Specialty Focus 7/2/26: A popular doctor's evolving stance on vitamin K for newborns + Administrative harm is the burnout we don’t measure

July 2, 2026 | Volume XV | Issue 26

Administrative harm is the burnout we don’t measure

Jeffrey Shuhaiber, MD writes for KevinMD:

As physicians, regardless of our specialty, we share a singular, defining orientation: a fiduciary commitment to the patient sitting in front of us. Whether we are operating on a heart, managing complex diabetes, or counseling a family through a life-altering diagnosis, our patients grant us extraordinary latitude. They do so based on a deeply held understanding that our clinical judgment will be exercised solely in their best interests.

A popular doctor's evolving stance on vitamin K for newborns

Duaa Eldeib | ProPublica

For more than a decade, Dr. Joseph Mercola cautioned parents against a potentially lifesaving shot of vitamin K for their newborn babies: “Vitamin K shots are completely unnecessary for your newborn.”

But now, in a break from his past warnings, Mercola is saying he no longer believes that.

ProPublica contacted Mercola recently as it was preparing an article about babies who died as a result of their parents turning down the vitamin K shot. Mercola’s new point of view is just as unequivocal as his old one: “The data is clear: vitamin K saves lives,” he wrote in an April article on his website two days after ProPublica contacted him. He added: “Based on the totality of the published evidence, I support vitamin K prophylaxis for all newborns.”

He also directed parents to speak to their children’s pediatricians.

States sue Trump

Healthcare Dive reports:

Twenty-six states have filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration challenging Medicaid work requirements, arguing several provisions in regulation promulgated by the CMS are unlawful and risk harming enrollees in the safety-net insurance program.

The lawsuit, filed in federal court Monday, argues the regulation differs significantly from the provisions outlined in the “Big Beautiful Bill,” which established Medicaid work requirements last year.

States also allege the CMS narrowed the definition of...

Mosquitoes and ticks: What you need to know this summer

KXAN

Health officials are warning of increased mosquito and tick activity across Central Texas, including a recent detection of West Nile virus in Williamson County (Texas). Dr. Jacob Childers of NormanMD explains the symptoms to watch for, the diseases these pests can spread, and simple steps you can take to stay protected this summer.

View video HERE.

Last Word

Publisher of Week in Review, Specialty Focus, FHIweekly & Game Changers