Public Health News Round Up, March 24, 2025

by Jon Scaccia March 24, 2025

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CT wants to cut off weight loss drug payments for some residents. They cost the state millions.

The article highlights the challenges faced by Medicaid patients in accessing GLP-1 weight loss drugs like Mounjaro and Ozempic in Connecticut, as the state’s administration considers rolling back coverage to save costs. Advocates argue that such cuts are short-sighted, overlooking the long-term healthcare savings achieved by preventing obesity-related conditions, while patients like Sarah Makowicki emphasize the life-changing benefits they’ve experienced and push for policies recognizing obesity as a treatable disease rather than a result of personal failings.

Don’t Believe Trump’s Promises About Protecting the Social Safety Net

In Trump’s second term, while he and his allies like Elon Musk publicly promise to safeguard entitlement programs such as Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid, there’s a contradictory push by conservative leaders and tech billionaires to slash spending on these vital safety nets under the guise of combating “waste, fraud, and abuse.” Despite their rhetoric, the proposed budget cuts driven by Trump’s endorsed policies and Republican agendas would disproportionately impact the most vulnerable, risking deep reductions in Medicaid and food assistance for millions, further spotlighting the tension between political promises and policy actions.

What parents should know about childhood meningitis

This article emphasizes the critical importance for parents to differentiate between common childhood symptoms and those indicative of meningitis, a potentially life-threatening infection. By highlighting key warning signs, such as rapid symptom progression and specific physical symptoms, it encourages parents to act swiftly, underscoring that prompt medical intervention can vastly improve outcomes and prevent serious complications.