Barbara Rodriguez
@bcrodriguez.bsky.social
Reporter at @19thnews.org covering the intersection of health and gender. 📬 Send story ideas/tips: bcrodriguez [at] 19thnews [dot] org 📲 Signal: bcrodriguez.55
I wrote this last year and it feels relevant today amid new vaccine executive order: Splitting up vaccine shotes = more visits to the doctor. That often falls on women: staging.19thnews.org/2025/09/chil...
Trump’s vision for childhood vaccines could hurt working moms the most
“Intentionally or not, Trump is adding weight to this burden that women are already carrying as family health managers."
staging.19thnews.org
Dr. Erica Schwartz, who was confirmed as CDC director today by the Senate, says she wants to bring “radical transparency and unwavering scientific integrity” to the job — she faces political headwinds and practical challenges as gets started. 19thnews.org/2026/08/eric...
The first Black woman to lead the CDC will face an uphill battle in restoring trust
Experts say women and people of color are often tapped to lead during crises. Erica Schwartz inherits a CDC reshaped by political battles over science and vaccines.
19thnews.org
As more cases of cyclosporiasis get reported, what does it all mean for the berry-obsessed children in your life? 19thnews.org/2026/07/cycl...
Has the cyclospora outbreak impacted berries? What parents of berry-aged children need to know.
Some previous outbreaks have been linked to berries, which may have parents fretting over how to handle their toddlers' bottomless appetites for the fruit.
19thnews.org
“Vaccines are a victim of their own success. We not only eliminated the disease, we eliminated the memory of this virus, and that’s where we’re suffering." 19thnews.org/2026/07/meas...
The U.S. has already surpassed last year’s number of measles cases. Here’s what’s driving the surge.
New data data shows the resurgence is being fueled by falling childhood vaccination rates, misinformation and outbreaks concentrated among unvaccinated people.
19thnews.org
A year after Planned Parenthood was temporarily kicked out of Medicaid under the Trump administration, abortion opponents’ biggest win has expired — and has little chance of being renewed any time soon. Latest from @shefali.bsky.social for @19thnews.org: 19thnews.org/2026/07/plan...
Planned Parenthood survived ‘defunding’ — just in time for elections
Abortion opponents are facing an uphill battle to defund them again, while Planned Parenthood is pushing to make it a midterm issue.
19thnews.org
We cannot know what the Black woman on the train was thinking or feeling at this moment. But we recognize the image as an indictment. It should make all of us pause to consider what it is that we are celebrating as America turns 250. The latest from @errinhaines.bsky.social:
The Black woman on the train did not look away. How much longer will we?
A viral photo from July 4 captured an unidentified Black woman’s composure amid a sea of masked white men — and became a mirror for our democracy at 250.
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“I think years from now, people will ask: ‘How did we get here?’ Part of our responsibility, in this moment, is making sure history cannot say nobody saw it coming.” 19thnews.org/2026/05/supr... via @19thnews.org
This ‘daughter of the Deep South’ is fighting for Black voting rights through storytelling
After the Supreme Court’s recent Voting Rights Act decision, Southern states are redrawing their voting maps to dilute Black political power. Alabama’s Anneshia Hardy said ‘our ancestors left us a blu...
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It’s time for our annual Spring Member Drive at @19thnews.org and I’m raising money for our nonprofit newsroom. If you have appreciated my coverage of health and gender, consider a donation! 19thnews.org/ways-to-give...
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The word “Black” has been almost completely removed from a package of bills that have long been viewed as Congress’ main legislative vehicle to address the Black maternal health crisis, frustrating some advocates who feel Black women are being erased from the policy. 19thnews.org/2026/05/blac...
The word ‘Black’ has disappeared from a set of bills aimed at addressing Black maternal health
Why does the federal Momnibus now only say 'Black' one time? The answer depends on who you ask.
19thnews.org
UPDATE: After briefly letting a national ban take effect, the Supreme Court blocked a lower court’s ruling that would have prevented mailing a key abortion drug.
Supreme Court rules abortion pills can continue to be mailed
Mailed prescriptions have allowed people living in states with bans to continue getting abortions, contributing to an increase in abortions since the fall of Roe.
19thnews.org
Moms are taking on debt, cutting back on personal medical care, delaying rent payments and skipping meals so their kids can eat. Federal cuts are poised to make things worse. Story by @bcrodriguez.bsky.social: 19thnews.org/2026/05/moth...
Mothers are stretching every dollar — and still finding ways to care for their families
They are taking on debt, cutting back on personal medical care, delaying rent payments and skipping meals so their kids can eat. Federal cuts are poised to make things worse.
19thnews.org
As the Tennessee legislature held a special session this week to redraw its congressional map to break up a majority-Black district in Memphis, state Sen. Charlane Oliver did everything she could to broadcast that what was happening was not normal. 19thnews.org/2026/05/char...?
She did everything she could to prevent the breakup of a majority-Black congressional district
“People didn’t send us here to draw racist maps, they sent us here to figure out how to fix the roads ... and lower our grocery prices," Tennessee state Sen. Charlane Oliver said.
19thnews.org
Trump pulls his support for Casey Means, MAHA influencer, as surgeon general. Several Republicans expressed concern about Means’ answers during a February confirmation hearing where she was asked about topics including birth control and routine childhood vaccines. 19thnews.org/2026/04/trum...
Trump pulls his support for MAHA influencer as surgeon general
Several Republicans expressed concern about Casey Means’ answers during a confirmation hearing where she was asked about topics including routine childhood vaccines.
19thnews.org
Supreme Court decision could undo decades of gains by Black women lawmakers — Alito framed the ruling as an “update” that did not undo the underlying “framework” of the Voting Rights Act; Kagan strongly disagreed. 19thnews.org/2026/04/supr... via @19thnews.org
Supreme Court decision could undo decades of gains by Black women lawmakers
In a scathing dissent, Justice Elena Kagan said the court's conservative majority has completed its "demolition" of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
19thnews.org
We’re on strike today! Support our fight for a fair contract by NOT visiting the @propublica.org website or engaging with ProPublica stories today. Tell ProPublica’s management you won’t cross the picket line: actionnetwork.org/petitions/te...
I’ve been tracking how parents online are looking for “vaccine friendly” or “vaccine neutral” clinics to care for children irrespective of their vaccine views. For @19thnews.org, I wanted to explore how we got here and the intersection of parental choice / doctor trust: 19thnews.org/2026/04/vacc...
As parents seek out ‘vaccine friendly’ clinics, pediatricians worry about eroding trust
Most pediatricians support childhood vaccinations. Here’s why they’re seeing unvaccinated kids anyway.
19thnews.org
Doctors say newly postpartum people need medical care, sleep and the ability to rely on friends and family for help. Immigration crackdowns have made that support impossible. https://bit.ly/3NBclNa
“I broke down three times today,” Modica, 41, said. “I have a disease that will inevitably make me completely disabled, and I can’t afford the treatment because I’m hemorrhaging money to a 20-year-old debt.” @nadrakn.bsky.social's latest for @19thnews.org.
‘The cruelty is just the point’: A broken student loan system has women at the center
Confusion, litigation and the threat of wage garnishment under Trump have left millions of teachers, nurses and other public service workers with few options and little hope.
19thnews.org
'We are traumatizing children, and we are putting them in dangerous environments.’ Pediatricians have been warning about dire health consequences for children in immigration detention. I spoke with a trio of doctors who are demanding action from the federal government. 19thnews.org/2026/03/pedi...
These pediatrician moms have a shared message: Release all children in immigration detention
They didn’t know each other at the beginning of the year. Now these medical professionals text daily in their effort to advocate for the well-being of migrant children.
19thnews.org
“He looked pale, he looked sickly. He looked like a completely different child,” she said. “When I saw that image, my doctor brain turned on. I was like, this kid is sick. He needs medical attention.” @bcrodriguez.bsky.social's latest for @19thnews.org.
These pediatrician moms have a shared message: Release all children in immigration detention
They didn’t know each other at the beginning of the year. Now these medical professionals text daily in their effort to advocate for the well-being of migrant children.
19thnews.org
“I’d probably have to quit my job. I need to make sure she can spend time with friends and her boyfriend, but she would still be more socially isolated,” Walters said. @slooterman.bsky.social reports for @19thnews.org.
Idaho considers an 'apocalyptic' choice for disabled people and families
Difficult budget decisions in a number of states are threatening vital programs for disabled people at home and caregivers in the workforce.
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With immigration enforcement keeping kids from class, educators are going beyond the curriculum — driving students to school, delivering groceries and even paying rent to support vulnerable families. https://bit.ly/4aRukq9
The people standing between students and ICE? Teachers.
With immigration enforcement keeping kids from class, educators are going beyond the curriculum — driving students to school, delivering groceries and even paying rent to support vulnerable families.
19thnews.org
As the Trump administration expands militarized immigration operations around the country, federal agents keep using tear gas near children. It’s worrying health experts. "Assume that children should have zero exposure to these chemicals.” My latest for @19thnews.org: 19thnews.org/2026/02/ice-...
Federal agents keep deploying tear gas near kids. We have no idea what it does to their health.
Exposure to chemical irritants can cause chest tightness, coughing and shortness of breath. For kids, there’s more potential for serious side effects.
19thnews.org
What happens when a measles outbreak hits your state? For @drannieandrews.com, a pediatrician running for the U.S. Senate, it becomes a key issue on the campaign trail. My latest looks at a doctor who’s highlighting health care issues ahead of the midterms. 19thnews.org/2026/02/anni...
Measles is spreading in South Carolina. Could it make people vote for a pediatrician?
Dr. Annie Andrews is running for Lindsey Graham's Senate seat. She's one of several doctors seeking office during an election midterm year where health care issues are front and center.
19thnews.org
As a growing number of states weaken childhood immunization requirements, physicians fear many families will miss critical wellness checks. This great informative piece from @sarahelizcarr.bsky.social was originally published by @hechingerreport.org: 19thnews.org/2026/02/scho...
Without school vaccine mandates, many kids may never see a doctor
As a growing number of states weaken childhood immunization requirements, physicians fear many families will miss critical wellness checks.
19thnews.org
At 36, Star just took her first step toward gender-affirming care. She looked for Planned Parenthood clinics near her Ohio town. But when she looked online, her heart sank. Medicaid patients like her can’t use their insurance at Planned Parenthood anymore, unless their state covers it.
After years of waiting, she wanted to start gender-affirming care. Politics interfered.
Medicaid patients can’t use their insurance at Planned Parenthood, unless their state covers it. This is a major setback for trans health care.
19thnews.org
In Minnesota, protest has taken many shapes. And caregiving — from offering mutual aid for rent and groceries to getting neighbors first aid supplies and prenatal vitamins — is a central form of resistance here. It has lessons for the rest of the country. My latest: 19thnews.org/2026/02/minn...
‘We have to keep showing up for each other’: In Minnesota, caregiving is a form of resistance
School pickups, diaper runs and mutual aid funds are central to how many Minnesotans are challenging the militarization of their state.
19thnews.org
In Minneapolis, for every story detailing the fallout of the federal crackdown, there are as many stories of people like Bri, a mom donating breastmilk for babies whose mothers are detained by ICE. Bri's story: 19thnews.org/2026/02/minn...
When one mother was taken by ICE, another stepped in to donate breastmilk
Moms in Minneapolis are donating diapers, food and time to help families who have been ripped apart by ICE.
19thnews.org
The impact of Alex Pretti’s death has reverberated across America, but perhaps more deeply among the nation’s nurses and health care professionals — who see themselves reflected in the actions he took before his death. My colleague @chabeli.bsky.social and I explore: 19thnews.org/2026/01/nurs...
Nurses saw themselves in Alex Pretti's death. Now they’re demanding justice.
Nurses have advocated for better working conditions for years. Pretti’s death elevated the ongoing challenges for a profession that is increasingly in the crosshairs of immigration enforcement.
19thnews.org
"Late last week, word came from GOP Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine that it was time to “activate the churches,” as one leader put it — in other words, to prepare to provide emergency care and short-term housing to children separated from their parents." 19thnews.org/2026/01/ice-...
Fear, faith and preparation as ICE closes in on an Ohio community
In Springfield, faith-based coalitions are creating emergency hubs to care for children — and churches are preparing for their sanctuaries to be breached.
19thnews.org