Caroline Lewis
@clewisreports.bsky.social
Reporter covering mostly health care and cannabis for WNYC and Gothamist. Send tips to clewis@wnyc.org.
As one of his last acts in office, Adams seeks to reinstate former city workers fired over their refusal to get a COVID shot.
gothamist.com/news/nyc-wor...
gothamist.com/news/nyc-wor...
NYC workers fired for refusing COVID vaccine could get their jobs back, Adams says
Mayor Adams' move could offer 2,900 ousted workers a path to reinstatement.
gothamist.com
November 5, 2025 at 7:19 PM
As one of his last acts in office, Adams seeks to reinstate former city workers fired over their refusal to get a COVID shot.
gothamist.com/news/nyc-wor...
gothamist.com/news/nyc-wor...
Reposted by Caroline Lewis
And in absence of good data, warn scientists, misinformation can thrive. www.politico.com/news/2025/10...
RFK Jr.’s got advice for pregnant women. There’s limited data to support it.
Women of reproductive age have long been missing from clinical trials. It’s getting worse where abortion is banned.
www.politico.com
October 12, 2025 at 1:10 PM
And in absence of good data, warn scientists, misinformation can thrive. www.politico.com/news/2025/10...
Reposted by Caroline Lewis
NEWS: The federal govt is sending NYC’s top disease control official to Arizona for a months-long stint at an Indian Health Service facility.
That could complicate local infectious disease response efforts.
“If we have an outbreak, then we’re fucked,” a city health department staffer told me.
That could complicate local infectious disease response efforts.
“If we have an outbreak, then we’re fucked,” a city health department staffer told me.
October 1, 2025 at 8:23 PM
NEWS: The federal govt is sending NYC’s top disease control official to Arizona for a months-long stint at an Indian Health Service facility.
That could complicate local infectious disease response efforts.
“If we have an outbreak, then we’re fucked,” a city health department staffer told me.
That could complicate local infectious disease response efforts.
“If we have an outbreak, then we’re fucked,” a city health department staffer told me.
New Yorkers’ health insurance costs on the line amid battle over government shutdown
gothamist.com/news/new-yor...
gothamist.com/news/new-yor...
New Yorkers’ health insurance costs on the line amid battle over government shutdown
Consumers may face sticker shock when shopping for insurance through New York’s Affordable Care Act marketplace.
gothamist.com
October 1, 2025 at 4:27 PM
New Yorkers’ health insurance costs on the line amid battle over government shutdown
gothamist.com/news/new-yor...
gothamist.com/news/new-yor...
Reposted by Caroline Lewis
New York state already legalized marijuana. Could magic mushrooms be next? https://gothamist.com/news/new-york-state-already-legalized-marijuana-could-magic-mushrooms-be-next
New York state already legalized marijuana. Could magic mushrooms be next?
Mushrooms being prepared at a psychedelic church in Colorado.
The state Assembly held a hearing Tuesday on medical uses for psilocybin, which three states have legalized. [ more › ]
gothamist.com
September 30, 2025 at 8:09 PM
New York state already legalized marijuana. Could magic mushrooms be next? https://gothamist.com/news/new-york-state-already-legalized-marijuana-could-magic-mushrooms-be-next
Looking to talk to people in NYC who have an ACA plan. Working on a story about costs potentially going up with the expiration of enhanced federal tax credits.
If you want to talk today, email clewis@wnyc.org.
If you want to talk today, email clewis@wnyc.org.
September 29, 2025 at 4:26 PM
Looking to talk to people in NYC who have an ACA plan. Working on a story about costs potentially going up with the expiration of enhanced federal tax credits.
If you want to talk today, email clewis@wnyc.org.
If you want to talk today, email clewis@wnyc.org.
ICYMI: NY and other states launch Northeast Public Health Collaborative as antidote to turmoil at federal health agencies
gothamist.com/news/ny-join...
gothamist.com/news/ny-join...
NY joins new regional public health collaborative as antidote to federal vaccine turmoil
The group immediately issued its guidance on COVID vaccines, preempting federal recommendations.
gothamist.com
September 19, 2025 at 4:24 PM
ICYMI: NY and other states launch Northeast Public Health Collaborative as antidote to turmoil at federal health agencies
gothamist.com/news/ny-join...
gothamist.com/news/ny-join...
NYC data: More ppl getting picked up for drug charges after a long decline associated with the move away from the war on drugs, and another drop early in the pandemic.
Lots of new low-level charges for possession -- and even cases involving "residue."
gothamist.com/news/low-lev...
Lots of new low-level charges for possession -- and even cases involving "residue."
gothamist.com/news/low-lev...
Low-level drug arrests surge in the South Bronx, according to new data
Between January and the end of June, police made more than 800 drug arrests in the 40th Precinct, which includes the area known as The Hub.
gothamist.com
September 18, 2025 at 3:34 PM
NYC data: More ppl getting picked up for drug charges after a long decline associated with the move away from the war on drugs, and another drop early in the pandemic.
Lots of new low-level charges for possession -- and even cases involving "residue."
gothamist.com/news/low-lev...
Lots of new low-level charges for possession -- and even cases involving "residue."
gothamist.com/news/low-lev...
Reposted by Caroline Lewis
ICYMI, @clewisreports.bsky.social on the confusion over getting the updated COVID vaccine this fall:
www.wnyc.org/story/the-la...
www.wnyc.org/story/the-la...
The Latest on COVID Shots | The Brian Lehrer Show | WNYC
Caroline Lewis talks about the availability of COVID vaccines this fall and the confusion over the guidelines after the FDA's changes to approval.
www.wnyc.org
September 3, 2025 at 7:03 PM
ICYMI, @clewisreports.bsky.social on the confusion over getting the updated COVID vaccine this fall:
www.wnyc.org/story/the-la...
www.wnyc.org/story/the-la...
In NY, chain pharmacies are now asking for prescriptions for COVID vaccines, while local pharmacies are putting off stocking the shots. Here's what's going on:
gothamist.com/news/why-get...
gothamist.com/news/why-get...
Why getting a COVID shot in NY could be a hassle this year
Changes in how federal immunization guidelines are being rolled out have sown confusion.
gothamist.com
September 3, 2025 at 7:59 PM
In NY, chain pharmacies are now asking for prescriptions for COVID vaccines, while local pharmacies are putting off stocking the shots. Here's what's going on:
gothamist.com/news/why-get...
gothamist.com/news/why-get...
Mayor Adams wants NY to have compulsory drug treatment.
Brian Stettin, an advisor to Adams, says involuntary treatment is better than no treatment at all.
Kristine Torres-Lockhart, chief medical officer for Phoenix House NY, disagrees.
My latest: gothamist.com/news/mayor-a...
Brian Stettin, an advisor to Adams, says involuntary treatment is better than no treatment at all.
Kristine Torres-Lockhart, chief medical officer for Phoenix House NY, disagrees.
My latest: gothamist.com/news/mayor-a...
Mayor Adams calls for forced treatment for drug and alcohol addiction in NY
The initiative is part of a broader campaign push by Adams to target "quality of life" issues.
gothamist.com
August 14, 2025 at 7:06 PM
Mayor Adams wants NY to have compulsory drug treatment.
Brian Stettin, an advisor to Adams, says involuntary treatment is better than no treatment at all.
Kristine Torres-Lockhart, chief medical officer for Phoenix House NY, disagrees.
My latest: gothamist.com/news/mayor-a...
Brian Stettin, an advisor to Adams, says involuntary treatment is better than no treatment at all.
Kristine Torres-Lockhart, chief medical officer for Phoenix House NY, disagrees.
My latest: gothamist.com/news/mayor-a...
Why is NY seeing so many Legionnaires' cases every year?
My latest story putting the current Harlem outbreak in context.
gothamist.com/news/why-so-...
My latest story putting the current Harlem outbreak in context.
gothamist.com/news/why-so-...
Why so many Legionnaires' cases in NY? Environmental and human factors may play a role.
Hundreds of new cases are reported annually in New York, despite laws meant to prevent infections.
gothamist.com
August 11, 2025 at 3:52 PM
Why is NY seeing so many Legionnaires' cases every year?
My latest story putting the current Harlem outbreak in context.
gothamist.com/news/why-so-...
My latest story putting the current Harlem outbreak in context.
gothamist.com/news/why-so-...
Reposted by Caroline Lewis
As Zeldin speaks, the heat index at the bottom of the screen is showing parts of the country hitting feels-like temperatures of 121 degrees. Extreme heat is a leading cause of death from climate change, a toll that will increase as CO2 levels rise.
Zeldin: "EPA is proposing to rescind the 2009 Obama EPA endangerment finding to eliminate all of the greenhouse gas emissions regulations that followed."
July 29, 2025 at 6:29 PM
As Zeldin speaks, the heat index at the bottom of the screen is showing parts of the country hitting feels-like temperatures of 121 degrees. Extreme heat is a leading cause of death from climate change, a toll that will increase as CO2 levels rise.
Planned Parenthood clinics in NY are still seeing Medicaid Patients -- they're just not getting paid. A spokesperson says the situation is "unsustainable" and Planned Parenthood of Greater NY needs relief in short order.
gothamist.com/news/nys-pla...
gothamist.com/news/nys-pla...
NY’s Planned Parenthood clinics still seeing Medicaid patients after funding cut
But the reproductive health organization says the situation is "unsustainable."
gothamist.com
July 25, 2025 at 1:50 PM
Planned Parenthood clinics in NY are still seeing Medicaid Patients -- they're just not getting paid. A spokesperson says the situation is "unsustainable" and Planned Parenthood of Greater NY needs relief in short order.
gothamist.com/news/nys-pla...
gothamist.com/news/nys-pla...
Kim Quidone went viral on TikTok for being a hilarious storyteller. Then her followers encouraged her to get sober... and she recently celebrated a year.
Radio story in link.
gothamist.com/news/a-bushw...
Radio story in link.
gothamist.com/news/a-bushw...
A Bushwick woman’s recovery from drug addiction starts on TikTok
Addiction specialists said finding community, even online, is crucial to success.
gothamist.com
July 15, 2025 at 2:23 PM
Kim Quidone went viral on TikTok for being a hilarious storyteller. Then her followers encouraged her to get sober... and she recently celebrated a year.
Radio story in link.
gothamist.com/news/a-bushw...
Radio story in link.
gothamist.com/news/a-bushw...
Nuclear Preparedness PSA (with captions)
YouTube video by NYC Emergency Management
www.youtube.com
June 23, 2025 at 1:18 PM
SNAP theft has run rampant in NY. Now victims are suing the state to try to force an update to outdated EBT cards they say put them at risk.
gothamist.com/news/victims...
gothamist.com/news/victims...
Victims of food benefits theft sue NY over outdated tech they say puts them at risk
The residents allege the state isn’t doing enough to protect benefits to which they’re entitled under federal law.
gothamist.com
June 12, 2025 at 6:46 PM
SNAP theft has run rampant in NY. Now victims are suing the state to try to force an update to outdated EBT cards they say put them at risk.
gothamist.com/news/victims...
gothamist.com/news/victims...
I met a neighbor of King Wong, the 60-yr-old police killed in Astoria this week.
She said his parents took care of him til they died a few years ago. After that, he often looked for food in the trash, and entered her apt uninvited, but was “harmless.”
gothamist.com/news/man-fat...
She said his parents took care of him til they died a few years ago. After that, he often looked for food in the trash, and entered her apt uninvited, but was “harmless.”
gothamist.com/news/man-fat...
Man fatally shot by NYPD in Astoria had history of unusual behavior, neighbor says
Police said he moved toward officers with a knife after refusing to drop it.
gothamist.com
April 17, 2025 at 2:47 PM
I met a neighbor of King Wong, the 60-yr-old police killed in Astoria this week.
She said his parents took care of him til they died a few years ago. After that, he often looked for food in the trash, and entered her apt uninvited, but was “harmless.”
gothamist.com/news/man-fat...
She said his parents took care of him til they died a few years ago. After that, he often looked for food in the trash, and entered her apt uninvited, but was “harmless.”
gothamist.com/news/man-fat...
Everyone's always talking about how to treat NYers with serious mental illnesses. OnTrackNY catches young ppl right after symptoms start and offers team-based care.
One OnTrack program in LI is now closing bc federal funding is up in the air.
gothamist.com/news/li-prog...
One OnTrack program in LI is now closing bc federal funding is up in the air.
gothamist.com/news/li-prog...
LI program for young adults with mental illness closes due to funds in limbo
Providers are making "critical decisions" about programs amid the uncertainty over proposed federal funding cuts, official said.
gothamist.com
April 15, 2025 at 2:29 PM
Everyone's always talking about how to treat NYers with serious mental illnesses. OnTrackNY catches young ppl right after symptoms start and offers team-based care.
One OnTrack program in LI is now closing bc federal funding is up in the air.
gothamist.com/news/li-prog...
One OnTrack program in LI is now closing bc federal funding is up in the air.
gothamist.com/news/li-prog...
Reposted by Caroline Lewis
After months of striking, some therapists with Kaiser Permanente stopped eating for five days to bring attention to their union's demands for parity with how the company's other workers are treated.
Mental health workers go on hunger strike, demanding better pay and benefits
After months of striking, some therapists with Kaiser Permanente stopped eating for five days to bring attention to their union's demands for parity with how the company's other workers are treated.
www.npr.org
April 12, 2025 at 3:15 PM
After months of striking, some therapists with Kaiser Permanente stopped eating for five days to bring attention to their union's demands for parity with how the company's other workers are treated.
As of April 9, 32k home care consumers still had to complete the process of registering with PPL, and 36k workers in the program still weren’t able to log their hours with the company, per the state health dept.
gothamist.com/news/ny-offi...
gothamist.com/news/ny-offi...
NY officials agree to delay $9B home care overhaul amid consumer complaints
The agreement is between the state and attorneys representing health care consumers with chronic illnesses and disabilities.
gothamist.com
April 10, 2025 at 3:28 PM
As of April 9, 32k home care consumers still had to complete the process of registering with PPL, and 36k workers in the program still weren’t able to log their hours with the company, per the state health dept.
gothamist.com/news/ny-offi...
gothamist.com/news/ny-offi...
Reposted by Caroline Lewis
First on NY1:
All 19 New York Democrats in the US House are demanding a meeting with HHS Sec. Kennedy over the Trump admin's attempt to cut off $11B in state & local health funding - a move they say will cost NY approx $400M.
Letter is led by @aoc.bsky.social and Rep. Nadler
All 19 New York Democrats in the US House are demanding a meeting with HHS Sec. Kennedy over the Trump admin's attempt to cut off $11B in state & local health funding - a move they say will cost NY approx $400M.
Letter is led by @aoc.bsky.social and Rep. Nadler
April 9, 2025 at 12:33 PM
First on NY1:
All 19 New York Democrats in the US House are demanding a meeting with HHS Sec. Kennedy over the Trump admin's attempt to cut off $11B in state & local health funding - a move they say will cost NY approx $400M.
Letter is led by @aoc.bsky.social and Rep. Nadler
All 19 New York Democrats in the US House are demanding a meeting with HHS Sec. Kennedy over the Trump admin's attempt to cut off $11B in state & local health funding - a move they say will cost NY approx $400M.
Letter is led by @aoc.bsky.social and Rep. Nadler
Reposted by Caroline Lewis
I spent nine months investigating the spending of the largest health care union in the U.S.
What I found:
1199SEIU President George Gresham has for years used union money to benefit himself, his family and political allies.
www.politico.com/news/2025/04...
What I found:
1199SEIU President George Gresham has for years used union money to benefit himself, his family and political allies.
www.politico.com/news/2025/04...
‘An unlimited piggy bank:’ Inside a powerful union’s lavish spending
Labor leader George Gresham has for years used union money to benefit himself, his family and political allies.
www.politico.com
April 8, 2025 at 10:32 PM
I spent nine months investigating the spending of the largest health care union in the U.S.
What I found:
1199SEIU President George Gresham has for years used union money to benefit himself, his family and political allies.
www.politico.com/news/2025/04...
What I found:
1199SEIU President George Gresham has for years used union money to benefit himself, his family and political allies.
www.politico.com/news/2025/04...
Sam Mellins at NY Focus reports that, after city retirees successfully blocked a plan to switch them to Medicare Advantage to save $ on health costs, the city now has a $600M-a-year hole to fill -- and the costs could fall on current city workers.
nysfocus.com/2025/03/31/n...
nysfocus.com/2025/03/31/n...
NYC’s Employee Health Fund Has Hit Zero — What It Means for Public…
Longstanding perks like premium-free insurance could be at risk due to a city budget crunch.
nysfocus.com
March 31, 2025 at 5:09 PM
Sam Mellins at NY Focus reports that, after city retirees successfully blocked a plan to switch them to Medicare Advantage to save $ on health costs, the city now has a $600M-a-year hole to fill -- and the costs could fall on current city workers.
nysfocus.com/2025/03/31/n...
nysfocus.com/2025/03/31/n...