#Affordable Healthcare

[capitalism-and-analytics]

*You should recognize bad practices AND not voluntarily support companies through conducting business (i.e. purchasing luxury products).

[reasonsforhope]

"Sanofi on Thursday said it’s planning to cut the U.S. price of its most popular insulin drug by 78% and cap monthly out-of-pocket costs at $35 for people who have private insurance starting next year. 

In addition to its widely prescribed Lantus, the French drugmaker will reduce the list price of its short-acting insulin Apidra by 70%. Sanofi already offers a $35 monthly cap on insulin for uninsured diabetes patients.

The company is the last major insulin manufacturer to try to head off government efforts to cap monthly costs by announcing its own steep price cuts for the lifesaving hormone. 

Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk made similar sweeping cuts earlier this month after years of political pressure and public outrage over the high costs of diabetes care. The three companies control over 90% of the global insulin market. 

... The change takes effect Jan. 1.

President Joe Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act capped monthly insulin costs for Medicare beneficiaries at $35, but it did not provide protection to diabetes patients who are covered by private insurance.

Sen. Bernie Sanders, a Vermont independent and the chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, introduced a bill earlier this month that would cap the list price of insulin at $20 per vial.

Both the president and Sanders on Tuesday directly called on Sanofi to slash its prices after Novo Nordisk announced its own cuts that day.

Roughly 37 million people in the U.S., or 11.3% of the country’s population, have diabetes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Approximately 8.4 million [U.S.] diabetes patients rely on insulin, the American Diabetes Association said."

-via CNBC, 3/16/23

[dontmeantobepoliticalbut]

President Joe Biden will call for expanding a new cap on insulin prices to all Americans as part of his State of the Union address, the White House said Monday.

During the Tuesday speech, Biden plans to tout his administration’s efforts to make health care more affordable, which included imposing a $35-per-month limit on insulin that took effect in January.

But that price cap, which was passed as part of last year’s Inflation Reduction Act, only applied to those beneficiaries covered by Medicare. Biden is now expected to renew his push for the policy to be applied to anyone with an insulin prescription, the White House said in a fact sheet.

“The President will call on Congress to extend this commonsense, life-saving protection to all Americans,” the fact sheet said.

Democrats had originally planned to pass a universal insulin price cap last year as part of the Inflation Reduction Act, which was passed along party lines last August. But the policy was scaled back after Republicans successfully challenged its inclusion. Democrats since then have vowed to continue to push for its passage, arguing that it’s broadly popular and crucial to ensuring that people can afford essential medicines.

Still, Biden’s fresh support for expanding the price cap is unlikely to result in much concrete progress. Republicans remain opposed to the measure, and are unlikely to even allow a vote on it in the House now that they control the chamber.

Biden during his State of the Union speech is also expected to highlight a handful of other health care accomplishments, including landmark legislation granting Medicare the right to negotiate drug prices and cap certain out-of-pocket pharmacy costs. He will celebrate the three latest states to expand their Medicaid programs, while urging Congress to pass legislation that would close coverage gaps in the 11 holdout states that have yet to expand Medicaid.

The President also plans to call for continuing to lower health insurance costs, pointing to expanded Obamacare subsidies that the administration estimates lowered customers’ premiums by an average of $800 per year and pushed the nation’s uninsured rate to an all-time low.

[dontmean2bepoliticalbut]

[lavieenavi]

Some GIFs I made while studying Animation at uni. The prompt was to think of topics important to us and condense them into short animations.

Police brutality, reformation and defunding, and the (in)justice system

Adopt, don't shop

Fair monetary compensation for one's time

Free and affordable universal healthcare

Creativity and imagination

The value of diverse minds and the right to be different

[ivygorgon]

📣 Exciting news from Resistbot!

They've launched a new feature called approval polls. Now you can express whether or not you would re-elect each of your federal elected officials.

This is an important step in making our voices heard and holding our elected officials accountable. Let's use this tool to let them know what they need to do to earn our votes! Try it out by texting "approval" to the bot. Your input matters!

Resistbot continues to innovate for civic engagement. I look forward to seeing more developments like this in the future. Share your thoughts and feedback in the general discussion. Let's make a difference together! 🗳️✨

📱Text APPROVAL to 50409 and earn FREE Coins!

I just tried it out and here's my feedback:

For President Biden, I might vote to reelect him because he took steps to repeal discriminatory policies like the Trans Ban (DADT 2.0). While I appreciate this progress, I hope to see a more critical approach to U.S. support and funding for Israel. Even still, Trump would be worse for Palestine. Vote Blue No Matter Who, until we get Ranked Choice Voting.

For Senator Murkowski, I approve of her reelection because I appreciate Senator Murkowski's dedication to child development and her progressive stance on LGBTQ+ rights. However, I wish she would support stronger gun regulation and prioritize green initiatives more consistently. I'm encouraged by her stance against Trump's policies.

For Senator Sullivan, I strongly oppose Senator Sullivan due to his positions against reproductive rights, transgender rights, and affordable healthcare. Additionally, his denial of climate change, support for gerrymandering, and alignment with extremist views surrounding the January 6 insurrection are deeply concerning. He is an un-American Trump Sucker and I need him out of my chair this instant.

For Rep. Peltola, I approve of her because I appreciate Senator Peltola's support for COVID-19 proposals and her progressive stance on marriage, children, LGBTQ+, and transgender rights. However, I believe there is room for improvement in her support for military service members, veterans, and moderate gun regulation.

[tomorrowusa]

An 80% jump in cancer rates should be cause for alarm. Public health authorities around the world should be focusing more on this problem.

Global cases of early onset cancer increased from 1.82 million in 1990 to 3.26 million in 2019, while cancer deaths of adults in their 40s, 30s or younger grew by 27%. More than a million under-50s a year are now dying of cancer, the research reveals. Experts are still in the early stages of understanding the reasons behind the rise in cases. The authors of the study, published in BMJ Oncology, say poor diets, alcohol and tobacco use, physical inactivity and obesity are likely to be among the factors. “Since 1990, the incidence and deaths of early onset cancers have substantially increased globally,” the report says. “Encouraging a healthy lifestyle, including a healthy diet, the restriction of tobacco and alcohol consumption and appropriate outdoor activity, could reduce the burden of early onset cancer.”

Specifically, they are looking at people in the 14 to 49 age group. A disproportionate amount of this spike in cancer can be traced to consumption.

They looked at new cases, deaths, health consequences and contributory risk factors for all those aged 14 to 49 to estimate changes between 1990 and 2019. In 2019, new cancer diagnoses among under-50s totalled 3.26 million, an increase of 79% on the 1990 figure. Breast cancer accounted for the largest number of cases and associated deaths, at 13.7 and 3.5 for every 100,000 of the global population respectively. Cases of early onset windpipe and prostate cancers rose the fastest between 1990 and 2019, with estimated annual percentage changes of 2.28% and 2.23% respectively. At the other end of the spectrum, cases of early onset liver cancer fell by an estimated 2.88% a year. A total of 1.06 million under-50s died of cancer in 2019, an increase of 27% on the 1990 figure. After breast cancer, the highest death tolls were linked to windpipe, lung, stomach and bowel cancers. The steepest increases in deaths were among people with kidney or ovarian cancer. The highest rates of early onset cancers in 2019 were in North America, Oceania and western Europe. Low- and middle-income countries were also affected, and the highest death rates among under-50s were in Oceania, eastern Europe and central Asia.

We can't do anything about our genes, but there's a lot we can do about what we put into our bodies.

Genetic factors are likely to have a role, the researchers said. But diets high in red meat and salt and low in fruit and milk, along with alcohol and tobacco use, are the main risk factors underlying the most common cancers among under-50s, with physical inactivity, excess weight and high blood sugar contributory factors, the data indicates. [ ... ] “If people are concerned about their cancer risk, there are lots of ways to help reduce this such as not smoking, maintaining a balanced diet, getting plenty of exercise and staying safe in the sun.”

I would add that eliminating or substantially reducing meat consumption is not just good for our bodies but also good for our planet. 🌎

As for exercise, too many people associate it with joining gyms or investing in Peloton equipment. For most people, all that's necessary is to fit more physical activity into everyday routines. Regularly walking or cycling (when possible) instead of relying on motor vehicles can provide a boost to overall health.

Of course affordable healthcare is essential. Medical professionals can advise us and detect conditions which can be treated before becoming serious.

[roamwithahungryheart]

'We've got no business playing politics with millions of American lives'

- President Joe Biden

[capitalism-and-analytics]

[muffinlevelchicanery]

[how-bout-i-tell-you-anyway]

petition for the top 20 or so billionaires to be dropped on a remote island for a hunger games-style tournament in which their final ranking is the percentage of their net worth that will be donated to help fix global warming, ocean landfill, pollution, deforestation, poverty, affordable healthcare, etc.

even better if they can televise it for us common folk :)

[dontmeantobepoliticalbut]

Oregon voters have narrowly passed measures that would strengthen gun laws and mandate healthcare as a human right.

Measure 114 requires residents to obtain a permit to purchase a gun, bans large-capacity magazines of more than 10 rounds except in some circumstances and creates a statewide firearms database. It is one of the nation’s strictest gun-control measures.

To qualify for a permit, an applicant would need to complete an approved, in-person firearm safety course, pay a fee, provide personal information, submit to fingerprinting and photographing and pass a federal criminal background check. The permits would be processed by local police chiefs, county sheriffs or their designees.

The ban on large-capacity magazines would not apply to current owners, law enforcement or the military.

Proponents of the measure say it would reduce suicides — which account for 82% of gun deaths in the state — mass shootings and other gun violence.

Opponents, including the left-wing Socialist Rifle Assn., say it would infringe on constitutionally protected rights and could reduce gun access among marginalized communities and people of color if law-enforcement agencies are the arbiters of the permitting process. They say permitting fees and the cost of the firearms course could also be barriers to access.

The healthcare proposal, Measure 111, makes Oregon the first state in the nation to change its constitution to explicitly declare affordable healthcare a fundamental human right.

The amendment reads: “It is the obligation of the state to ensure that every resident of Oregon has access to cost-effective, clinically appropriate and affordable health care as a fundamental right.”

It does not define “cost-effective, clinically appropriate and affordable,” nor does it say who would foot the bill.

The Oregon Health Authority says 94% of Oregonians currently have insurance coverage and more are eligible for the Oregon Medicaid plan or a subsidy to reduce the cost of commercial insurance.

Opponents said the amendment could trigger legal and political challenges if it passed.

[dontmean2bepoliticalbut]

[thepro-lifemovement]

For anyone who needs to order an MRI, CT scan, X-Ray, etc, always check out the prices from Radiology Assist. They don’t use your insurance. You will still use the machines in the hospitals, but it can be way more affordable. I used them for an MRI and I was able to save a lot of money going through them vs through my doctor or the hospital.

[badger-with-a-boa]

As a trans* person (agender) who does not plan to get any procedures, surgeries or go on any meds, I don't understand what the stress is like of planning and saving for those things. And now that I am very close with someone who is a trans woman (she/they) and does plan to go through everything, holy shit.

I knew it was bad. But Jesus. It's really made me open up to how serious people need these things even more. Even the minor things, like laser hair removal. How fucking expensive that is. And how much someone who needs it to actually help their health suffers from not having these tiny things, that in reality, aren't so tiny to some people.

I sit here, watching someone I love and care for hate themselves for hating her body so much. Their voice. Her hair. Her face. Every single microscopic detail. And there's nothing I can really do to take that away just instantly. Just poof, gone.

I jokingly say I'd rob a bank for the girl I like if that's what it takes for her to be happy and to feel better. But God, I would do anything to help them feel better. They mean a great deal to me and make me so happy, she deserves to be who they want to be and should be able to get the healthcare she needs to live peacefully.

I'm very very lucky and honestly privileged I don't have to suffer with these things as a trans* person. But that doesn't mean everything single trans* person is that way.

It's easy to say trans healthcare is needed and should be more accessible. But when you actually know someone who needs it, like to survive, everything changes and you want to do the absolute fucking most to help. Because now you see the real side of people who do need it.

[anna-the-great-and-terrible]

costplusdrugs.com

I just found out about this site, which sells drugs, some of which are literally lifesaving, with only a 15% markup as opposed to most pharmacies that do with a 100%+ one.

If you live in US especially, this seems super important!! My own meds are like 20% of the original price there.