A report from the Government Accountability Office paints a picture of an already strained behavioral health system struggling after the pandemic struck to meet the treatment needs of millions of Americans with conditions like alcohol use disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder.
It’s 100 days into Joe Biden’s presidency and a surprisingly large number of health policies have been announced. But health is notably absent from the administration’s $1.8 trillion spending plan for American families, making it unclear how much more will get done this year. Meanwhile, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention loosens its mask-wearing recommendations for those who have been vaccinated, but the new rules are confusing. Joanne Kenen of Politico, Mary Ellen McIntire of CQ Roll Call and Sarah Karlin-Smith of the Pink Sheet join KHN’s Julie Rovner to discuss these issues and more. Plus, Rovner interviews KHN’s Julie Appleby, who reported the latest KHN-NPR “Bill of the Month” episode.
It’s unclear whether “red flag” laws — which allow the seizure of guns from a person deemed dangerous — help prevent mass shootings or should have been applied to the suspects in recent shootings in Boulder, Colorado, and Indianapolis.
Health Canada and Environment and Climate Change Canada have conducted a joint screening assessment of talc under the Chemicals Management Plan. The final screening assessment, based on the latest scientific evidence, concludes that certain uses of talc may be harmful to human health. Specifically, talc may be harmful to lungs when inhaling certain loose talc powder products, and it is associated with ovarian cancer when using certain self-care products containing talc in the female genital area.
Church & Dwight Canada Corp. is recalling certain lots of L’il Critters Gummy Vites children’s vitamins, as well as vitafusion Fibre Well and vitafusion MultiVites vitamins for adults, because certain lots may contain metal wire fragments. The affected lots were manufactured within a specific four-day period between October 29 and November 3, 2020. The products were distributed nationally. 
Apotex Inc. is recalling one lot of APO-Amitriptyline 10 mg tablets after testing identified levels of N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) above what is considered acceptable if the drug were to be taken over a lifetime.
At least 5,800 people have fallen ill or tested positive for covid two weeks or more after being fully vaccinated, according to the CDC. “I now tell everyone, including my colleagues, not to let their guard down.”
SteriMax Inc. is recalling OrfenAce 100 mg tablets after testing identified a nitrosamine impurity above what is considered acceptable if the drug were to be taken over a lifetime. OrfenAce (a brand name for orphenadrine citrate) is an over-the-counter muscle relaxant used to relieve muscle spasms. 
As more people return to air travel, tension is mounting in airports nationwide. Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson is among those that have responded to the pandemic-related stress and fear among passengers and employees by offering services such as meditation, chaplains and other help in their terminals.
Health Canada is updating Canadians and healthcare professionals about its ongoing safety review of very rare events of blood clots associated with low levels of blood platelets following immunization with the AstraZeneca and COVISHIELD COVID-19 vaccines.