After nearly three years, the additional food assistance benefits provided through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) are ending, in today's bite-sized hospital and health industry news from the District of Columbia and New Jersey.

• District of Columbia: The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) late last month announced that the additional food assistance benefits provided through SNAP are ending nationwide this month. The extra benefits, which were put in place almost three years ago during COVID-19 pandemic, were provided to low-income households to help address food insecurity. Under the emergency measure, SNAP households received an extra $95 or more each month. In 2022, over 41 million Americans used SNAP benefits, according to USDA data. The additional benefits will no longer be available in any states after the March benefit is issued. (Habeshian, Axios, 1/28)

• District of Columbia: Sen. John Fetterman (D) on Wednesday was hospitalized overnight at George Washington University Hospital after becoming "lightheaded" while attending a retreat for Democratic senators, according to his communications director, Joe Calvello. In May, Fetterman suffered a stroke during his campaign, but Calvello said "initial tests did not show evidence of a new stroke." In addition, "doctors are running more tests and John is remaining overnight for observation," he added. "He is in good spirits and talking with his staff and family. We will provide more information when we have it." (Associated Press, 2/9; Suliman/Goodwin, Washington Post, 2/9)

• New Jersey: Bayer on Wednesday appointed former Roche Pharmaceuticals executive Bill Anderson as its new CEO, effective April 1. Anderson will succeed Werner Baumann, who oversaw the $63 billion purchase of agriculture firm Monsanto in 2018. Following the acquisition of Monsanto, Bayer faced mounting pressure from shareholders to replace Baumann. Notably, Anderson will be the first American to lead the company. He will step into the chairman role on June 1. "Bayer is an innovative company that is already delivering tremendous benefits for the nutrition, health and environmental protection of the world," Anderson said. "Its leading R&D investments in agriculture, medicines and consumer health hold the promise for additional breakthroughs. I look forward to working with the people of Bayer to accelerate innovation, increase performance, advance sustainability and unleash the full potential of the company." (Herper/Garde, STAT+, 2/8 [subscription required])