Category: Politics
Stark Divide: Americans More Confident in Career Scientists at U.S. Health Agencies Than Leaders
People have greater trust in major health and science associations outside government – such as the American Heart Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Medical Association, and National Academy of Sciences – than in U.S. health agencies.
Rural Healthcare Is in the Red as Trump Withholds Medicaid Payments to Minnesota
Cuts to public payer programs, like Medicare or Medicaid, disproportionately threaten these hospitals by increasing the rate of uncompensated care, or services for which hospitals receive no payment.
States try ‘public option’ Obamacare plans to reduce coverage costs
The results so far have been mixed, however. It’s still too early to say whether the states’ public option plans, which are public-private partnerships rather than purely government-run, will significantly lower costs for consumers or pay enough to providers to ensure their continued participation.
Prioritising protein? What the new US dietary guidelines get right – and wrong – according to 2 nutrition experts
Under the slogan “eat real food”, the new guidelines recommend people “prioritise protein at every meal”, eat full-fat dairy and plenty of whole grains, and limit ultra-processed foods. A new food pyramid has also been redesigned and flipped on its head. But are the guidelines based in good science? And how much has actually changed?
States go their own way as RFK Jr. shifts federal vaccine policy
Many states are setting up their own advisory committees or task forces to make vaccine recommendations. In many states, the guidelines are tied to school vaccination requirements, insurance coverage of vaccinations and rules allowing pharmacists to give vaccinations.
RFK Jr. guts the US childhood vaccine schedule despite its decades-long safety record
Major medical organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, have said that they will continue recommending the full complement of childhood vaccines. Several states, including California, New York, Illinois and Washington state, will follow established guidelines rather than the new federal recommendations, creating a patchwork where children’s protection depends on where they live.
West Coast Health Departments Reject CDC’s New Vaccine Guidance
The CDC’s decision did not follow established procedure for vaccine policy recommendations and threatens an increase in vaccine-preventable diseases in children nationwide, the West Coast Health Alliance argues.
The United States CDC has abandoned science in its new advice about vaccines and autism
The CDC once stood as a global benchmark of scientific integrity. Sadly, it now risks becoming a megaphone for misinformation and a tool for those whose goal is to undermine science.
Online harassment is silencing Canada’s health experts — institutions need to do more to protect them
While academics should be comfortable having their ideas challenged, technology-facilitated harassment is very different. Online harassment is often linked with other forms of targeted abuse and includes acts of doxxing, reputation attacks or threatening and sexualized messaging, among others.
SNAP DISRUPTIONS EXPECTED TO DRIVE DEMAND AT KING COUNTY FOOD PANTRIES
Food pantries welcome food donations, but cash donations are far more impactful.
Racial health disparities could widen as states grapple with Trump cuts, experts warn
As part of its federal restructuring and crackdown on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs, the Trump administration has been shuttering federal offices and rescinding grants dedicated to addressing worse health care access and outcomes for racial minorities.
Shutdown leaves gaps in states’ health data, possibly endangering lives
The pause leaves states with less early warning on disease outbreaks, potentially endangering lives even as child vaccination rates drop amid increased exemptions and hesitancy fed by misinformation. State and local officials can combat outbreaks with targeted advice to get vaccinated and stay home when sick, but they need to know where to do that first. And residents won’t know to take precautions if they’re unaware when many in their community are falling ill.
Trump’s new $100K visa fee could worsen state doctor shortages, experts say
Rural communities have long struggled to recruit and retain doctors. Many rural hospitals are struggling financially, and have had to eliminate services or even shut down. The shortage of providers is critical in rural communities that tend to have higher rates of chronic illness and early death compared with their urban counterparts.
Many immigrant physicians help fill those gaps thanks in part to the H-1B visa, which allows skilled foreign workers to come work in the U.S.
Rural Health Transformation Program Won’t Make Up for Federal Budget Cuts, Experts Agree
A new program touted to give $50 billion in federal funding to rural hospitals won’t necessarily keep rural hospitals from closing, according to several experts in rural health.
More states protect access to the COVID shot as feds restrict eligibility
For decades, states have followed the lead of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on which vaccines Americans should get, and when they should get them. Now, rejecting the antivaccine stance of U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., an increasing number of states say they will rely instead on their own public health experts and professional medical organizations for that advice.