america doesn't like health cuts

• A majority of Americans oppose cutting staff and programs at federal health agencies, and *even more* oppose cutting Medicaid, which covers over 40% of births in the United States.
   
• Women are 8% more likely than men to face serious complications after specific heart procedures, such as valve replacement. 
   
• Former First Lady Jill Biden and the Milken Institute are teaming up to create the "Women's Health Network", which aims to pool resources from the private sector to advance women's health research. 

Public Opposes Major Cuts to Federal Health Agencies, Programs

What: Polling from KFF Health found that over 60% of those surveyed opposed major cuts to staff and spending at federal health agencies--and that includes 67% of independent voters and 52% of Republicans who say they are "not MAGA supporters."

Key Line: "...majorities of Republicans oppose major cuts to funding for Social Security (73%), Medicare (64%), and Medicaid (55%). Additionally, a majority of Republicans (58%) oppose cuts to funding to states for mental health and addiction prevention services."

Source: KFF Health
 

Jill Biden, Milken Institute Look to Pool Private Funding

What: Former first lady Jill Biden has teamed up with the Milken Institute to create the "Women's Health Network." They aim to pull together researchers, investors, businesses, and policy experts to pool money and make up for the historical lack of funding for women's health research. 

Key Line: “'We certainly, like all others in the community, have been tracking and following very closely the actions of the administration and we believe now more than ever is an important time for all parts of the ecosystem to step up … I think the private sector is recognizing that their voice, their dollars, their investment are needed now more than ever before,' [Esther Krofah, executive vice president of Milken Institute Health] said."

Source: Fierce Healthcare
 

Protein Supplements Help Avoid Low Birth Weight

What: A meta-analysis found giving pregnant women protein supplements can increase birth weights and reduce the risk of small-for-gestational-age babies. The intervention seemed particularly effective for undernourished women.

Key Line: "Each year around 20 million babies have birth weight below 2500 g, and a substantial proportion, approximately 40%, of these cases occur in developing nations. ...Our meta-analysis has deduced that the overall effects of protein supplementation on fetal outcomes are positive. The administration of protein supplementation during pregnancy was observed to have beneficial effects on weight and length at birth, as well as a decreased probability of (low birth weight). Moreover, in the subgroup of malnourished women, (small for gestational age) and perinatal deaths both experienced significant declines."

Source: Women's Health
 

Virtual Abortion Care Is a Lifeline, Not a Safety Net

What: Time has an op-ed from Amy Hagstrom Miller, CEO of Whole Women's Health. She writes that while virtual abortion care is vitally important due to abortion bans throughout the United States, it cannot fully replace in-person care. Many patients still rely on traditional clinic-based abortions, especially for those facing later pregnancies or needing different pain management options.

Key Line: "The reality is, the Guttmacher numbers showed the majority of abortions last year still took place in brick-and-mortar clinics. That’s a crucial detail because despite the headlines and hope around telemedicine, most people still rely on in-person care. And for those living in the 16 states with total or near-total abortion bans, virtual care isn’t always attainable, as they still need to leave the state entirely."

Source: TIME
 

Women More at Risk After Cardio Procedures

What: Research found women are 8% more likely than men to face complications after common heart procedures like valve replacement and left atrial appendage occlusion, which involves sealing off a small pouch in the heart to help prevent stroke. One theory why? Women are underdiagnosed and still underrepresented in clinical trials, leading to treatments that "may not fully reflect their specific needs."

Key Line: “'After many decades, we are finally starting to see an increasing interest in addressing serious health outcomes among specific population groups,' said SCAI President James B. Hermiller, MD, MSCAI. 'These presentations at the SCAI 2025 Scientific Sessions emphasize the urgent need for inclusive research and targeted interventions to broaden perspectives and participation in cardiovascular care.'”

Source: Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions