Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Eli Cahan @emcahan.bsky.social · 1d

“The executive branch is using the shutdown as cover for a...targeted dismantling of leadership across the agency," an official told @statnews.com

"It’s designed to sow chaos...and cripple the federal scientific infrastructure that protects Americans’ health."

www.statnews.com/2025/10/11/c...

‘It’s a massacre’: CDC battered by government shutdown firings

The White House’s mass firing of CDC staff on Friday has decimated offices related to injury prevention, respiratory disease surveillance, and chronic disease, according to four people familiar with t...

www.statnews.com

Eli Cahan @emcahan.bsky.social · 2d

The original @propublica.org stories are here:
www.propublica.org/article/psyc...
www.propublica.org/article/psyc...

Psychiatric Hospitals Turn Away Patients Who Need Urgent Care. The Facilities Face Few Consequences.

Discharging patients who are at risk of harming themselves or others is illegal. But dozens of psychiatric hospitals aren’t honoring the law — and the government isn’t following up.

www.propublica.org

1

Eli Cahan @emcahan.bsky.social · 2d

Since 2010, >90 psych hospitals have failed to provide emergency care to ppl in mental health crises.

Most violations were by hospitals owned by billion dollar for profit companies.

It's all illegal. But they've faced few consequences.

We discussed on @npr.org:
one.npr.org?sharedMediaI...

🔊 Listen Now: Some psychiatric hospitals turn away patients in crisis, violating federal law

on NPR One | 6:44

one.npr.org

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Reposted by Eli Cahan

Knowable Magazine @knowablemag.bsky.social · 4d

👀 On our radar: Few consequences for psychiatric hospitals that break the law

Discharging patients who are at risk of harming themselves or others is illegal. But dozens of psychiatric hospitals aren’t honoring the law — and the government isn’t following up.

✍️ @emcahan.bsky.social @ProPublica.org

Psychiatric Hospitals Turn Away Patients Who Need Urgent Care. The Facilities Face Few Consequences.

Discharging patients who are at risk of harming themselves or others is illegal. But dozens of psychiatric hospitals aren’t honoring the law — and the government isn’t following up.

knowmag.org

2 1

Reposted by Eli Cahan

ProPublica @propublica.org · 14d

EMTALA requires universal care for “emergency medical conditions” regardless of a person’s insurance status.

In the decades since its passage, some patients have died hours after failing to receive care they were legally entitled to.

By @emcahan.bsky.social

Psychiatric Hospitals Turn Away Patients Who Need Urgent Care. The Facilities Face Few Consequences.

Discharging patients who are at risk of harming themselves or others is illegal. But dozens of psychiatric hospitals aren’t honoring the law — and the government isn’t following up.

www.propublica.org

9 180 480

Reposted by Eli Cahan

ProPublica @propublica.org · 15d

Around 80% of the psychiatric hospitals in the U.S. that have violated the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act in the past 15 years are owned by for-profit corporations.

Only a few have faced any repercussions from regulators.

By @emcahan.bsky.social

For-Profit Corporations Are Buying Up More Psychiatric Hospitals. Some Flout Federal Law With Scarce Repercussions.

Psychiatric hospitals — increasingly owned by for-profit corporations — are illegally turning away patients during crises. Yet only a handful face penalties, with fines that are trivial, a ProPublica ...

www.propublica.org

19 210 490

Reposted by Eli Cahan

Charles Ornstein @charlesornstein.bsky.social · 15d

ICYMI: Psychiatric Hospitals Are Violating EMTALA by Turning Patients Away, by @emcahan.bsky.social

Psychiatric Hospitals Turn Away Patients Who Need Urgent Care. The Facilities Face Few Consequences.

Discharging patients who are at risk of harming themselves or others is illegal. But dozens of psychiatric hospitals aren’t honoring the law — and the government isn’t following up.

www.propublica.org

2 23 55

Reposted by Eli Cahan

ProPublica @propublica.org · 18d

For 15 years, over 90 psychiatric hospitals across the country have violated a law giving patients access to emergency care, with or without insurance.

Almost all the facilities faced the same lack of consequences, a ProPublica investigation found.

By @emcahan.bsky.social

Psychiatric Hospitals Turn Away Patients Who Need Urgent Care. The Facilities Face Few Consequences.

Discharging patients who are at risk of harming themselves or others is illegal. But dozens of psychiatric hospitals aren’t honoring the law — and the government isn’t following up.

www.propublica.org

5 150 370

Reposted by Eli Cahan

NIHCM @nihcm.bsky.social · 19d

Eli Cahan, #NIHCM Journalism Grantee, releases a second @propublica.org article on mental health facilities and consolidation. Read more: bit.ly/4nBnZo1 | @emcahan.bsky.social

For-Profit Corporations Are Buying Up More Psychiatric Hospitals. Some Flout Federal Law With Scarce Repercussions.

Psychiatric hospitals — increasingly owned by for-profit corporations — are illegally turning away patients during crises. Yet only a handful face penalties, with fines that are trivial, a ProPublica ...

bit.ly

1 2

Eli Cahan @emcahan.bsky.social · 19d

Over 90 psych hospitals have violated EMTALA since 2010. The vast majority are for-profit

Yet only a handful have faced sanctions. When they have, the penalties are trivial vs $$ billions these companies, like UHS & Acadia, raked in last yr

Part 2 @propublica.org
www.propublica.org/article/psyc...

For-Profit Corporations Are Buying Up More Psychiatric Hospitals. Some Flout Federal Law With Scarce Repercussions.

Psychiatric hospitals — increasingly owned by for-profit corporations — are illegally turning away patients during crises. Yet only a handful face penalties, with fines that are trivial, a ProPublica ...

www.propublica.org

4 90 180

Reposted by Eli Cahan

Charles Ornstein @charlesornstein.bsky.social · 19d

NEW: For-Profit Corporations Are Buying Up More Psychiatric Hospitals. Some Flout Federal Law With Scarce Repercussions. by @emcahan.bsky.social

For-Profit Corporations Are Buying Up More Psychiatric Hospitals. Some Flout Federal Law With Scarce Repercussions.

Psychiatric hospitals — increasingly owned by for-profit corporations — are illegally turning away patients during crises. Yet only a handful face penalties, with fines that are trivial, a ProPublica ...

www.propublica.org

10 130 220

Reposted by Eli Cahan

ProPublica @propublica.org · 20d

NEW: Psychiatric hospitals — increasingly owned by for-profit corporations — are illegally turning away patients during crises.

Yet only a handful face penalties, with fines that are trivial, a ProPublica investigation found.

By @emcahan.bsky.social

For-Profit Corporations Are Buying Up More Psychiatric Hospitals. Some Flout Federal Law With Scarce Repercussions.

Psychiatric hospitals — increasingly owned by for-profit corporations — are illegally turning away patients during crises. Yet only a handful face penalties, with fines that are trivial, a ProPublica ...

www.propublica.org

25 350 790

Reposted by Eli Cahan

Charles Ornstein @charlesornstein.bsky.social · 20d

Discharging patients who are at risk of harming themselves or others is illegal. But dozens of psychiatric hospitals aren’t honoring the law — and the government isn’t following up.
by @emcahan.bsky.social

Psychiatric Hospitals Turn Away Patients Who Need Urgent Care. The Facilities Face Few Consequences.

Discharging patients who are at risk of harming themselves or others is illegal. But dozens of psychiatric hospitals aren’t honoring the law — and the government isn’t following up.

www.propublica.org

2 37 110

Reposted by Eli Cahan

Charles Ornstein @charlesornstein.bsky.social · 20d

NEW: Psychiatric Hospitals Turn Away Patients Who Need Urgent Care. The Facilities Face Few Consequences. by @emcahan.bsky.social

Psychiatric Hospitals Turn Away Patients Who Need Urgent Care. The Facilities Face Few Consequences.

Discharging patients who are at risk of harming themselves or others is illegal. But dozens of psychiatric hospitals aren’t honoring the law — and the government isn’t following up.

www.propublica.org

13 96 180

Reposted by Eli Cahan

NIHCM @nihcm.bsky.social · 20d

Eli Cahan, #NIHCM Journalism Grantee, explores critical issues in mental health care in @propublica.org. Read the article to learn more: bit.ly/4nBKrg6 | @emcahan.bsky.social

Psychiatric Hospitals Turn Away Patients Who Need Urgent Care. The Facilities Face Few Consequences.

Discharging patients who are at risk of harming themselves or others is illegal. But dozens of psychiatric hospitals aren’t honoring the law — and the government isn’t following up.

bit.ly

1 1

Reposted by Eli Cahan

Kristine Malicse @kristinemalicse.bsky.social · 20d

The widespread violations of EMTALA by psychiatric hospitals — and the lack of enforcement — come even as America’s mental health crisis is reaching a fever pitch, with suicide rates near record highs.

By @emcahan.bsky.social

Psychiatric Hospitals Turn Away Patients Who Need Urgent Care. The Facilities Face Few Consequences.

Discharging patients who are at risk of harming themselves or others is illegal. But dozens of psychiatric hospitals aren’t honoring the law — and the government isn’t following up.

www.propublica.org

2 39 140

Eli Cahan @emcahan.bsky.social · 20d

102 min after Melissa brought her son--amid a psychiatric crisis--to West Springs, a nurse sent him home.

Days later, CMS said that broke the law.

But the facility never faced any consequences. Dozens like it have also gone unpunished.

My latest @propublica.org
www.propublica.org/article/psyc...

Psychiatric Hospitals Turn Away Patients Who Need Urgent Care. The Facilities Face Few Consequences.

Discharging patients who are at risk of harming themselves or others is illegal. But dozens of psychiatric hospitals aren’t honoring the law — and the government isn’t following up.

www.propublica.org

2 44 160

Eli Cahan @emcahan.bsky.social · Jun 14

@syramadad.bsky.social @csis.org @latifnassar.bsky.social @avirmitra.bsky.social among many others

1

Eli Cahan @emcahan.bsky.social · Jun 14

Huge thx @johndankosky.bsky.social @flichtman.bsky.social @rokazmier.bsky.social

S/o @drtomfrieden.bsky.social @ameshaa.bsky.social @johnshopkinssph.bsky.social @cudivofid.bsky.social @prof-yadav.bsky.social @bethcameron-dc.bsky.social @saskiapopescu.bsky.social @cmyeaton.bsky.social...

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Eli Cahan @emcahan.bsky.social · Jun 14

"Looking at all the [federal] cuts, Erbelding is concerned.

'I worry about the possibility of a lot of different viruses changing over time & spilling over from animals...& causing another pandemic,' she says."

My latest for @scifri.bksy.social on preparedness, thru the lens of one virus--EVD-68

Science Friday @scifri.bsky.social · Jun 8

One morning in 2014, 4-year-old Luca’s neck went limp like spaghetti. Soon, he was fully paralyzed with symptoms resembling polio. What’s the new disease that afflicted him, and what can we do about it as health agencies are defunded?

Fighting ‘The New Polio’ In An Era Of Defunded Science

Since 2014, a virus related to polio has paralyzed hundreds of children. Amid government cuts, what happens if the outbreaks worsen?

www.sciencefriday.com

1 1 1

Reposted by Eli Cahan

Science Friday @scifri.bsky.social · Jun 14

Infectious disease specialist Dr. Kevin Messacar weighs in on fighting "the new polio" in an era of defunded science. Read the full article here: buff.ly/jCUP2yq

I had 12 families whose kids were normal one day, and woke up the following day and had parts of their body that were completely paralyzed… the emotional side of it was really about helping these families find answers. —Dr. Kevin Messacar

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Eli Cahan @emcahan.bsky.social · May 28

"While clinicians have learned to adapt, shortages of IV fluids continue to plague the US months after the storm."

After years of on-again, off-again shortages & years of warnings of precisely this, experts are asking: why does it keep happening?

My latest @jama.com
jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...

Why the IV Fluid Shortage After Hurricane Helene Was Years in the Making

This Medical News article discusses widespread medical supply gaps that persist months after the disaster shuttered a key factory in North Carolina.

jamanetwork.com

Eli Cahan @emcahan.bsky.social · May 8

For anyone tracking just how brazenly and shamelessly the administration is (a) misdirecting journalists (b) defaming the practice of journalism, here's just one more example.

Wow.

Just wow.

via @jocelynkaiser.bsky.social @science.org
www.science.org/content/arti...

Reposted by Eli Cahan

JAMA @jama.com · Apr 10

In a span of 30 days, the US Department of Justice sued CVS and Walgreens, alleging that the pharmacy chains violated federal laws by unlawfully dispensing opioids, which contributed to the opioid epidemic. Learn more in this Medical News article. https://ja.ma/3FXIslI

The US Is Suing Pharmacies for Aiding in the Opioid Crisis

This Medical News article discusses lawsuits filed by the US Department of Justice against CVS and Walgreens, two of the nation’s largest pharmacies, for their alleged role in exacerbating the opioid crisis by dispensing “massive quantities” of the drugs.

ja.ma

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Eli Cahan @emcahan.bsky.social · Mar 20

Its been a whirlwind 2 months. And, 60 days in, medicine--clinical care & the science that undergirds it--is badly bruised.

At Boston Medical Center, we can't stop, won't stop. Now more than ever, our patients need us.

That's why I'm running Boston OBO BMC. Join us!

givengain.com/project/eli-...