What We're Reading: Trump May Include HIV Plan in Speech; Judge Tosses ACA Suit; CF Treatment Gaps

Plan to Eliminate HIV in US Might Be in Trump's State of the Union Speech

While President Trump's State of the Union address is not finalized, officials told Politico that he plans to unveil a promise to end HIV transmission in America by 2030. The plan, which has been championed by health officials, including HHS Secretary Alex Azar and Robert Redfield, head of the CDC, would target US communities with the most HIV infections.

Judge Dismisses Maryland ACA Lawsuit Against Trump Administration

A federal judge dismissed a lawsuit brought by Maryland that claimed the Trump administration is failing to enforce the Affordable Care Act (ACA), The Washington Post reported. The Maryland suit argued that the administration’s enthusiasm for sabotaging the law was evident when the United States refused to defend its constitutionality in a Texas ACA case against HHS. Late last year, a federal judge in Texas ruled that the entire law is unconstitutional. The judge who dismissed the Maryland lawsuit said that the state could revive it if it brings more proof that the administration is failing to stand by the law.

Ten Percent of Patients With CF Patients Still Hoping For Targeted Treatment

New cystic fibrosis (CF) treatments targeting the genetic mutations that cause the disease help about 90% of patients, meaning that 10% are still waiting for a cutting-edge therapy, STAT News reported. The difference has meant a gap in treatment for the illness, which is caused by more than 1500 mutations in the CFTR gene.