Paige Winfield Cunningham

Still rooting over here for so many WaPo colleagues looking for work. Meanwhile, a personal update: I'm thrilled to be joining
@notus.com next month! I'll keep covering this fascinating chapter in U.S. healthcare in a newsroom with fresh energy I can't wait to be part of.

This means so much coming from you, Fenit. You always made my stories better and I wish we could have worked together longer.

I’m saddened that my time here is ending so abruptly and I join everyone else in pleading with the powers that be to invest in this institution, whose work I am so proud of. I’d love to stay in journalism, so if you know of any opportunities please reach out.

Over that time, I launched and wrote a health policy newsletter, edited on the politics team and last year returned to reporting to cover HHS and CMS. Journalism is core to who I am and being able to do this job – even in the rough times – has felt so deeply meaningful and fulfilling.

I’m stunned and heartbroken. I’ve been laid off, along with so many dear colleagues. Making my way to The Post nine years ago felt like a dream come true.

First major medical group opposes gender transition surgeries for youth The American Society of Plastic Surgeons said doctors should delay gender-related surgeries until age 19, citing “insufficient evidence” that benefits outweigh risks.

NEW: American Society of Plastic Surgeons has become the first major US medical org to recommend against all youth gender transition surgeries. www.washingtonpost.com/health/2026/...

Any chance you could put me in touch with her? Interested in speaking with older Americans about retirement.

Illinois faces federal defunding for state law requiring abortion referrals Federal health officials threatened to strip Illinois of federal health dollars over a state law requiring medical providers to refer patients for abortions.

Exclusive: Illinois faces federal defunding for state law requiring abortion referrals www.washingtonpost.com/health/2026/...

U.S. overhauls childhood vaccine schedule, recommends fewer shots The new strategy would no longer broadly recommend vaccines for flu, hepatitis A and B, rotavirus and meningitis. The Trump administration says this aligns the U.S. with peer countries.

Breaking news with @lenasun.bsky.social U.S. overhauls childhood vaccine schedule, recommends fewer shots:
www.washingtonpost.com/health/2026/...

Sources inside CMS estimate that thousands of bad-acting agents and brokers are gaming Healthcare.gov. CMS hasn't terminated any this year despite promises by Administrator Oz to root out fraud. www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...

Seems like a fitting topic for my first Bluesky post.

American Academy of Pediatrics loses HHS funding after criticizing RFK Jr. HHS cuts key AAP grants, citing concerns about “identity-based language” and insufficient focus on agency priorities. The organization said the cuts could harm child health.

Scoop: American Academy of Pediatrics loses HHS funding after criticizing RFK Jr. with @lenasun.bsky.social www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...