Trending News Today: FDA Cracks Down on Unregulated Stem Cell Clinics

The FDA sent warning letters to more than 20 stem cell clinics on Wednesday to halt the sale of unproven treatments that could harm patients, The New York Times reported. A company that makes products from umbilical cord blood was alerted that it was violating federal law, while 20 clinics and stem cell makers were warned that they could be subject to FDA review for approval and should contact the agency regarding compliance, according to the report. Critics of these companies have said they have injured dozens of patients and cheated thousands by selling procedures that are not covered by insurance, are not backed by scientific evidence, and are unauthorized by the government, for conditions such as Crohn disease and multiple sclerosis.

On Wednesday, the House passed a resolution condemning the Trump administration for pushing a federal appeals court to dismantle the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and is asking the Justice Department to defend the health care law, according to The Washington Post. The nonbinding vote, which passed by a tally of 240-186, seeks to put GOP legislators on the record for not defending the ACA’s most popular provisions, such as protections for pre-existing medical conditions and mandating coverage for benefits such as mental health, prescription drugs, and maternity care, according to the article.

The FDA is investigating whether e-cigarettes use may cause seizures in certain people following 35 reports of seizures, mainly in young people who use the nicotine vaping devices, according to the Associated Press. Investigators said it is unclear whether vaping is responsible for these seizures, but the agency is encouraging the public to report any potential information about the issue, according to the AP.