Dan Lewis

Illinois-based American Academy of Pediatrics sues Robert F. Kennedy Jr. over vaccine changes The lawsuit alleges that a decision in May to remove COVID-19 vaccines from the federal list of recommended vaccines for healthy children and pregnant women was unlawful.

The Illinois-based American Academy of Pediatrics and five other prominent medical groups are suing Robert F. Kennedy Jr., over changes made to COVID-19 vaccine recommendations for children and pregnant women.

A reminder that AI is not bound by HIPPA nor state privacy laws yet. AI chatbots can literally sell your personal information and trauma details you share with it. There is a major role for state regulation.

Pritzker proposes crackdown on crypto ATMs to address scams, money-laundering The governor is expected to use his State of the State address to pitch legislation that would establish a daily limit for transactions on crypto ATMs, cap fees to “prevent predatory charges” and...

Pritzker proposes crackdown on crypto ATMs to address scams, money-laundering

Three Months After Missouri Voted to Make Abortion Legal, Access Is Still Being Blocked Reproductive rights are now enshrined in the state constitution, but Missouri’s main abortion provider is fighting legal hurdles to resume offering the procedure. Meanwhile, anti-abortion lawmakers…

NEW: Reproductive rights are now enshrined in the state constitution, but Missouri’s main abortion provider is fighting legal hurdles to resume offering the procedure. Meanwhile, anti-abortion lawmakers strategize to prevent a return of abortion services.

By @jeremykohler.bsky.social

N.Y. Moves to Shield Doctors Who Send Abortion Pills to States With Bans Gov. Kathy Hochul signed a bill meant to protect medical practitioners in New York who prescribe and send abortion pills out of state.

Gov. Kathy Hochul of New York signed a bill on Monday intended to give the state’s health care providers an extra layer of protection to shield them from prosecution in states that ban abortion.

Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren Slam RFK Jr. for Ultimate Scam The progressive senators torched Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for making money off of his supposed public health initiatives.

“The bottom line is the same: Kennedy can kill off access to vaccines and make millions of dollars while he does it. Kids might die, but Robert Kennedy can keep cashing in.”

Trans and non-binary youth deserve access to gender-affirming care without stigma or barriers.

We're here for you 🏳️‍⚧️❤️

A hand holding a silver pill pack is pictured. Headline reads: "Instagram and Facebook Blocked and Hid Abortion Pill Providers’ Posts." Photo credit: Maddie McGarvey for The New York Times.

Instagram and Facebook have recently blurred, blocked or removed posts from two abortion pill providers. Instagram also suspended the accounts of several abortion pill providers and hid the providers from appearing in search and recommendations. nyti.ms/4h3PF1x

Come work with me this summer as part of the Michael Curry Summer Internship Program!

Planned Parenthood of Illinois announces clinic closures amid statewide surge in abortion patients after the fall of Roe. Citing a “financial shortfall,” Planned Parenthood of Illinois announced Wednesday – on the 52nd anniversary of Roe v. Wade – that it will be closing four clinics across the state, including one on…

Citing a “financial shortfall,” Planned Parenthood of Illinois announced Wednesday – on the 52nd anniversary of Roe v. Wade – that it will be closing four clinics across the state, including one on Chicago’s South Side.

Proud to work for a leader who fights to protect our rights, not take them away.

Senate Democrats Block G.O.P. Effort to Criminalize Some Abortion Providers The bill would require that infants born alive after an attempted abortion receive the same protection as any newborn baby, and threaten medical providers with prison time for failing to resuscitate t...

Senate Democrats on Wednesday blocked a Republican bill that could subject some doctors who perform abortions to criminal penalties.

Trump admin orders federal health agencies to halt communications They provide the public with key information on topics like food recalls and infectious diseases.

Trump ordered key federal health agencies to pause all external communications.

The health agencies' website updates, advisories, and scientific reports provide the public with critical information on a variety of medical issues, including food recalls, infectious diseases and new drug approvals.

Trump’s Plan to Leave the WHO Is a Health Disaster The exit will cut a huge chunk from the World Health Organization’s budget, but the short-term financial gain for the US could come at the cost of disease outbreaks flaring up across the world.

The exit will cut a huge chunk from the World Health Organization’s budget, but the short-term financial gain for the US could come at the cost of disease outbreaks flaring up across the world.

We’re excited to announce that we’re now accepting applications for four new professional license types. All new applications for licensure are available on our new licensing system, CORE.

Create your account and apply online: idfpr.illinois.gov/core.html

Here are four takeaways about what could happen to vaccines in Illinois as Donald Trump takes office Illinois has a high percentage of kids who are vaccinated. Health professionals are bracing for how the new administration could change that.

Illinois public health officials, pediatricians and experts who study vaccine policy are making preparations for President-elect Donald Trump’s administration to take office, after some of his top advisers and appointees have cast doubt on vaccines. www.wbez.org/health-medic...

YouTube video by Illinois Public Media Four More Years: State Rep. Kelly Cassidy discusses Illinois protections for reproductive, transg...

As part of our special series "Four More Years", State Representative Kelly Cassidy gives her take on what protections Illinoisans have and what type of actions might be expected from the federal government in regard to reproductive and transgender care under the new administration.

Gov. Pritzker signs Illinois birth equity initiative into law, celebrates Medicaid expansion Gov. JB Pritzker signed a law Monday that expands insurance coverage during and after pregnancy with the goal of lowering infant and maternal mortality rates, especially for Black Illinoisans.

There is no reproductive freedom without access to healthcare for women and new mothers. The Birth Equity Initiative helps ensure that every woman, no matter her circumstances, has the right to a healthy and safe pregnancy. abc7chicago.com/post/gov-jb-...

Really wish this one had been a finalist. Love the design and the backstory.

Report: Hospitals Rarely Advise Doctors on How to Treat Patients Under Abortion Bans Doctors described hospital lawyers who “refused to meet” with them for months, were hard to reach during “life or death” situations and offered little help beyond “regurgitating” the law, according…

According to a new report, doctors in abortion ban states described hospital lawyers who:

•“Refused to meet” with them for months.
•Were hard to reach during “life or death” situations.
•Offered little help beyond “regurgitating” the law.

How much are U.S. healthcare costs rising? The answer is: a lot. National healthcare spending increased 7.5% year over year in 2023, much faster than the year before
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Read more: https://trib.al/NjisRyI

Texas A.G. Paxton sues New York doctor over medication abortion allegations A Law Dork Q&A on this new front in the anti-abortion movement. The litigation also will serve as a challenge — directly or indirectly — to New York's abortion shield law.

On Friday, Texas AG Ken Paxton announced a lawsuit against a New York doctor that will — directly or indirectly — serve as a challenge to New York's abortion shield law. www.lawdork.com/p/texas-ag-p...

FTC’s Lina Khan Changes Everything With Ban on Hidden Junk Fees The Federal Trade Commission has announced a game-changing ban on junk fees for things like hotels and concert tickets.

Lina Khan’s FTC has passed a sorely needed ban on junk fees. But it won’t come into effect until she—and President Biden—is long gone.

Pritzker Endorses Bill That Would Impose New Regulations on State’s Hemp Industry Illinois lawmakers passed legislation in 2018 to allow the commercial production of hemp, the same year Congress legalized hemp nationwide through the 2018 Farm Bill.

Illinois lawmakers passed legislation in 2018 to allow the commercial production of hemp, but the recent boom of intoxicating hemp-derived products has raised new concerns about the need for additional regulation.

to.wttw.com/3BztFvR

Amazon hub is coming to Springfield $20 million facility expected to open in late 2025

A huge boost to Springfield and Central Illinois!

I’m excited to see Amazon continuing its investment in our state with a hub coming in late 2025 that will not only bring jobs but further development in the region.

Gov. JB Pritzker calls for lawmakers to crack down on intoxicating hemp sales The governor came out in support of legislation that would set a minimum age of 21 to buy hemp products.

Gov. JB Pritzker is calling on lawmakers to crack down on hemp products like delta-8 THC, saying they let minors get high on untested, mislabeled cannabis — but it’s a move which hemp shop owners say would also close legitimate businesses.

Flu shots fall among kids, hitting their lowest point in years The U.S. last year hit a grim milestone: the most pediatric flu deaths since before the pandemic.

NBC: “Flu shots fall among kids, hitting their lowest point in years: The U.S. last year hit a grim milestone: the most pediatric flu deaths since before the pandemic.”

@govpritzker.illinois.gov announces his support for HB 4293, which would ban the sale of hemp-derived intoxicants like delta-8 except in state-licensed cannabis dispensaries. The bill passed the Senate in May but stalled in the House. #twill

As budget tightens, report finds Illinois better prepared for recession than in recent past State lawmakers will face a projected budget deficit and slowing revenue when they return to Springfield in January, but a new report shows fiscal decisions made in recent years have put Illinois in a better position to handle a recession than in recent…

As budget tightens, report finds Illinois better prepared for recession than in recent past

Hospitals Gave Them Meds During Childbirth. Why Did Patients Get In Trouble? Mothers were reported after they were given medications used routinely for pain or in epidurals, to reduce anxiety or to manage blood pressure during cesarean sections.

End pregnancy criminalization! Hospitals reported women for positive drug tests after giving them drugs for childbirth: medications used routinely for pain or in epidurals, to reduce anxiety or to manage blood pressure during cesarean sections. #lawsky www.themarshallproject.org/2024/12/11/p...