07/2026
The dogs caught the car and now we are stuck riding in a car that’s being driven by dogs who don’t know how to drive a car and aren’t capable of learning and the car is full of diarrhea
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Timothy McBride @mcbridetd.bsky.social · 20/07/2026
IRAN WAR COVER UP Pentagon Withheld Dozens of U.S. Military Injuries in Iran War www.nytimes.com/2026/07/20/u...
nytimes.com
Pentagon Withheld Dozens of U.S. Military Injuries in Iran War
Central Command is not required to release information about injured troops, especially when they quickly return to duty, a military official said.
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Liz Szabo @lizszabo.bsky.social · 20/07/2026
But nearly six months after the website's launch, those deals on TrumpRx represent fewer than 12% of the more than 800 brand-name drugs made by the participating pharmaceutical companies. www.npr.org/2026/07/16/n...
npr.org
TrumpRx promised a supermarket for cheaper drugs but delivered a boutique
President Trump said TrumpRx is the biggest thing to happen in healthcare in decades. But an NPR analysis finds drugmakers are only offering deals on a few of their medicines.
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Catherine Rampell @crampell.bsky.social · 17/07/2026
one of the supposedly damning docs the White House released tonight says Russia tried to undermine BIDEN. Also says China "prefers that President Trump be defeated" but actually "Beijing did not intend to try to affect the election" (!)
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