- The Biden administration recently stated its opposition to gender-affirming surgery for minors, marking its clearest stance on the issue despite its strong support for transgender rights. The administration’s position emphasizes concerns about the lack of scientific support for lower age limits and potential backlash against the transgender community. While continuing to support other forms of gender-affirming care for minors, such as hormone treatments and puberty blockers, the administration’s stance on surgical procedures reflects ongoing debates over medical care for transgender adolescents, underscored by recent legal challenges in states like Texas and Tennessee. (Article here)
- Walgreens’ decision to close a “significant portion” of its 8,600 locations is expected to exacerbate the pharmacy shortage in underserved communities already grappling with limited access to health care. CEO Tim Wentworth expressed concerns about growing pharmacy deserts during a recent earnings call, noting that Walgreens often serves as the sole provider in many areas. This move follows previous cutbacks, including scaling back its stake in primary care company VillageMD and closing 160 clinics nationwide last year. The closures have sparked protests and criticism from lawmakers like Senators Ed Markey and Elizabeth Warren, who have raised alarms about the impact on low-income neighborhoods and communities of color. Despite reassurances about ongoing care partnerships, the retrenchment from primary care by retailers like Walgreens threatens to widen health disparities, particularly affecting patients already facing barriers to medication access and continuity of care. (Article here)
July 16, 2024
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