Local Health Alerts
This Is Why Prescription Drugs Are So Expensive
High U.S. prescription drug costs are driven by a lack of price regulation, patent monopolies, and complex supply chain mechanics involving pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) that incentivize high list prices. Infographics highlight that these factors, combined with extensive marketing spend over R&D, lead…
CMS proposes faster prior-authorization rules for drugs
CMS has proposed new electronic prior-authorization rules for drugs that could shorten some approval waits, but the change is not final. The plan would still need public comments, a final rule, and plan-by-plan implementation before patients see any effect.
Asthma at Work: How to Tell Whether Your Job Is Triggering Your Symptoms
Asthma symptoms that ease on weekends or vacations and return at work can be a clue that your job is part of the problem. Here’s how work-related asthma is recognized, what can trigger it, and why both exposure control and medical care matter.
ACA marketplace shoppers face higher deductibles after subsidies expired
Marketplace coverage remains widely used, but many 2026 shoppers are seeing a less generous mix of plans and higher out-of-pocket costs than they did when enhanced premium tax credits were in place. CMS says 23.1 million people selected or were re-enrolled in Marketplace…
FDA warns of a nationwide recall of Lactated Ringer’s injection
B. Braun Medical has recalled specific lots of Lactated Ringer’s Injection, 1L, after FDA said the product may contain particulate matter. The recall affects hospitals and other healthcare facilities; patients who recently received this IV fluid can ask their care team whether the…
FDA warns some TRUE METRIX glucose meters may show an E-5 error
The FDA says certain TRUE METRIX blood glucose monitoring systems need updated instructions for an E-5 error code. For people who rely on quick glucose readings to make diabetes decisions, the alert matters because a meter problem can delay recognition of very low…
CDC wastewater data show why surveillance matters for measles
CDC’s latest respiratory dashboards show very low national COVID-19, flu, and RSV activity, but the bigger public-health story is how wastewater monitoring can give communities an early signal that something is changing. New CDC and journal reports also show how measles detections in…
What the CDC’s Cruise Ship Hantavirus Alert Means for Travelers and Families
The CDC says the public risk from the cruise ship hantavirus outbreak is very low, but a small group of exposed travelers is being monitored for up to 42 days. Here’s what Andes virus is, how it spreads, which symptoms matter, and what…
What the 2026 ACA premium spike means for Marketplace enrollees
Many people buying coverage through the ACA Marketplace are seeing higher 2026 premiums and deductibles after the enhanced premium tax credits ended on December 31, 2025. Early federal enrollment data still show strong overall sign-ups, but KFF says the mix is shifting toward…
Dental infection warning signs that should not wait
A tooth or gum infection can start with pain, swelling, or a bad taste in the mouth — but some symptoms mean you should not sit on it. Learn the warning signs that fit urgent dental care, and the red flags that call…
FDA adds neurosurgical patties to shortage list as hospitals plan supply
The FDA added neurosurgical patties to its medical device shortage list on May 6, 2026. For patients, that does not automatically mean care is being delayed, but it does signal that hospitals and surgical teams may need to plan around tighter supply and…
Why CDC is telling certain adults to get the RSV vaccine before fall
CDC says adults 75 and older, and adults 50 to 74 at higher risk of severe RSV illness, should get one RSV vaccine dose before the next respiratory virus season. The shot can be given any time, but late summer or early fall…
