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Character, Not Just Credentials: What Pre-Med Discourse Says About the Future of Medicine

An Interview with Dr. Rekha Srinivasan The Story For this month’s OvaCare article, I sat down with Dr. Rekha Srinivasan, a professor at Case Western Reserve University. Dr. Sri, as she is known to her students, teaches the notoriously challenging subject of Organic Chemistry to hundreds of pre-med students each semester. Recently, she has noticed a concerning trend: a small but significant number of these students are making negative and personal comments about their profes

Neko Dossett

Over the Counter, But Not Within Reach? Insurance Gaps and the Future of Birth Control Access

The recent approval of over-the-counter (OTC) oral contraceptives marks a significant shift in reproductive health policy. In July 2023, the FDA approved Opill (norgestrel 0.075 mg) as the first OTC daily oral contraceptive in the United States, with retail availability beginning in 2024. The approval of Opill is the first time a routine hormonal birth control pill could be purchased without a prescription, eliminating the need for a clinical visit. Approximately 45% of U.S.

Shriya Mehta

Mar 23 min read

Expanding Access to Cervical Cancer Screening Through Updated Federal Guidelines

Policies regulating preventive care shape how diseases are detected and the accessibility of such care. In the United States, cervical cancer is one of the most preventable cancers, however screening gaps are still persistent across income, geography, and race [6,7,9]. In 2025, the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) updated the Women’s Preventive Services Guidelines to expand national recommendations for cervical cancer screening. The updates introduce change

Shriya Mehta

Feb 24 min read

The Policy Blind Spot Around Menopause Care in the United States

Health care policies determine whether women can access needed medical care at different stages of their lives, shaping their health outcomes and financial stability. Yet in the United States, menopause, which is an investable biological transition affecting more than half the population, remains largely invisible in health care policies. Despite its association with increased risks of osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, sleep disorders, and depression, menopause care is fr

Shriya Mehta

Jan 52 min read

The Hidden Consequences of Weakening Pregnancy Protections for Women in the Workplace

Policies that shape women’s experiences during pregnancy and postpartum have direct effects on their well-being, safety, and long-term health. In the United States, having reasonable workplace accommodations during pregnancy is needed to help women stay employed without putting their physical or mental health at risk [3,8]. However, recent legal challenges to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s (EEOC) guidance under the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) have weak

Shriya Mehta

Dec 1, 20253 min read

Policy Impacts on Maternity Care in the United States and France

Health and financial risks associated with childbirth vary widely depending on the policies in place to support mothers. For many women in the United States, having a baby can lead to financial pressure, too little recovery time, and increased medical concerns. France, meanwhile, takes a more structured approach to maternity care, where postpartum recovery is guaranteed and supported by law. The differences between the two systems show how policy decisions directly impact wo

Shriya Mehta

Nov 3, 20254 min read

Reproductive Health Safety Net Faces New Pressure from 2025 Policy Changes

New policies are reshaping how women access care, creating uncertainty around the reproductive health safety net in the United States....

Shriya Mehta

Oct 6, 20254 min read

What Tomorrow Brings: Women’s Health in Project 2025

Project 2025, considered by many to be the policy framework for the second Trump Administration, was produced by the Heritage Foundation...

Arran Davis

Oct 6, 20255 min read

The Hidden Costs of Budget Cuts: Medicaid, Medicare, and Women’s Health

When the traditional model of the U.S. healthcare system failed the people it was meant to serve, Medicaid and Medicare functioned as a...

Haasini Peddikuppa

Sep 1, 20253 min read

The Voices Behind OvaNews

OvaNews would not be possible without our Newsletter Chairs. Every few weeks, they translate dense policy shifts and new medical findings into plain language, making sure our community stays informed and empowered. Their words help turn knowledge into action, one issue at a time.