Articles we are reading during the break

Welcome to this week’s roundup of the latest news and insights curated for professionals in the human services field. We’ve gathered these stories to help you stay informed and inspired. Please keep in mind that while we aim to provide a diverse range of perspectives and timely updates, the inclusion of an article in this list does not constitute an endorsement. We hope these resources serve as a helpful jumping-off point for your own reflection and professional growth!

HHS Proposes Ban on Gender-Affirming Care for Minors: The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has announced proposed rules to bar hospitals from performing certain procedures on minors as a condition of Medicare and Medicaid participation. This has prompted a lawsuit from a coalition of 19 states and D.C. (Source: CBS News)

2025 Health Workforce Projections: Recent data from the National Center for Health Workforce Analysis projects significant nationwide shortages by 2038, particularly in nursing, primary care, and physical therapy (Source: HRSA).

Student Loan Advocacy for Social Workers: More than 21,000 social workers have signed a petition urging the Department of Education to officially designate social work as a "profession" to ensure higher student loan eligibility (Source: NASW).

Healing Camps for Addiction: In Italy, drug rehab is done differently, with a focus on therapeutic communities. (Source: WBUR).

The Kids' Share - Analyzing Federal Expenditures on Children: This series looks comprehensively at trends in federal and state spending and tax expenditures on children. (Source: Urban Institute).