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Dr. Lena Park
Dr. Lena Park
Healthcare Policy Correspondent

Lena covers health policy, pharmaceutical regulation, insurance markets, and the politics of healthcare reform.

263 articles published

New York's Path to Universal Health Coverage: A Bismarck-Inspired Blueprint
Healthcare
New York's Path to Universal Health Coverage: A Bismarck-Inspired Blueprint
New York could achieve universal healthcare without eliminating private insurance by adopting a Bismarck-style model, st
Kenya Field Hospital Opens Friday for US Ebola Quarantine, Trump Admin Bars Return
Healthcare
Kenya Field Hospital Opens Friday for US Ebola Quarantine, Trump Admin Bars Return
The Trump administration confirmed no Americans exposed to Ebola will be allowed back into the US. A 50-bed field hospit
Uninsured Rate Holds at 8% in 2025, but Child Coverage Losses Signal Trouble Ahead
Healthcare
Uninsured Rate Holds at 8% in 2025, but Child Coverage Losses Signal Trouble Ahead
The uninsured rate held steady at 8% in 2025, but 800,000 more people—including 300,000 children—lost coverage. Future M
North America Imposes Ebola Travel Curbs Ahead of 2026 World Cup
Healthcare
North America Imposes Ebola Travel Curbs Ahead of 2026 World Cup
The US, Mexico, and Canada unveiled joint travel restrictions and health screenings for travelers from Ebola-affected re
Experimental Hepatitis B Drug Shows Promise for Functional Cure in Trials
Healthcare
Experimental Hepatitis B Drug Shows Promise for Functional Cure in Trials
In two international trials, about 20% of patients given the experimental drug bepirovirsen achieved a functional cure,
US Tightens Airport Screenings for Travelers from Ebola-Hit African Nations
Healthcare
US Tightens Airport Screenings for Travelers from Ebola-Hit African Nations
Americans who have visited Congo, South Sudan, or Uganda in the past 21 days must reenter through select US airports for
American Doctor in Berlin Shows Signs of Recovery as Rare Ebola Strain Spreads
Healthcare
American Doctor in Berlin Shows Signs of Recovery as Rare Ebola Strain Spreads
Dr. Peter Stafford, an American doctor evacuated to Berlin for Ebola treatment, is stable with declining viral counts. H
VA Launches MDMA Trial for Veterans with PTSD, Severe Mental Health Issues
Healthcare
VA Launches MDMA Trial for Veterans with PTSD, Severe Mental Health Issues
The Department of Veterans Affairs is launching a trial on MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD, focusing on veterans with sev
U.S. Adds Houston Airport to Ebola Screenings as Congo Outbreak Worsens
Healthcare
U.S. Adds Houston Airport to Ebola Screenings as Congo Outbreak Worsens
Federal officials added Houston's airport for enhanced Ebola screenings of travelers from Congo, Uganda, and South Sudan
Congo Ebola Outbreak Could Become Deadliest Ever, IRC Warns as Funding Dries Up
Healthcare
Congo Ebola Outbreak Could Become Deadliest Ever, IRC Warns as Funding Dries Up
The International Rescue Committee warns the Congo Ebola outbreak risks becoming the deadliest on record as funding cuts
Kennedy Defends Hantavirus Drug Liability Shield Amid MAHA Backlash
Healthcare
Kennedy Defends Hantavirus Drug Liability Shield Amid MAHA Backlash
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is facing pushback from MAHA activists after extending liability protections for
Tick Bites Surge to Decade High: CDC Data Shows Worst States
Healthcare
Tick Bites Surge to Decade High: CDC Data Shows Worst States
Emergency department visits for tick bites hit the highest rate in nearly a decade in April, with CDC data showing some
Patio Dining Turns Deadly as Wind Hurls Umbrella at South Carolina Woman
Healthcare
Patio Dining Turns Deadly as Wind Hurls Umbrella at South Carolina Woman
Dana Weinger was killed by an airborne umbrella while dining at Driftwood Grill in Summerton, S.C., on May 23. Coroner r
Salmonella Fears Spark 25-State Recall of Specialty Beverages
Healthcare
Salmonella Fears Spark 25-State Recall of Specialty Beverages
SKS Copack recalls specialty beverages sold in 25 states due to possible salmonella contamination from a supplier's milk
Trump Heads to Walter Reed for Annual Checkup Amid Health Queries
Healthcare
Trump Heads to Walter Reed for Annual Checkup Amid Health Queries
President Trump heads to Walter Reed for a routine annual physical on Tuesday, his fourth disclosed exam this term, as q
Medicaid Block Grants: A GOP Solution to End Rampant Fraud
Healthcare
Medicaid Block Grants: A GOP Solution to End Rampant Fraud
Medicaid fraud has cost taxpayers billions for decades. Republicans argue block grants would stop state gaming and incen
GLP-1 Drugs Surge Drives 34% Drop in Bariatric Surgeries, Study Finds
Healthcare
GLP-1 Drugs Surge Drives 34% Drop in Bariatric Surgeries, Study Finds
GLP-1 weight-loss drug prescriptions surged 140% from 2022-2024, coinciding with a 34% drop in bariatric surgeries, acco
Surgeon General's Office Needs Merit-Based Leadership, Former Official Says
Healthcare
Surgeon General's Office Needs Merit-Based Leadership, Former Official Says
Dr. Richard Carmona warns that bypassing merit-based promotion for surgeon general undermines morale, public trust, and