WinnDems News

Yolanda Coar was 40 when she died of COVID-19 in August 2020 in Augusta, Georgia. She was also a nurse manager, and one of nearly 3,000 frontline workers who have died in the U.S. fighting this virus, according to an exclusive investigation by The Guardian and KHN. http://dlvr.it/Rphf5j

Washington – Over the course of the 116th Congress, Congresswoman Cheri Bustos worked to deliver historic accomplishments in an unprecedented Congressional term. From delivering hundreds of millions in federal funding for the communities she serves to helping Illinois navigate a global pandemic to giving the Heartland a seat at the House leadership table, Congresswoman Bustos […] The post 116th Congress in Review: Bustos Delivers Historic Accomplishments in Unprecedented Term appeared first on Congresswoman Cheri Bustos. http://dlvr.it/RpZMS7

In a fracas between a largely rural county and neighboring cities, class and politics are just as relevant as the coronavirus. People are getting “stupid and mean,” as one mayor put it. http://dlvr.it/RpYGmk

It typically takes years of persuasion to change habits in the name of health safety. Local officials who are stuck with the responsibility of enforcing statewide pandemic-related mandates are trying to transform behavior fast. http://dlvr.it/RpVkHS

There are already signs that the distribution of the COVID vaccines will be messy, confusing and chaotic. http://dlvr.it/RpGfcb

The coronavirus pandemic colored just about everything in 2020. But there was other health policy news that you either never heard or might have forgotten about: the Affordable Care Act going before the Supreme Court with its survival on the line; ditto for Medicaid work requirements. And a surprise ending to the “surprise bill” saga. Joanne Kenen of Politico, Anna Edney of Bloomberg News and Sarah Karlin-Smith of Pink Sheet join KHN’s Julie Rovner to discuss these issues and more. http://dlvr.it/RpCdCz

Months before federal officials authorized experimental vaccines to ward off the coronavirus in humans, scientists tried a veterinary vaccine in endangered ferrets. Drugmakers are researching similar efforts for other animals proving vulnerable to the virus, such as farmed minks, in part to guard against virus mutations that could pose new risks to people. http://dlvr.it/RpC8tq

A gynecologist in Carlsbad, New Mexico, tested the 60-year-old grandmother for various sexually transmitted infections without her knowledge. Her share of the lab fee was more than $3,000. http://dlvr.it/RpC8tZ

The federal government expects vaccinations to be available to everyone who wants them by summer — though glitches are inevitable. If enough of us get vaccinated, we could wave goodbye to the pandemic in 2021. http://dlvr.it/RpC8lL

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] — Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (D-IL-17), along with U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL), today announced that $120 million in funding for the Rock Island Arsenal (RIA) was included in the bipartisan funding agreement that passed the House and Senate and will be signed into law. This funding will provide the […] The post Bustos, Duckworth, Durbin Secure Millions for Improvements at Rock Island Arsenal appeared first on Congresswoman Cheri Bustos. http://dlvr.it/Rp9bqc

Fears about lingering coronavirus at the White House are prompting a massive disinfection initiative before the Bidens move in. http://dlvr.it/Rp4G94

A UCSF emergency room physician reflects on California’s response to COVID-19 and on lessons learned — or not — as the coronavirus makes its second devastating surge. http://dlvr.it/Rp3qNz

Scientists learned the wrong lesson from past outbreaks, but Dr. Anthony Fauci doesn’t cast blame. http://dlvr.it/Rp3qNt

Howard University Hospital officials are eager to get their 1,900 employees vaccinated, but so far few are showing up. http://dlvr.it/Rp3qM8

Republican Greg Gianforte said that he will encourage people to wear masks and wear one himself when he’s sworn in as governor, but that he trusts Montana residents to make the right health decisions for themselves. http://dlvr.it/Rp3qFD

WASHINGTON – Today, bipartisan legislation led by Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (IL-17) to provide critical relief to surviving families of veterans suffering a loss passed the House of Representatives. The Burial Rights for America’s Veterans’ Efforts (BRAVE) Act was included in a sweeping package to address benefits provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). “We owe […] The post Bustos Initiative to Increase Funeral Benefits for Veterans’ Survivors Passes House appeared first on Congresswoman Cheri Bustos. http://dlvr.it/Rnx44f

Colorado’s Telluride is a case study in the challenges ski resorts across the U.S. face in staying open as COVID-19 surges. http://dlvr.it/RntxdD

Enacted in March, an emergency measure covers about half of full-time workers nationwide, permitting 10 days of paid sick leave for all who fall ill or need to quarantine, and 50 more days of extended leave for parents who need to care for a child at home due to COVID-related school or day care closures. http://dlvr.it/RntxYQ

Half the public believes the worst of the pandemic is yet to come, but most are prepared to continue to take measures to limit the spread of COVID-19 until vaccines are distributed. http://dlvr.it/RntbYn

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Representatives Cheri Bustos (D-IL-17) and Dave Loebsack (D-IA-02), with U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), applauded the Bureau of Prisons’ (BOP) approval of a 25 percent relocation and recruitment incentive for all departments at Thomson Prison. This new incentive will be made available to new employees at the […] The post BUSTOS, DURBIN, DUCKWORTH, LOEBSACK SECURE NEW INITIATIVE TO BOLSTER STAFFING AT USP THOMSON appeared first on Congresswoman Cheri Bustos. http://dlvr.it/RnscFP

Congress seems on the verge of finishing a long-delayed COVID-19 relief bill, which will reportedly include neither of the things each party wanted most — for Republicans, liability protections; for Democrats, funding for states and localities. That bill is likely to be tied to a package to fund the federal government for the rest of the fiscal year and, possibly, include a fix for “surprise” medical bills that patients receive when they inadvertently receive care outside their insurance network. Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico, Rebecca Adams of CQ Roll Call and Mary Agnes Carey of KHN join KHN’s Julie Rovner to discuss these issues and more. Also this week, Rovner talks to Elizabeth Mitchell, president and CEO of the Pacific Business Group on Health, about the future of employer-provided health insurance. http://dlvr.it/Rns05r

Dr. Dale Bredesen is a well-known, well-respected neurologist. But his colleagues think the comprehensive Alzheimer’s program he’s marketing through a private company is a mixture of free-for-the-asking common sense and unproven interventions. http://dlvr.it/Rnq6Dz

The coronavirus pandemic has hit hard for Troy Muenzer of Chicago. He had a “suspected case” of COVID in the spring, was billed nearly $1,000 after he unsuccessfully sought to get tested for COVID-19 and has been furloughed after the airline he worked for saw a major decline in passengers. http://dlvr.it/Rnq64v

It's no worse than the flu, and other deadly disinformation about the coronavirus http://dlvr.it/Rnm04q

Host Dan Weissmann gives us an inside look at his family’s quest to pick health insurance for next year. COVID-19 makes it more complicated. http://dlvr.it/RnlNRc

One woman’s attempt to create a festival celebrating diverse music ran up against the reality of the pandemic this year. But it also yielded lessons in how to reimagine events in the COVID era. http://dlvr.it/RnlNKl

Experts agree that more than 70% of a population needs to be inoculated to reach “herd immunity.” http://dlvr.it/RnjhG1

Some years from now, infants and school-aged children will probably be the mainstay of a universal vaccination program against COVID-19 in the United States. But first, doctors want to be sure that newfangled vaccines won’t harm them. http://dlvr.it/RngdL9

COVID infection rates in California are consistently higher in low-income neighborhoods than more affluent areas, according to an analysis by ZIP code. Our findings underscore the heightened risks borne by millions of low-wage workers whose jobs are deemed essential. http://dlvr.it/RngdHj

At least 181 public health leaders in 38 states have resigned, retired or been fired amid the turmoil of the pandemic. The departures come as backlash against public health is rising with threats to officials’ personal safety and legislative and legal efforts to strip their governmental public health powers. http://dlvr.it/RnfrpX

Firefighters are often thrust into front-line health emergencies. During the COVID pandemic, they’ve paid an especially high price. http://dlvr.it/RnbwMr

Kent Thiry, the former CEO of dialysis giant DaVita, has clear ideas about how democracy should work. By backing ballot measures in Colorado, he’s shaping the power of voters in that state. http://dlvr.it/RnbwGt

Even as the federal Food and Drug Administration engaged in intense deliberations ahead of Friday's authorization of the nation’s first COVID vaccine, and days before the initial doses were to be released, hospitals have been grappling with how to distribute the first scarce shots. Their plans vary broadly. http://dlvr.it/RnbwBK

What’s a 67-year-old to do when COVID-19 shuts down the volunteering gigs that were his personal fountain of youth? http://dlvr.it/RnR411

Public health officials have urged Americans to hunker down, but people are still planning trips and contemplating ways to mitigate the risk of catching or spreading the coronavirus. http://dlvr.it/RnR40s

Hospitals and nursing homes must decide who gets the initial doses as the U.S. heads into the biggest vaccination effort in history. There’s a lot left to figure out. http://dlvr.it/RnR40g

Everyone — from toilet paper manufacturers to patient advocates — is lobbying state advisory boards, arguing their members are essential, vulnerable or both — and, thus, most deserving of an early vaccine. http://dlvr.it/RnR3zx

Even as the Food and Drug Administration nears emergency authorization for the first vaccine to protect against COVID-19, Congress remains at loggerheads over a COVID relief bill that could also provide the funding to fully distribute the vaccines. Meanwhile, President-elect Joe Biden announced the first members of his health team. Joanne Kenen of Politico, Kimberly Leonard of Business Insider and Mary Ellen McIntire of CQ Roll Call join KHN’s Julie Rovner to discuss these issues and more. Also this week, Rovner interviews Michael Mackert of the University of Texas-Austin, an expert on communicating public health information. http://dlvr.it/RnPD9L

Gov. Gavin Newsom said he has already begun discussing California health care priorities with Xavier Becerra, tapped this week by President-elect Joe Biden to serve as his Health and Human Services secretary. http://dlvr.it/RnMBhd

Over the past four years, the dialysis industry has spent $233 million on both political offense and defense in California. Most of it went toward protecting its revenues against ballot initiatives, but the industry also strategically worked the corridors of the state Capitol. http://dlvr.it/RnMBZy

Bill Includes Key Bustos Provisions Such as “Zillow”-style Military Real Estate Tool, Pay Raises, Protections for Gold Star Families, National Guardsmen WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (IL-17), a member of the powerful House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, helped pass the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) out of the House. The bill includes key Bustos […] The post Bustos Helps Pass Strong National Defense Bill appeared first on Congresswoman Cheri Bustos. http://dlvr.it/RnKFDr

WASHINGTON — Today, Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (IL-17) helped pass the final bipartisan Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2020. This legislation, which was first passed by the House in July and has been finalized by bipartisan, bicameral negotiations, authorizes Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) water resources projects to strengthen our locks and dams, improve inland […] The post Bustos Helps Pass Key Bipartisan Legislation to Strengthen Inland Waterways appeared first on Congresswoman Cheri Bustos. http://dlvr.it/RnKF9c

Our public messaging about the virus should explain the real costs — in graphic terms — of catching the virus. http://dlvr.it/RnHPwl

Despite his lack of front-line experience, Democrats see the California attorney general as an important ally to shepherd a progressive agenda on the Affordable Care Act, Medicaid, reproductive health services and immigration. http://dlvr.it/RnD5hl

Contact tracing for COVID-19 in a Latino immigrant community has some unique challenges. But as public health officials in Telluride, Colorado, are showing, using resources from inside those communities can help track and contain the coronavirus. http://dlvr.it/RnCkrJ

As America enters a dark winter with no national directives against COVID-19, Washington, Missouri, faced the same dilemma numerous other communities are grappling with: enact restrictions to curb the pandemic or leave people to their own will? Then a local 13-year-old died. http://dlvr.it/RnCkqD

Republican spokespeople for the committees responsible for vetting Health and Human Services nominations said the Senate may not hold hearings on California Attorney General Xavier Becerra, President-elect Joe Biden’s pick to lead the department, until the Senate approves committee assignments for the new Congress. That could delay the start of the process. http://dlvr.it/RnCkh0

California Attorney General Xavier Becerra is President-elect Joe Biden’s pick for U.S. Health and Human Services secretary. As attorney general and during his 24 years in Congress, he has staked progressive positions on health care issues, fighting the Trump administration on contraception, suing a major California health system for monopolistic behavior and calling himself a supporter of single-payer health care. http://dlvr.it/Rn9qwC

When campuses stay open, COVID infections spread widely, and sometimes kill. But by closing dorms and dining halls, scores of smaller schools face finances so ruinous they could be fatal for their institutions. http://dlvr.it/Rn84vx

With two vaccines against coronavirus disease poised for release within weeks, experts say they expect attitudes to shift dramatically from hesitancy to “Beanie Baby”-level urgency. http://dlvr.it/Rn84vT

Instead of taking on the expense of traditional health plans, some small businesses are setting up an “individual coverage health reimbursement arrangement” that allows them to give workers money to put toward comprehensive coverage on the individual insurance market. But consumer advocates are concerned they may shortchange some workers. http://dlvr.it/Rn84sC

On the latest episode of ‘An Arm and a Leg’: Come for insights from an Obama administration health policy leader, stay to hear how frank health policy conversations can get uncomfortable. http://dlvr.it/Rn84lw

WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (IL-17), a member of the House Agriculture Committee, helped pass the U.S. Grain Standards Reauthorization Act, which authorizes the Federal Grain Inspection Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture to establish marketing standards like weight and quality for certain grains and oilseeds including corn, soybeans, wheat and more. This […] The post Bustos Helps Pass Grain Standards Reauthorization Act appeared first on Congresswoman Cheri Bustos. http://dlvr.it/Rn1F9Y

Authorities are ordering early closures — generally around 10 p.m. — to curb the spread of COVID-19. But will the coronavirus observe this curfew? http://dlvr.it/Rmzsl2

Millions of people are looking for coverage on the federal and state marketplaces right now. Sometimes it’s hard to tell the difference between a comprehensive plan and a “junk” plan with limited benefits and coverage restrictions. http://dlvr.it/RmzHV2

Hospitals across the country are struggling as staffers get infected with the coronavirus. It's especially tough for small, rural hospitals, where even one doctor out sick can upend patient capacity. http://dlvr.it/RmzHTw

Prince George’s County in Maryland is taking action after a coronavirus outbreak left veteran public health worker Chantee Mack dead and several colleagues with lasting medical problems. But some staffers say more still needs to be done to keep public health workers on the front lines of the COVID fight safe. http://dlvr.it/RmzHR9

The official transition to a Joe Biden administration has finally begun, and he is expected to announce his health care team soon, including a new secretary of Health and Human Services. Meanwhile, as the COVID-19 pandemic worsens in the U.S., officials are preparing for the effort to get Americans vaccinated as soon as vaccines are approved by the FDA. Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico, Margot Sanger-Katz of The New York Times and Paige Winfield Cunningham of The Washington Post join KHN’s Julie Rovner to discuss these issues and more. Also this week, Rovner interviews KHN’s Julie Appleby, who wrote the latest KHN-NPR “Bill of the Month” installment. http://dlvr.it/RmxL4z