Medicaid Cuts Pass House Vote

IN THE NEWS:
House Passes Medicaid and SNAP Cuts

By a vote of 215 to 214, House Republicans put their stamp of approval on proposed cuts to Medicaid and SNAP. It’s all part of President Trump’s wider plan to reduce taxes. No Democrats voted for it.

The proposed bill would change Medicaid, the federal/state health program for low-income, elderly and disabled Americans, by introducing new work requirements for childless, non-disabled adults. Starting late 2026, these individuals would need to work 80 hours per month to qualify for benefits. The changes aim to save hundreds of billions, but have been a major point of debate among lawmakers.

The Congressional Budget Office predicts that the legislation could strip Medicaid from 8.7 million people and lead to 7.6 million more uninsured people over 10 years. USA Today takes a closer look at what Trump’s tax bill does to Medicaid, SNAP and taxes.

DEPRESSION:
Long-Term Antidepressant Used Tied To Withdrawal

A new University College London (UCL) study reveals that the risk and severity of antidepressant withdrawal symptoms depend heavily on how long a person has been taking the medication.

People who used antidepressants for more than two years were ten times more likely to experience withdrawal than those who took them for less than six months. Among long-term users, 64% reported moderate or severe withdrawal, with 25% experiencing severe effects and 12% having symptoms lasting over a year.

In contrast, most short-term users reported mild or no withdrawal, and symptoms usually resolved within four weeks. Importantly, these differences were not explained by the severity of underlying depression or anxiety. The study found that tapering strategies may help, but there wasn’t enough data to draw firm conclusions.

The researchers stress that antidepressants should only be used as long as necessary, since longer use makes stopping them much harder. They recommend anyone considering discontinuing antidepressants do so with professional guidance to manage withdrawal safely.

Read UCL’s full study here.

TEEN HEALTH:
Study: Increased Screen Time Predicts Depression

A new University of California San Francisco (UCSF) study tracking nearly 12,000 children over three years found that as preteens increased their social media use, their depressive symptoms rose, but not the other way around.

Daily social media time jumped from seven to 73 minutes, with depressive symptoms up 35%. The findings suggest social media may contribute to depression, especially with risks like cyberbullying and poor sleep. Kids who experienced cyberbullying were over 2.5 times more likely to report suicidal thoughts.

The study highlights the need for healthy digital habits and open family conversations about screen time.

Read the full UCSF study here.

WELL-BEING:
How Parenting Styles Shape Pets

Many dog owners think of their pets as family, often calling them “children” or “babies.” This deep bond means how we care for dogs is a lot like parenting.

Just like with kids, caring for a dog means more than just food and shelter—it’s also about teaching, supporting, and helping them feel confident.

According to researchers, there are four main dog parenting styles: neglectful (ignoring needs), permissive (giving in to every whim), authoritarian (strict and harsh), and authoritative (warm, clear, and encouraging). Each style affects dogs’ behavior and happiness.

Authoritative pet parenting that combines love, structure and positive reinforcement is shown to help dogs become the most confident, well-behaved, and happy companions.

Read more here.