Past criticism of abortion pills by President Trump's nominee to lead the FDA could revive an intense debate over abortion rights that the administration has largely managed to duck for the last year and a half.

Why it matters: Though the Senate is unlikely to hold a confirmation vote on White House aide Heidi Overton before the midterm elections, new talk about dialing back access to the pills could work both ways politically for Republicans.

Driving the news: Trump nominated Overton to be the next FDA commissioner last week, posting on social media that she is a "ROCKSTAR ... known to take on the HARDEST issues."

• Overton has previously called the increased use of mifepristone "dangerous" and pushed for "additional safety protections" around its use.
• "I think she's going to bring objectivity to the issue of mifepristone in a way that will expose this drug for the damage it causes women," John Mize, CEO of Americans United for Life, recently told Fox News Digital.

Where it stands: Realistically, Overton probably isn't even going to get a confirmation hearing before November.

• Though that's probably a relief for some GOP lawmakers, it doesn't mean they're entirely in the clear.
• Asked about timing, the Senate health committee that would handle the confirmation process said it doesn't yet have Overton's paperwork.

State of play: Overton has already received criticism from committee Chairman Bill Cassidy (R-La.) over her participation in a recent White House event calling for changes to the childhood vaccine schedule.

• Cassidy, who lost his primary election to a Trump-endorsed challenger, isn't facing voters.
• But two other Republicans on the committee have advocated for abortion rights in the past, and one of them — Sen. Susan Collins of Maine — is arguably the most threatened Senate Republican incumbent.
• Asked about Overton, Collins' office pointed to her "longstanding policy" of waiting for nominees' confirmation hearings and responses to questions to make a decision about a nomination.

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Free-market consumer groups are pushing back against the administration's effort to set a definition for ultra-processed foods, according to a letter shared first with Axios.

Why it matters: It's the latest example of a rift within the GOP base over health and nutrition policy.

Driving the news: Sixteen organizations focused on promoting consumer rights and limiting regulation argue that creating a new classification for ultra-processed food would make groceries less affordable due to the costs of reformulating and packaging products.

• They're urging White House budget director Russell Vought to block the creation of a federal definition.
• Groups signed onto the message include Independent Women, the Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council and Consumer Action for a Strong Economy — which receives funding from the Consumer Brands Association.

Catch up quick: Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced earlier this month that the administration has submitted a white paper with the first proposed federal definition of ultra-processed foods to the White House for review.

The organizations say science doesn't support a blanket definition, and that creating a federal standard would confuse consumers and expose businesses to additional lawsuits.

What we're watching: Policymakers have scheduled meetings with interest groups on the proposed definition through at least mid-September.

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Sword Health plans to acquire the buzzy behavioral health company and meditation app maker Headspace for between $200 million and $300 million in cash, Brock E.W. Turner wrote first on Pro.

Why it matters: It's a steep valuation drop for Headspace, which was valued at around $3 billion in 2021.

By the numbers: Headspace generates approximately $220 million in revenue, one source said. Around one-third comes from its direct-to-consumer business and is decreasing year over year.

• The rest is from businesses like health plans and employers. That segment has seen double-digit increases year over year.
• Sword Health started in musculoskeletal care but has since expanded its offering to other conditions like cardiometabolic care, women's health and mental health.

What we're watching: Investor appetite could shift now that Headspace is off the market and Universal Health Services has completed its deal to acquire the virtual behavioral health platform Talkspace.

If you need smart, quick intel on health tech dealmaking for your job, get Axios Pro.

⚕️ The FDA approved a life-extending treatment for advanced pancreatic cancer that's the first to attack a genetic cause of the highly lethal malignancy. (Stat)

⚖️ A federal appeals court rejected a drug industry group's challenge to Medicare drug price negotiations, in another setback to foes of the Biden-era plan. (Bloomberg Law)

🦠 The CDC added 3,285 infections to its 2026 Cyclospora total, which includes all outbreaks, raising the tally to 17,180 cases. (CIDRAP)