davidovalle.bsky.social
David Ovalle
@davidovalle.bsky.social
720 followers 430 following 23 posts
Florida man covering opioids, addiction and more for The Washington Post’s Health and Science team. Email [email protected]
Posts Media Videos Starter Packs
davidovalle.bsky.social
David Ovalle @davidovalle.bsky.social · 8d
Trump's post jolted the cannabis industry, sending stocks soaring Monday and raising hopes that the president will take a permissive approach to marijuana. It also drew concerns from researchers who say that CBD’s much hyped health benefits remain unproven www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
Trump posts video endorsing CBD for seniors. Researchers urge caution.
The video sent cannabis stocks soaring Monday, raising hopes that President Donald Trump will take a permissive approach to marijuana.
www.washingtonpost.com
1
Reposted by David Ovalle
propublica.org
ProPublica @propublica.org · 14d
NEW: GOP lawmakers cite Georgia’s Pathways to Coverage as a national model for federal Medicaid work requirements that are set to take effect in 2027.

A new report shows the program has spent twice as much on administrative costs as on health care.

By @savmargaret.bsky.social
Georgia’s Medicaid Work Requirement Program Spent Twice as Much on Administrative Costs as on Health Care, GAO Says
Republican lawmakers cite Georgia’s Pathways to Coverage as a national model for federal Medicaid work requirements that are set to take effect in 2027. A new report shows the program has spent at lea...
www.propublica.org
33 310 630
davidovalle.bsky.social
David Ovalle @davidovalle.bsky.social · 26d
NEW: Trump officials to link covid shots to child deaths, alarming career scientists www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/... via @rachelroubein.bsky.social @ddiamond.bsky.social @lenasun.bsky.social
www.washingtonpost.com
1 2
davidovalle.bsky.social
David Ovalle @davidovalle.bsky.social · Sep 8
Confusion is rippling through the health care system as pharmacies and doctors try to adjust to providing a vaccine that is no longer broadly recommended.

www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
RFK Jr. says anyone who wants a covid shot can get one. Not these Americans.
Pharmacies and doctors are struggling to adjust to a new regulatory environment for updated coronavirus vaccines that are no longer broadly recommended.
www.washingtonpost.com
davidovalle.bsky.social
David Ovalle @davidovalle.bsky.social · Sep 3
BREAKING: Florida moves to end all school vaccine mandates, first in nation to do so

www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
Florida moves to end all school vaccine mandates, first in nation to do so
Florida Surgeon General Joseph A. Ladapo criticized school vaccine mandates, which every state has, and likened them to slavery.
www.washingtonpost.com
1 1
Reposted by David Ovalle
lenasun.bsky.social
Lena Sun @lenasun.bsky.social · Aug 30
NEW: The CDC has been in crisis for months. After the firing of its director, resignations of senior leaders, staff + experts are bracing for what could be death knell for public health credibility. Me + @laurenweberhp.bsky.social + @davidovalle.bsky.social www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
The CDC is falling deeper into crisis. What it means for the nation’s health.
Months of upheaval at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have undercut the agency’s work, employees said, and put the future of vaccines into doubt.
www.washingtonpost.com
7 54 150
davidovalle.bsky.social
David Ovalle @davidovalle.bsky.social · Aug 21
Budget cuts could affect peer support workers, adding further pressure on a profession already struggling because of workers’ concerns about low wages, uneven training and uncertainty about these employees’ roles within the addiction care system.

www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
They beat addiction to help drug users recover. Their work is in jeopardy.
The opioid epidemic has highlighted the importance of peer recovery coaches, but their jobs are now at risk due to proposed budget cuts and funding changes.
www.washingtonpost.com
1 1
davidovalle.bsky.social
David Ovalle @davidovalle.bsky.social · Aug 6
Harm reduction groups worry Trump’s order signals broader moves to sideline their work — and that states will slash funding to follow his lead. Some fear simply being labeled harm reduction might imperil funding, even if their services are not controversial. www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
Why Trump is targeting these programs that help keep drug users alive
The Trump administration has barred certain federal grants from funding some harm reduction programs, sparking concerns among health advocates.
www.washingtonpost.com
1 3
Reposted by David Ovalle
fenitn.bsky.social
Fenit Nirappil @fenitn.bsky.social · Jul 24
Trump directed federal agencies to make it easier to forcibly hospitalize homeless people with mental illness.

Critics warn this can return us to a darker era when people were often unjustly locked away, @davidovalle.bsky.social reports www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
Trump order pushes forcible hospitalization of homeless people
Trump executive order would increase hospitalization of homeless individuals with mental health and substance use disorders. The order said shifting homeless people into long-term institutional settin...
www.washingtonpost.com
1 4 6
davidovalle.bsky.social
David Ovalle @davidovalle.bsky.social · Jun 12
NEW: Authorities in Miami-Dade County are seeking to arrest former NFL wide receiver Antonio Brown on a charge of attempted murder stemming from a shooting at a celebrity boxing event in May, according to a warrant reviewed by The Washington Post.
Ex-NFL star Antonio Brown sought on attempted murder charge
The charge stems from an incident outside a boxing event in Miami last month.
www.washingtonpost.com
1 3
davidovalle.bsky.social
David Ovalle @davidovalle.bsky.social · Jun 9
The Texas program — billed by supporters as the largest public investment in psychedelics research — is being closely watched in Washington, where top health officials under President Donald Trump have expressed interest in accelerating research.
Why Texas is spending millions to research an illegal psychedelic
Ibogaine is illegal in the United States, but Texas is on the verge of spending up to $50 million to jumpstart clinical trials.
www.washingtonpost.com
1
davidovalle.bsky.social
David Ovalle @davidovalle.bsky.social · May 14
Not quite back from parental leave but popped my head up to report this news - NEW: U.S. drug deaths plunged in 2024. Trump cuts may reverse that, experts warn. wapo.st/3YGzUGz
U.S. drug deaths plunged in 2024. Trump cuts may reverse that, experts warn.
The opioid crisis in the U.S. shows signs of improvement, with a significant drop in fentanyl overdose deaths in 2024.
wapo.st
1
davidovalle.bsky.social
David Ovalle @davidovalle.bsky.social · Feb 3
The story of Hamilton County, which includes Cincinnati, is the story of much of America at the start of 2025. Deaths from drug overdoses have fallen sharply, offering hope the crisis will further ease. www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
Drug deaths are down in one Ohio county and much of the U.S. Why is complex.
The story of Hamilton County is the story of much of America in 2025. Overdose deaths have fallen sharply, offering hope the crisis will further ease.
www.washingtonpost.com
1 1
Reposted by David Ovalle
picardonhealth.bsky.social
André Picard @picardonhealth @picardonhealth.bsky.social · Feb 3
The story of Hamilton County is the story of much of America in 2025. Overdose deaths have fallen sharply, offering hope the crisis will further ease. But the 'why' is complex, by @davidovalle.bsky.social www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/... via @washingtonpost.com #ToxicDrugCrisis
Drug deaths are down in one Ohio county and much of the U.S. Why is complex.
The story of Hamilton County is the story of much of America in 2025. Overdose deaths have fallen sharply, offering hope the crisis will further ease.
www.washingtonpost.com
4 10
Reposted by David Ovalle
caitlingilbert.bsky.social
Caitlin Gilbert @caitlingilbert.bsky.social · Jan 22
Latest with @davidovalle.bsky.social:

RFK Jr as HHS secretary would be a boon to the wellness/alternative therapies industries, as he has talked often about vitamins and supplements among other alt treatments and claimed the FDA has “aggressively”suppressed these remedies.

wapo.st/3CmpKCV
Alternative medicine fans see RFK Jr. as a hero. The field’s skeptics worry.
Kennedy’s potential ascent as HHS secretary brings promise for backers of alternative-health approaches, while skeptics say those treatments are often unproven.
wapo.st
28 13 42
davidovalle.bsky.social
David Ovalle @davidovalle.bsky.social · Jan 14
Researchers determined that slashing cigarette nicotine levels should essentially be all or nothing — reducing nicotine moderately would only spur smokers to light up more, exposing them to increased toxic smoke. www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/... w/ @rachelroubein.bsky.social
The war on smoking turns to cigarettes with ultralow nicotine
The Biden White House is expected to formally propose a plan ordering cigarette nicotine levels to be reduced dramatically.
www.washingtonpost.com
1 1 2
davidovalle.bsky.social
David Ovalle @davidovalle.bsky.social · Jan 13
Questions remain about whether the non-opioid painkiller developed by Vertex Pharmaceuticals could be effective for chronic pain. www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/... w @ByDanielGilbert
Billed as nonaddictive, new pain pill could soon win FDA approval
A non-opioid painkiller from Vertex Pharmaceuticals could become a blockbuster, but questions remain on whether it will prove safe and effective for chronic pain.
www.washingtonpost.com
Reposted by David Ovalle
rachelroubein.bsky.social
Rachel Roubein @rachelroubein.bsky.social · Dec 26
Some companies are flouting a ban on shipping vapes through the U.S. Postal Services. But enforcement is complicated by a patchwork of regulations at the federal, state and local levels.

with @davidovalle.bsky.social

www.washingtonpost.com/health/2024/...
Laws restrict U.S. shipping of vape products. Many companies do it anyway.
They come in flavors including mango, cherry and lemonade-flavored vapes and are sometimes delivered by mail carriers. It’s illegal.
www.washingtonpost.com
1 7
davidovalle.bsky.social
David Ovalle @davidovalle.bsky.social · Dec 26
Vapes arrive regularly on the doorsteps of homes across the nation as companies flout laws regulating online sales of the products, including a ban on shipping e-cigarettes through the U.S. Postal Service. www.washingtonpost.com/health/2024/... w/ @rachelroubein.bsky.social
Laws restrict U.S. shipping of vape products. Many companies do it anyway.
They come in flavors including mango, cherry and lemonade-flavored vapes and are sometimes delivered by mail carriers. It’s illegal.
www.washingtonpost.com
1 5
Reposted by David Ovalle
fenitn.bsky.social
Fenit Nirappil @fenitn.bsky.social · Dec 15
We spent weeks reviewing Dave Weldon, Trump’s CDC pick, and his congressional papers, interviews and public appearances — including with anti-vaccine activists.

This is a portrait of a politician who wouldn’t let go of the false theory vaccines cause autism wapo.st/4iACoi0
Trump’s CDC pick wouldn’t let go of false theory vaccines cause autism
Dave Weldon’s long record of promoting the disproven link between vaccines and autism raises concerns among some public health experts about his ability to run the CDC.
wapo.st
11 37 110
davidovalle.bsky.social
David Ovalle @davidovalle.bsky.social · Dec 13
The investigation stems from the company’s work advising Purdue Pharma on how to “turbocharge” sales of the blockbuster opioid OxyContin, officials said.
Consulting firm McKinsey to pay $650 million to end opioid criminal probe
The investigation stems from the company’s work advising Purdue Pharma on how to “turbocharge” sales of the blockbuster opioid OxyContin, officials said.
www.washingtonpost.com
1
davidovalle.bsky.social
David Ovalle @davidovalle.bsky.social · Dec 4
Trump’s pick to head DEA withdraws after GOP criticism of his covid policies www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
Trump’s pick to head DEA withdraws after GOP criticism of his covid policies
Chad Chronister is the second Trump pick to abandon his bid to serve in the administration.
www.washingtonpost.com
2
davidovalle.bsky.social
David Ovalle @davidovalle.bsky.social · Dec 2
First time in DEA court today and eager to report that the benches are just as uncomfortable as Miami-Dade state court
2
davidovalle.bsky.social
David Ovalle @davidovalle.bsky.social · Dec 1
Supreme Court poised to enter fray over regulation of flavored vapes www.washingtonpost.com/health/2024/...
Supreme Court poised to enter fray over regulation of flavored vapes
The Food and Drug Administration has rejected some products because of concerns about youth users.
www.washingtonpost.com
1
davidovalle.bsky.social
David Ovalle @davidovalle.bsky.social · Dec 1
Trump taps Florida sheriff as DEA administrator www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
Trump taps Florida sheriff as DEA administrator
The change in DEA leadership comes as the agency — and the nation — is still grappling with a drug crisis fueled by the flow of illicit fentanyl.
www.washingtonpost.com
2 1