• Delaware: Last week, AstraZeneca announced plans to invest $50 billion in the United States by 2030. As part of the investment, AstraZeneca plans to build a new multibillion-dollar manufacturing site in Virginia, which will be the "cornerstone" of the company's new U.S. investments. AstraZeneca also plans to expand its manufacturing and research and development infrastructure across several states, including California, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, and Texas. According to STAT, the health sector is currently trying to highlight its commitment to the United States while also managing substantial risks from new policies proposed by the Trump administration, including pharmaceutical tariffs and voluntary price controls. "The United States cannot be alone, carry[ing] the cost of R&D for the entire world," said AstraZeneca CEO Pascal Soriot. "My plea is actually that this be done with minimizing damage to be done to the innovation industry." (Payne, STAT+ [subscription required], 7/21)
• Georgia: Last week, Coca-Cola confirmed that it would launch a cane sugar version of Coke in the United States after President Donald Trump said he spoke to the company about using cane sugar instead of high fructose corn syrup. Currently, Coca-Cola uses high fructose corn syrup in its original U.S. Coke recipe and cane sugar for Coke sold in other countries, like Mexico. "As part of its ongoing innovation agenda, this fall in the United States, the company plans to launch an offering made with U.S. cane sugar to expand its Trademark Coca-Cola product range," Coca-Cola said. According to Axios, Coca-Cola's switch to cane sugar reflects the growing influence from the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement over the use of ultra-processed ingredients in food. HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who leads the MAHA movement, has focused on removing processed ingredients from foods, including seed oils, artificial dyes, and high fructose corn syrup. However, research suggests that cane sugar has basically the same effect on weight gain and health as high fructose corn syrup even though it is less processed. The American Medical Association has also said that there is "insufficient evidence" to restrict the use of high fructose corn syrup in food. (Timotija, The Hill, 7/22; Tyko/Bomey, Axios, 7/16; Walker, Axios, 7/22)
• Illinois: Last month, The Joint Commission enterprise announced that it had reduced the number of requirements in its accreditation process by 50%, going from 1,551 standards to 774. According to Becker's Clinical Leadership, this is the most significant revision since Medicare was established in 1965. The Joint Commission accredits and certifies over 23,000 U.S. healthcare organizations and programs. Since 2023, the organization has removed or revised over 400 standards. According to The Joint Commission enterprise President and CEO Jonathan Perlin, the changes in the accreditation process are meant to help reduce the regulatory burden on hospitals and healthcare organizations, uphold public trust, and help organizations reach the highest level of safety and quality. "We're really excited about it, but the overall intent is twofold," Perlin said. "First and foremost, to drive better care. Second, it's to reduce burden for all. We envision a future where, while accreditation requires boots on the ground to see certain things, some certifications may be evidence-based, data-driven, outcomes-oriented, and ultimately be awarded by virtue of measured performance. And we have to work to get there." (Twenter, Becker's Clinical Leadership, 6/30)

We all know that consuming too much sugar is unhealthy — but just how dangerous is it to have a sweet tooth? Here's what the research shows, Jane Brody writes for the New York Times' "Well."