David Ovalle

Washington, D.C.

National reporter focusing on opioids and addiction
Latest from David Ovalle

Here’s what the Supreme Court abortion pill ruling means and what’s next

The Supreme Court has preserved full access to mifepristone, the abortion pill. Here's the background and what's at stake.

April 21, 2023

Democratic states stockpile abortion pills as access rests in courts

The Supreme Court's Friday night stay has given Democratic states more time to craft opposition to conservative efforts to dramatically restrict abortion rights.

April 21, 2023

Experts slam plan to sell overdose antidote Narcan at about $50 a kit

Drugmaker’s price is ‘still too expensive for pretty much everyone I’ve ever provided it to,’ epidemiologist says.

April 20, 2023

Biden administration to widen Medicaid and ACA health coverage to DACA immigrants

The White House says the proposal would benefit up to 580,000 young people.

April 13, 2023

Unpacking the flawed science cited in the Texas abortion pill ruling

Texas judge ignored scientific evidence of abortion pill’s safety, citing statistics that overstate the negative physical and psychological effects of mifepristone.

April 13, 2023

Biden administration declares fentanyl-xylazine mix an ‘emerging threat'

The designation comes as the animal sedative, known as ‘tranq,' has proliferated on the streets, causing oozing wounds and dazed users.

April 12, 2023

Texas abortion pill ruling threatens FDA

"This opens the door to the courts’ second-guessing any FDA approval — especially for drugs for controversial areas like gender-affirming care," expert says.

April 7, 2023

‘War on drugs’ deja vu: Fentanyl overdoses spur states to seek tougher laws

Critics say the measures recall the failed programs of the 1980s and '90s that locked up users and low-level dealers without cutting off supply.

April 6, 2023

Drug overdose antidote Narcan goes over-the-counter

The FDA move came as a top Biden official called fentanyl overdose deaths ‘the single greatest challenge we face as a country.'

March 29, 2023

Opioid antidote Narcan can save lives, but sticker shock may stymie over-the-counter sales

The FDA is poised to ease access to the overdose antidote, but experts predict limited impact unless the price comes down.

March 16, 2023