• District of Columbia: The American Red Cross recently declared a national emergency blood shortage after the organization's supply fell by almost 25% in June. According to the organization, the shortage comes amid the "summer trauma season" between Memorial Day and Labor Day, when the need for blood to treat traumatic injuries increases. Recently, the Red Cross' blood distribution to hospitals was almost 3,500 units higher per week than expected. All blood types are currently needed, but the shortage is most serious for O positive, B negative, and AB plasma. "Summer always brings challenges for the blood supply, but patients are still in the hospital, needing blood for critical medical care," said Courtney Lawrence, division CMO for the Red Cross. "Without blood available, emergency rooms and maternity wards are paralyzed, and patients with life-threatening conditions or injuries may not get the treatments they need." To encourage more people to give blood, the Red Cross is offering people who donate a movie ticket voucher from Fandango worth up to $15 through July 31. (Alund, USA Today, 7/13)
• Illinois: AHA has named Steve Walsh its next CEO, succeeding longtime leader Rick Pollack. In December, Pollack, who became AHA's CEO in 2015, announced plans to retire from the organization at the end of 2026. Walsh, who is currently CEO of the Massachusetts Health and Hospital Association and previously served six terms in the Massachusetts House of Representatives, will take over as CEO in the fall. According to AHA, Walsh's appointment was unanimously approved by the organization's board of trustees. "Steve is a proven healthcare leader, innovator, and accomplished advocate for healthcare improvement, who understands both the challenges facing hospitals and the opportunities ahead," said Marc Boom, chair of the AHA board of trustees. (Halleman, Healthcare Dive, 7/1)
• New York: The state of New York has sued five companies for allegedly hiding information about toxic per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also known as "forever chemicals," since they don't break down in the environment. PFAS are commonly used in consumer goods, but exposure to the chemicals has been linked to cancer, fertility issues, and immune system problems. The companies involved in the lawsuit are 3M, DuPont, and three of DuPont's spinoff companies, Chemours, Corteva, and EIDP. "Big companies like 3M and DuPont knowingly sold toxic products that threatened New Yorkers' health and polluted our environment for decades. It's time for them to pay for the damage they caused," said New York Attorney General Letitia James (D). Other states have also sued PFAS manufacturers due to environmental and public health concerns. However, the federal government recently announced that it had settled with Chemours over pollution claims. (Frazin, The Hill, 7/10)

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