State and federal health authorities are focusing in on a single chemical as they try to determine the cause of vaping-related illnesses, according to the Washington Post. The compound turned up in marijuana products that patients had used.
Why it matters: Identifying the common chemical gives health officials a potential thread to follow to pinpoint the cause and find the right treatment for a severe pulmonary illness that has killed 2 people and may have afflicted at least 215 more.
Michigan is set to become the first state to ban the sale of flavored e-cigarettes after the state's health department deemed youth vaping a public health emergency, reports the Washington Post.
The big picture, per Axios' Sam Baker: This first ban came fast, all things considered. And it’s notable that it’s not coming from California or New York, which are usually at the leading edge of banning things. That’s a clear sign that the next phase of vaping’s political troubles is just beginning.
Purdue Pharma, the maker of OxyContin, is preparing to file for bankruptcy by the end of September if it doesn't reach a settlement with the communities suing it over its role in the opioid epidemic, Reuters reports.
Why it matters: If Purdue claims bankruptcy without a payment agreement, the plaintiffs will likely receive less money than they would under the settlement Purdue pitched last month.
Low-income patients often face steeper out-of-pocket health care costs — and that means they're also more likely to be sued by hospitals when they can't pay their bills.
Driving the news: The New York Times yesterday reported on Carlsbad Medical Center's prolific use of lawsuits to collect its patients' medical debts, which often leads to wage garnishment or property liens.
