| Welcome to Overnight Health Care, where we're ready for the weekend. But first, here's the latest health news. Four more people are dead from an E. coli outbreak linked to romaine lettuce. That brings the total death count to five, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced Friday. In total, 197 people across 35 states have become sick since March 13. What you need to know: - The Food and Drug Administration believes the outbreak can be traced to romaine lettuce sourced from the Yuma growing region in Arizona.
- Any contaminated lettuce has worked its way through the food supply so "any immediate risk is gone," FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb said Friday.
- Sickness can begin three to four days after ingesting E. coli, with symptoms like diarrhea, severe stomach cramps and vomiting.
- Most people recover within a week
- Some people who became sick hadn't eaten romaine lettuce but were in close contact with someone else who got sick from eating it.
- It's the most severe E. coli outbreak in the U.S. since 2006 when three people died in an outbreak linked to uncooked spinach.
Read more here. CVS (yes, that CVS) says it will stop donating money to a pro-Trump 'dark money' group. CVS donated half a million to America First Policies, a non-profit that works to promote Trump's agenda, watchdog organization Maplight reported Thursday. Officials at America First Policies have come under fire recently for racist, sexist, homophobic and anti-Muslim sentiments. From CVS: "CVS Health has firm nondiscrimination policies and is deeply committed to embracing diversity and treating all people with respect. Comments made by employees of America First Policies that were reported after we made our contributions are unacceptable to us. We have zero tolerance for discriminatory actions or behaviors, and as such we will not be making contributions to this organization in the future." CVS said its donations were to support advocacy for the tax reform bill passed last year. Read more about the controversy here. A judge in Iowa temporarily blocked the state's six-week abortion ban from taking effect until a lawsuit challenging it is resolved. The law was slated to take effect July 1, but lawyers representing the state agreed to a temporary injunction, saying the next step is to quickly get the case before a judge so the state can argue the law is constitutional. Why it matters: A six-week abortion ban would be the most restrictive in the country if it's upheld by the courts. Anti-abortion advocates hope the suit will end up at the Supreme Court, triggering a reexamination of Roe v. Wade. We have more on the case here. Public comment is now open for the Trump administration's proposed Title X regulation. Title X is the federal government's only grant program solely dedicated to funding organizations that offer family planning services to low-income women. What the reg would do: - Ban Title X grant recipients from referring patients for abortions
- Ban Title X grant recipients from sharing space or finances with abortion providers.
Why this matters: The regulation is targeted at Planned Parenthood, which receives millions of dollars annually from the program. Democratic governors are already threatening to sue. Recapping the week: We looked at how Trump's VA pick is boosting hopes for reforming the agency. The Supreme Court rejected a challenge to an Arkansas law that would impose restrictions on abortion pills. A study in the New England Journal of Medicine said that nearly 5,000 people died in Puerto Rico from Hurricane Maria, more than 70 times the government's official estimate. A fourth federal judge blocked Trump's cuts to a teen prevention program. A GOP senator is working to unveil a drug price transparency bill. Utah will vote on Medicaid expansion after a measure to expand the program qualified for the ballot. Meanwhile in Virginia, state lawmakers sent a Medicaid expansion measure to the governor. New Jersey's governor signed legislation imposing an individual mandate for health insurance. And President Trump signed the "right to try " bill on experimental drugs. Happening next week: Health Secretary Alex Azar will testify before the Committee on Education and the WorkForce Wednesday at 10 a.m. on the agency's policies and priorities. Room 2175 in the Rayburn House Office Building. The Energy & Commerce Committee will hold a hearing Wednesday at 10 a.m. on the reauthorization of the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act. 2123 Rayburn. The National Partnership for Women & Families holds its annual gala Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at the Washington Hilton. What we're reading Healthcare sees second-highest job growth in U.S. (Modern Healthcare) Healthcare investors weigh bets as election risks loom (Reuters) With physician shortage looming, hospitals turn to telehealth tools (Healthcare Finance) State by state Report: Inequities in New Orleans health care and impacts among black residents (The Gambit) Appalachia's suicide rates are startlingly high. For veterans, they're even higher. (Rewire) Opioid epidemic is forcing more children into foster care system, local agencies say (WIVB.com) Emily Birnbaum contributed. | 
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