State laws to stop surprise ambulance bills face pushback from insurers

Mattel is rolling out a new Barbie doll designed to represent kids with type 1 diabetes—complete with a tiny glucose monitor and insulin pump. It’s part of the brand’s push to make its lineup more inclusive, showing kids that their experiences (or their friends’) can be reflected in something as simple as a toy.

Editor’s Note: For kids with diabetes, seeing a doll that mirrors their reality can be a big deal—it normalizes their daily life and helps others understand their world. For Mattel, it’s another step in diversifying Barbie’s image beyond the classic blonde stereotype, showing that representation in playtime matters just as much as anywhere else.

The U.S. is seeing the highest number of measles cases since the disease was officially declared eliminated in 2000. Health experts are sounding the alarm, warning that declining vaccination rates could turn these outbreaks into a recurring—and dangerous—trend.

Editor’s Note: Measles isn’t just a relic of the past—it’s making a comeback, and that’s a big deal. When vaccination rates drop, diseases we thought were under control can resurge, putting kids and vulnerable populations at risk. This isn’t just about measles; it’s a warning sign about what happens when public health safeguards weaken.

The U.S. is seeing its worst measles outbreak in over three decades, with 1,288 confirmed cases so far this year—a troubling surge for a disease that was officially declared eliminated in the country back in 2000. Health officials are sounding the alarm as vaccination rates dip and outbreaks flare up in communities with low immunization coverage.

Editor’s Note: Measles isn't just a relic of the past—it's making a comeback, and that's a big deal. This isn't just about a few isolated cases; it's a sign that gaps in vaccination are leaving entire communities vulnerable. Measles spreads fast, can cause serious complications, and puts babies and immunocompromised people at real risk. The spike is a wake-up call about how quickly progress can unravel when public health measures slip.

Measles cases in the U.S. are surging to levels not seen since the early '90s—and we’re only halfway through the year. The spike comes alongside a concerning drop in vaccination rates among young kids, leaving health officials scrambling to contain outbreaks.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just a blip—it’s a warning sign. Measles was nearly eradicated in the U.S. thanks to vaccines, but slipping immunization rates are giving the virus room to spread again. For vulnerable groups like unvaccinated kids or immunocompromised people, this could mean serious, even deadly, consequences. It’s a stark reminder that public health isn’t just about individual choices; it’s about community protection.

Dr. Marwan al-Sultan, the respected director of Gaza’s Indonesia Hospital, was killed in an Israeli airstrike last week, leaving the territory with only one remaining cardiologist. His death underscores the broader collapse of Gaza’s healthcare system after 21 months of war, with international groups sounding alarms about the dire state of medical services in the enclave.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just another casualty report—it’s a stark example of how the war is gutting Gaza’s ability to care for its people. Losing a leading doctor like al-Sultan ripples far beyond one life; it weakens an already crumbling healthcare system where every specialist is irreplaceable. When hospitals can’t function, the human cost of conflict spirals far beyond battlefield casualties.