Sen. McConnell remains hospitalized, aides won't say why

Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) has been hospitalized since June 14. Aides to the senator have not disclosed what prompted his hospitalization or what treatment he's receiving, and his office has provided very few updates since he was admitted.

McConnell has experienced several health issues in recent years, including freezing during a press conference and a series of falls. In February, McConnell was hospitalized for a week after experiencing flu-like symptoms. In 2025, McConnell had said he would not be seeking re-election and would end his 40-year career in the Senate in early January 2027.

The most recent statement from McConnell's office was issued last week and said the senator "appreciates the outpouring of support he's receiving while he continues his recovery in the hospital" and that he "continues to improve, and is working closely with his staff on Kentucky and Senate matters while the Senate is out of session."

The morning McConnell was hospitalized, emergency responders reported performing CPR on an unconscious individual undergoing cardiac arrest at McConnell's address in Washington, D.C., according to recordings of dispatcher calls obtained by the New York Times. The next day, both Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) and Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso (R-Wy.) told reporters they had spoken to McConnell.

On June 22, Thune said he had spoken with McConnell "toward the end of last week" and that he "sounded good and was anxious to get back."

On Tuesday, Thune said in a statement that he spoke with McConnell by phone on Monday in a "lengthy and substantive conversation," while Barrasso said he spoke with McConnell for "roughly 20 minutes."

Scott Jennings, a former adviser to McConnell and an analyst with CNN, also said that he spoke with McConnell on Tuesday morning for "just shy of 20 minutes."

An extended absence for McConnell would make it difficult for Republicans in the Senate to pass legislation, as it would temporarily shrink their majority to 52-47. McConnell’s absence would also split the Senate Appropriations Committee evenly between Republicans and Democrats, which could prevent Republicans from advancing their spending priorities if all Democrats vote against them.

(Edmondson, New York Times, 7/6; Binday, Washington Post, 7/6; Edmondson, New York Times, 7/7)

USPSTF blocked from meeting again

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) has been prevented from meeting by HHS for the fourth time, meaning the panel hasn't met in person since March 2025.

Typically, USPSTF meets three times a year to review scientific evidence for tests and medications and make recommendations that provide guidance for doctors and determine what health insurance companies cover for millions of Americans.

HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has long been critical of USPSTF, saying during a House hearing in April that he was reforming the task force, calling it "lackadaisical and negligent." In May, Kennedy fired two vice chairs of the task force, saying in letters to the two vice chairs the firings were "administrative in nature and … unrelated to your performance of many years or dedicated service to the Task Force."

The USPSTF was also the subject of a lawsuit last year, which reached the U.S. Supreme Court. The Supreme Court upheld the structure of the task force but also ruled that Kennedy could unilaterally remove members from the panel and override its decisions.

Emily Hilliard, a spokesperson for HHS, confirmed the delay of USPSTF's meeting that was scheduled for this month and attributed the decision to "an unprecedented number of nominations" to serve on the task force, adding that more time was needed to select and onboard new members.

(Astor, New York Times, 7/6)

"This decision has shifted focus from criminal fraud and patient abuse and neglect to civil fraud cases, even though the relevant statutes and regulations make clear that State MFCUs are expected also to prosecute criminal cases," OIG wrote in the letter. "This shift in focus has not resulted in the New York MFCU achieving significantly improved results for its civil cases."

As a result, OIG determined New York's fraud unit "failed to comply with the terms and conditions of its MFCU grant award," leading to a suspension of its funding.

(Swenson/Mulvihill, Associated Press, 6/30; Minemyer, Fierce Healthcare, 7/1; Weixel, The Hill, 7/1)

FDA's top reviewer of gene and cell therapies will step down

Late last month, Vijay Kumar, the acting director of the office of gene and cell therapy reviews in the FDA's Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER), announced plans to step down from his role.

"After careful reflection, I decided the time has come for me to move on," Kumar wrote in an email obtained by STAT. "I discussed with Center and Agency leadership; we mutually decided not to renew my detail."

Acting CBER Director Karim Mikhail will serve as the acting director of the Office of Therapeutic Products to "ensure absolute regulatory continuity" while FDA seeks candidates for the role both within and outside the agency, a spokesperson said.

Kumar told STAT that he had not left FDA, but rather that completing one year as acting director of the office of gene and cell therapy reviews had "simply provided a natural opportunity as a look back reflection time point." He added that his "decision is completely independent of any internal or external topic or event or circumstance."

Kumar's announcement comes amid multiple personnel moves at FDA, including the resignation of former Commissioner Marty Makary and CBER Director Vinay Prasad, as well as the firing of Tracy Beth Høeg as director of the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research.

(Lawrence, STAT+ [subscription required], 6/29; Gardner, BioPharmaDive, 6/30)