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☆ More than 15,000 doctors sign letter urging Senate to reject RFK Jr. as health secretary
▼ + stars: | 2025-01-09 | by ( Https | Media-Cldnry.S-Nbcnews.Com Image Upload Newscms Brandy-Zadrozny-Circle-Byline-Template.Jpg | Brandy Zadrozny | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +4 min

More than 15,000 doctors have signed a letter urging senators to vote against confirming Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for secretary of health and human services. “The health and well-being of 336 million Americans depend on leadership at HHS that prioritizes science, evidence-based medicine, and strengthening the integrity of our public health system,” the letter reads. “RFK Jr. is not only unqualified to lead this essential agency — he is actively dangerous.”The letter was posted online by the Committee to Protect Health Care, a physicians advocacy group. “This appointment is a slap in the face to every health care professional who has spent their lives working to protect patients from preventable illness and death,” the letter says. The Committee to Protect Health Care, which is not funded by the pharmaceutical industry or for-profit health corporations, has been active in opposing drug companies in state-level efforts to install prescription drug affordability boards.

Persons: Robert F, Kennedy Jr, Donald Trump’s, “, Kennedy, Katie Miller, Robert F Kennedy, ” Miller, Josh Green, Kennedy “, ” Green, ”, Rob Davidson, Davidson, “ Kennedy Organizations: HHS, “ RFK, Committee, Protect Health, Republican, Democratic, Capitol, Trump, American Medical Association, Hawaii Gov, The New York Times, Department of Health, Human Services, Public Citizen, Pharma Locations: Samoa, Michigan

JetBlue has agreed to pay a $2 million penalty after federal regulators charged the U.S. carrier with operating multiple chronically delayed flight routes. Half the penalty will go toward compensating JetBlue customers affected by the airline’s chronic delays or any future disruptions caused by JetBlue within the next year — with a minimum of $75 for each harmed passenger. “Illegal chronic flight delays make flying unreliable for travelers. JetBlue had the seventh-worst on-time rate among North American carriers last year, trailing only Frontier Airlines, Air Canada and the Canadian carrier WestJet, according to the International Air Transport Association. The transportation department's investigation found JetBlue operated four chronically delayed routes, with the airline responsible for around 80% of the disruptions.

Persons: Pete Buttigieg, we’ve Organizations: JetBlue, U.S . Department of Transportation, Transportation, Frontier Airlines, Air, Canadian, International Air Transport Association, U.S ., Spirit Airlines, American Airlines Locations: U.S, Air Canada, Northeast, Florida

☆ Ebola: How a vaccine turned a terrifying virus into a preventable disease
▼ + stars: | 2024-12-27 | by ( Analysis Yap Boum | The Conversation | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

The Conversation —The Ebola virus devastated west Africa in 2014, claiming over 11,000 lives in Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea. It was the largest Ebola outbreak since the virus had first been discovered in the Democratic Republic of Congo in 1976. Ebola is a terrifying virus which, if left untreated, causes bleeding inside the body and through the eyes, nose, mouth and rectum. As a biologist and epidemiologist, I travelled to Guinea amid the chaos to coordinate the laboratory activities of the rVSV-ZEBOV Ebola vaccine trials. Clinical trials have shown its efficacy exceeds 95% in preventing infection from the Zaire Ebola virus strain, the deadliest variant.

Persons: Médecins, Dr, Sanjay Gupta Organizations: CNN, Democratic, World Health Organization, Sierra, Merck, CNN Health, and Drug Administration, European Medicines Agency, African Medicines Agency, RFK Jr Locations: Africa, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Guinea, Democratic Republic of Congo, Zaire, United States, Burundi, Uganda, South Sudan, Rwanda

☆ India: Doctor’s stabbing renews debate over hospital safety months after rape and murder of medic
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-22 | by ( Esha Mitra | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

Their main demand then was a federal law, known as the Central Protection Act (CPA), to protect doctors and medical staff at their workplace. Several doctors work in the capital New Delhi, but they say things are much worse at remote health care centers. The survey had 1,566 responses from doctors, nurses and other medical staff across the country. Protests by medical staff in Kolkata earlier this year lasted for weeks following the rape and murder of a trainee doctor. The Supreme Court of India opened a case on the Kolkata trainee doctor’s rape and murder and formed a national task force to recommend measures to improve security at hospitals.

Persons: Balaji Jaganathan, ”, Abdul Hasan, –, barged, Samir Jana, medic’s, Kar, Anwesha Banerjee, Hasan, ‘, Banerjee Organizations: New, New Delhi CNN, Indian Medical Association, CNN, Central Protection Act, Hindustan Times, Health Ministry, Indian Ministry of Health, West, World Health Locations: New Delhi, India, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, Kolkata, Delhi, West Bengal

The idea behind a high-risk pool was to provide a safety net for people with pre-existing conditions struggling to find coverage. The high-risk pools, however, were critically underfunded, making monthly premiums for some patients double what they would be for a healthy individual, Cox said. “If you got into a high-risk pool, you might have had an exclusion on your coverage for six to 12 months,” Cox said. “When it doesn’t, it collapses.”Graves said that the U.S. could move back to a high-risk pool model but it would require “a massive amount of government subsidies to work.”“They would basically have to infuse the high-risk pool with enough subsidies to keep premiums affordable for people,” he said. “We had isolated pre-existing pools for the past 25 years, and they don’t work.”

Persons: Sen, JD Vance, Ohio, “, ”, Arthur Caplan, Cynthia Cox, ” Cox, Cox, John A . Graves, Tim Walz, ” Walz, ” Graves, Caplan, ” Caplan Organizations: Republican, NYU Langone Medical, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Democratic, Minnesota Gov Locations: New York City, Nashville , Tennessee, U.S

☆ Sudan conflict: North Sudan’s remaining hospital risks closure as deadly civil war intensifies
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-14 | by ( Caitlin Danaher | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —The last operating public hospital in Sudan’s North Darfur state is at risk of closure, Doctors Without Borders (MSF) warned Wednesday, amid fierce fighting between the country’s rival military factions that have left more than 18,000 people dead and 33,000 injured. Civil war between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) broke out in April last year and has intensified in El Fasher, the North Darfur capital, since May when the paramilitary RSF group encircled the city. The MSF-supported Saudi Hospital in El Fasher has suffered extensive damage following the continued bombardment of the city over the last week, leaving it barely functional, MSF said. “Sunday’s attack on Saudi Hospital – which is the largest hospital in North Darfur state – makes it crystal clear that the warring parties are making no efforts to protect health facilities or the civilians inside them. “This month’s determination of famine in one part of Sudan risks spreading and leading to a catastrophic loss of children’s lives,” the spokesman said.

Persons: “, ” Michel Olivier Lacharité, El Fasher, James Elder, ” Elder, Elder Organizations: CNN, Sudanese Armed Forces, SAF, Rapid Support Forces, MSF, Saudi Hospital, Saudi, UNICEF Locations: Sudan’s North Darfur, El Fasher, North Darfur, Sudan

BOSTON (AP) — Financially embattled hospital operator Steward Health Care has struck a deal to sell its nationwide physician network to Optum, a subsidiary of UnitedHealth Group, as it works to stabilize its finances. Maura Healey has said state monitors are keeping eye on the nine health care facilities operated by Steward Health Care in Massachusetts, including hospitals in some of the state’s poorer communities. Emails to Steward Health Care and Optum seeking comment were not immediately returned. Democratic U.S. Sen. Edward Markey said for-profit companies that participate in the health care system must understand that their decisions have direct impacts on patients and communities. “After years of gross profiteering and mismanagement, Steward’s latest plan raises more serious questions about the future of the Massachusetts health care system," Warren said in a written statement.

Persons: —, Maura Healey, Optum, David Seltz, ”, ” Seltz, Ronald Mariano, Democratic U.S . Sen, Edward Markey, ” Markey, “, Sen, Elizabeth Warren, Steward’s, Warren, Steward Organizations: BOSTON, Health Care, UnitedHealth, Steward Health Care, Department of Public Health, Steward, Democratic Massachusetts, Democratic U.S ., Health, Education, Labor, Primary Health Locations: Massachusetts, The Dallas, Boston, U.S

☆ UnitedHealth Group has paid more than $2 billion to providers following cyberattack
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-18 | by ( Ashley Capoot | In | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

UnitedHealth Group said Monday that it's paid out more than $2 billion to help health-care providers who have been affected by the cyberattack on subsidiary Change Healthcare. "We continue to make significant progress in restoring the services impacted by this cyberattack," UnitedHealth CEO Andrew Witty said in a press release. "We know this has been an enormous challenge for health care providers and we encourage any in need to contact us." It also introduced a temporary funding assistance program to help health-care providers experiencing cash flow trouble because of the attack. A survey published by the American Hospital Association on Friday found that 94% of hospitals have experienced financial disruptions from the Change Healthcare attack.

Persons: it's, Andrew, UnitedHealth, Rick Pollack, Biden, UnitedHealth hasn't, Scott Gottlieb Organizations: UnitedHealth, Change Healthcare, Healthcare, Medicare, Medicaid Services, American Hospital Association, Administration, U.S . Department of Health, Human Services, Office, Civil Rights, Palo Alto Networks, Google Locations: Palo

☆ Biden administration investigating Change Healthcare cyberattack as disruptions continue
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-13 | by ( Ashley Capoot | In | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

The OCR enforces the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act's security, privacy and breach notification rules, which most health plans, providers and clearinghouses such as Change Healthcare are required to follow to protect health information. "OCR's investigation of Change Healthcare and UHG will focus on whether a breach of protected health information occurred and Change Healthcare's and UHG's compliance with the HIPAA Rules," the department said. Change Healthcare offers electronic prescription software and tools for payment and revenue cycle management. Parent company UnitedHealth discovered that a cyber threat actor breached part of the unit's information technology network on Feb. 21, according to a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. In late February, Change Healthcare said that ransomware group Blackcat was behind the attack.

Persons: UnitedHealth, Blackcat Organizations: U.S . Department of Health, Human Services, UnitedHealth Group, Healthcare, U.S, HHS, Civil Rights, Change Healthcare, U.S . Securities, Exchange Commission, CNBC, SEC, Department of Justice

“It isn't just sort of creepy,” said Washington state Rep. Vandana Slatter, the sponsor of a law her state adopted last year to rein in unauthorized use of health information. X-Mode was also found to have sold location data to the U.S. military. In Virginia, legislation that would prohibit the issuance of search warrants, subpoenas or court orders for electronic or digital menstrual health data recently cleared both chambers of the Democratic-controlled General Assembly. “The next step to enforcing an abortion ban could be accessing menstrual health data, which is why I’m trying to protect that data,” Favola said in a committee hearing. “The software supply chain is extremely polluted with location tracking of individuals,” he said.

Persons: Roe, ”, Vandana Slatter, “, Albert Fox Cahn, Sen, Ron Wyden, Wyden, He’s, It's, Washington's, Andrea Frey, Democratic Sen, Barbara Favola, Glenn Youngkin, ” Favola, Favola, “ It’s, Republican Sen, Mark Peake, Youngkin's, Sean O'Brien, he's, ___ Mulvihill, Frank Bajak, Sarah Rankin Organizations: Democratic, Supreme, Wade, Oregon Democrat, Intelligence, The Veritas Society, Wisconsin, Federal Trade Commission, Securities Exchange Commission, FTC, ., Democrat, Republicans, Connecticut, Assembly, Virginia Gov, Republican, Yale Privacy, Associated Press Locations: U.S, Washington, Oregon, Wisconsin, Massachusetts, Nevada, York, California, Maryland, ” Illinois, Hawaii , Illinois, Maine , Maryland , Massachusetts , Missouri, South Carolina, Vermont, In Virginia, Cherry Hill , New Jersey, Boston, Richmond , Virginia

One year ago, natural pet food brand NUTRO™ announced the start of their Greater Ground™ program whose mission is to encourage growers to adopt healthy soil practices. This aims to raise awareness of the importance of healthy soil and to encourage select growers in their network to implement healthy soil practices by providing training, support, and funding. Because growers can face many barriers in adopting healthy soil practices on their farms, the NUTRO™ Greater Ground program also offers Soil Growth grants which provide financial support to selected growers within their network. These grants help with the transition costs needed to implement healthy soil practices. In the fable, one neighbor helps the other transform their farm using healthy soil practices.

Persons: ™, Alanna McDonald, HFI, McDonald, we've, Arlo, Mars Organizations: Food & Agriculture Organization, United Nations, Mars, Soil Growth, Growth, Schiff Farms Inc, Soil, Insider Studios Locations: North America, mutuality, Delaware

What began as tentative support for legislative reforms and congressional power to decriminalize abortion has swelled into the so-called green wave, a political movement for abortion rights. In 2022, Colombia’s Constitutional Court issued a sweeping judgment that decriminalized abortion until 24 weeks of pregnancy. This is because criminalization denies more than access to a single health care service; it carries broader social harms. In Brazil, abortion criminalization betrays the constitutional promise of universal care. In Brazil, Black and brown women, poor and young women and women from the most vulnerable regions of the country are more likely to have abortions, to be arrested for having them and to die from them.

Persons: criminalization Organizations: Mexico’s, World Health Organization Locations: Colombia’s, Brazil

Particle pollution is a “key ingredient” of wildfire smoke, Barrett told CNN. “Sometimes we can see, smell, and even taste the impacts of wildfire smoke,” Barrett said. Mountain ranges can shield some regions from worse air pollution by keeping smoke aloft when it travels, Mass said. Pittsburgh - June 29, 2023An MLB game between the San Diego Padres and Pittsburgh Pirates is delayed as Canadian wildfire smoke descends on downtown Pittsburgh. San Francisco - Sept. 9, 2020Smoke from northern California wildfires casts a reddish glow in San Francisco, California.

Persons: ”, William Barrett, Barrett, ” Barrett, Clifford, Talat Odman, Mass, “ It’s, “ You’re, Lev Radin, Scott Olson, Kevork, Joe Robbins, San Diego Padres, Andrew McCutchen, Carr, George Rose, Ray Chavez, David Zalubowski Organizations: CNN, American Lung Association, University of Washington, Georgia Institute of Technology, Washington DC, ” CNN, Pacific Press, York City, MLB, San Diego Padres, Pittsburgh Pirates, San Diego, Pirates, MediaNews, Mercury, Environmental Protection Agency Denver, Denver International Airport, Denver Locations: Canada, United States, Northern Europe, New York City, York City, Chicago, Irvine, Santiago, Irvine , California, California, Santa, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Sacramento, Sacramento , California, Shasta County , California, San Francisco, San Francisco , California, San Francisco Bay

☆ Senate Democrats Seek to Highlight G.O.P. Opposition to Abortion Rights
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-21 | by ( Annie Karni | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

(The case that overturned the right to abortion is Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization.) The outcome seems preordained: Republicans blocked many of those same bills last year. Last year, the Senate also failed to pass legislation to guarantee abortion rights nationwide, as Republicans and one Democrat in the Senate blocked an effort to enshrine the Roe v. Wade precedent in federal law. Since the overturning of Roe, 14 states have passed near-complete bans on abortion. An additional eight states have passed abortion bans that are temporarily blocked in court.

Persons: Dobbs, ”, Schumer, ’, Wade, Roe Organizations: Jackson, Health Organization, Republicans, Senate

☆ HPV vaccine: Some studies say one and done might be better
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-22 | by ( Jen Christensen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

The HPV vaccine protects against the strains that cause most HPV-related cancers. But not every country has the same vaccination options, which is part of the reason WHO has been pushing to change the way doctors give the HPV vaccine. A one-and-done approach to the HPV vaccine could be a huge help around the world, experts say. But she’d also like more people to get the HPV vaccine. So I think that’s really, really important,” Abraham said.

Freight rail has the specific job of moving heavy, bulky goods and commodities, such as crude oil and coal, chemicals, large machinery, fabricated metals and many foodstuffs on which every American depends. Yet rail unions have been threatening a strike in the coming days because they are dissatisfied with a proposed labor contract. That’s why nearly 450 business groups this week told Congress that action to avert a freight rail strike was a matter of “grave urgency.” Washington is right to listen to them. But rail companies provide sick leave benefits based on post-contract talks between each company and its unions. Today, that’s freight rail service.

☆ Democrat John Fetterman wiped back tears in an emotional speech after winning key Senate race in Pennsylvania
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-09 | by ( Sophia Ankel | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Democrat John Fetterman won the race for US Senate in Pennsylvania on Wednesday morning. As he thanked his supporters in a speech, Fetterman seemed stunned and wiped away tears. The projection gave Fetterman a lead that overturns a Republican-held Senate seat and marked a huge victory for Democrats. It's like 1.30 in the morning and you're still here hanging in," the Democrat said, wiping away tears. But a physician's note Fetterman released last month said he was recovering well and could carry out public office.

John Fetterman, the Democratic Senate nominee, along with Democratic candidates in local House races on the University of Pittsburgh's campus. Former President Barack Obama speaks to supporters of Pennsylvania Senate candidate John Fetterman in Pittsburgh on Saturday. Democratic Pennsylvania Senate nominee John Fetterman speaks to supporters on the campus of the University of Pittsburgh on Saturday. Jeff Swensen / Getty ImagesOz, Obama said, would be a vote for Trump in case of another close election in 2024. Oz, Trump said, is "desperately" needed in the Senate where "he could very well be the tie-breaking vote."

☆ End of Covid-19 pandemic is in sight, WHO director-general says, ‘so let’s seize this opportunity’
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-14 | by ( Naomi Thomas | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —The world has never been in a better position to end the Covid-19 pandemic, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general of the World Health Organization, said in a news briefing in Geneva on Wednesday. “Last week, the number of weekly reported deaths from Covid-19 was the lowest since March 2020,” he said. “We have never been in a better position to end the pandemic. The United States reported the highest number of weekly deaths followed by Japan, Russia, Brazil and the Philippines. Overall, there have been more than 6.4 million deaths reported globally as of September 11.

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