STAT+: Where ‘democracy met science,’ 50 years ago

STAT PlusNewsletterMorning Rounds Where ‘democracy met science,’ 50 years ago State Medicaid crackdowns strain home care, WHO leader on Ebola outbreak, and more health news Manage alerts for this article Email this article Share this article By Theresa Gaffney and Gideon GilJune 15, 2026 Theresa Gaffney[email protected]Theresa is the lead Morning Rounds writer, and her stories focus on gender-affirming care, reproductive health, and mental health. You can reach Theresa on Signal at theresagaff.97.Gideon Gil[email protected] Get your daily dose of health and medicine every weekday with STAT’s free newsletter Morning Rounds. Sign up here. Good morning. At a Cambridge bar on Saturday, I watched straight-seeming couples congregate by a television showing basketball, while a more queer-coded crowd lingered at another showing soccer. I don’t think that’s anything, really, but it was fun. Advertisement This ‘never event’ is happening more frequently A child born with congenital syphilis could suffer dire consequences: bone deformities, brain damage, blindness, deafness, and more. But that should be a ‘never event’ as public health officials say: A pregnant person can receive an injectable form of penicillin to prevent the infection. Somehow, rates keep going up anyway. Between 2012 and 2024, the U.S. saw an 800% increase in babies born with the disease. And since last year, there’s been a shortage of the drug. STAT+ Exclusive Story Already have an account? Log in This article is exclusive to STAT+ subscribers Unlock this article — plus in-depth analysis, newsletters, premium events, and news alerts. Already have an account? Log in Monthly $39 Totals $468 per year $39/month Get Started Totals $468 per year Starter $30 for 3 months, then $399/year $30 for 3 months Get Started Then $399/year Annual $399 Save 15% $399/year Get Started Save 15% 11+ Users Custom Savings start at 25%! Request A Quote Request A Quote Savings start at 25%! 2-10 Users $300 Annually per user $300/year Get Started $300 Annually per user View All Plans To read the rest of this story subscribe to STAT+. Subscribe Log In health care Submit a correction requestReprints Theresa Gaffney Morning Rounds Writer and Reporter Theresa is the lead Morning Rounds writer, and her stories focus on gender-affirming care, reproductive health, and mental health. You can reach Theresa on Signal at theresagaff.97. Gideon Gil Managing Editor Newsletter Understand how science, health policy, and medicine shape the world every day Recommended Morning Rounds June 12, 2026 Chile offers new data on food warning label efficacy Morning Rounds June 11, 2026 HHS responds coolly to paper on alcohol risk Advertisement Morning Rounds June 10, 2026 DOJ reaches second settlement on youth gender care Morning Rounds June 9, 2026 STAT Plus: What’s changed since the last major Ebola outbreak Morning Rounds June 8, 2026 Major readouts from the annual diabetes conference Subscriber Picks