The Columbian

FILE - President Joe Biden speaks during an event on prescription drug costs, in the East Room of the White House, Aug. 29, 2023, in Washington. The Biden administration is putting pharmaceutical companies on notice. It’s warning them that if the price of certain drugs is too high, they might allow other companies to make their product. Under the new plan, the government would consider overriding the patent for high-priced drugs that have been developed with the help of taxpayer money.

The White House is threatening the patents of high-priced drugs developed with taxpayer dollars

December 7, 2023, 8:08am Health

The Biden administration is putting pharmaceutical companies on notice, warning them that if the price of certain drugs is too high, the government might cancel their patent protection and allow rivals to make their own versions. Read story

Tracy Wodatch, from Connecticut Association for Healthcare at Home, places a candle next to a photo of Joyce Grayson during the lighting of the candles at a vigil for Grayson at the Connecticut State Capitol’s North Lobby on Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2023. , in Hartford, Conn.

A nurse’s fatal last visit to patient’s home renews calls for better safety measures

December 7, 2023, 7:59am Health

The killing of a Connecticut nurse making a house call in October was a nightmare come true for an industry gripped by the fear of violence. Read story

After fentanyl bust by Kalispel Tribal Police, U.S. Attorney Waldref tells lawmakers Native communities are hit harder by opioid crisis

December 7, 2023, 7:59am Health

In a hearing Wednesday, Eastern Washington’s top federal prosecutor told the Senate Indian Affairs Committee that a recent drug bust by Kalispel Tribal Police underscored how the fentanyl crisis has hit Native communities especially hard. Read story

Randy Krause, Port of Seattle Fire Chief, shows the Times a sample of the PFAS product that when mixed with 97% water, produces a bubble bath that puts out fires far faster and more efficiently than only water does on Thursday, Jan. 19, 2023. But research has shown that PFAS, known as "forever chemicals," can increase health risks for certain cancers and other diseases. Sea-Tac is now trying to phase out their use. (Ellen M.

WA proposes ban on ‘forever chemicals’ in clothes, other products

December 7, 2023, 7:39am Health

The Washington State Department of Ecology has proposed bans and new reporting requirements for toxic chemicals used to repel water, heat and fuel in some clothing, firefighting gear and cleaning products. Read story

The hospital previously known as Cascade Behavioral Health.

Washington pays $100M fine for neglecting mental health services months earlier than expected

December 7, 2023, 7:38am Health Free

Washington late last month paid a $100 million court-ordered fine for failing to provide mental health services to people in jail, even though the state wasn’t required to hand over the money until next year. Read story

Health Wire

The White House is threatening the patents of high-priced drugs developed with taxpayer dollars

A nurse’s fatal last visit to patient’s home renews calls for better safety measures

After fentanyl bust by Kalispel Tribal Police, U.S. Attorney Waldref tells lawmakers Native communities are hit harder by opioid crisis

WA proposes ban on ‘forever chemicals’ in clothes, other products

Washington pays $100M fine for neglecting mental health services months earlier than expected

Some WA hospitals bring back indoor masking with flu, RSV on the rise

White House delays menthol cigarette ban, alarming anti-smoking advocates

Former UW Medicine doctor accused of using his sperm to inseminate patient

Abortions jump 23% in WA as visiting patients reverse decadelong decline

Gov. Inslee to seek $50M more toward opioid education, treatment in Washington