NDMU is collaborating with Milwaukee’s Mount Mary University to address staffing shortages in education and social work, with a joint agreement to increase the number of students with advanced degrees.
Health Care
Mount St. Mary’s launches new physician assistant program
Mount St. Mary’s University in Emmitsburg is directly addressing Maryland’s growing healthcare crisis with the launch of a new physician assistant (PA) initiative. Recently granted provisional accreditation, it will welcome its inaugural class in January 2026.
Trump administration moves to reinstate VA health policy fully excluding abortion
The Trump administration said Aug. 1 it would revoke its predecessor’s policy rule that included abortion as a covered health benefit for veterans and their dependents, and return to a policy of fully excluding abortion and abortion-counseling.
White House agrees to exempt PEPFAR from rescissions package
The Senate took up for consideration a request from the White House to rescind approximately $9 billion in previously appropriated funds for international aid programs and public broadcasting, among other cuts. However, Senate negotiators likely will reject cuts to PEPFAR, the U.S. government’s global effort to combat HIV/AIDS, with the White House’s agreement.
Supreme Court upholds Tennessee’s gender transition ban for minors
The U.S. Supreme Court on June 18 upheld a Tennessee state law banning certain types of medical or surgical gender reassignment procedures for minors who identify as transgender.
Trump administration revokes Biden-era abortion directive for emergency rooms
The Trump administration announced June 3 that it would revoke Biden-era guidance to the nation’s hospitals directing them to perform abortions in emergency circumstances even in states that banned the procedure.
Archdiocese continues focus on mental health with aim to take away stigma
The Archdiocese of Baltimore launched its Mental Health Ministry plan in 2021. During its first phase, nearly 1,000 people were trained in mental health first aid, according to Melissa Freymann, a mental wellness consultant for the archdiocese and a therapist with St. Lucia Counseling.
Experts flag concerns over EPPC study on dangers of pill used in miscarriage care, abortion
The title of a new study released April 28 by the Ethics and Public Policy Center is one Catholics, following the church’s moral teaching, would agree upon: “The Abortion Pill Harms Women.”
After prostate cancer diagnosis, Delaware diocese offers prayers of intercession for Biden
Former U.S. President Joe Biden, the nation’s second Catholic president and a Wilmington resident, revealed May 18 that he has been diagnosed with prostate cancer and it has metastasized to his bones.
House GOP budget proposal includes cuts to Medicaid, groups that perform abortions
A proposed House budget is drawing fire from some critics over its cuts to Medicaid, while drawing praise from others for promises to eliminate funds to health providers who also perform abortions.
Trump signs executive order demanding drug manufacturers lower U.S. prices
President Donald Trump signed an executive order May 12 that he said would lower prescription drug costs — an issue the U.S. bishops have flagged in recent years — but the exact potential impact of the order was the subject of debate.
HHS releases report critical of gender transition procedures for youth
The Department of Health and Human Services recently released what it called a “comprehensive review” of medical or surgical gender reassignment procedures for minors who identify as transgender, calling for broader use of psychotherapy for young people with gender dysphoria rather than what proponents call gender-affirming care.