Health department

President Trump is invoking a rarely used authority to cancel close to $1 billion in Department of Health and Human Services programs that Congress had already funded. The move bypasses lawmakers who approved the spending, drawing criticism from opponents of unilateral budget actions. Health policy observers are watching for which programs are affected and whether Congress will push back.

Democratic lawmakers are pressing the Department of Health and Human Services over its handling of legal representation for migrant children in federal custody. The push questions whether detained minors are being given adequate access to attorneys and due process protections. The exchange adds to ongoing partisan disputes over immigration enforcement and the treatment of unaccompanied children crossing the US border.

Emergency medicine researchers are flagging a delay in emergency department care that could cause patient harm and has, they argue, been widely overlooked by clinicians and health systems. The warning suggests a common gap in ED practice deserves more attention, though details of the specific delay and its scale were not provided in the available coverage.

The Department of Human Services has announced new and expanded partnerships aimed at reducing suicide deaths across the state. The initiative is intended to strengthen suicide prevention efforts by working with partner organisations on outreach, support services and crisis response. Details about the specific partners and funding were not included in the announcement, and public reaction has so far been limited.

New orders for US durable goods were unchanged in August, according to the latest Commerce Department figures, falling short of the growth many analysts expected. The flat reading suggests businesses remained cautious on big-ticket investments amid uncertain demand and higher borrowing costs. Economists say the data adds to questions about the strength of US manufacturing heading into the final months of the year.

The Illinois Department of Public Health is urging residents to get vaccinated against measles as the number of cases in the state climbs. Officials are stressing that the measles vaccine is safe and highly effective, and are encouraging people to check their immunization records, particularly before travel or gatherings. The warning comes amid a broader rise in measles activity and declining vaccination rates in parts of the United States.

The Berrien County Health Department in Michigan has received a grant to cover costs linked to a cyclosporiasis outbreak in the county. Cyclosporiasis is an intestinal illness caused by a parasite, often spread through contaminated food or water. The funding will help offset expenses from investigating and responding to the outbreak. Local outlet WSBT reported the news.

Kohl's and Macy's, two of the best-known names in American department-store retail, are being compared on whether their dividends remain sustainable as both struggle with declining sales and shifting shopper habits. Analysts are weighing cash flow, debt loads and store closures to judge which retailer can keep paying shareholders and which may be forced to cut its payout.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has issued a boil water advisory for the City of Eskridge. Residents are being told to boil water before drinking or cooking until the advisory is lifted. State officials typically issue such notices after pressure loss or contamination concerns, and tests must come back clean before restrictions end.

A local health department has recognized National Suicide Prevention Month, observed each September to raise awareness of suicide and promote available mental health resources. The department is using the occasion to encourage residents to seek support and to highlight prevention efforts. Awareness campaigns like this typically share crisis helpline information and stress that help is available to anyone struggling.

Port Arthur restaurant El Refu 4 has issued an apology after reports linked meals from the establishment to illnesses among Golden Pass LNG workers. Health officials in Port Arthur investigated and found nothing connecting the restaurant to the workers' sickness. The apology follows the reputational damage the business suffered while the claims circulated and investigations were underway.

The Health Department has withdrawn its proposed regulations, saying they will be rewritten. The withdrawal means the rules will not move forward in their current form, and a revised version is expected to be introduced later. Details on what changes the rewrite will include, and why the original proposals were pulled, have not yet been made public.