Daily Edition for Thursday, August 11, 2022
Thursday’s roundup covers the drug epidemic, monkeypox vaccines and cases, drug pricing, Medicare, burn pits, covid, and more.
No, the Senate-Passed Reconciliation Bill Won’t Strip $300 Billion From Medicare
By Louis Jacobson, PolitiFact
Under the Medicare drug negotiations provisions in the reconciliation bill, the federal government would see its outlays reduced by about $300 billion. That reduction wouldn’t result from cuts in benefits. Instead, Medicare would be empowered to leverage its market power to pay lower prices for certain drugs.
Social Media Posts Criticize 988 Suicide Hotline for Calling Police. Here’s What You Need to Know.
By Aneri Pattani
The July launch of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline was celebrated by many mental health providers and advocates, but it triggered concerns, too, from people who say using the service could lead to increased law enforcement involvement or forced hospitalization.
They Call It ‘Tranq’ — And It’s Making Street Drugs Even More Dangerous
By Martha Bebinger
Xylazine, an animal tranquilizer, has made it into the illegal drug supply of opioids and cocaine. It is changing the way outreach workers treat overdoses and may be responsible for grisly injuries and infections among people who unknowingly inject it.
Daily Edition for Wednesday, August 10, 2022
Wednesday’s roundup cover monkeypox vaccines and treatment, covid surge waning, health legislation, hospital news, air quality, and more.
Rapper Fat Joe Says No One Is Making Sure Hospitals Post Their Prices
By Julie Appleby
A TV and social media ad offers a reason to check on the enforcement of a sweeping rule that requires hospitals to post information about what they charge insurers and cash-paying patients.
EPA Action Boosts Grassroots Momentum to Reduce Toxic ‘Forever Chemicals’
By Andy Miller
Experts say the EPA’s recent declaration that some PFAS chemicals are unsafe at detectable levels in drinking water signals acceleration in efforts to curb exposure to compounds found in nearly every American’s blood.
Daily Edition for Tuesday, August 9, 2022
Tuesday’s roundup covers monkeypox vaccines, contact tracing, covid variants, youth mental health, preventive care, climate hazards, and more.
‘American Diagnosis’: Native-Led Medical Research Aims to Rebuild Trust
Exploitative practices in medical research have contributed to the underrepresentation of Native people in clinical trials. Episode 10 explores the efforts of Indigenous scientists to rebuild this broken trust through tribally controlled research.
After ‘a Lot of Doors Shut in Our Face,’ Crusading Couple Celebrate Passage of Burn Pit Bill
By Michael McAuliff
Le Roy and Rosie Torres founded the Burn Pits 360 group that advocated for years for Congress to help veterans suffering from injuries caused by the massive disposal sites on overseas bases. Le Roy came home from Iraq suffering from breathing problems.
