BREAKING: Pentagon orders immediate stop to gender-affirming care for transgender troops
In an escalation of the Trump administration's war on transgender Americans, the Pentagon has once again halted all gender-affirming health care for trans service members, just weeks after briefly reinstating it under court order. According to a memo obtained by Reuters, the Defense Department is now moving forward with a complete rollback of care for troops diagnosed with gender dysphoria, as it prepares to forcibly discharge those who do not voluntarily resign by June 6.
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The decision, signed by acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs Dr. Stephen Ferrara, comes despite a federal court's preliminary injunction issued in April that forced the Pentagon to restore access to hormone therapy and other medically necessary treatment. Last week, the U.S. Supreme Court stayed the injunction and ruled in Shilling v. United States that the Trump administration could proceed with its ban on transgender service members while at least two legal challenges proceed. The Pentagon began implementing its ban immediately.
Related: Defense Department reinstates gender-affirming care for trans troops
The about-face follows Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's inflammatory public statements targeting transgender troops and his ultimatum to resign during Pride Month or be kicked out.
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Fox News
an hour ago
- Fox News
Intermittent fasting's surprising biblical roots revealed as diet trend grows
A popular diet trend may have its origins in the Bible. Intermittent fasting, a pattern of eating based on time limits, is intended to assist with weight loss and other health benefits, according to Mayo Clinic. There are several types of intermittent fasting, but they all follow the same concept of alternating between fasting and eating — a practice that is often mentioned in biblical scripture. With a time-restricted approach to intermittent fasting, the dieter only eats during a certain window. For example, with the 16/8 method, the person fasts for 16 hours and then can eat within an eight-hour span, between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Other versions involve fasting for a full 24 hours once or twice per week — or only consuming limited calories on fasting days. "The idea is that intermittent fasting causes the body's cells to change how they work," states Mayo Clinic's website. "Timed eating may push cells to focus on repair, energy use and balancing body-wide functions." Religious fasting is practiced in many faiths, including Christianity, Islam, Buddhism and Jainism, as well as Hinduism, Judaism and Taoism, research shows. Around 21% of Americans report that they fast for certain periods of time for religious reasons, according to a 2024 survey from the Pew Research Center. Some view intermittent fasting as a modern-day form of biblical fasting. Fasting is mentioned in the Bible as a way to be closer to God. In Matthew 6:16-18, for example, Jesus instructs his followers on how to fast. "When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. Specifically, when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face. So, that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." Fasting is also mentioned in Joel 2:12, when the Lord declares, "Yet even now, return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning." Various religions teach that fasting improves self-control, increases spiritual awareness and even fosters empathy for the less fortunate, according to Pew. While religious fasting is for spiritual purposes, intermittent fasting may also have physical and mental benefits that go beyond the primary goal of weight loss. Studies have shown that the practice may have positive impacts on blood pressure, cardiovascular health, cognitive function and other health factors — but the long-term effects aren't as clear. Fasting is mentioned in the Bible as a way to be closer to God. "When changes occur with this metabolic switch, it affects the body and brain," Johns Hopkins neuroscientist Mark Mattson, who has studied intermittent fasting for 25 years, states on the hospital's website. Mattson's research has confirmed multiple health benefits associated with fasting, including greater longevity, a leaner physique and a sharper mind. "Many things happen during intermittent fasting that can protect organs against chronic diseases like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, age-related neurodegenerative disorders, even inflammatory bowel disease and many cancers," he said. However, Fox News Digital previously reported on a 2024 study that linked time-restricted eating to a significantly higher risk of cardiovascular death. "Intermittent fasting is not appropriate for people with a history of disordered eating or active eating disorders, those with hypoglycemia or type 1 diabetes on insulin, children under 18, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and more," New Jersey-based registered dietitian Lauren Harris-Pincus told Fox News Digital at the time. Ohio-based cardiologist Dr. Lou Vadlamani was not involved in the study, but told Fox News Digital that it would be "a stretch" to conclusively say that fasting has a direct impact on heart attack risk. "It certainly raises a lot of questions and supports the need for a more comprehensive study, since intermittent fasting has become so common," he said. For more Health articles, visit As with every major lifestyle change, it's important to check with a doctor before starting intermittent fasting, experts advise.
Associated Press
7 hours ago
- Associated Press
Medicaid enrollees fear losing health coverage if Congress enacts work requirements
It took Crystal Strickland years to qualify for Medicaid, which she needs for a heart condition. Strickland, who's unable to work due to her condition, chafed when she learned that the U.S. House has passed a bill that would impose a work requirement for many able-bodied people to get health insurance coverage through the low-cost, government-run plan for lower-income people. 'What sense does that make?' she asked. 'What about the people who can't work but can't afford a doctor?' The measure is part of the version of President Donald Trump's 'Big Beautiful' bill that cleared the House last month and is now up for consideration in the Senate. Trump is seeking to have it passed by July 4. The bill as it stands would cut taxes and government spending — and also upend portions of the nation's social safety net. For proponents, the ideas behind the work requirement are simple: Crack down on fraud and stand on the principle that taxpayer-provided health coverage isn't for those who can work but aren't. The measure includes exceptions for those who are under 19 or over 64, those with disabilities, pregnant women, main caregivers for young children, people recently released from prisons or jails — or during certain emergencies. It would apply only to adults who receive Medicaid through expansions that 40 states chose to undertake as part of the 2010 health insurance overhaul. Many details of how the changes would work would be developed later, leaving several unknowns and causing anxiety among recipients who worry that their illnesses might not be enough to exempt them. Advocates and sick and disabled enrollees worry — based largely on their past experience — that even those who might be exempted from work requirements under the law could still lose benefits because of increased or hard-to-meet paperwork mandates. Benefits can be difficult to navigate even without a work requirement Strickland, a 44-year-old former server, cook and construction worker who lives in Fairmont, North Carolina, said she could not afford to go to a doctor for years because she wasn't able to work. She finally received a letter this month saying she would receive Medicaid coverage, she said. 'It's already kind of tough to get on Medicaid,' said Strickland, who has lived in a tent and times and subsisted on nonperishable food thrown out by stores. 'If they make it harder to get on, they're not going to be helping.' Steve Furman is concerned that his 43-year-old son, who has autism, could lose coverage. The bill the House adopted would require Medicaid enrollees to show that they work, volunteer or go to school at least 80 hours a month to continue to qualify. A disability exception would likely apply to Furman's son, who previously worked in an eyeglasses plant in Illinois for 15 years despite behavioral issues that may have gotten him fired elsewhere. Furman said government bureaucracies are already impossible for his son to navigate, even with help. It took him a year to help get his son onto Arizona's Medicaid system when they moved to Scottsdale in 2022, and it took time to set up food benefits. But he and his wife, who are retired, say they don't have the means to support his son fully. 'Should I expect the government to take care of him?' he asked. 'I don't know, but I do expect them to have humanity.' There's broad reliance on Medicaid for health coverage About 71 million adults are enrolled in Medicaid now. And most of them — around 92% — are working, caregiving, attending school or disabled. Earlier estimates of the budget bill from the Congressional Budget Office found that about 5 million people stand to lose coverage. A KFF tracking poll conducted in May found that the enrollees come from across the political spectrum. About one-fourth are Republicans; roughly one-third are Democrats. The poll found that about 7 in 10 adults are worried that federal spending reductions on Medicaid will lead to more uninsured people and would strain health care providers in their area. About half said they were worried reductions would hurt the ability of them or their family to get and pay for health care. Amaya Diana, an analyst at KFF, points to work requirements launched in Arkansas and Georgia as keeping people off Medicaid without increasing employment. Amber Bellazaire, a policy analyst at the Michigan League for Public Policy, said the process to verify that Medicaid enrollees meet the work requirements could be a key reason people would be denied or lose eligibility. 'Massive coverage losses just due to an administrative burden rather than ineligibility is a significant concern,' she said. One KFF poll respondent, Virginia Bell, a retiree in Starkville, Mississippi, said she's seen sick family members struggle to get onto Medicaid, including one who died recently without coverage. She said she doesn't mind a work requirement for those who are able — but worries about how that would be sorted out. 'It's kind of hard to determine who needs it and who doesn't need it,' she said. Some people don't if they might lose coverage with a work requirement Lexy Mealing, 54 of Westbury, New York, who was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2021 and underwent a double mastectomy and reconstruction surgeries, said she fears she may lose the medical benefits she has come to rely on, though people with 'serious or complex' medical conditions could be granted exceptions. She now works about 15 hours a week in 'gig' jobs but isn't sure she can work more as she deals with the physical and mental toll of the cancer. Mealing, who used to work as a medical receptionist in a pediatric neurosurgeon's office before her diagnosis and now volunteers for the American Cancer Society, went on Medicaid after going on short-term disability. 'I can't even imagine going through treatments right now and surgeries and the uncertainty of just not being able to work and not have health insurance,' she said. Felix White, who has Type I diabetes, first qualified for Medicaid after losing his job as a computer programmer several years ago. The Oreland, Pennsylvania, man has been looking for a job, but finds that at 61, it's hard to land one. Medicaid, meanwhile, pays for a continuous glucose monitor and insulin and funded foot surgeries last year, including one that kept him in the hospital for 12 days. 'There's no way I could have afforded that,' he said. 'I would have lost my foot and probably died.' ___ Associated Press writer Susan Haigh in Hartford, Connecticut contributed to this article.
New York Post
14 hours ago
- New York Post
What is Graves' disease? All about ‘The Boys' star Erin Moriarty's diagnosis
Erin Moriarty is getting candid about her health — and urging fans to listen to their bodies. The Boys star, 30, revealed on Instagram Thursday that she was diagnosed with Graves' disease last month after initially chalking up her symptoms to 'stress and fatigue.' 'Within 24 hours of beginning treatment, I felt the light coming back on. It's been increasing ever since,' she wrote. 'If yours is dimming, even slightly, go get checked.' 6 Erin Moriarty was diagnosed with Graves' disease in May. Deadline via Getty Images The autoimmune disorder affects about 1 in 100 Americans and can cause everything from anxiety and weight loss to bulging eyes and heart issues. Here's everything you need to know, including how to spot it and what to do next. What is Graves' disease? It's chronic autoimmune disorder that hijacks your thyroid gland, sending it into overdrive and flooding your body with more hormones than it needs, according to the National Institutes of Health. Thyroid hormones control how your body burns energy, impacting nearly every organ. When there's too much of them, it turbo-charges your metabolism and can trigger a wide range of symptoms. 6 The thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland located in the front of your neck. Science RF – What are the symptoms of Graves' Disease? Early signs often include heat intolerance, increased appetite, difficulty sleeping, fatigue and nervousness, anxiety or irritability, according to the Mayo Clinic. As the disease progresses, you might experience unintentional weight loss, heart palpitations, trembling hands, frequent bowel movements and shortness of breath. Graves' can also disrupt menstrual cycles, cause erectile dysfunction and reduce libido. 6 Moriarty first assumed her symptoms were caused by stress and fatigue. Erin Moriarty / Instagram Around 1 in 3 people with Graves' have eye problems known as Graves' ophthalmopathy, which can cause: Bulging or puffy eyes Blurred or double vision Gritty, irritated eyes Eye pain or pressure Sensitivity to light In rare cases, patients can develop thickened, darkened skin — usually on the shins or tops of the feet — that looks and feels like orange peel. This comes from a buildup of protein in the skin. It's often mild and painless. What causes Graves' disease? Scientists aren't completely sure. Graves' disease strikes when your immune system goes rogue, overproducing an antibody that prompts your thyroid to flood your body with too many hormones, according to the Cleveland Clinic. 6 Excess thyroid hormones can lead to increased heart rate, irregular rhythms and heart failure. JustLife – Experts say genetics play a major role, with one study estimating that genes account for 79% of the risk. The rest likely comes from environmental triggers like stress, hormonal changes or infections. Who's at risk for Graves' disease? Graves' disease is relatively common, affecting about 1% of people in the US. But it disproportionately affects women, who are five times more likely to get it than men, according to Yale Medicine. Your risk increases if you have a family history of Graves' or other autoimmune conditions like vitiligo, type 1 diabetes or rheumatoid arthritis. Low levels of selenium and vitamin D, along with smoking, may also increase your chances. 6 Smoking is a significant risk factor for Graves' disease. Quitting can help improve patient outcomes. Adobe Stock How is Graves' disease treated? In the US, treatment usually starts with medications like methimazole or propylthiouracil, which work to reduce the production of thyroid hormones, according to ColumbiaDoctors. Most patients start feeling better soon after, but it takes 12 to 18 months to see if the disease goes into remission — meaning the thyroid calms down and antibody levels drop. Up to half of patients achieve remission, but it's not a guaranteed cure. Graves' can flare up again later. 6 Graves' disease is often associated with weight loss despite increased appetite. Prostock-studio – 'For some people, Graves' disease has a clear beginning and end. For others, it's a chronic condition that can be controlled but not cured,' said Dr. Hyesoo Lowe, medical director of the Columbia Thyroid Center. If a patient doesn't go into remission, doctors may recommend radioiodine therapy, which gradually destroys overactive thyroid cells, or surgery to remove the gland entirely. While this can cause hypothyroidism, or too little thyroid hormone, replacement pills are available to keep things balanced. What happens if you don't treat Graves' disease? Ignoring the autoimmune disorder can lead to serious complications. It can cause atrial fibrillation, a dangerous irregular heartbeat that increases the risk of heart failure and stroke. It also weakens bones, raising the chance of fractures. There's a higher risk of thyroid cancer, too. In rare cases, untreated Graves' can trigger a life-threatening thyroid storm — a sudden surge of thyroid hormones. Pregnant women with untreated Graves' risk preeclampsia, miscarriage, premature labor and low birth weight for their babies.
