Selena Simmons-Duffin
@selenasd.com
Health policy correspondent for NPR in DC. // Signal: selena.02
Email: selenasd@npr.org
Email: selenasd@npr.org
Scoop by me: "During the federal shutdown, the current leadership of the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health changed Admiral Levine's photo to remove her current legal name and use a prior name.”
www.npr.org/sections/sho...
www.npr.org/sections/sho...
HHS changed the name of transgender health leader on her official portrait
Admiral Rachel Levine was the first transgender person to be confirmed by the Senate to serve in the federal government. Her official portrait at HHS headquarters has been altered.
www.npr.org
December 5, 2025 at 11:03 PM
Scoop by me: "During the federal shutdown, the current leadership of the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health changed Admiral Levine's photo to remove her current legal name and use a prior name.”
www.npr.org/sections/sho...
www.npr.org/sections/sho...
Pretty crazy to stumble on this @nytimes.com Editorial Board piece from 2015:
"Being transgender today remains unreasonably and unnecessarily hard. But it is far from hopeless."
www.nytimes.com/2015/05/04/o...
"Being transgender today remains unreasonably and unnecessarily hard. But it is far from hopeless."
www.nytimes.com/2015/05/04/o...
Opinion | The Quest for Transgender Equality (Published 2015)
www.nytimes.com
December 4, 2025 at 9:49 PM
Pretty crazy to stumble on this @nytimes.com Editorial Board piece from 2015:
"Being transgender today remains unreasonably and unnecessarily hard. But it is far from hopeless."
www.nytimes.com/2015/05/04/o...
"Being transgender today remains unreasonably and unnecessarily hard. But it is far from hopeless."
www.nytimes.com/2015/05/04/o...
Reposted by Selena Simmons-Duffin
GREAT JOB ALERT!
ProPublica is hiring another senior editor for our Local Reporting Network.
The editor will edit the work of 4-5 reporters from our partner newsrooms, collaborating on projects that spur change.
💰 Salary range: $150,000 to $195,000
➡️ Apply: propub.li/3JAIqme
ProPublica is hiring another senior editor for our Local Reporting Network.
The editor will edit the work of 4-5 reporters from our partner newsrooms, collaborating on projects that spur change.
💰 Salary range: $150,000 to $195,000
➡️ Apply: propub.li/3JAIqme
November 14, 2025 at 2:09 PM
GREAT JOB ALERT!
ProPublica is hiring another senior editor for our Local Reporting Network.
The editor will edit the work of 4-5 reporters from our partner newsrooms, collaborating on projects that spur change.
💰 Salary range: $150,000 to $195,000
➡️ Apply: propub.li/3JAIqme
ProPublica is hiring another senior editor for our Local Reporting Network.
The editor will edit the work of 4-5 reporters from our partner newsrooms, collaborating on projects that spur change.
💰 Salary range: $150,000 to $195,000
➡️ Apply: propub.li/3JAIqme
Reposted by Selena Simmons-Duffin
New: The Supreme Court DENIES Kim Davis' request to overturn Obergefell, the marriage equality decision. No noted dissents. www.supremecourt.gov/orders/court...
November 10, 2025 at 2:31 PM
New: The Supreme Court DENIES Kim Davis' request to overturn Obergefell, the marriage equality decision. No noted dissents. www.supremecourt.gov/orders/court...
Reposted by Selena Simmons-Duffin
When science is understandable, we all win. I've started a national petition calling on all institutions of higher education, and their accreditors, to require science communication and public engagement training for all STEM degrees. Share and sign today, it only takes a few seconds: bit.ly/3LbnfHB
November 8, 2025 at 5:31 PM
When science is understandable, we all win. I've started a national petition calling on all institutions of higher education, and their accreditors, to require science communication and public engagement training for all STEM degrees. Share and sign today, it only takes a few seconds: bit.ly/3LbnfHB
Reposted by Selena Simmons-Duffin
pre-writing a devastating obituary for your enemy is god-tier hating of a kind you don’t often see anymore. renaissance haterism. beautiful stuff.
A Sharon Begley byline, almost 5 years after her death.
Upon hearing the news James Watson had died, a STAT reporter said in our Slack, "I wish I could read what Sharon would have written."
Incredible news: Sharon in fact did pre-write a Watson obit. And it is masterful and excoriating.
🧪🧬🧫
Upon hearing the news James Watson had died, a STAT reporter said in our Slack, "I wish I could read what Sharon would have written."
Incredible news: Sharon in fact did pre-write a Watson obit. And it is masterful and excoriating.
🧪🧬🧫
James Watson, dead at 97, was a scientific legend and a pariah among his peers
James Watson, the co-discoverer of the structure of DNA who died Thursday at 97, was a scientific legend and a pariah among his peers.
www.statnews.com
November 9, 2025 at 12:55 AM
pre-writing a devastating obituary for your enemy is god-tier hating of a kind you don’t often see anymore. renaissance haterism. beautiful stuff.
Reposted by Selena Simmons-Duffin
My colleague says his heart sank as he got a glimpse of the devastation in Gaza. Must listen:
www.npr.org/2025/11/05/n...
www.npr.org/2025/11/05/n...
A journalist's journey to Gaza's front line
NPR gets a rare glimpse inside the Israeli-occupied zone of devastated Gaza.
www.npr.org
November 5, 2025 at 9:29 PM
My colleague says his heart sank as he got a glimpse of the devastation in Gaza. Must listen:
www.npr.org/2025/11/05/n...
www.npr.org/2025/11/05/n...
Reposted by Selena Simmons-Duffin
After a whooping cough outbreak killed two babies, Louisiana health officials appear to have deviated from the typical playbook for public health, waiting two months to warn the public. kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
Louisiana Took Months To Sound Alarm After Two Babies Died in Whooping Cough Outbreak - KFF Health News
Louisiana health officials appear to have deviated from the usual steps for public health communications amid a whooping cough outbreak after it killed two infants.
kffhealthnews.org
November 4, 2025 at 9:04 PM
After a whooping cough outbreak killed two babies, Louisiana health officials appear to have deviated from the typical playbook for public health, waiting two months to warn the public. kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
Reposted by Selena Simmons-Duffin
Thank you @selenasd.com ! Your coverage is so important!
Trump’s proposed national ban on gender-affirming care for trans youths “could open the door for any White House to withhold all federal funding from hospitals over the provision of medical care that it disfavors.” Will abortion, birth control, vaccines, Tylenol be next?
www.npr.org/sections/sho...
www.npr.org/sections/sho...
Trump pushes an end to medical care for transgender youth nationally
The White House plans to bar hospitals that treat transgender children and youth from getting any Medicare and Medicaid payments. The move would affect trans youth who have private insurance, too.
www.npr.org
October 30, 2025 at 11:07 PM
Thank you @selenasd.com ! Your coverage is so important!
Reposted by Selena Simmons-Duffin
I keep seeing people say, oh, trans people must take a hit for the greater good and, first of all, no, you don't get to discard someone else's rights and second, we know from past experience that marginalized communities like theirs are merely the first to be targeted. They'll come for you next.
The White House plans to bar hospitals that treat transgender children and youth from getting any Medicare and Medicaid payments. The move would affect trans youth who have private insurance, too. n.pr/4qFa1mY
Trump pushes an end to medical care for transgender youth nationally
The White House plans to bar hospitals that treat transgender children and youth from getting any Medicare and Medicaid payments. The move would affect trans youth who have private insurance, too.
n.pr
October 30, 2025 at 11:56 PM
I keep seeing people say, oh, trans people must take a hit for the greater good and, first of all, no, you don't get to discard someone else's rights and second, we know from past experience that marginalized communities like theirs are merely the first to be targeted. They'll come for you next.
Reposted by Selena Simmons-Duffin
Exclusive from @npr.org: the Department of Health and Human Services plans to introduce a rule in early November eliminating Medicare & Medicaid funding of any kind for any hospital that offers care for transgender youth. This would make care nearly impossible to access. www.npr.org/sections/sho...
Trump pushes an end to medical care for transgender youth nationally
The White House plans to bar hospitals that treat transgender children and youth from getting any Medicare and Medicaid payments. The move would affect trans youth who have private insurance, too.
www.npr.org
October 30, 2025 at 3:23 PM
Exclusive from @npr.org: the Department of Health and Human Services plans to introduce a rule in early November eliminating Medicare & Medicaid funding of any kind for any hospital that offers care for transgender youth. This would make care nearly impossible to access. www.npr.org/sections/sho...
Reposted by Selena Simmons-Duffin
Trump’s proposed national ban on gender-affirming care for trans youths “could open the door for any White House to withhold all federal funding from hospitals over the provision of medical care that it disfavors.” Will abortion, birth control, vaccines, Tylenol be next?
www.npr.org/sections/sho...
www.npr.org/sections/sho...
Trump pushes an end to medical care for transgender youth nationally
The White House plans to bar hospitals that treat transgender children and youth from getting any Medicare and Medicaid payments. The move would affect trans youth who have private insurance, too.
www.npr.org
October 30, 2025 at 2:25 PM
Trump’s proposed national ban on gender-affirming care for trans youths “could open the door for any White House to withhold all federal funding from hospitals over the provision of medical care that it disfavors.” Will abortion, birth control, vaccines, Tylenol be next?
www.npr.org/sections/sho...
www.npr.org/sections/sho...
Reposted by Selena Simmons-Duffin
Reporters (one of whom is my daughter) were ousted from covering immigration court hearings. Trump regime using shutdown to impinge on free press and coverage of their actions. @hcrichardson.bsky.social
cnsmaryland.org/2025/10/28/l...
cnsmaryland.org/2025/10/28/l...
Local immigration court ousts reporters from hearings
HYATTSVILLE, Md. – Federal officials ordered two reporters out of immigration court on Tuesday and barred them from observing future proceedings until they get permission from the Trump administration...
cnsmaryland.org
October 29, 2025 at 12:13 AM
Reporters (one of whom is my daughter) were ousted from covering immigration court hearings. Trump regime using shutdown to impinge on free press and coverage of their actions. @hcrichardson.bsky.social
cnsmaryland.org/2025/10/28/l...
cnsmaryland.org/2025/10/28/l...
Reposted by Selena Simmons-Duffin
New from me: After a whooping cough outbreak killed two infants, Louisiana health officials waited months to officially alert physicians or do public outreach.
www.npr.org/sections/sho...
www.npr.org/sections/sho...
Louisiana officials waited months to warn public of whooping cough outbreak
After a whooping cough outbreak killed two infants, Louisiana health officials waited months to officially alert physicians or do public outreach. That's not the typical public health response.
www.npr.org
October 28, 2025 at 12:50 PM
New from me: After a whooping cough outbreak killed two infants, Louisiana health officials waited months to officially alert physicians or do public outreach.
www.npr.org/sections/sho...
www.npr.org/sections/sho...
I’m reporting on the RIFs at HHS Office of Population Affairs. If you have info for me please get in touch on Signal @selena.02
October 15, 2025 at 11:39 PM
I’m reporting on the RIFs at HHS Office of Population Affairs. If you have info for me please get in touch on Signal @selena.02
Reposted by Selena Simmons-Duffin
If 982 is the total number at HHS staff who were supposed to be fired, it seems the bulk of those laid off are at @CDCgov.
HHS can you provide a breakdown by agency? 3/3
HHS can you provide a breakdown by agency? 3/3
October 14, 2025 at 10:31 PM
If 982 is the total number at HHS staff who were supposed to be fired, it seems the bulk of those laid off are at @CDCgov.
HHS can you provide a breakdown by agency? 3/3
HHS can you provide a breakdown by agency? 3/3
Reposted by Selena Simmons-Duffin
I’m going to post one here that just happened that is so upsetting.
October 6, 2025 at 2:49 AM
I’m going to post one here that just happened that is so upsetting.
Reposted by Selena Simmons-Duffin
This is a remarkable statistic: 18.7 million out of the 24.3 million Obamacare enrollees are in states won by President Trump in 2024.
www.kff.org/quick-take/m...
www.kff.org/quick-take/m...
October 3, 2025 at 2:35 PM
This is a remarkable statistic: 18.7 million out of the 24.3 million Obamacare enrollees are in states won by President Trump in 2024.
www.kff.org/quick-take/m...
www.kff.org/quick-take/m...
Thank you for your support!
Donating to NPR to support my local WABE radio station is one of the easiest decisions I make every year. The added value public radio brings to communities cannot be overstated. Transparent independent reporting is so vital especially in the current climate.
Today marks the first day in public media’s history without federal funding. And we’re not going anywhere.
Listeners like you keep our mission alive. Protect one of the last places where America comes together to hear itself.
Stand with us today. Donate at this link: n.pr/46wamAj
Listeners like you keep our mission alive. Protect one of the last places where America comes together to hear itself.
Stand with us today. Donate at this link: n.pr/46wamAj
October 1, 2025 at 6:27 PM
Thank you for your support!
Reposted by Selena Simmons-Duffin
Wow
SCOOP / UPDATE — Disney saw more than 1.7 million total paid streaming cancelations during the period 9/17-9/23, a Disney source confirms to me. The total includes Disney+, Hulu and ESPN.
NEW — I wrote about my confirmed scoop from last night that Disney hastened Kimmel's return because of a planned Disney+ streaming price increase announcement coming on Tuesday:
September 29, 2025 at 5:35 PM
Wow
Reposted by Selena Simmons-Duffin
Our senior producer @emilypisacreta.bsky.social spoke with @selenasd.com on @npr.org’s morning edition about the Obamacare rate hikes she’ll face if expanded ACA premium tax credits expire:
Https://www.npr.org/2025/09/25/nx-s1-5552639/shutdown-nears-as-democrats-fight-to-extend-aca-tax-credits
Https://www.npr.org/2025/09/25/nx-s1-5552639/shutdown-nears-as-democrats-fight-to-extend-aca-tax-credits
Shutdown nears as Democrats fight to extend ACA tax credits
With a government shutdown looming, Democrats are pushing to extend key tax credits that keep ACA premiums low. Without them, millions face rate hikes or risk losing their coverage.
www.npr.org
September 25, 2025 at 1:02 PM
Our senior producer @emilypisacreta.bsky.social spoke with @selenasd.com on @npr.org’s morning edition about the Obamacare rate hikes she’ll face if expanded ACA premium tax credits expire:
Https://www.npr.org/2025/09/25/nx-s1-5552639/shutdown-nears-as-democrats-fight-to-extend-aca-tax-credits
Https://www.npr.org/2025/09/25/nx-s1-5552639/shutdown-nears-as-democrats-fight-to-extend-aca-tax-credits
Reposted by Selena Simmons-Duffin
Trump’s directives on Tylenol on Monday, compared with communications from the FDA: www.cnn.com/2025/09/24/h...
Trump goes beyond his own FDA with Tylenol warning | CNN
President Donald Trump warned against Tylenol use during pregnancy, overstating its link to autism and contradicting some of the FDA’s guidance. CNN’s Meg Tirrell examines the FDA’s letter to doctors ...
www.cnn.com
September 24, 2025 at 10:57 PM
Trump’s directives on Tylenol on Monday, compared with communications from the FDA: www.cnn.com/2025/09/24/h...
Reposted by Selena Simmons-Duffin
"In the name of 'fighting antisemitism', the Trump administration is publicly making an example out of arguably the most famous Jewish public intellectual in the country today."
Judith Butler is being targeted by the US government. We must stand up | Joel Swanson
What is happening to Judith Butler – a Jewish intellectual – in the name of fighting ‘antisemitism’ is outrageous
www.theguardian.com
September 22, 2025 at 2:40 PM
"In the name of 'fighting antisemitism', the Trump administration is publicly making an example out of arguably the most famous Jewish public intellectual in the country today."
Reposted by Selena Simmons-Duffin
Wrote about The Heritage Foundation's plan to weaponize the FBI against transgender people's existence, which includes banning me from saying that's what they're doing
Do Trans People Have A Right to Exist?
Or, My Life As An Ideology
open.substack.com
September 21, 2025 at 4:18 PM
Wrote about The Heritage Foundation's plan to weaponize the FBI against transgender people's existence, which includes banning me from saying that's what they're doing
Reposted by Selena Simmons-Duffin
Rolling the dice on a vaccine preventable illness is never the better option. Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis is a rare and fatal complication of measles that can occur several years after the original infection. This is sad, this is avoidable. Vaccinate kids!
www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
Los Angeles child dies from rare measles complication years after recovery
The county health department said the death is a "painful reminder" of how dangerous measles can be in unvaccinated people.
www.nbcnews.com
September 11, 2025 at 11:15 PM
Rolling the dice on a vaccine preventable illness is never the better option. Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis is a rare and fatal complication of measles that can occur several years after the original infection. This is sad, this is avoidable. Vaccinate kids!
www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...