What We're Reading: Reconsidering Deferred Action Elimination; CDC Advises Against Vaping; Sanders Eyes Medical Debt

Faced With Criticism, Trump Administration Reverses Abrupt End to Humanitarian Relief

The Trump administration announced yesterday that it would reconsider its decision to deport immigrants facing life-threatening illnesses to their home countries, according to The New York Times. Last month, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services eliminated a “deferred action” program allowing immigrants to avoid deportation while they or their relatives received lifesaving medical treatment. This controversial move was met with backlash by the public and by the medical establishment, who condemned the program. Whether the program will be reintroduced in the future as a limited version of the original is still under review.

CDC Urges Vapers to Beware as Toll of Lung Cases Rises to 215

The CDC and FDA advised vapers to stop their vape usage amid an epidemic of mysterious lung illnesses that has grown to at least 215 cases, Politico reports. Both federal agencies reported that 25 states have exhibited a serious respiratory illness that has been linked to vaping, with many patients attributing their vape usage to marijuana related products like tetrahydrocannabinol or cannabidiol. The CDC issued a health alert that urged clinicians to look for indications of pulmonary disease for any patient who had used vapes in the last 90 days.

Sen. Bernie Sanders Teases Plan to Cancel $81 Billion in Americans’ Medical Debt

Presidential candidate Bernie Sanders plans to announce a proposal to cancel $81 billion worth of medical debt attached to financially struggling Americans. The Washington Post reports that Sanders plans to finance this proposal, and other ideas such as a Medicare-for-all system, through new taxes on wealthy businesses and individuals, as well as middle class Americans. Details of the medical debt eliminating proposal are still to be determined, but Sanders hinted at the federal government’s potential role in negotiating and paying off all in collection past-due medical bills reported to credit agencies.