Democrats are riding a a high today after two big overnight wins. For the first time in nearly three decades, a Democrat won the race for Miami mayor, beating out a Republican endorsed by President Trump. Eileen Higgins will also now make history as the first woman to lead the city.And in Georgia, the Atlanta Journal Constitution is saying that the special election for a state house seat quote sounded alarm bells for Republicans and supercharged Democrats. Democrat Eric Gistler claimed victory last night, a ...

[music] [music] Heat. Heat. >> [music] [music] >> $500,000.$500,000 is the estimated cost that many families have to pay out of pocket just to ensure that their child receives the care that they deserve. A price that compares to a Lamborghini. I never imagined that my wheelchair would cost that much.You see, many people assume disability has its perks, its luxuries. That luxury comes with a cost. a cost that many people have never seen or will ever be prepared for.[snorts] Many families are navigating a bro ...

Safety Net Hospitals' Role - Safety net hospitals, comprising only 5% of US hospitals, provide 28% of all charity or free care in the country [1] - These hospitals serve the poor, vulnerable, uninsured, underinsured, and Medicaid patients, acting as a crucial safety net [1] - Safety net hospitals offer essential services like emergency care, primary care, behavioral health, preventive checkups, cancer screenings, and trauma care [1] Financial Challenges - Safety net hospitals face inadequate reimbursement rates that don't cover the cost of care for the poor, leading to financial strain [1] - Underpayment results in deferred maintenance, outdated technology (e g, mammogram machines), and excessive wait times due to lean staffing [1] - Reimbursement for the same procedure at a safety net hospital can be 40% to 100% less compared to other hospitals due to patient's Medicaid insurance or lack of coverage [1] Systemic Impact - The closure or curbing of services at safety net hospitals can lead to overcrowded emergency rooms and delayed surgeries, affecting the entire healthcare system [5][6][8] - A weakened safety net disproportionately affects those who lose jobs, employer-based insurance, or are young adults aging out of their parents' insurance [7][8] - The value of a healthcare system lies in ensuring everyone has a place to land, emphasizing that access to healthcare is interwoven and not a gated community [10] Call to Action - The industry urges recognition, support, and appropriate funding for safety net hospitals to prevent their decline [12][13] - It emphasizes that healthcare is a right for everyone, not just a privilege for a few, and calls for health justice [1][12] - The industry asks to look beyond appearances and see the people receiving care and the mission-driven healthcare professionals in these hospitals [10][11]

Tokyo is rolling out subsidies for epidurals in a country where cost is a barrier and women are often encouraged to endure the pain of childbirth. https://t.co/GRenb0vudm ...

Hospital Closure & Community Impact - Glenn Medical Center, the only hospital in Glenn County, California, is closing, impacting community healthcare access [2] - The closure raises concerns about increased mortality rates due to longer travel times to other hospitals, potentially 40 minutes away [2] - The closure will result in job losses for hospital staff, including the Director of Nurses [2] - Patients are already experiencing longer wait times (5 weeks) for appointments at the next nearest hospital [6] Funding & Regulatory Issues - The hospital lost its "critical access" status from CMS, resulting in the loss of millions of dollars in federal funding [3] - CMS revoked the status because another hospital is located 33 miles away, based on a calculation using a two-lane back road [4] - CMS does not factor in weather or road conditions when determining hospital eligibility [5] National Context - Advocacy groups estimate that over 700 rural hospitals nationwide (approximately one-third of all rural hospitals) are at risk of closing due to financial strain and potential Medicaid cuts [7][8]

Affordability & Accessibility - Springfield, MA provides affordable living options for retirees [1] - Strong healthcare access is available in Springfield, MA [1] Lifestyle & Culture - Springfield, MA offers rich cultural amenities [1] - Springfield, MA maintains a big city feel [1]

Core Points - Sanofi US has expanded its Insulins Valyou Savings Program to offer a 30-day supply of any Sanofi insulin for $35 to all patients in the US with a valid prescription, regardless of insurance status [1][2][4] - The program aims to ensure that no American pays more than $35 per month for Sanofi insulins, addressing a critical healthcare issue for millions living with diabetes [2][5] - The initiative is a continuation of efforts to lower costs for American patients, aligning with previous healthcare objectives [3][5] Program Details - The expanded program will cover all types and combinations of Sanofi insulins and will be implemented nationwide starting January 1, 2026 [4][5] - Patients can enroll in the program through Sanofi Patient Connection or by calling a designated number [5] - The program is designed to work at most pharmacies across the US, including independent and rural pharmacies, without creating complex hurdles for patients [3][4] Company Commitment - Sanofi emphasizes its commitment to improving access and affordability for diabetes management, highlighting the importance of consistent access to medication [5] - The company plans to continue collaborating with policymakers and stakeholders to develop sustainable, long-term solutions for healthcare access [3][5] - Sanofi's initiatives reflect its broader mission to address urgent healthcare challenges and improve the lives of people affected by diabetes [6]

Main Argument - The presentation focuses on the disparity in life expectancy between high-income and low-income countries, highlighting preventable deaths as a key issue [13][15] - It argues that unequal access to basic healthcare, sanitation, and safety contributes to a significant "death gap" of over 25 years between high and low-income countries [14] - The presentation questions the ethical implications of focusing on extending life indefinitely while neglecting the immediate needs of those who die prematurely from preventable causes [17][18] Supporting Points - The speaker uses the example of Kane Tanaka, who lived to 119 years old, to illustrate that simply "not dying" from preventable causes is a major factor in longevity [8][20] - The presentation emphasizes that even within high-income countries, there is a 10+ year life expectancy gap between the rich and the poor [15] - Public health interventions like sanitation, hygiene, and protection from unhealthy environments are presented as cost-effective solutions to address preventable deaths [19] Philosophical Considerations - The presentation raises questions about the impact of unequal life expectancy on democracy and the return on investment, suggesting that those who live longer benefit more from existing systems [5][17] - It challenges the prioritization of research on eternal life over addressing the immediate needs of those with lower life expectancies [17][18]

Core Points - Sun Life and DentaQuest announced the recipients of the 2025 Health Access Hero Awards, recognizing nonprofits and individuals enhancing health service access and outcomes for underserved communities [1][2] - The awards include grants for innovative health programs and individual recognitions, with over $3.5 million in grants awarded and more than 130 individuals recognized to date [2] Individual Winners - Dr. Douglas Cross expanded dental service access in Louisiana, implementing the state's first teledentistry program and positively impacting over 5,000 individuals [3] - Rashida Ferdinand improved preventive healthcare access in New Orleans by developing a healthy food hub and offering nutrition education [4] - Nancy Gaudet founded Type One Families to support parents of children with type 1 diabetes, creating multiple communities across Massachusetts [5] - Dr. Scott Miller improved dental care access in Virginia, serving over 8,000 patients and training 29 new dentists since 2020 [6] - Dr. Bradley Smith expanded mobile clinical operations in Arizona, serving uninsured patients and launching a diabetes management program [7][8] - Joshua Williams addressed food insecurity in South Florida, leading efforts that reached over 800,000 individuals and distributed over 8 million pounds of food [9] Grant Winners - Bay Area Community Health received $100,000 to fund a Diabetes & Oral Health Integrated Care program [10] - Breakthrough T1D was awarded $50,000 to support early detection of type 1 diabetes in underserved communities [11] - The Health Wagon received $50,000 for a diabetes management initiative at its dental clinic [12] - Independence Gardens was granted $25,000 to provide food and health education to over 10,000 children [13] - Karis Community Health received $100,000 to expand services in underserved counties [14] - Maine Community Integration was awarded $25,000 to support dental and health equity for immigrant families [15] - Monitor My Health received $50,000 to fund a mobile laboratory for chronic disease prevention [16] - Neighborhood Services Organization was granted $100,000 to address poor oral health outcomes in Oklahoma [17] - Oceana Community Health received $25,000 to improve diabetes and dental access in hurricane-affected areas [18]

Healthcare Access - On average, 89 Gazan patients are permitted to leave each month since March [1] - At the current rate, it would take approximately 15 years to evacuate all patients on the waiting list [1]