Medicaid Access in Focus: New federal eligibility rules under the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” took effect Oct. 1, putting thousands of noncitizens in Illinois at risk of losing Medicaid and potentially disrupting care at hospitals and clinics; similar coverage changes are also reported across other U.S. states, with advocates warning more uninsured people and harder access to treatment for chronic conditions. VA Care for Micronesia Veterans: A new Government Accountability Office report says veterans in Palau, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Marshall Islands still face major barriers to U.S. Veterans Affairs health care, with no VA facilities locally and costly travel to Guam or Hawaii; VA is now moving toward limited expansion options like telehealth, medicine delivery, and travel benefits. Pandemic Preparedness Boost: WHO and partners unveiled a $35.99 million Pandemic Fund multi-country project for 12 Western Pacific countries, aiming to strengthen disease surveillance, labs, and emergency response before outbreaks spread. Food Safety Recall (Guam): Guam’s public health agency recalled select So Delicious Dairy Free Salted Caramel Cluster non-dairy frozen dessert pints due to possible foreign materials that could cause choking or mouth injury, especially for young children. Climate & Health Link: Pacific leaders at UNGA tied ocean governance and climate action to public health, warning of rising illnesses linked to marine life and vector-borne diseases.