Elizabeth Finley
@lizziefin.bsky.social
Sr. Director of Comms & Programs at the National Coalition of STD Directors. STIs, public health, policy and politics. Raising two amazing girls. Durham NC. Current project: https://mailchi.mp/ceb53fde1a7e/priorityone-primary
Reposted by Elizabeth Finley
Trump's recent executive order encouraging involuntary commitment of people with mental illness who are homeless provoked a swift response from ID experts, who warned that such moves could disrupt care in already vulnerable communities. @lizziefin.bsky.social
www.medpagetoday.com/infectiousdi...
www.medpagetoday.com/infectiousdi...
ID Experts Pan Trump Order Calling for Forced Hospitalization of Homeless People
Another example of 'throwing out a policy without input from experts,' says HIVMA chair
www.medpagetoday.com
July 31, 2025 at 1:32 PM
Trump's recent executive order encouraging involuntary commitment of people with mental illness who are homeless provoked a swift response from ID experts, who warned that such moves could disrupt care in already vulnerable communities. @lizziefin.bsky.social
www.medpagetoday.com/infectiousdi...
www.medpagetoday.com/infectiousdi...
My father died when I was 22, 22 years ago today. For a long time, I dreaded this milestone - the moment I’ve lived longer without him than with him - but mostly I count the things he would marvel at or be appalled by. He never could have imagined the moment we are in.
May 25, 2025 at 10:22 PM
My father died when I was 22, 22 years ago today. For a long time, I dreaded this milestone - the moment I’ve lived longer without him than with him - but mostly I count the things he would marvel at or be appalled by. He never could have imagined the moment we are in.
Reposted by Elizabeth Finley
Hard to make sense of a lot of the cuts that are happening at #HHS & its agencies. But closing #CDC's STD laboratory at a time when #gonorrhea seems poised to develop resistance to the last reliable drug that can cure it has experts aghast and worried. www.statnews.com/2025/04/05/c...
CDC’s top laboratory on sexually transmitted diseases is shut by Trump administration
The Trump administration fired everyone in a CDC lab that is crucial to tracking drug-resistant gonorrhea and other sexually transmitted diseases. "We are blind," an expert says.
www.statnews.com
April 5, 2025 at 8:09 PM
Hard to make sense of a lot of the cuts that are happening at #HHS & its agencies. But closing #CDC's STD laboratory at a time when #gonorrhea seems poised to develop resistance to the last reliable drug that can cure it has experts aghast and worried. www.statnews.com/2025/04/05/c...
Reposted by Elizabeth Finley
Drug-resistant gonorrhea, a form of the widespread sexually transmitted infection, is considered an urgent health threat worldwide. The US has just lost its ability to detect it.
www.nytimes.com/2025/04/04/h...
www.nytimes.com/2025/04/04/h...
A Federal Lab That Tracked Rising S.T.I.s Has Been Shuttered (Gift Article)
The United States can no longer keep tabs on drug-resistant gonorrhea, among other infections, scientists said.
www.nytimes.com
April 4, 2025 at 10:43 PM
Drug-resistant gonorrhea, a form of the widespread sexually transmitted infection, is considered an urgent health threat worldwide. The US has just lost its ability to detect it.
www.nytimes.com/2025/04/04/h...
www.nytimes.com/2025/04/04/h...
Well I sure have some feelings as one of the plaintiffs in the 2017 TPP case. Sorry, y’all. www.washingtonpost.com/science/2025...
These 5 words have killed millions in grants and advanced Trump’s agenda
Five words in an obscure regulation are being deployed by Trump’s appointees to kill grants unilaterally across the government.
www.washingtonpost.com
March 27, 2025 at 3:38 PM
Well I sure have some feelings as one of the plaintiffs in the 2017 TPP case. Sorry, y’all. www.washingtonpost.com/science/2025...
Reposted by Elizabeth Finley
Insanity: Trump admin considers shutting down some #CDC expert panels - Politico- incl CDC/HRSA Advisory Committee on #HIV, Viral Hepatitis and STD, #HICPAC, #OccupationalHealth, #preparedness. www.politico.com/news/2025/03...
Trump admin considers shutting down some CDC expert panels
HHS tells CDC leaders it is “recommending termination” of the discretionary advisory committees.
www.politico.com
March 22, 2025 at 1:48 AM
Insanity: Trump admin considers shutting down some #CDC expert panels - Politico- incl CDC/HRSA Advisory Committee on #HIV, Viral Hepatitis and STD, #HICPAC, #OccupationalHealth, #preparedness. www.politico.com/news/2025/03...
What does it mean to hand over control for public health spending? Look at these CDC charts - Congress only continued funding for the top lines instead of directly funding for the 130 programs. Now Trump/Musk/OMB can dictate actual spending
www.cdc.gov/budget/docum...
www.cdc.gov/budget/docum...
March 15, 2025 at 12:39 AM
What does it mean to hand over control for public health spending? Look at these CDC charts - Congress only continued funding for the top lines instead of directly funding for the 130 programs. Now Trump/Musk/OMB can dictate actual spending
www.cdc.gov/budget/docum...
www.cdc.gov/budget/docum...
The CR is a stack of blank checks for for the administration.
It doesn’t carry report language or tables from FY24. After “resisting” all of the illegal attempts to gut government and enact Project 2025, this is Schumer giving them the okay.
It doesn’t carry report language or tables from FY24. After “resisting” all of the illegal attempts to gut government and enact Project 2025, this is Schumer giving them the okay.
SCHUMER just now: "While the CR bill is very bad, the potential for a shutdown has consequences for America that are much, much worse."
March 13, 2025 at 11:03 PM
The CR is a stack of blank checks for for the administration.
It doesn’t carry report language or tables from FY24. After “resisting” all of the illegal attempts to gut government and enact Project 2025, this is Schumer giving them the okay.
It doesn’t carry report language or tables from FY24. After “resisting” all of the illegal attempts to gut government and enact Project 2025, this is Schumer giving them the okay.
Wonky but important: the CR only uses bill language with 14 buckets of funding to fund CDC but not the traditional report language that details spending on CDC’s 130 or so programs.
The administration will have 14 buckets of $$ to play with at CDC and no real directive to keep current programs.
The administration will have 14 buckets of $$ to play with at CDC and no real directive to keep current programs.
We have to talk about the absolutely insane CR the GOP has proposed.
This bill formally abdicates Congressional authority over the budget and allows the Executive to sequester funds for any reason or no reason at all.
This bill formally abdicates Congressional authority over the budget and allows the Executive to sequester funds for any reason or no reason at all.
appropriations.house.gov
March 12, 2025 at 2:37 AM
Wonky but important: the CR only uses bill language with 14 buckets of funding to fund CDC but not the traditional report language that details spending on CDC’s 130 or so programs.
The administration will have 14 buckets of $$ to play with at CDC and no real directive to keep current programs.
The administration will have 14 buckets of $$ to play with at CDC and no real directive to keep current programs.
I figure North Carolina’s economy just lost more than a billion dollars.
🚨RED ALERT for 🧪:
The Trump NIH just gashed indirect costs. This is a direct attack on universities.
“Pursuant to this Supplemental Guidance, there will be a standard rate of 15% across all NIH grants for indirect costs.” 😮
Just a devastating Friday night news dump. #scicomm #academicaky
The Trump NIH just gashed indirect costs. This is a direct attack on universities.
“Pursuant to this Supplemental Guidance, there will be a standard rate of 15% across all NIH grants for indirect costs.” 😮
Just a devastating Friday night news dump. #scicomm #academicaky
February 8, 2025 at 12:59 AM
I figure North Carolina’s economy just lost more than a billion dollars.
Reposted by Elizabeth Finley
The memo that announced the freeze on federal grants was rescinded, and two federal judges blocked it, for good measure. But this week, many nonprofit groups said they still felt frozen, or at least chilled.
www.nytimes.com/2025/02/04/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/02/04/u...
Trump’s Attempt to Freeze Grant Funding Leaves Nonprofits Reeling (Gift Article)
Some groups said their funding was still blocked, even after the freeze had been rescinded. Others saw their money reinstated but worried about future cuts.
www.nytimes.com
February 5, 2025 at 12:42 AM
The memo that announced the freeze on federal grants was rescinded, and two federal judges blocked it, for good measure. But this week, many nonprofit groups said they still felt frozen, or at least chilled.
www.nytimes.com/2025/02/04/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/02/04/u...
Reposted by Elizabeth Finley
SCOOP: Many of the pages that went missing on Friday from the CDC website on Friday have reappeared — in response to intense media coverage, backlash from the scientific community and concern for the public’s health.
www.nytimes.com/2025/02/03/h...
www.nytimes.com/2025/02/03/h...
‘Gender Ideology’ Ban is Already Harming Health, Experts Say (Gift Article)
Documents purged from government websites include guidelines for safe contraception and information on racial inequities in health care.
www.nytimes.com
February 3, 2025 at 7:58 PM
SCOOP: Many of the pages that went missing on Friday from the CDC website on Friday have reappeared — in response to intense media coverage, backlash from the scientific community and concern for the public’s health.
www.nytimes.com/2025/02/03/h...
www.nytimes.com/2025/02/03/h...
What is to stop Elon Musk from transferring every dollar in the treasury into one of his own companies’ accounts?
February 2, 2025 at 6:20 PM
What is to stop Elon Musk from transferring every dollar in the treasury into one of his own companies’ accounts?
Here are the STI Treatment Guidelines. I downloaded them so I could send them out to all our members as one does in a normal, functioning nation. mcusercontent.com/0f521187d581...
mcusercontent.com
January 31, 2025 at 11:58 PM
Here are the STI Treatment Guidelines. I downloaded them so I could send them out to all our members as one does in a normal, functioning nation. mcusercontent.com/0f521187d581...
Reposted by Elizabeth Finley
There's also enormous frustration with variations in compliance among centers at CDC. Some are acting like fraidy cats and scrambling to fall in line, others recognize the crumbly regulatory basis for lots of the EOs and are instructing their employees to simply ignore them
January 31, 2025 at 11:33 PM
There's also enormous frustration with variations in compliance among centers at CDC. Some are acting like fraidy cats and scrambling to fall in line, others recognize the crumbly regulatory basis for lots of the EOs and are instructing their employees to simply ignore them
Reposted by Elizabeth Finley
The removal of #HIV- and #LGBTQ-related resources from the websites of CDC and other health agencies is deeply concerning.
Access to this information is crucial for ID and HIV health care professionals.
Our full statement: https://buff.ly/42AO8LI
Access to this information is crucial for ID and HIV health care professionals.
Our full statement: https://buff.ly/42AO8LI
January 31, 2025 at 10:27 PM
The removal of #HIV- and #LGBTQ-related resources from the websites of CDC and other health agencies is deeply concerning.
Access to this information is crucial for ID and HIV health care professionals.
Our full statement: https://buff.ly/42AO8LI
Access to this information is crucial for ID and HIV health care professionals.
Our full statement: https://buff.ly/42AO8LI
Leveraging NIH trials as political collateral will have deadly consequences for so many people if the administration and Congress don’t work to prevent interruptions.
After a Stage 4 cancer diagnosis and a prognosis of 16 months to live, Katie Doble didn’t know whether she should plan her wedding or her funeral.
A grim prognosis, a gamble and one patient’s fight to defy cancer
After a Stage 4 cancer diagnosis and a prognosis of 16 months to live, Katie Doble didn’t know whether she should plan her wedding or her funeral.
www.washingtonpost.com
January 23, 2025 at 1:56 PM
Leveraging NIH trials as political collateral will have deadly consequences for so many people if the administration and Congress don’t work to prevent interruptions.
Not good.
New: Trump officials have paused all external communications at health agencies like CDC, FDA, NIH.
No health alerts and the famed MMWRs; no updates to key websites or social media posts.
And no indication how long the pause will last.
With @rachelroubein.bsky.social + Lena Sun.
No health alerts and the famed MMWRs; no updates to key websites or social media posts.
And no indication how long the pause will last.
With @rachelroubein.bsky.social + Lena Sun.
Trump officials pause health agencies’ communications, citing review
The agencies are charged with making decisions that touch the lives of every American and are the source of crucial information to health-care providers.
www.washingtonpost.com
January 22, 2025 at 3:52 AM
Not good.
Reposted by Elizabeth Finley
Hello from all of us at NCSD! We're excited to join you here on Bluesky. NCSD is a national public health membership organization representing health department STI directors, their support staff, and community-based partners. Give us a follow to stay up to date on the latest STI news & resources!
January 8, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Hello from all of us at NCSD! We're excited to join you here on Bluesky. NCSD is a national public health membership organization representing health department STI directors, their support staff, and community-based partners. Give us a follow to stay up to date on the latest STI news & resources!
I’m not taking any chances, 2025.
January 2, 2025 at 12:36 AM
I’m not taking any chances, 2025.
Each year, our government relations consultant sends me the White House Historical Association’s official ornament. I loved having this year’s, honoring Jimmy Carter, on my tree.
December 29, 2024 at 10:54 PM
Each year, our government relations consultant sends me the White House Historical Association’s official ornament. I loved having this year’s, honoring Jimmy Carter, on my tree.
The folks at BarkBox really understand what generation they’re marketing to with their Muppet’s Christmas Carol toys.
November 29, 2024 at 1:18 AM
The folks at BarkBox really understand what generation they’re marketing to with their Muppet’s Christmas Carol toys.
Years ago, we started hosting Thanksgiving on Friday - too much competition with aging parents, step families, retail folks and chefs back then. Now today is my favorite day: I get to slow-roll prep for tomorrow with the parade, a cocktail later, and no pressure to get it done today.
November 28, 2024 at 3:11 PM
Years ago, we started hosting Thanksgiving on Friday - too much competition with aging parents, step families, retail folks and chefs back then. Now today is my favorite day: I get to slow-roll prep for tomorrow with the parade, a cocktail later, and no pressure to get it done today.
Reposted by Elizabeth Finley
Our report: "It appears that a litmus test is being applied to candidates on one issue: vaccine skepticism"
www.politico.com/news/2024/11...
A few hours later: "Trump has tapped former Florida Rep. Dave Weldon, a physician & vaccine safety skeptic, to lead the CDC"
www.politico.com/news/2024/11...
www.politico.com/news/2024/11...
A few hours later: "Trump has tapped former Florida Rep. Dave Weldon, a physician & vaccine safety skeptic, to lead the CDC"
www.politico.com/news/2024/11...
November 23, 2024 at 2:57 PM
Our report: "It appears that a litmus test is being applied to candidates on one issue: vaccine skepticism"
www.politico.com/news/2024/11...
A few hours later: "Trump has tapped former Florida Rep. Dave Weldon, a physician & vaccine safety skeptic, to lead the CDC"
www.politico.com/news/2024/11...
www.politico.com/news/2024/11...
A few hours later: "Trump has tapped former Florida Rep. Dave Weldon, a physician & vaccine safety skeptic, to lead the CDC"
www.politico.com/news/2024/11...
Reposted by Elizabeth Finley
New CDC data shows a drop in STD rates after years of skyrocketing cases. But that progress is fragile and experts fear it could reverse if Trump reimposes the Title X rule, Rs cut public health funding or SCOTUS guts Obamacare's coverage of PrEP www.politico.com/news/2024/11...
Public health experts cheer progress on STIs, fear backsliding under Trump
Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released Tuesday shows meaningful declines in STI rates between 2022 and 2023.
www.politico.com
November 12, 2024 at 4:38 PM
New CDC data shows a drop in STD rates after years of skyrocketing cases. But that progress is fragile and experts fear it could reverse if Trump reimposes the Title X rule, Rs cut public health funding or SCOTUS guts Obamacare's coverage of PrEP www.politico.com/news/2024/11...