David Lim
@davidlim.bsky.social
Health reporter @POLITICO covering Covid-19 and the FDA. Prescription Pulse co-author.
HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. says he wants to tackle the underlying causes of chronic disease in America.
But he rarely mentions the nation's leading cause of preventable deaths: smoking.
w/ Danny Nguyen: www.politico.com/news/2025/06...
But he rarely mentions the nation's leading cause of preventable deaths: smoking.
w/ Danny Nguyen: www.politico.com/news/2025/06...
There’s one vice RFK Jr. isn’t talking about
The health secretary, who wants Americans to make healthier choices, rarely mentions smoking.
www.politico.com
June 11, 2025 at 2:28 PM
HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. says he wants to tackle the underlying causes of chronic disease in America.
But he rarely mentions the nation's leading cause of preventable deaths: smoking.
w/ Danny Nguyen: www.politico.com/news/2025/06...
But he rarely mentions the nation's leading cause of preventable deaths: smoking.
w/ Danny Nguyen: www.politico.com/news/2025/06...
NEW: HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is preparing to remove members of key outside committees that advise the government on vaccine approvals and recommendations.
w/ @adamcancryn.bsky.social + @gardnerlm19.bsky.social: www.politico.com/news/2025/02...
w/ @adamcancryn.bsky.social + @gardnerlm19.bsky.social: www.politico.com/news/2025/02...
RFK Jr. prepares shake-up of vaccine advisers
The health secretary is planning to remove members of a panel that recommends vaccines if he sees conflicts of interest.
www.politico.com
February 20, 2025 at 7:23 PM
NEW: HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is preparing to remove members of key outside committees that advise the government on vaccine approvals and recommendations.
w/ @adamcancryn.bsky.social + @gardnerlm19.bsky.social: www.politico.com/news/2025/02...
w/ @adamcancryn.bsky.social + @gardnerlm19.bsky.social: www.politico.com/news/2025/02...
If you're impacted by the firings at HHS and would like to talk to a reporter, my Signal information is below.
Can talk on the record, off the record or on background - and I can explain what each of those mean.
Can talk on the record, off the record or on background - and I can explain what each of those mean.
February 17, 2025 at 5:45 PM
If you're impacted by the firings at HHS and would like to talk to a reporter, my Signal information is below.
Can talk on the record, off the record or on background - and I can explain what each of those mean.
Can talk on the record, off the record or on background - and I can explain what each of those mean.
Top Democrat on the House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee weighs in on HHS firings:
Laying off thousands of civil servants and policy experts across HHS is irresponsible & will abandon American leadership in global health.
This is a misguided self-inflicted wound that our adversaries will take advantage of to fill the void this action leaves behind.
This is a misguided self-inflicted wound that our adversaries will take advantage of to fill the void this action leaves behind.
Mass firings continue across nation’s health agencies
The cuts have raised questions about the extent of the impact on public health.
www.politico.com
February 17, 2025 at 5:39 PM
Top Democrat on the House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee weighs in on HHS firings:
Reposted by David Lim
The Trump administration fired several employees in a key office handling the nation’s response to bird flu. Their loss will make testing and tracking of the virus slower, I’m told.
My latest:
www.politico.com/news/2025/02...
My latest:
www.politico.com/news/2025/02...
Trump administration firings hit key office handling bird flu response
The layoffs in USDA's National Animal Health Laboratory Network program office come as egg prices reach record high amid worsening outbreak.
www.politico.com
February 16, 2025 at 6:45 PM
The Trump administration fired several employees in a key office handling the nation’s response to bird flu. Their loss will make testing and tracking of the virus slower, I’m told.
My latest:
www.politico.com/news/2025/02...
My latest:
www.politico.com/news/2025/02...
Firings at FDA include cuts to inspectors and medical product reviewers.
Deep concern about impacts to the medical device center. Overall, nearly 700 probationary employees appear impacted at the agency.
w/ @adamcancryn.bsky.social + @meganmesserly.bsky.social + more:
Deep concern about impacts to the medical device center. Overall, nearly 700 probationary employees appear impacted at the agency.
w/ @adamcancryn.bsky.social + @meganmesserly.bsky.social + more:
Mass firings continue across nation’s health agencies
The cuts have raised questions about the extent of the impact on public health.
www.politico.com
February 16, 2025 at 10:48 PM
Firings at FDA include cuts to inspectors and medical product reviewers.
Deep concern about impacts to the medical device center. Overall, nearly 700 probationary employees appear impacted at the agency.
w/ @adamcancryn.bsky.social + @meganmesserly.bsky.social + more:
Deep concern about impacts to the medical device center. Overall, nearly 700 probationary employees appear impacted at the agency.
w/ @adamcancryn.bsky.social + @meganmesserly.bsky.social + more:
Reposted by David Lim
SCOOP: Cats that became infected with bird flu might have spread the virus to humans in the same household and vice versa, according to data that briefly appeared online in a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention but then abruptly vanished.
www.nytimes.com/2025/02/06/h...
www.nytimes.com/2025/02/06/h...
CDC Posts, Then Deletes, Data on Bird Flu Transmission Between Cats and People (Gift Article)
The data, which appeared fleetingly online on Wednesday, confirmed transmission in two households. Scientists called on the agency to release the full report.
www.nytimes.com
February 6, 2025 at 11:15 PM
SCOOP: Cats that became infected with bird flu might have spread the virus to humans in the same household and vice versa, according to data that briefly appeared online in a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention but then abruptly vanished.
www.nytimes.com/2025/02/06/h...
www.nytimes.com/2025/02/06/h...
Reposted by David Lim
Amid everything, a new study finds that microplastics are accumulating in human brains.
“Every time we scratch the surface, it uncovers a whole host of, ‘Oh, is this worse than we thought?’” lead author Matthew Campen told me last fall.
A short thread: 1/
www.washingtonpost.com/climate-envi...
“Every time we scratch the surface, it uncovers a whole host of, ‘Oh, is this worse than we thought?’” lead author Matthew Campen told me last fall.
A short thread: 1/
www.washingtonpost.com/climate-envi...
In a first, scientists find microplastics are building up deep in our brains
A new study shows that microplastics are making their way into our brains, and that their numbers are rising.
www.washingtonpost.com
February 3, 2025 at 4:13 PM
Amid everything, a new study finds that microplastics are accumulating in human brains.
“Every time we scratch the surface, it uncovers a whole host of, ‘Oh, is this worse than we thought?’” lead author Matthew Campen told me last fall.
A short thread: 1/
www.washingtonpost.com/climate-envi...
“Every time we scratch the surface, it uncovers a whole host of, ‘Oh, is this worse than we thought?’” lead author Matthew Campen told me last fall.
A short thread: 1/
www.washingtonpost.com/climate-envi...
Reposted by David Lim
From @davidlim.bsky.social and @adamfeuerstein.bsky.social at Politico Pro: Career official Sara Brenner expected to be tapped as acting FDA commissioner
subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2025...
subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2025...
POLITICO Pro: Trump’s FDA team taking shape: Brenner expected to be tapped as acting commissioner
The decision follows the tradition of elevating career agency staff during presidential transitions to temporarily lead the agency.
subscriber.politicopro.com
January 21, 2025 at 7:09 PM
From @davidlim.bsky.social and @adamfeuerstein.bsky.social at Politico Pro: Career official Sara Brenner expected to be tapped as acting FDA commissioner
subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2025...
subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2025...
SCOOP: John Brooks is leading President-elect Donald Trump's HHS landing team.
w/ @adamcancryn.bsky.social
subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2024...
w/ @adamcancryn.bsky.social
subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2024...
POLITICO Pro: Trump taps Brooks to lead HHS landing team
The pick lends policy heft to a Trump health team that has faced scrutiny over its top nominees' lack of government experience.
subscriber.politicopro.com
December 17, 2024 at 5:31 PM
SCOOP: John Brooks is leading President-elect Donald Trump's HHS landing team.
w/ @adamcancryn.bsky.social
subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2024...
w/ @adamcancryn.bsky.social
subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2024...
Reposted by David Lim
Reprising this from my AEI colleague Ben Ippolito on the cost of Medicare coverage for GLP-1s. CMS appears to see writing on wall here: As additional indications are approved, most Medicare recipients will get coverage for other co-morbidities. Also, Semaglutide subject to IRA price controls in 2027
November 26, 2024 at 3:24 PM
Reprising this from my AEI colleague Ben Ippolito on the cost of Medicare coverage for GLP-1s. CMS appears to see writing on wall here: As additional indications are approved, most Medicare recipients will get coverage for other co-morbidities. Also, Semaglutide subject to IRA price controls in 2027
News: Jim O'Neill is being weighed by Trump for HHS deputy secretary per 3 people familiar with the talks.
He has advocated for people to be able to take drugs once safety, but not effectiveness, is reviewed by the FDA.
w/ @adamcancryn.bsky.social + Lauren Gardner:
www.politico.com/news/2024/11...
He has advocated for people to be able to take drugs once safety, but not effectiveness, is reviewed by the FDA.
w/ @adamcancryn.bsky.social + Lauren Gardner:
www.politico.com/news/2024/11...
Trump weighing O’Neill for HHS deputy secretary
A close adviser to Peter Thiel with ties across Silicon Valley, O'Neill reentered the mix in recent days for the No. 2 HHS job.
www.politico.com
November 25, 2024 at 8:39 PM
News: Jim O'Neill is being weighed by Trump for HHS deputy secretary per 3 people familiar with the talks.
He has advocated for people to be able to take drugs once safety, but not effectiveness, is reviewed by the FDA.
w/ @adamcancryn.bsky.social + Lauren Gardner:
www.politico.com/news/2024/11...
He has advocated for people to be able to take drugs once safety, but not effectiveness, is reviewed by the FDA.
w/ @adamcancryn.bsky.social + Lauren Gardner:
www.politico.com/news/2024/11...
Reposted by David Lim
News: Senior Trump officials rejected an effort to install Project 2025 author ROGER SEVERINO as RFK Jr’s deputy health secretary.
The push failed over concerns Severino’s strident anti-abortion views would prove too controversial. www.politico.com/news/2024/11...
The push failed over concerns Severino’s strident anti-abortion views would prove too controversial. www.politico.com/news/2024/11...
Project 2025 author rejected for top health position
Anti-abortion groups had been pushing former Trump administration official Roger Severino for Health and Human Services deputy secretary.
www.politico.com
November 21, 2024 at 7:33 PM
News: Senior Trump officials rejected an effort to install Project 2025 author ROGER SEVERINO as RFK Jr’s deputy health secretary.
The push failed over concerns Severino’s strident anti-abortion views would prove too controversial. www.politico.com/news/2024/11...
The push failed over concerns Severino’s strident anti-abortion views would prove too controversial. www.politico.com/news/2024/11...
President-elect Donald Trump is considering giving Russell Vought, his previous Office of Management and Budget director, his old job back.
www.politico.com/live-updates...
www.politico.com/live-updates...
Trump considering bringing Vought back to lead OMB
Trump's first-term OMB director was also a prominent contributor to the Heritage Foundation's Project 2025 blueprint.
www.politico.com
November 19, 2024 at 8:03 PM
President-elect Donald Trump is considering giving Russell Vought, his previous Office of Management and Budget director, his old job back.
www.politico.com/live-updates...
www.politico.com/live-updates...
The Trump transition is closing in on a number of names for top health posts across HHS.
w/ @adamcancryn.bsky.social
www.politico.com/news/2024/11...
w/ @adamcancryn.bsky.social
www.politico.com/news/2024/11...
Trump transition closes in on picks for top health posts
Many of the candidates are allies of RFK Jr. and have maligned the agencies they would oversee.
www.politico.com
November 19, 2024 at 6:54 PM
The Trump transition is closing in on a number of names for top health posts across HHS.
w/ @adamcancryn.bsky.social
www.politico.com/news/2024/11...
w/ @adamcancryn.bsky.social
www.politico.com/news/2024/11...
Reposted by David Lim
when you look at the net cost GLP1s won’t be my most expensive drug by far, Kinsley said, most expensive will be Dupixent, don't see that drug on the front page he said.
November 13, 2024 at 2:58 PM
when you look at the net cost GLP1s won’t be my most expensive drug by far, Kinsley said, most expensive will be Dupixent, don't see that drug on the front page he said.