Jessie Hellmann @jessiehellmann.bsky.social · 04/05/2026The second story in my series on barriers to hepatitis C elimination in the U.S. focuses on legislative hurdles. A bill would do what other countries and some states already do: negotiate with drug companies to lower treatment costs and expand access to those who need it most. 100
Jessie Hellmann @jessiehellmann.bsky.social · 04/04/2025Public health departments are laying off staff and cancelling vaccine clinics after the Trump administration prematurely pulled billions of dollars in funding rollcall.com/2025/04/04/a...rollcall.comAmid measles outbreak, Trump pulls funding for vaccines - Roll CallThe Trump administration clawed back $12 billion in grants for state and local health departments, leading to vaccine clinic cancellations. 092
Reposted by Jessie HellmannMarisa Kabas @marisakabas.bsky.social · 03/04/2025Updated just now. Six pages so far. The breadth of destruction is staggering. 462086815
Jessie Hellmann @jessiehellmann.bsky.social · 26/03/2025The Trump admin terminated NIH grant funding for a long-running research network that studied HIV in adolescents. One of the immediate impacts of this is a cancelled study to examine whether an antibiotic currently only approved for men to prevent STDs can also work in women. 153
Reposted by Jessie HellmannJessie Hellmann @jessiehellmann.bsky.social · 24/03/2025The Trump admin is canceling NIH grants it deems to be "DEI" related. Mostly health equity grants, including one that studied maternal mortality in Black women, and a slew of HIV grants. rollcall.com/2025/03/24/t...rollcall.comTrump cancels NIH grants on equity research - Roll CallGrantees were told that diversity, equity and inclusion studies "are often used to support unlawful discrimination on the basis of race.” 0148
Reposted by Jessie HellmannProPublica @propublica.org · 24/03/2025NEW: It’s unclear whether new NIH guidance will impact active grants, but it appears to halt opportunities for future funding of studies focused on the health effects of climate change. One climate health expert called the directive “catastrophic.” @anniewaldman.bsky.social/@fastlerner.bsky.socialpropub.liNIH Ends Future Funding to Study the Health Effects of Climate ChangeIt’s unclear whether the guidance will impact active grants, but it appears to halt opportunities for future studies. One climate health expert said the directive would have a “devastating” impact on ... 13354143
Jessie Hellmann @jessiehellmann.bsky.social · 24/03/2025The Trump admin is canceling NIH grants it deems to be "DEI" related. Mostly health equity grants, including one that studied maternal mortality in Black women, and a slew of HIV grants. rollcall.com/2025/03/24/t...rollcall.comTrump cancels NIH grants on equity research - Roll CallGrantees were told that diversity, equity and inclusion studies "are often used to support unlawful discrimination on the basis of race.” 0148
Jessie Hellmann @jessiehellmann.bsky.social · 19/03/2025My story about how the Trump administration is undermining its own 2019 initiative to end the HIV epidemic in the US rollcall.com/2025/03/19/t...rollcall.comTrump’s policies threaten his 2019 vow to end HIV, experts say - Roll CallTrump's second term has included pauses to HIV public awareness campaigns and the cancellation of at least 20 grants funding HIV research. 064
Reposted by Jessie HellmannEmma Smith @3mm4sm1th.bsky.social · 12/03/2025Thank you @stephanienolen.bsky.social for writing this, “Despite being fully treatable, tuberculosis claimed 1.25 million lives in 2023, the last year for which data is available…The main TB research effort, testing new diagnostics and therapies, has been terminated.” 142
Reposted by Jessie HellmannJessie Hellmann @jessiehellmann.bsky.social · 07/03/2025My story about how Trump is canceling LGBTQ+ research grants at NIH and how that's a wild departure from historical norms: rollcall.com/2025/03/07/a...rollcall.comAfter Trump’s inauguration, a dramatic halt to LGBTQ+ research - Roll CallThe Trump administration has dramatically dialed back research into LGBTQ+ health, and researchers say the impact has been dramatic. 072
Jessie Hellmann @jessiehellmann.bsky.social · 07/03/2025My story about how Trump is canceling LGBTQ+ research grants at NIH and how that's a wild departure from historical norms: rollcall.com/2025/03/07/a...rollcall.comAfter Trump’s inauguration, a dramatic halt to LGBTQ+ research - Roll CallThe Trump administration has dramatically dialed back research into LGBTQ+ health, and researchers say the impact has been dramatic. 072
Jessie Hellmann @jessiehellmann.bsky.social · 05/03/2025While President Trump talks about childhood cancer at the faux SOTU, it’s a fact that billions of dollars in research funding has been frozen at NIH and staff who support researchers have been fired. 040
Jessie Hellmann @jessiehellmann.bsky.social · 03/03/2025Looking for sources who can talk about how HIV care and research in the US might be impacted by Trump’s executive orders and actions on DEI and gender. Hoping to talk to service providers, researchers, people with lived experiences, etc. DMs open! 020
Jessie Hellmann @jessiehellmann.bsky.social · 28/02/2025I'm working on a story about how the Trump administration's EOs on DEI could impact federal funding of research on health disparities & health equity. If you're a researcher whose work has been impacted by this or you fear if might be, I'd love to chat. I can keep you anonymous. Signal:jshellmann.18 120
Reposted by Jessie HellmannElizabeth Jacobs, PhD @elizabethjacobs.bsky.social · 25/02/2025Death is not the only outcome that matters when it comes to infectious disease. In the TX measles outbreak, 16 people have been hospitalized so far, which can be traumatizing for kids and financially destructive for their parents. Measles can also cause a variety of adverse outcomes such as… 20647182
Reposted by Jessie HellmannUsha Lee McFarling @usha.bsky.social · 25/02/2025NEW: Some study sections resuming, but damage accrues. The resumption of some study sections is the latest twist in a whiplash-inducing four weeks of unprecedented delays that have left researchers reeling and already held up an estimated $1.5 billion in new funding. www.statnews.com/2025/02/24/s...statnews.comSome NIH study sections will resume reviewing grants, but final funding decisions are still in limboWhile some NIH study sections will resume, advisory council meetings, which make final funding decisions, seem to still be held up. 1215
Reposted by Jessie HellmannJulie Rovner @julierovner.bsky.social · 24/02/2025reminder: Medicaid expansion was approved by Idaho voters in 2018 with more than 60 percent of the vote. 58243
Reposted by Jessie HellmannRani Molla @rani.bsky.social · 24/02/2025WSJ did a back of the envelope calculation and figured Apple’s $500B US spending announcement is basically what it would have spent anyway, but packaged it as an appeasement gift to Trump. Brilliant. www.wsj.com/tech/apples-...wsj.comApple’s $500 Billion U.S. Investment Is Mostly Already in the BooksThe U.S. expansion plan is in line with the company’s spending pattern and its efforts to diversify manufacturing away from China. 1107
Reposted by Jessie HellmannEmily Ramshaw @eramshaw.bsky.social · 24/02/2025"At first glance, we were ecstatic... And then we're like, 'Well, where are all the female cancers?'" 19thnews.org/2025/02/canc...19thnews.orgFuture of cancer coverage for women federal firefighters uncertain under TrumpBiden's Labor Department added ovarian, uterine, cervical, and breast cancer coverage for wildland firefighters. It’s unclear whether the new protections will stick under Trump. 13011
Reposted by Jessie Hellmann19thnews @19thnews.org · 20/02/2025For parents of kids and adult children with immunocompromised systems, the consequences of fewer people vaccinating themselves and their children could be life-threatening.19thnews.orgFor families with sick kids, the rise of vaccine hesitancy could be life-threateningSome parents are concerned about the recent confirmation of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has a history of anti-vaccine views, to oversee the nation’s health department. 56127
Reposted by Jessie HellmannLarry Levitt @larrylevitt.bsky.social · 19/02/2025It’s hard to describe simply the Medicaid cuts in the House budget plan, but the short answer is they're big. The Energy and Commerce Committee has to produce at least $880 billion in cuts in its jurisdiction. Medicaid isn’t the only program, but it’s by far the biggest. 2213
Reposted by Jessie HellmannProPublica @propublica.org · 19/02/2025Billionaires are using a loophole to avoid Medicare taxes. Closing it — and eliminating other ways around the tax for wealthy business owners — could raise more than $250 billion over 10 years for the program. (Published Dec. 2024)propub.liHow a Decades-Old Loophole Lets Billionaires Avoid Medicare TaxesSome of Wall Street’s richest and most powerful figures are using a legal loophole to avoid paying millions of dollars in taxes earmarked for health care, a ProPublica investigation found. 321213425
Reposted by Jessie HellmannUsha Lee McFarling @usha.bsky.social · 19/02/2025NEW: Trump actions on science may affect a generation as pauses + cuts in graduate admissions begin. “We had just flown them out, we told them we love you, we want to admit you, and then everything just stopped." "It's freezing everybody into inaction." www.statnews.com/2025/02/19/t...statnews.comGraduate student admissions paused and cut back as universities react to Trump orders on researchIn response to Trump science policies, universities are accepting fewer graduate students than normal and freezing positions, STAT has learned. 412776
Jessie Hellmann @jessiehellmann.bsky.social · 19/02/2025After the Trump administration was required to restore health websites, this disclaimer appears on top of targethiv.org 151
Reposted by Jessie HellmannLarry Levitt @larrylevitt.bsky.social · 19/02/2025It's difficult to reconcile President Trump's vow to "love and cherish" Medicaid with his endorsement of the House budget that could cut over $800 billion from the program. Cuts of that magnitude go well beyond eliminating fraud and abuse. 23417
Reposted by Jessie HellmannJulie Rovner @julierovner.bsky.social · 13/02/2025on this week's #WTHealth podcast: The courts push back on Trump actions, plus budget battles on Capitol Hill, with @shefali.bsky.social, @jessiehellmann.bsky.social, and Maya Goldman. Plus a chat w/Mark McClellan on NIH grants. kffhealthnews.org/news/podcast...kffhealthnews.orgCourts Try To Curb Health Cuts - KFF Health NewsSome of the Trump administration’s dramatic funding and policy shifts are facing major pushback for the first time — not from Congress, but from the courts. Federal judges around the country are attem... 193
Reposted by Jessie HellmannAlison Fitzgerald Kodjak @alikodjak.bsky.social · 10/02/2025“If it’s not there,” Leach said of the federal money that covers the salaries for 40% of her staff, “things get really bad, really fast.” www.propublica.org/article/trum...propublica.orgThe Courts Blocked Trump’s Federal Funding Freeze. Agencies Are Withholding Money Anyway.Agencies continue to suspend funding, despite multiple court orders blocking the federal freeze. Experts say the Trump administration’s actions set the stage for challenges to Congress’ authority — an... 1026463
Reposted by Jessie HellmannPeter Sagal @petersagal.bsky.social · 07/02/2025wapo.st/4ht6mU5wapo.stAnalysis | The White House’s wildly inaccurate claims about USAID spendingEleven out of 12 claims about the agency’s work are misleading, wrong or lack context. 2453119771
Reposted by Jessie HellmannEdwin Park @edwincpark.bsky.social · 06/02/2025The Modern Medicaid Alliance, a coalition of providers, health plans and advocacy organizations, urges Congressional leaders to drop efforts to cut #Medicaid and uphold Trump's recent promise to protect the program. modernmedicaid.org/pressrelease...modernmedicaid.orgHealth Care Leaders Urge Congress to Uphold President Trump’s Promise to Protect Medicaid Beneficiaries - Modern Medicaid AllianceWashington, D.C. – Following President Trump’s statement this weekend that his administration is committed to protecting the Medicaid program and not undermining the millions of Americans who rely on ... 0145
Reposted by Jessie HellmannAndy Kaczynski @kfile.bsky.social · 05/02/2025NEW on CNN: Rubio spent years defending USAID/foreign aid as vital to US interests—arguing it was necessary to counter China. A CNN KFile review of Rubio’s Senate record show a decade of praise for USAID, including calling foreign aid “critical to our national security” . www.cnn.com/2025/02/05/p...cnn.comRubio’s years of strong support for USAID stands in contrast to his sudden criticism of the aid agency | CNN PoliticsSecretary of State Marco Rubio, newly in charge of the besieged US Agency for International Development, was for years a staunch supporter of its mission while in the US Senate, reversing his views on... 44315111
Jessie Hellmann @jessiehellmann.bsky.social · 03/02/2025Key physician groups have stayed silent on the nomination of RFK Jr. to lead the Health and Human Services Department. rollcall.com/2025/02/03/k...rollcall.comKey physician groups stay silent on Kennedy nomination - Roll CallThe American Medical Association and American Academy of Pediatrics have been silent on Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s nomination as HHS secretary. 060
Reposted by Jessie HellmannHelen Branswell 🇨🇦 @helenbranswell.bsky.social · 31/01/2025Several databases at the #CDC have gone offline today. We know of some — Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System, AtlasPlus. There are undoubtedly more. If you are a researcher & use these databases, please share with @statnews.com how this will affect your work. www.statnews.com/2025/01/25/t...statnews.comAre you affected by the Trump administration’s pause on health communications, science meetings, and reviews?Have you been affected by the Trump administration’s pause on communications, science meetings, and reviews? @statnews would like to hear from you. 5174109
Reposted by Jessie HellmannHelen Branswell 🇨🇦 @helenbranswell.bsky.social · 31/01/2025#CDC staff have been instructed to remove pronouns from their email signatures by 5 pm today. This is part of the "Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government" Initiative. 912046
Jessie Hellmann @jessiehellmann.bsky.social · 31/01/2025This is not even an answer to the question (From Kennedy's written responses to Senate Finance Committee members) 150
Reposted by Jessie HellmannAdrianna McIntyre @adrianna.bsky.social · 31/01/2025Non-answer answers are typical responses to questions for the record after confirmation hearings; department heads can't commit to policies without the President's direction But these are just wild www.finance.senate.gov/imo/media/do... 1144
Reposted by Jessie HellmannAssociation of Health Care Journalists @healthjournalism.org · 31/01/2025An urgent message from the nation's health journalists: 6253166
Reposted by Jessie HellmannAdrianna McIntyre @adrianna.bsky.social · 30/01/2025Love a turn of phrase that makes me say "oh my god" aloud. "In response to Cassidy’s questions, Kennedy looked & sounded exactly like someone in a cold sweat nightmare trying to take an exam for a course he didn’t know he was enrolled in." @joannekenen.bsky.social www.politico.com/newsletters/...politico.comRFK Jr.’s rocky rollout 2302
Reposted by Jessie HellmannUsha Lee McFarling @usha.bsky.social · 30/01/2025Physicians and patients have been waiting years for the FDA to ask manufacturers to make pulse oximeters work on all skin tones. Just as they were making headway it looks like progress may now be stalled by anti-DEI initiatives. Great story by Erika Edwards. www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...nbcnews.comTrump's anti-DEI initiatives could hamper pulse oximeter research, doctors worryThe future of funding to study racial disparities is unknown, as the federal government appears to oppose diversity, equity and inclusion programs . 04613
Reposted by Jessie HellmannTara Haelle @tarahaelle.bsky.social · 29/01/2025The #HPV #vaccine protects against 6 kinds of #cancer: cervical, vulvar, vaginal, anal, penile & head/neck/throat. Robert F. #Kennedy Jr's senate confirmation hearings for HHS Secretary begin today. Required reading on #RFK & HPV vaccine by @jessiehellmann.bsky.socialbuff.lyHow RFK Jr. drove mistrust of a cancer prevention vaccine - Roll CallPresident-elect Donald Trump's pick to lead HHS has a long history of discounting and peddling misinformation about the HPV vaccine. 043
Reposted by Jessie HellmannApoorva Mandavilli @apoorvanyt.bsky.social · 29/01/2025BREAKING: The Trump administration has issued a waiver for lifesaving medicines and medical services, offering a reprieve for a worldwide H.I.V. treatment program that was halted last week. www.nytimes.com/2025/01/28/h...nytimes.comState Department Permits Distribution of H.I.V. Medications to Resume — for NowExperts fear a resurgence of infections in low-income countries if the ban were to continue. The waiver remains in place, while officials review foreign aid programs. 64786224
Reposted by Jessie HellmannSarah Karlin-Smith @sarahkarlin-smith.bsky.social · 29/01/2025FDA's not updating its approved drugs database right now. So we made a chart of all the recent action. insights.citeline.com/pink-sheet/p...insights.citeline.comApprovals The US FDA Is Not Talking About: A Communication Freeze CalendarVertex’s high profile non-opioid pain drug is among the applications with user fee goal dates in late January, as a communication freeze prevents the FDA from announcing actions. 043
Reposted by Jessie HellmannApoorva Mandavilli @apoorvanyt.bsky.social · 28/01/2025Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President Trump’s nominee for health secretary, doesn’t hold fringe views just on vaccines. We fact-checked five recent statements. www.nytimes.com/2025/01/28/h...nytimes.comKennedy, in His Own Words: Flu, Diabetes, Autism and More (Gift Article)Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President Trump’s nominee for health secretary, doesn’t just hold fringe views on vaccines. We fact-checked five recent statements. 916853
Jessie Hellmann @jessiehellmann.bsky.social · 28/01/2025Trump’s sweeping directive pausing federal aid resulted in chaos Tuesday for everyone from state Medicaid programs to programs that deliver meals to older adults. plus.cq.com/doc/news-816...plus.cq.comCQ NEWS Trump directive on grants spurs uncertainty for health programsAn order from President Donald Trump to temporarily block the disbursement of most federal grants and loans could have a massive impact on health programs ranging from those addressing HIV and AIDS to... 130
Reposted by Jessie HellmannBrian Schatz @schatz.bsky.social · 28/01/2025Multiple states locked out of Medicaid portal. This is a Trump shutdown, except this time it’s unlawful. 23930241022
Reposted by Jessie HellmannRachel Sachs @rachelsachs.bsky.social · 28/01/2025"One study estimated that if PEPFAR were to end, as many as 600,000 lives would be lost over the next decade in South Africa alone. And that nation relies on PEPFAR for only 20 [%] of its H.I.V. budget. Some poorer countries are almost entirely dependent on" PEPFAR. www.nytimes.com/2025/01/27/h...nytimes.comTrump Administration Halts H.I.V. Drug Distribution in Poor Countries (Gift Article)PEPFAR’s computer systems also are being taken offline, a sign that the program may not return, as Republican critics had hoped. 11815
Jessie Hellmann @jessiehellmann.bsky.social · 22/01/2025🚨RFK Jr.'s ethics and financial disclosure forms have been posted on the OGE website. These forms are key to scheduling a confirmation hearing. extapps2.oge.gov/201/Presiden... extapps2.oge.gov/201/Presiden...extapps2.oge.gov 010
Reposted by Jessie HellmannLarry Levitt @larrylevitt.bsky.social · 21/01/2025Just to be clear: The Inflation Reduction Act is still in effect. It requires government negotiation of drug prices, a $35 insulin cap, and a $2,000 annual out-of-pocket cap (all in Medicare). Trump has not taken a public position on the IRA's drug policies yet. 56617
Reposted by Jessie HellmannNathan Boonstra MD @pedsgeekmd.bsky.social · 21/01/2025Those of us following vaccine science have been critical of RFK’s anti vaccine views for decades. Pleased to be quoted in this article with friends like @aetiology.bsky.social and @pauloffit.bsky.social. 0259
Reposted by Jessie HellmannAndy Kaczynski @kfile.bsky.social · 21/01/2025two days ago x.com/kyledcheney/... 1728962