The potential end of mpox's public health emergency designation and four more federal healthcare updates Becker's has reported on since Nov. 30:
1. States and healthcare organizations can use regulatory flexibilities permitted under the COVID-19 public health emergency to address capacity challenges stemming from a severe respiratory virus season, HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra told governors in December.
2. The federal government cannot compel Catholic healthcare providers to perform gender-affirming surgeries under an HHS regulation that bans sex descrimination in healthcare, a U.S. appeals court ruled Dec. 9.
3. The White House on Dec. 8 launched a dashboard to track nonfatal opioid overdoses at the state and county level, offering those on the front line of the opioid epidemic a better look at the hardest-hit areas and where to target lifesaving resources.
4. HHS intends to end the nation's public health emergency regarding mpox — previously known as monkeypox — on Jan. 31.
5. CMS is looking to create a national healthcare provider directory that would make it easier for Americans to find physicians and other providers.