#access to health care

[tenderlygroovystarfish]

https://twitter.com/murdockology/status/1540345352036950016?s=21&t=hkx81gktG05hc7juIgyTxw

bc roe was overturned! abortion resources!!!

[epidemicpreparednessday]

Together, let’s act on the lessons of COVID-19, prepare, and build a fairer, healthier world for all.

COVID-19 is no longer the international public health emergency it was, but it is still circulating, and its devastating effects are still with us. Economic damage inflicted by the pandemic endures. Many healthcare systems are struggling. Millions of children are threatened by disease after missing out on routine childhood vaccinations. And three years after the first COVID-19 vaccines were developed, billions of people remain unprotected – overwhelmingly in developing countries.  

When the next pandemic arrives, we must do better. But we’re not yet ready. We must prepare and act on the lessons of COVID-19. 

Working together, the world must improve surveillance of viruses, strengthen health systems, and make the promise of Universal Health Coverage a reality. We must renounce the moral and medical disaster of rich countries hoarding and controlling pandemic healthcare supplies, and ensure everyone has access to diagnostics, treatments and vaccines.  And we must strengthen the World Health Organization’s authority and financing.

These efforts are making progress. The High-level meeting on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response in September agreed a robust political declaration. This complements the negotiations on a pandemic accord in Geneva.

On this International Day of Epidemic Preparedness, I urge countries to build on this momentum by delivering a strong, comprehensive accord, focused on equity, by next year’s World Health Assembly in May.

Together, let’s act on the lessons of COVID-19, prepare, and build a fairer, healthier world for all.

[accesshealthcarephysicians]

What is the difference between Rest and Sleep - Access Health Care Physicians, LLC

Rest and sleep are distinct yet interconnected states crucial for well-being. Rest refers to a state of relaxation, allowing the body to recover without reaching full sleep. Sleep, a deeper state, involves cycles of REM and non-REM stages, promoting physical and mental rejuvenation. Access Health Care Physicians, LLC, recognizes the importance of both for optimal health.

[reasonsforhope]

Less than three months after U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin and her colleagues launched an investigation into the four major American manufacturers of inhalers, three of the companies have relented, making commitments to cap costs for their inhalers at $35 for patients who now pay much more.

25 million Americans have asthma and 16 million Americans have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), meaning over 40 million Americans rely on inhalers to breathe.

Inhalers have been available since the 1950s, and most of the drugs they use have been on the market for more than 25 years.

According to a statement from the Wisconsin Senator’s office, inhaler manufacturers sell the exact same products at a much lower costs in other countries. One of AstraZeneca’s inhalers, Breztri Aerosphere, costs $645 in the U.S.—but just $49 in the UK. Inhalers made by Boehringer Ingelheim, GlaxoSmithKline, and Teva have similar disparities.

Baldwin and her Democratic colleagues—New Mexico Sen. Ben Ray Luján, Massachusetts Sen. Ed Markey, and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders—pressured the companies to lower their prices by writing letters to GSK, Boehringer Ingelheim, Teva, and AstraZeneca requesting a variety of documents that show why such higher prices are charged in America compared to Europe.

As a ranking member of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, Baldwin recently announced that as a result of the letters they had secured commitments from three of the four to lower the out-of-pocket costs of inhalers to a fixed $35.00 rate.

“For the millions of Americans who rely on inhalers to breathe, this news is a major step in the right direction as we work to lower costs and hold big drug companies accountable,” said Senator Baldwin.

A full list of the inhalers and associated drugs can be viewed here.

It’s the second time in the last year that pharmaceutical companies were forced to provide reasonable prices—after the cost of insulin was similarly capped successfully at $35 per month thanks to Congressional actions led by the White House.

-via Good News Network, March 25, 2024

[codewithcode]

California's new budget covers $32 billion deficit without touching reserves

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California Gov. Gavin Newsom and the Democrats who control the state Legislature agreed late Monday on how to spend $310.8 billion over the next year, endorsing a plan that covers a nearly $32 billion budget deficit without raiding the state’s savings account. The nation’s most populous state has had combined budget surpluses of well over $100 billion in the past few years,…

[worlddrugday]

At the Intersection of Drug Policy, Health and Human Rights.

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the New York NGO Committee on Drugs (NYNGOC) and the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) will convene this multi-stakeholder briefing to raise awareness on the UN's work on HIV prevention, treatment and care among people who use drugs, including in prison settings.

[worldhealthday]

Investing in strong health systems is critical for a prosperous society.

Investing in health systems.

[reportwire]

Congress members warned of significant health data breach

WASHINGTON — Members of the House and Senate were informed Wednesday that hackers may have gained access to their sensitive personal data in a breach of a Washington, D.C., health insurance marketplace. Employees of the lawmakers and their families were also affected. DC Health Link confirmed that data on an unspecified number of customers was affected and said it was notifying them and working…

[migrantsday]

Ensure migrants are provided equitable access to national vaccine programmes.

COVID-19 was the defining issue of 2020, and as the United Nations celebrates International Migrants Day today and considers how we might reimagine human mobility, we mark the contributions migrants are making and the virus’ impacts on their lives. The pandemic disproportionately affects migrants who often find themselves on the margins of society.

Despite caring for the sick and providing essential services, they are too often the first to lose their jobs and the last to be rehired, excluded from essential social services, unfairly ostracized as carriers of the disease and, in extreme cases, left as prey to those who would take advantage of their vulnerability. 

Take time to hear the voices of those struggling to overcome xenophobia and discrimination, to return home in the face of global mobility restrictions and grapple with the impact of the downturn in remittances. We must ensure migrants are provided equitable access to national vaccine programmes and for nations to recommit themselves to the principle of cross-border and regional cooperation enshrined in the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration to build prosperous, healthy and resilient communities.

[universalhealthcoverageday]

Primary Health Care towards Universal Health Coverage and the Sustainable Development Goals.

Primary Health Care (PHC) is a whole-of-society approach to health that aims to ensure the highest possible level of health and wellbeing and their equitable distribution by focusing on people's needs and preferences as early as possible along the continuum from health promotion and disease prevention to treatment, rehabilitation and palliative care, and as close as feasible to people's everyday environment.

The Declaration of Astana from October 2018 states that PHC is a cornerstone of a sustainable health system for universal health coverage (UHC) and health-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The global commitment to PHC in the Astana Declaration from October 2018 needs to be transformed into tangible actions to bring about demonstrable change and visible results.

[personswithdisabilitiesday]

Empowerment of Women and Girls with Disabilities.

Informal briefing on UN-Women's work and approach to achieve gender equality and empowerment of women and girls with disabilities.

[accesshealthcarephysicians]

Medicare Open Enrollment: How to Maximize Your Healthcare Savings

Medicare open enrollment is an opportunity to reevaluate your healthcare coverage and potentially save on healthcare costs. Access Health Care Physicians, LLC is here to guide you through this important phase, ensuring you make informed choices for a brighter healthcare future.

Medicare Open Enrollment: How to Maximize Your Healthcare Savings (Access Health Care Physicians, LLC) Make the most of Medicare open enrollment with Access Health Care Physicians, LLC, and optimize your healthcare savings. Let's delve into strategies to enhance your coverage and minimize costs during this crucial period.

Understanding Medicare Open Enrollment Medicare open enrollment is the time each year when you can review, modify, or switch your existing Medicare coverage. It typically runs from October 15 to December 7. This period allows you to make changes that will be effective the following year.

Assessing Your Current Coverage Begin by assessing your current Medicare coverage. Understand what's working well and what isn't. Are there services you need that aren't covered by your current plan? Assessing your needs is the first step to maximizing your savings.

Exploring New Medicare Options During the open enrollment period, you have the opportunity to explore and switch to different Medicare plans. Access Health Care Physicians, LLC can help you navigate through available options to identify a plan that aligns with your healthcare needs and budget.

Optimizing Your Coverage Optimizing your coverage involves ensuring your plan meets your specific healthcare needs. This could mean adding prescription drug coverage, considering a Medicare Advantage plan, or exploring supplemental insurance. Our experts at Access Health Care Physicians, LLC can guide you in making these critical decisions.

Comparing Plans and Costs One of the key aspects of maximizing your healthcare savings is comparing various Medicare plans and their associated costs. Our team can assist you in evaluating the benefits, premiums, deductibles, and copayments of different plans to make an informed decision.

Seeking Expert Guidance Navigating Medicare open enrollment can be complex, but you don't have to do it alone. Seek guidance from professionals like Access Health Care Physicians, LLC. Our experts can provide personalized advice based on your healthcare needs and financial situation.

Avoiding Common Mistakes Avoiding common pitfalls during open enrollment is crucial. These include missing the enrollment window, not reviewing your coverage, or overlooking changes in your healthcare needs. Our insights can help you steer clear of these errors.

Navigating the Enrollment Process Enrolling in a new Medicare plan or making changes to your existing one can be daunting. Access Health Care Physicians, LLC can simplify this process, ensuring a smooth transition and saving you time and effort.

Conclusion: Maximizing your healthcare savings during Medicare open enrollment is paramount. With Access Health Care Physicians, LLC as your guide, you can make informed choices that optimize your coverage and lead to substantial savings.

FAQs:

Can I change my Medicare plan only during the open enrollment period? Yes, Medicare open enrollment is the designated time to make changes to your plan. Outside this period, changes are limited to special circumstances.

How can I estimate potential savings during open enrollment? Access Health Care Physicians, LLC can assist you in comparing plans and estimating potential savings based on your healthcare needs and preferences.

[paletinianpeoplesolidarityday]

Reducing the risk of epidemics.

For over 60 years, the UNRWA Health programme has been delivering comprehensive primary health care (PHC) services, both preventive and curative, to Palestine refugees, and helping them access secondary and tertiary health care services.

UNRWA beneficiary populations are undergoing a demographic transition: People are living longer and developing different needs, particularly those related to non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and chronic conditions that require lifelong care, such as diabetes, hypertension and cancer. A healthy life is a continuum of phases from infancy to old age, each of which has unique, specific needs, and our programme therefore takes a ‘life-cycle approach’ to providing its package of preventive and curative health services.

To address the changing needs of Palestine refugees, we undertook a major reform initiative in 2011. We introduced the Family Health Team (FHT) approach, based on the World Health Organization-indicated values of primary health care, in our primary health facilities (PHFs).

The FHT offers comprehensive primary health care services based on holistic care of the entire family, emphasizing long-term provider-patient relationships and ensuring person-centeredness, comprehensiveness and continuity. Moreover, the FHT helps address cross-cutting issues that impact health, such as diet and physical activity, education, gender-based violence, child protection, poverty and community development.

The UNRWA have supported the implementation of the FHT by introducing an effective appointment system, along with a health informatics platform and electronic medical records (E-Health). By 2015, we plan to roll out the FHT approach to all 140 health centres across our five fields of operations.

In addition, the UNRWA Environmental Health programme controls the quality of drinking water, provides sanitation and carries out vector and rodent control in refugee camps, thus reducing the risk of epidemics.

For more information read health programme 2021 fact sheet.

[codewithcode]

Rhode Island governor signs bill to fund abortion coverage for state workers and Medicaid recipients

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Rhode Island Gov. Daniel McKee signed a bill into law Thursday that would let state funds be used to pay for health insurance plans that cover state workers and Medicaid recipients seeking abortions. The signing ceremony was held almost immediately after the state Senate approved the measure, also Thursday, on a 24-12 vote following less than an hour of debate in the…

[mfrance-writes]

New blog post! Topic: Suicide prevention is much broader than just making sure someone has emotional support and destigmatizing mental illness.