Pharmacists can now prescribe COVID-19 treatment pill thanks to new US policy
Pharmacists can prescribe the leading COVID-19 pill directly to patients under a new U.S. policy announced Wednesday that’s intended to expand use of Pfizer’s drug Paxlovid.
Medicare enrollees can get free COVID-19 tests at drug stores
This is the first time that Medicare has covered an over-the-counter self-administered test at no cost to beneficiaries.
New Maryland bill could criminalize threats against health care workers
A new Maryland bill would criminalize threats against health care workers.
Several groups call for mandatory vaccinations for healthcare workers
More than 50 groups representing millions of healthcare workers signed onto a letter Monday calling for vaccine mandates among doctors, nurses, and others in the medical field.
Former UMD gymnast battling rare disease plans multiple surgeries to combat illness
Former University of Maryland gymnast, Alexandra Robinson, has primary lymphedema, but she's not letting it stop her from pursuing her goals. She's planning to undergo multiple surgeries that will help lead to a more normal life for her.
Starbucks offering free coffee for frontline workers in December
Starbucks is stepping up to once again offer free coffee to front-line workers amid the ongoing pandemic.
Supreme Court arguments indicate ‘Obamacare’ likely to survive
A more conservative Supreme Court appears unwilling to do what Republicans have long desired: kill off the Affordable Care Act, including its key protections for pre-existing health conditions and subsidized insurance premiums that affect tens of millions of Americans.
FBI, federal agencies warn ransomware assault threatens US healthcare system
Federal agencies warned that cybercriminals are unleashing a major ransomware assault against the U.S. healthcare system. Independent security experts say it has already hobbled at least four U.S. hospitals this month, and could potentially impact hundreds more.
Democrats targeting healthcare during Supreme Court hearings
Presidential candidate Joe Biden says Senate Democrats should make health care the focus of Amy Coney Barrett’s Supreme Court confirmation hearings, not the conservative judge’s Catholic faith.
ER nurse talks about what it's like to be on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic
Imagine being in your first year as an emergency room nurse and COVID-19 happens. That was the case for Virginia Walker in Loudoun County.
'A joy to come to work': Northern Virginia doctor grateful to treat coronavirus patients
Imagine if your job was to treat people with a disease that’s highly contagious, hidden, and deadly – and still being grateful to go to work.
New bill proposes student loan forgiveness for health care workers on front lines of COVID-19 fight
Rep. Carolyn Maloney, D-N.Y., introduced a bill on Tuesday that would forgive all federal and private student loan debt for front line healthcare workers risking their lives to fight the deadly COVID-19 pandemic.
Cancer screenings plummet in US amid coronavirus pandemic: report
Medical tests for detecting and monitoring certain diseases have greatly decreased in the U.S. during the coronavirus outbreak, according to a report on Tuesday.
Nurse asks: ‘Is the hair appointment so you can look good while you’re in the casket?’
A Texas nurse has a stark warning for people considering visiting reopened businesses as states like Georgia and Oklahoma begin to ease social distancing guidelines despite warnings from health experts.
Woman denied Lupus medication, thanked for 'sacrifice' for coronavirus patients
A 42-year-old woman from the Los Angeles area who’s diagnosed with lupus said her health care provider stopped filling her prescription for chloroquine – and sent her a message thanking her for her “sacrifice” to help treat those seriously ill with the coronavirus.
Local hospitals worry protective gear supplies may dry up before a COVID-19 surge
There's a shortage of protective gear for medical staff nationwide, and it's impacting SoCal hospitals.
Hospitals ramp up efforts to address potential flood of patients amid coronavirus outbreak
As the number of coronavirus cases continues to grow, hospitals are ramping up efforts to address a potential flood of patients.
Coronavirus: White House announces more availability of masks, tests, health insurance waivers
Vice President Mike Pence, flanked by his task force formed to respond to the novel coronavirus outbreak in the United States, discussed the latest actions and initiatives on the coronavirus in a White House press conference Tuesday.
Supreme Court will decide fate of Affordable Care Act
The Supreme Court agreed on Monday to decide a lawsuit that threatens the Obama-era health care law, but the decision is not likely until after the 2020 election.
US appeals court upholds Trump rules involving abortions
The 7-4 ruling by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals overturned decisions issued by judges in Washington, Oregon and California. The court had already allowed the administration’s changes to start taking effect while the government appealed those rulings.