JULY 22, 2026 — The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) today announced new efforts to support President Donald J. Trump’s Genesis Mission, aligning expertise and capabilities across the Department to harness artificial intelligence in support of biomedical research and accelerate discoveries that improve the health of the American people. These efforts advance a key priority of Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. to address the nation’s chronic disease epidemic, a prime focus of the MAHA Strategy [PDF, 21.85 MB] unveiled by the Trump Administration in September 2025.

“America will lead the next generation of medical discovery by harnessing the power of artificial intelligence,” said Secretary Kennedy. “We are mobilizing the nation’s best researchers to uncover the root causes of chronic disease, accelerate lifesaving breakthroughs, and help Make America Healthy Again.”

Working in partnership with the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), HHS will launch a series of National Science and Technology Challenges that invite America’s scientific community to apply next-generation artificial intelligence to some of the nation’s most urgent health challenges. The flagship challenge will focus on identifying the root causes of chronic disease; additional challenges will accelerate research on pediatric cancer and transform drug discovery and development.

Launched by President Trump in November 2025, the Genesis Mission will usher in a new era of American scientific discovery by harnessing artificial intelligence, advanced computing, and the Nation’s unparalleled research enterprise to solve some of humanity’s greatest challenges. As the Genesis Mission platform is developed, HHS will help shape its biomedical capabilities by contributing diverse scientific datasets and rallying researchers to explore how AI can accelerate breakthroughs that improve the health of the American people.

The centerpiece of HHS’ participation in the Genesis Mission is a government-wide effort — the NIH-led Bio Genesis Mission — which will use artificial intelligence, advanced computing, and cross-sector partnerships to modernize the biomedical research ecosystem and cut in half the time it takes for scientific discoveries to reach patients. By applying advanced AI tools to large and complex datasets with appropriate security and privacy protection spanning multiple scientific disciplines, researchers will be challenged to uncover previously unseen patterns, generate new hypotheses, and identify promising pathways for prevention and treatment.

“Patients living with cancer, chronic disease, and rare conditions cannot afford to wait decades for scientific discoveries to reach them,” said NIH Director Dr. Jay Bhattacharya. “Through the Bio Genesis Mission, we are harnessing artificial intelligence and advanced computing to help researchers uncover the root causes of disease, accelerate the development of new treatments, and build a biomedical research ecosystem that delivers lifesaving innovations to patients faster, while upholding the rigorous scientific standards and responsible stewardship that earn the public’s trust.”

HHS agencies, including NIH, FDA, and ARPA-H, will contribute a broad range of scientific resources to support these efforts, including biomedical research, genomics, public health, and safety data. These rich datasets, combined with the Genesis Mission’s advanced computing capabilities, will help researchers analyze information at a scale and speed that has never before been possible.

In addition to the chronic disease challenge, HHS will launch research challenges focused on:

  • Accelerating breakthroughs in pediatric cancer research by identifying new biological insights and therapeutic opportunities.
  • Transforming drug discovery and development by using AI to shorten development timelines, identify promising therapeutic targets, and bring safe, effective treatments to patients faster.

Together, these efforts will help demonstrate how artificial intelligence can strengthen America’s biomedical research enterprise by enabling scientists to generate hypotheses more rapidly, analyze enormous volumes of data, and accelerate discoveries that otherwise could take years using traditional approaches.

By combining America’s world-class researchers with cutting-edge AI and computing infrastructure, the Department aims to unlock discoveries that improve health, reduce the burden of chronic disease, and position the United States as the global leader in AI-driven biomedical innovation.



Elected Officials, Citrus Industry Celebrate Lower Brix Minimum for Pasteurized Orange Juice

LAKELAND, FL – On Friday, July 17, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a final rule to amend the outdated Standard of Identity (SOI) for pasteurized orange juice. This announcement delivers a decisive victory for American farmers, safeguards domestic supply chains, and advances the Trump Administration’s America First agenda.

“President Trump is ending an outdated regulation that forced American orange juice producers to rely on foreign imports and an obsolete sugar standard,” said HHS Secretary Kennedy. “We are cutting red tape, saving the industry more than $50 million each year, strengthening American supply chains, and creating a level playing field for U.S. citrus growers — all while maintaining the safety, quality, and taste Americans expect. That is America First policy, guided by gold-standard science.”

Secretary Kennedy made the announcement at Bonnet Springs Park in Lakeland, Florida joined by Acting FDA Commissioner Kyle Diamantas, Senator Ashley Moody, Representative Laurel Lee (FL-15), Representative Kat Cammack (FL-03), and Congressman Scott Franklin’s (FL-18) wife, Amy, and members of his staff.

“Today’s action proves the FDA is fully committed to putting American workers and American growers first, completely dismantling the regulatory barriers that have forced our markets to depend on foreign citrus imports,” said Acting FDA Commissioner Diamantas. “By modernizing outdated regulations, the FDA is eliminating unnecessary barriers so American farmers and manufacturers can thrive — and keeping citrus production where it belongs, right here at home.”

Established in 1963, the original SOI for pasteurized orange juice mandated a minimum Brix level (a measure of dissolved sugar content) of 10.5°. In recent decades, natural causes have put unprecedented pressure on Florida’s historic orange groves, causing natural Brix levels to decline in Florida oranges. Despite Florida citrus growers having high-quality fruit, American orange juice companies have had to import high-sugar oranges from foreign competitors to meet the rigid Brix minimum, hurting the U.S. economy, driving up prices, and keeping the dissolved sugar content high in American orange juice.

Now, the Trump Administration is cutting red tape and lowering the minimum Brix level from 10.5 degrees to 10 degrees and permitting up to 15% Citrus reticulata (mandarin/tangerine) juice or hybrid juice by volume. This long-overdue change will stop our reliance on imports and unleash American agriculture.

Senator Moody and Reps. Lee, Cammack, and Franklin have been strong advocates of this rule change and advocated similar legislation to protect American citrus growers and U.S. customers.

“When I heard an outdated FDA rule was threatening the survival of Florida’s great citrus growers, I immediately went to work—filing the Defending Domestic Orange Juice Production Act and meeting with the White House to expedite a solution. Today is proof that the juice was worth the squeeze. Florida’s citrus farmers are an integral part of Florida’s culture, and I will always fight to ensure they have the support they need to continue growing and making a living,” said Senator Moody. “Thank you to everyone who worked so cohesively to make this happen, including Sec. Kennedy, Rep. Franklin, Rep. Lee, Rep. Cammack, and our industry partners. This is a major win for our state.”

“This final rule is a critical victory for Florida citrus and the growers working tirelessly to keep this iconic industry alive,” said Congressman Franklin. “For years, our producers have battled citrus greening, hurricanes, freezes and rising production costs while operating under a federal regulation written for a different era. This rule finally brings federal policy in line with today’s agricultural realities by cutting unnecessary red tape, helping American growers get more value from the fruit they produce and reducing our reliance on imported orange juice. I’m grateful to Secretary Kennedy, Senator Moody, our Florida delegation and our citrus industry leaders for helping deliver this long overdue win for Florida agriculture.”

“When Congressman Scott Franklin and I first started working on this issue, Florida growers kept asking us one simple question: Why are we being forced to blend imported juice into a product made from perfectly good Florida oranges? The answer was an outdated Washington regulation that had not kept pace with citrus greening, hurricanes, freezes, and the realities in Florida’s groves,” said Congresswoman Cammack. “For years, we have worked with Florida Citrus Mutual, the Florida Citrus Processors Association, the Florida Farm Bureau, FDA, and our colleagues in Congress to fix it. We introduced legislation, took the case directly to the agency, and kept pushing until Washington listened. I’m grateful to Secretary Kennedy and Acting Commissioner Diamantas for delivering a commonsense, science-based solution. Now, more Florida oranges can go into Florida orange juice, and one of our state’s proudest industries has a stronger path forward.”

“Secretary Kennedy understands that supporting American agriculture and promoting access to wholesome, American-grown foods go hand in hand,” said Representative Lee. “The FDA’s proposed update to the Brix standard preserves the quality consumers expect while creating new opportunities for Florida’s citrus growers. I appreciate his leadership and look forward to continuing our work together to strengthen American agriculture and reduce unnecessary barriers for our producers.”

Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson, Executive Director of the Florida Department of Citrus Shannon Shepp, and CEO of Bonnet Springs Park Josh Henderson attended the event as well. Representatives of Florida’s citrus industry were also in attendance, including the Florida Farm Bureau, Florida Citrus Mutual, and the Florida Citrus Processors Association.

The issuance of this final rule highlights the Trump Administration’s broader effort to review more than 250 SOIs for various foods, working to ensure the agency’s rules are science-based, relevant, and responsive to today’s food supply and consumer needs.

Today’s FDA actions are a win for American citrus growers, workers, and consumers.



Agreement ensures continued in-network access to Memorial Healthcare System’s hospitals, physicians and specialty services

July 22, 2026 – Memorial Healthcare System and Aetna, a CVS Health company, have renewed a multi-year agreement ensuring Aetna members continue to have in-network access to Memorial’s high-quality hospitals, physicians and specialty services throughout South Florida.

“For many patients and families, the relationship they build with their physician and care team is based on trust and continuity over time,” said Irfan Mirza, chief financial officer for Memorial Healthcare System. “This renewed agreement helps ensure Aetna members can continue receiving care from the physicians, care teams and services they know and trust across Memorial Healthcare System.”

Under the renewed agreement, Aetna Commercial and Medicare Advantage plan members will continue to have access to Memorial Healthcare System’s hospitals, physicians, urgent care centers, home infusion services, skilled nursing facility services, imaging services, sleep lab services and inpatient and outpatient care.

“This agreement helps ensure Aetna members can maintain affordable access to Memorial Healthcare System’s trusted, high-quality physicians, hospitals and specialty services, supporting continuity of care for the patients and families who depend on them,” said Amelia Lee, Aetna Vice President of Network, Southeast Region. “We remain committed to helping our members access the highest levels of care and support, and to working with providers like Memorial to meet their healthcare needs close to home.”

Aetna members with questions about their coverage should contact Aetna using the phone number on their member ID card or visit their member portal for additional information.

 

About Memorial Healthcare System 

South Florida-based Memorial Healthcare System is a national leader in quality care and patient, physician and employee satisfaction. Its commitment to deeper caring, smarter health and community outreach prioritizes a person-centered approach that has delivered safe, positive outcomes for more than 70 years.

Memorial is committed to healing the body, mind and spirit of those in its care. For more information, visit mhs.net and connect on Facebook, X, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn.

 About Aetna

Aetna, a CVS Health business, serves an estimated 37 million people with information and resources to help them make better informed decisions about their health care. Aetna offers a broad range of traditional, voluntary and consumer-directed health insurance products and related services, including medical, pharmacy, dental and behavioral health plans, and medical management capabilities, Medicaid health care management services, workers’ compensation administrative services and health information technology products and services. Aetna’s customers include employer groups, individuals, college students, part-time and hourly workers, health plans, health care professionals, governmental units, government-sponsored plans, labor groups and expatriates. For more information, visit Aetna.com.



National recognition highlights TGH Crystal River’s commitment to evidence-based stroke care and improved outcomes for patients across Citrus County and surrounding communities.

July 20, 2026 – Tampa General Hospital Crystal River has received its first-ever American Heart Association Get With The Guidelines® – Stroke quality achievement award, earning Silver Plus recognition for its commitment to high-quality, evidence-based stroke care. The hospital also earned the Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite and Target: Type 2 Diabetes™ Honor Roll distinctions.

This recognition is based on the hospital’s performance data submitted to the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines program between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2025. The program helps hospitals align patient care with the latest research-based guidelines to improve outcomes for stroke patients.

Stroke is a leading cause of death and long-term disability in the United States. Rapid diagnosis and treatment are critical to minimizing brain injury and improving recovery. Through its participation in Get With The Guidelines, Tampa General Hospital Crystal River has demonstrated a sustained commitment to delivering consistent, evidence-based care designed to increase survival rates and improve quality of life for patients recovering from stroke.

“This recognition reflects the dedication and teamwork of our physicians, nurses, therapists and support staff who work every day to provide exceptional care for patients experiencing a stroke,” said Linda Stockton, senior vice president and president, TGH Crystal River. “As the first American Heart Association stroke quality achievement award received by Tampa General Hospital Crystal River, this milestone underscores our commitment to expanding access to advanced, high-quality care close to home for the communities we serve.”

Hospitals recognized with the Silver Plus award have demonstrated sustained achievement in implementing quality improvement measures that follow the latest American Heart Association and American Stroke Association treatment guidelines. The additional Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite accolade acknowledges hospitals that meet advanced criteria for the rapid treatment of eligible stroke patients; the Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll recognizes organizations that provide comprehensive care for stroke patients affected by Type 2 diabetes.

“Receiving this national recognition highlights the tremendous progress our clinical teams have made in strengthening stroke care services throughout our hospital,” said Keith Campbell, MD, vice president and associate chief medical officer for TGH Community and Specialty Hospitals. “We are proud to be recognized by the American Heart Association for our commitment to excellence and for helping ensure patients in Citrus County have access to the highest standards of stroke care.”

Tampa General Hospital Crystal River is part of Tampa General’s growing network of hospitals and outpatient services across Florida, bringing leading-edge clinical expertise and coordinated care to communities throughout the region. This first-ever recognition marks a significant landmark for Citrus County residents, who now have access to nationally recognized, evidence-based stroke care close to home.



Dee and Jimmy Haslam

JULY 21, 2026 – Cleveland Clinic has received a $25 million investment from Dee and Jimmy Haslam, two of the organization’s longstanding philanthropic supporters. The investment reflects the family’s enduring commitment to Cleveland Clinic’s mission of patient care, research and education and will help advance strategic initiatives that expand access to care in communities across the United States.

“Dee and Jimmy Haslam have been among Cleveland Clinic’s most dedicated and visionary supporters for many years,” said Tom Mihaljevic, M.D., CEO and President and holder of the Morton L. Mandel Chair at Cleveland Clinic. “Their generosity has strengthened patient care, fueled innovation and supported transformative initiatives throughout our organization. As Cleveland Clinic continues to grow and bring our model of care to more communities, support from community leaders like Dee and Jimmy enables us to reach more patients and expand access to the highest quality healthcare close to home.”

The latest investment builds upon the Haslam family’s support of Cleveland Clinic. Over the years, their philanthropy has helped advance patient care and research and education initiatives across the organization, including a transformational investment in cardiovascular genetics research that established the Haslam Family Section for Cardiovascular Genetics and the Haslam Family Endowed Chair in Cardiovascular Medicine. Their support has advanced scientific discovery, expanded access to genetic testing and strengthened Cleveland Clinic’s ability to improve patient outcomes through research and innovation.

“We are honored and humbled to further invest in Cleveland Clinic,” said Dee and Jimmy Haslam. “We believe in their commitment to expand quality healthcare, creating access in Northeast Ohio and beyond.”

The Haslams’ continued generosity reflects a deep belief in Cleveland Clinic’s mission and confidence in its future.

“Philanthropic support is instrumental to Cleveland Clinic’s ability to pursue bold opportunities that improve lives and strengthen the communities we serve,” said Lara Kalafatis, Chief Philanthropy Officer at Cleveland Clinic. “Dee and Jimmy’s extraordinary generosity demonstrates the vital role donors play in helping us expand access to care, advance research and innovation, and invest in the future of healthcare. We are deeply grateful for the Haslam family’s continued partnership and their commitment to helping us shape the future of healthcare.”

About Cleveland Clinic

Cleveland Clinic is a nonprofit multispecialty academic medical center that integrates clinical and hospital care with research and education. Founded in 1921 by four renowned physicians with a vision of providing outstanding patient care based upon the principles of cooperation, compassion and innovation, Cleveland Clinic has pioneered many medical breakthroughs, including coronary artery bypass surgery and the first face transplant in the United States. Cleveland Clinic is consistently recognized in the U.S. and throughout the world for its expertise and care. Among Cleveland Clinic’s 83,000 employees worldwide are more than 6,600 salaried physicians and researchers, and 21,900 registered nurses and advanced practice providers, representing 140 medical specialties and subspecialties. Cleveland Clinic is a 6,725-bed health system that includes a 173-acre main campus near downtown Cleveland, 23 hospitals, 300 outpatient facilities, including locations in northeast Ohio; Florida; Las Vegas, Nevada; Toronto, Canada; Abu Dhabi, UAE; and London, England. In 2025, there were 15.9 million outpatient encounters, 343,000 hospital admissions and observations, and 336,000 surgeries and procedures throughout Cleveland Clinic’s health system. Visit us at clevelandclinic.org. Follow us at x.com/CleClinicNews. News and resources are available at newsroom.clevelandclinic.org.

Editor’s Note: Cleveland Clinic News Service is available to provide broadcast-quality interviews and B-roll upon request.

About Dee and Jimmy Haslam

Dee and Jimmy Haslam hold the positions of CEO and Chairman, respectively, as the Managing Partners of the Haslam Sports Group (HSG). Giving Back has always been a core family value for Dee and Jimmy. The Haslams are immersed in numerous philanthropic and community endeavors to address the needs of their communities. The Haslams’ primary focus is on education and youth sports and they are consistently committed to creating sustainable, measurable, and meaningful change.