Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Confirmed as HHS Secretary: Can He “Make America Healthy Again”?
As President Trump continues his push to reshape the federal government, one of his most controversial cabinet nominations has now been confirmed. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., once a Democratic challenger to Joe Biden, then an independent presidential candidate, and now a Trump ally, was officially sworn in as the 26th Secretary of the Department of […]
Understanding Midwife and Doula Healthcare Integration
Background In the U.S. today, Black women are nearly three times more likely to die during childbirth as White women. One potential remedy to address this and other disparities in maternal health outcomes, which has gained recent attention, is the integration of midwives and doulas into the U.S. healthcare system. Doulas are trained professionals who […]
Trump’s Tariffs: Key Updates and Ongoing Debate
One of President Trump’s myriad “first-day” promises, the plan to leverage tariffs against Canada, Mexico, and China drew attention on the campaign trail. Two weeks into his second term, the campaign promise came to fruition via three consecutive executive orders, sparking economic debate and what some are calling a trade war with neighboring countries. The […]
Pros and Cons of the Behavioral Health Information Technology Coordination Act
Despite an unprecedented demand for mental health and substance use services in the U.S., psychiatric hospitals utilize electronic health records (EHRs) at significantly lower rates than general medical practices. EHRs are electronic versions of patient health profiles, and include information such as relevant demographics, past diagnoses and treatments, lab report data, and vaccination history. EHRs […]
The Laken Riley Act and Immigration Policy
On January 29th, President Trump signed the Laken Rikey Act into law. This law now requires the Department of Homeland Security to detain and deport non-U.S. nationals who are accused, but not yet convicted, of “theft, burglary, assaulting a law enforcement officer, and any crime that causes death or serious bodily injury.” The law has […]
Understanding the Accountability for Overprescription Debate
Background: The Opioid Epidemic Over the past two decades, the opioid epidemic has emerged as a key public health issue in the United States. The first wave of the epidemic was characterized by an increase in opioid prescriptions in the late 1990s paired with marketing from pharmaceutical companies that ensured that opioids were safe for […]
Pros and Cons of Texas Senate Bill No. 4
Introduction Texas Senate Bill No. 4 (SB4), passed in 2023, aims to address illegal border crossings into Texas. The bill created new state-level criminal offenses for unauthorized entry and non-compliance with removal orders, giving local law enforcement the power to detain suspected undocumented individuals. It also provided legal protection for officers who act in accordance […]
Understanding AI in Intelligence Gathering and Analysis
What is AI? Artificial Intelligence (AI) involves the use of machine learning algorithms and predictive models to process and analyze large datasets. Intelligence gathering, a critical component of national security and defense systems, refers to the collection and analysis of information to identify potential threats. Recently, AI has taken on a bigger role in U.S. […]
Understanding the Investigatory Encryption Backdoors Debate
Background: Encryption Backdoors in Law Enforcement Investigations Encryption is the process of encoding messages so that only authorized individuals can decode and access the content. Organizations rely on encryption to protect sensitive data from unauthorized access. However, an encryption backdoor is any method that allows someone, regardless of authorization, to bypass encryption and access data. […]
The Pros and Cons of the Black Maternal Momnibus Act
Background on Black Maternal Health The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that Black women are over three times more likely to die during or after childbirth than white women, often facing life-threatening complications from early pregnancy to postpartum. Unfair treatment and lower quality of care contribute to these disparities, with more than […]