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Selena Simmons-Duffin

@selenasd.com

Health policy correspondent for NPR in DC. // Signal: selena.02 Email: selenasd@npr.org

35 Posts1306 Follower726 Folgt
Martin Austermuhle@maustermuhle.bsky.social · last wk.

RIP, Dolly Parton. For the local angle, for the last decade Parton's Imagination Library has partnered with D.C. on the Books From Birth program, providing a free monthly books to kids from birth to 5. More than 3.6 million books to 103,765 children as of earlier this year. She was awesome.

Evan Urquhart@evanurquhart.bsky.social · 3w ago

I wrote a newsletter yesterday for this morning, but in the back of my mind I knew I was rehashing things I've said before in an uninteresting way. This morning I woke up and deleted it. Then I wrote this story, which was after "schedule newsletter" on my to-do list for the day.

Viral Post by Anti-Trans Activists Claims WPATH “Conceded” on Standards of Care - Assigned Media

The group’s filings cite legal precedent stating published medical guidelines are protected speech.

assignedmedia.org

Sam Bagenstos@sbagen.bsky.social · 3w ago

If you want to understand Trump's new Medicaid rule denying coverage of gender-affirming treatment for trans kids, read @matthewcort.land here: shouldntneedtobealawyer.com/posts/cms-mo...

CMS moves to end Medicaid & CHIP gender-affirming care for youth | Shouldn't Need to Be a Lawyer by Matthew Cortland

The Trump regime's Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has finalized a rule ending federal Medicaid payment for puberty blockers, hormo

shouldntneedtobealawyer.com

Christina Henderson@chenderson.bsky.social · 2mo ago

I wish more journalists would point out that Sen. McConnell and Rep. Tom Kean (missed 4 months of work) are/were essentially on paid sick & medical leave. The same employment protection they’ve spent their careers blocking other Americans from having.

Evan Urquhart@evanurquhart.bsky.social · 2mo ago

The Washington Post quoted trans sources in three out of their three stories. CBS included a trans source in one out of four stories. NPR had a trans person's perspective in two out of four stories. Only the New York Times produced five seperate stories without even quoting one trans person.

Ross W. Duffin@rosswmd.bsky.social · 2mo ago

Commemorating the passing of the legendary Alan Greenspan by posting the April 1, 2019 parody that my daughter @selenasd.com did @npr.org about the musical, "Greenspan." He even makes a cameo! Brilliant and fun! www.npr.org/2019/04/01/7...

Irrational Exuberance: Audiences Love Broadway Hit 'Greenspan'

A musical inspired by the Broadway hit about Alexander Hamilton tells the story of former Fed Chairman Alan Greenspan. (Editor's note on April 2, 2019: This story was an April Fools' joke.)

npr.org

Rachel Sachs@rachelsachs.bsky.social · 3mo ago

ICYMI, thread - key issues to look for with the release of the Medicaid work requirement IFR, expected this afternoon.

Adrianna McIntyre@adrianna.bsky.social · 3mo ago

One thing I'll be looking for is how much flexibility CMS gives states around attestation, especially at application. Will people be permitted to attest to medical frailty, substance use disorder, or will they need a doctor's note? What about volunteer work or caring for a disabled family member?

Alan Regenberg@aregenberg.bsky.social · 3mo ago

White House proposes new rules giving political appointees final approval on research grants. These proposed Office of Management and Budget regulations would render the federal research grant review process opaque. | Scientific American www.scientificamerican.com/article/whit...

White House proposes new rules giving political appointees final say on research grants

These proposed Office of Management and Budget regulations would render the federal research grant review process opaque

scientificamerican.com

Danielle Kurtzleben@titonka.bsky.social · 3mo ago

Gutted to be losing people like Nell Greenfieldboyce, Joe Shapiro, and Don Gonyea -- all of whom I count as friends and also simply unparalleled journalists. This business, man. It's the literal worst sometimes. www.npr.org/2026/05/27/n...

NPR's newsroom shrinks through buyouts and layoffs

At least 18 NPR journalists have accepted buyouts and another 10 have been laid off as the public media network attempts to save money and reorganize the newsroom.

npr.org

Shannon Bond@byshannonbond.com · 3mo ago

it's a crushing day at NPR. we're losing some people i've been listening to since before i ever dreamed i'd do radio myself. it's a blow to NPR and i fear to journalism.

Danielle Kurtzleben@titonka.bsky.social · 3mo ago

Gutted to be losing people like Nell Greenfieldboyce, Joe Shapiro, and Don Gonyea -- all of whom I count as friends and also simply unparalleled journalists. This business, man. It's the literal worst sometimes. www.npr.org/2026/05/27/n...

Jo Yurcaba@joyurcaba.bsky.social · 3mo ago

Here's how the Trump administration is chipping away at transgender health care access for adults With more than 30 interviews with trans adults, treatment providers, conservative activists and trans rights activists over the last two months. For @nbcnews.com: www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news...

It’s not just kids: Trump’s crackdown on trans healthcare extends into adulthood

Conservatives have long argued they want to end transition care for minors, but federal policies have increasingly limited adult access. More restrictions are on the way.

nbcnews.com

Katie Eyer@katieeyer.bsky.social · 4mo ago

I am not sure most people understand how completely bananas these investigations are. Title IX has an explicit carveout for private college admissions (meaning it is entirely up to Smith who to admit). This is not just arguing for a reinterpretation of Tile IX, it is plain and simple bad faith.

Eric Michael Garcia@ericmgarcia.bsky.social · 4mo ago

The U.S. Department of Education opened an investigation Monday into Smith College, an all-women’s institution in Massachusetts, for admitting transgender women. www.politico.com/news/2026/05...