Americans' medical debt can stay in credit reports, judge rules. What does that mean?

A Trump administration official falsely claimed that PEPFAR—the U.S. global HIV/AIDS program—was funding abortions in Russia. Investigations found no evidence to support the accusation, which critics say was likely an attempt to undermine the program’s reputation.

Zackie Achmat, a veteran South African AIDS activist who fought for widespread access to H.I.V. treatment years ago, is stepping back into the spotlight. He’s sounding the alarm as U.S. aid cuts and sluggish government action threaten to undo hard-won progress, leaving many vulnerable patients at risk.

Three years ago, the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (988) launched as a quick-access helpline for people in distress, connecting callers to trained counselors and local crisis centers. While millions have used it since, a new study reveals that awareness of the service is still spotty in parts of the U.S., leaving gaps in who can benefit from this critical resource.

Editor’s Note: The 988 lifeline is a lifeline in the truest sense—it’s there to help people in their darkest moments. But if folks don’t know it exists, it can’t do its job. This story highlights both progress (millions reached) and a glaring need: better outreach so no one slips through the cracks. It’s a reminder that launching a service is just step one; making sure people use it is the real challenge.

CVS Health just scored a big win by landing a pharmacy benefits contract with Calpers, California’s massive public employee retirement system. They beat out rival UnitedHealth for the deal, which means CVS’s Caremark division will now manage prescription drug coverage for hundreds of thousands of state workers and retirees.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just another corporate contract—it’s a major shift in who controls prescription benefits for a huge chunk of California’s workforce. Calpers is one of the biggest public pension funds in the U.S., so this deal solidifies CVS’s grip on the pharmacy benefits market while dealing a blow to UnitedHealth’s ambitions in the space. For everyday folks, it could mean changes in how they access medications, depending on how CVS structures the plan. Bottom line: It’s a power move in the ongoing battle over who gets to manage America’s prescription drug spending.

The use of GLP-1 weight loss drugs in kids has exploded—up 65% right after the American Academy of Pediatrics gave them the green light in early 2023, and the trend hasn’t slowed down. NBC’s Kate Snow digs into which ages might actually benefit from these medications and what experts are saying about the surge.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just another headline about weight loss drugs—it’s about how quickly they’re being adopted for kids, raising big questions. Are they safe long-term for developing bodies? Who really needs them? The spike in prescriptions suggests parents and doctors are eager for solutions, but the debate over risks and ethics is just heating up.