Morning news brief
China watches as Taiwan's president visits New York. A federal rule protecting Medicaid coverage is about to expire. Nashville holds a city-wide public vigil for the victims of a school shooting.
Health & Safety
FDA approves the overdose-reversing drug Narcan for over-the-counter sales
NPR's A Martinez talks to pediatrician and addiction specialist Scott Hadland about the FDA's decision. The nasal spray could be on store shelves and ready to buy without a prescription by late summer
Medicaid renewals: Those who don't reenroll could get kicked off
A federal rule that protected coverage for Medicaid recipients during the pandemic will expire on March 31. When it does, tens of millions of people will need to re-enroll or lose benefits.
A rehab center revives traumatized Ukrainian troops before their return to battle
Built largely with Western donations, the spa-like retreat provides soldiers with counseling, aromatherapy and more. But most soldiers are there for no more than a week.
As states start to get opioid settlement cash, few are sharing how they spend it
All told, drugmakers and distributors will pay over $50 billion to communities harmed by opioids. An investigation finds that only a dozen states are letting the public see how they use the money.
Funeral held for Irvo Otieno, who died in police custody at a psychiatric hospital
More calls for justice came Wednesday at a funeral for 28-year-old Irvo Otieno, who died March 6 while in police custody at a psychiatric hospital in Virginia.
The opioid overdose reversal drug Narcan has been approved for sale over the counter
The FDA approved Narcan for sale without a prescription. The opioid overdose reversal drug would be available at pharmacies and convenience stores nationally, increasing access as opioid deaths climb.
Ozempic's weight loss side effect can make it harder to find for people with diabetes
The prescription drug Ozempic helps people with diabetes control their blood sugar. But its wild popularity is due to a side effect: rapid weight loss. That's made it hard to find in some areas.
The FDA approves the overdose-reversing drug Narcan for over-the-counter sales
The decision could make the life-saving drug more accessible. Emergent BioSolutions, the drug company that produces Narcan, said it anticipates it will be on store shelves by late summer.
A new flu is spilling over from cows to people in the U.S. How worried should we be?
Pigs and goats likely catch it too. It's been found in humans' noses in the Southwest — and in the air at airports and at chicken farms in Malaysia.