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Congressional Republicans, President Trump and Vice President Mike Pence are united in support of "defunding" Planned Parenthood. Indeed, a provision in the GOP's American Health Care Act would end its eligibility as a Medicaid provider, meaning patients covered by the low-income insurance program could no longer choose Planned Parenthood clinics for care. ... Before unraveling Planned Parenthood, though, Republicans should look at why it’s so popular among Medicaid recipients — and whether any other organization is well-positioned to fill the gap. (Elizabeth Nolan Brown, 3/21)

The Food and Drug Administration last week shut shut down several Colorado dietary-supplement companies that it said were selling “misbranded and adulterated” products that wrongly purported to treat “high cholesterol, hypertension, diabetes, depression and muscle pain. ”The agency said violations such as these “put consumers’ health in jeopardy.” If President Trump has his way with the federal budget, it’s almost a sure thing that people increasingly will be at greater risk when it comes to the safety and effectiveness of over-the-counter supplements. (David Lazarus, 3/21)

Every so often, a bill comes before the Iowa Legislature that no single lawmaker would dare vote against. Enter Senate File 404. The legislation gives terminally ill Iowans the “right to try” drugs and devices not yet approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration by permitting manufacturers to legally provide them. ... “This gives patients hope,” said Sen. Rick Bertrand, R-Sioux City, who proposed the legislation in response to a friend’s battle with a degenerative illness. But that hope may be false. (3/20)

Home care workers provide valuable care for Missouri families, but it often goes unnoticed, behind closed doors. I take care of Ms. Linda, who has been in my care for five years. I prepare her food and medications, dress and help her get to doctor’s visits — everything she needs to stay happy and healthy in her own house, instead of a nursing home. I love my job because it gives me the opportunity to work with my clients one-on-one, which provides an unmatched quality of care that you don’t get in a nursing home. The work is hard but rewarding. ... But right now, the proposed $113 million budget cut from Gov. Eric Greitens threatens the care of Missourians like Ms. Linda. (Elinor Simmons, 3/21)