During a Senate Health, Labor, Education and Pensions (HELP) Committee hearing on Thursday, May 26th, 2022, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Robert Califf told senators that the nation’s infant formula shortage likely won’t be fully resolved until late July. Commissioner Califf said that it would take time for the administration's efforts to boost
On Wednesday, May 25th, 2022, agencies across the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a joint letter to states, tribes, and jurisdictions encouraging them to prioritize and maximize their efforts to strengthen children’s mental health and well-being. The letter, signed by leaders of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), the Substance
This week, Congress and the White House took steps to address the nationwide baby formula shortage, seeking to ease the burden especially for families with low incomes and those who need hypoallergenic formula for babies with milk allergies. On Wednesday, May 18th, the House passed the Access to Baby Formula Act, a bill led by
On Thursday, May 19th, 2022, the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Subcommittee held its hearing, “Fiscal Year 2023 Budget Request for the Food and Drug Administration,” with FDA Commissioner Dr. Robert M. Califf. Although the hearing was intended to focus on the budget, the biggest topic of conversation was the
On Friday, May 20th, the Government Accountability Office released its new report, “Foster Care: Further Assistance from HHS Would be Helpful in Supporting Youth's LGBTQ+ Identities and Religious Beliefs.” The report concluded that a majority of states have nondiscrimination protections for youth in foster care, but selected states and stakeholders identified challenges supporting youth with
On Wednesday, May 25th at 12:00 PM ET, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will host the first of a monthly partner education series on Medicaid and CHIP Continuous Enrollment Unwinding. Over the COVID-19 public health emergency, the federal government eased rules to prevent
On May 4th, in an op-ed for Fox News, Representative Jackie Walorski (R-IN) and former First Lady Melania Trump highlighted National Foster Care Month, calling on Americans to support families and give older youth in foster care the tools they need to thrive as they transition to independence. They noted legislation that increased support for
This week, the White House made several statements regarding the shortage of infant formula across the nation. On Feb. 17, the agency warned consumers not to use certain powdered infant formula products from Abbott Nutrition’s Sturgis, Michigan facility, and Abbott initiated a voluntary recall of certain products. On Monday, May 10th, 2022, the White House
In recognition of both National Foster Care Month and Mental Health Awareness Month, the Children's Bureau (CB) hosted a virtual event on Wednesday, May 11, at 5:00pm ET, to discuss the "intersection of family separation, trauma, and triumph." Panelists were: Aysha E. Schomburg, Associate Commissioner, CB Nicole Childers, foster care lived experience and executive editor
At the Senate Appropriation’s Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies hearing on the President’s proposed FY23 Budget, mental health and the new 988 crisis and suicide prevention hotline were raised multiple times. Chairwoman Patty Murray, in her opening remarks, noted that “the kids are not okay,” as over 200,000 kids have lost
