Healthcare News - August 31, 2025

- AusBiotech Endorses Draft National Health and Medical Research Strategy Canberra, Australia - AusBiotech, the peak national biotechnology industry body, has formally welcomed the release of the draft National Health and Medical Research Strategy, unveiled today. Chief Executive Rebekah Cassidy praised the strategy’s emphasis on research translation, commercialisation, and clinical trials, noting that a robust health and medical research sector is critical to sustaining Australia’s life sciences ecosystem and global competitiveness. The draft also calls for strengthening sovereign manufacturing, streamlining regulatory pathways, and incentivising local procurement to bolster supply chain resilience.

- DACA Recipients Lose Marketplace Coverage as of Today New York City, USA - Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients enrolled in Qualified Health Plans through state marketplaces lost eligibility effective August 31, 2025, under new federal rule changes. New York State of Health reports that any DACA individual currently covered will see their enrollment terminated today and must seek coverage directly from insurers, though prior out-of-pocket payments will carry over toward maximum out-of-pocket limits.

- New Jersey Declares International Overdose Awareness Day Trenton, NJ, USA - Governor Phil Murphy has proclaimed August 31 as International Overdose Awareness Day, honoring the thousands of residents lost to drug overdose and reaffirming the state’s commitment to expanding harm reduction and addiction treatment services. While New Jersey saw an 11% reduction in overdose deaths in 2023, the administration warns that synthetic opioids-particularly fentanyl-and adulterants like xylazine continue to drive fatalities. The state now operates 54 authorized harm reduction centers offering naloxone, sterile syringes, and integrated care services.

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