Two studies report that children who get measles are more susceptible to other illnesses later; Indiana decides not to pursuue Medicaid work requirements; a Trump administration rule taking effect mandating health insurance for new immigrants is causing confusion.
New research shows that children who get the measles may suffer from other illnesses later like flu, strep or pneumonia because of something scientists are calling “immune amnesia.” The Associated Press reported that 2 different studies published this week found that children with the measles produced antibodies to that virus, but other immune systems were basically reset, leaving them vulnerable to other illnesses. Doctors are hoping the findings will be enough to convince parents to get their children vaccinated.Indiana has joined Arizona in deciding not to move forward with plans to force some Medicaid recipients to work or do job training; both states cite federal lawsuits challenging what CMS has called “community engagement” rules that critics say violate the program’s basic purpose. The Washington Post reported that the change means that currently, no Medicaid recipient anywhere is currently at risk of losing coverage for failing to find a job. The 2 Republican-led states are the first to voluntarily step back from the policy; a federal judge in Washington has stopped 3 other states from implementing the change in 3 other states.US citizens hoping to have their relatives join them, legal immigrants, and health insurance companies are swimming through a maze of confusion and bureaucracy as the Trump administration’s new policy goes into effect in November 3 barring prospective immigrants from arriving unless they can prove they will have health insurance, or a way to pay for it, in 30 days. Reuters reported that the administration has not provided many details other than to list the type of plans that will be accepted. While a Social Security number is not required to apply for coverage, insurers may ask for it, a Kaiser Permanente official said.
Empowering Community Health Through Wellness and Faith
April 23rd 2024To help celebrate and recognize National Minority Health Month, we are bringing you a special month-long podcast series with our Strategic Alliance Partner, UPMC Health Plan. In the third episode, Camille Clarke-Smith, EdD, MS, CHES, CPT, discusses approaching community health holistically through spiritual and community engagement.
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What We’re Reading: Abortion Privacy Rules; Alzheimer Drug Hurdles; Nursing Home Staffing Overhaul
April 23rd 2024New health privacy rules aim to protect patients and providers in an evolving abortion landscape; some physicians express concerns about efficacy, risks, and entrenched beliefs in treating Alzheimer disease; CMS addresses longstanding staffing deficits in nursing homes.
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Overcoming Employment Barriers for Lasting Social Impact: Freedom House 2.0 and Pathways to Work
April 16th 2024To help celebrate and recognize National Minority Health Month, we are bringing you a special month-long podcast series with our Strategic Alliance Partner, UPMC Health Plan. Welcome to our second episode, in which we learn all about Freedom House 2.0 and the Pathways to Work program.
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Survey Results Reveal Potential Factors Slowing the Decline in Cardiovascular Mortality Rate
April 23rd 2024Research indicated that worsened glycemic, blood pressure, and obesity control, as well as increased alcohol consumption, leveled lipid control, and persistent socioeconomic disparities may have contributed to the decelerated cardiovascular mortality decline in recent years.
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Award-Winning Poster Presentations From AMCP 2024
April 23rd 2024At the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy (AMCP) 2024 annual meeting, multiple poster presentations concerned with health equity, data collection, glucagon-like peptide-1 agonists, and more were acknowledged for their originality, relevance, clarity, bias, and quality.
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