The Department of Health and Human Services on Monday released guidance saying that health providers who perform abortions in emergency situations are protected under federal law regardless of what bans are in place in their states.
Why it matters: The move is aimed at giving assurances to abortion providers who fear they could be prosecuted for offering potentially life-saving care.
Driving the news: The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline received about 9.2 million calls between 2016 and 2021. Of those, 1.5 million calls ended before reaching a counselor, per the Journal.
Pharmaceutical company HRA Pharma submitted an application to the Food and Drug Administration on Monday asking to sell a birth control bill over-the-counter, rather than via prescription.
Why it matters: If approved, it would be the first ever birth control pill to be available over-the-counter in the U.S.
The United States is applying some of the hard lessons it learned during the COVID pandemic to the monkeypox outbreak. But it's still playing catch-up.
Why it matters: Monkeypox won't bring the death and suffering COVID did, but public health experts say it could take hold in the population without robust testing, vaccinations and communicating about the health risks.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) has tested positive for COVID-19 and will work remotely this week while in quarantine as the Senate prepares to return from recess, his spokesperson Justin Goodman said Sunday.
What they're saying: The fully vaccinated and double-boosted Schumer "has very mild symptoms," Goodman said in a statement. "Anyone who knows Leader Schumer knows that even if he’s not physically in the Capitol, through virtual meetings and his trademark flip phone he will continue with his robust schedule and remain in near-constant contact with his colleagues," Goodman added.
Abbott Nutrition has resumed production of baby formula at its Michigan plant, NBC News reports.
The big picture: The initial closure of the Michigan plant over contamination concerns in February significantly exacerbated the baby formula shortage in the U.S.
Health officials in Shanghai announced on Sunday that they have discovered a new COVID-19 subvariant, Omicron BA.5.2.1, Reuters reports.
The big picture: The new subvariant was discovered in a COVID-19 case identified on July 8 in the financial district of Pudong, and was linked to a case from overseas, according to Zhao Dandan, vice director of the city's health commission, per Reuters.
"Red flag" laws — which allow judges to confiscate guns from people who threaten violence — tend to be toothless unless they have a local champion: A sheriff, district attorney or other authority figure who makes it their business to teach people to use them effectively, experts say.
Why it matters: Coaxing states to implement red flag laws is a centerpiece of the gun bill that President Biden recently signed.
