A roundup of top healthcare news stories: January 25, 2017.
A Look at a Favored GOP Strategy for Medicaid: Block Grants
Kaiser Health News has provided an in-depth look at block granting, a strategy favored by Republicans for managing Medicaid. The strategy has been at the center of healthcare reform proposals by House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wisconsin, and Representative Tom Price, R-Georgia, who is President Donald Trump’s choice to run HHS. The article delves into how block grants work, why block granting is controversial, and the likelihood of the GOP actually implementing block grants when it repeals and replaces the Affordable Care Act.
Water Lead Levels in Flint, Michigan, Finally Fall Below Federal Limits
More than 1000 days without clean drinking water, the city of Flint’s water no longer exceeds federal limits for lead levels, reported The Washington Post. While the water is safe to drink, residents are still advised to drink filtered water. The situation in Flint was first exposed more than 1 year ago when blood lead levels in the city’s children were skyrocketing. There are still lead pipes in the city, and until they are replaced, residents should drink filtered water to ensure it isn’t dangerous.
Trump Issues Federal Hiring Freeze That Impacts Understaffed Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
Long wait times and difficult access to care for the nation’s veterans were part of Trump’s talking points during his campaign for the presidency. However, even though wait times remain more than a month and there are thousands of open jobs at the VA, the president’s recently imposed federal hiring freeze will apply to the VA as well, according to USA Today. White House press secretary Sean Spicer said the freeze is temporary and that the Trump administration is waiting to ensure David Shulkin, the current undersecretary for health at the VA and Trump’s pick to lead the VA, is confirmed.
Standard Criteria for Loss of Ambulation Needed in DMD
April 19th 2024A recent study suggests the differences between ambulation definitions for patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) can impact the identification of ambulant vs nonambulant individuals, and standard criteria across settings are needed.
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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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Early Involvement Critical in Treating Immunotherapy-Induced Overlap Syndrome
April 19th 2024A series of case studies reveals the importance of early diagnosis and involvement of special teams of clinicians when dealing with potential cases of overlap syndrome, which encompasses myocarditis, myasthenia gravis, and immune checkpoint inhibitor–related myositis.
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Making Giant Strides in Maternity Health Through Baby Steps
April 9th 2024To help celebrate and recognize National Minority Health Month, we are kicking off a special month-long podcast series with our strategic alliance partner, UPMC Health Plan. Welcome to our first episode, which is all about the Baby Steps Maternity Program and its mission to support women throughout every step of their pregnancy journey.
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