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…
Federal environmental review requested after rare childhood cancer cases in Ladera Ranch
A federal prosecutor has asked the EPA to investigate possible environmental causes after families reported six Ladera Ranch children diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma.
If CDC Respiratory Activity Is High: Family and School Steps This Week
CDC’s respiratory virus “activity levels” (based on emergency department data) and wastewater monitoring both aim to show whether viruses are circulating more than usual. Here’s how families and schools can use those signals this week—calmly and practically.
CMS proposes broad Medicare payment and accountable-care overhaul
The proposed changes would make accountable-care organizations easier to join and shift clinicians away from traditional MIPS reporting. Comments are due Sept. 14, 2026.
Cyclospora outbreak expands to 15 states as federal officials focus on recalled iceberg lettuce
Federal officials say a Cyclospora outbreak has expanded from five states to 15, with the investigation focused on iceberg lettuce from central Mexico recalled by Taylor Farms de Mexico.
HHS pauses more than $1 billion in Medicaid payments to California and Minnesota during fraud reviews
Federal health officials paused more than $1 billion in Medicaid payments to California and Minnesota while reviewing high-risk claims, including California in-home-care claims.
WHO Says Infant-Formula Toxin Recall Has Reached 99 Countries and Territories
The World Health Organization says infant-formula products linked to cereulide toxin have been subject to recall across 99 countries and territories, with further recalls possible.
WHO Reports Rising Bundibugyo Virus Cases in Congo and Uganda as U.S. Worker Is Evacuated to Germany
The WHO said confirmed cases and deaths from the Bundibugyo virus disease outbreak had risen substantially in the Democratic Republic of the Congo since its July 3 update. A second U.S. humanitarian worker was evacuated to Frankfurt after testing positive.
Ebola outbreak in Democratic Republic of Congo expands as UN reports July 6 treatment-center attack
The United Nations says an Ebola treatment center in Butembo was attacked and burned as confirmed cases reached 2,073 across five provinces and the humanitarian funding requirement rose to $2.3 billion.
WHO Says Infant-Formula Contamination Recall Reached 99 Countries and Territories
The World Health Organization says infant formula and related products containing cereulide-contaminated arachidonic-acid oil were distributed across 99 countries and territories, prompting continued checks of retail, distribution and online sales channels.
VA sets Aug. 22 electronic health record launch for Indiana facilities
Veterans using several Indiana VA facilities will face temporary limits on online scheduling, secure messaging and prescription refills as the department transitions to its Federal Electronic Health Record system.
HHS proposes changing Medicaid health-care tax rules
The Department of Health and Human Services published a proposed rule on July 23, 2026, to amend Medicaid’s indirect hold-harmless threshold for health-care-related taxes.
