WinnDems News

Inoculation rates remain low despite massive outreach efforts and incentives from federal and state programs and Medicaid plan operators, leaving many low-income people vulnerable to the virus. http://dlvr.it/SKngbZ

A Denver restaurant chain has a novel approach to address employees’ stress. It has hired a full-time mental health professional to help with group and one-on-one counseling. http://dlvr.it/SKdLTt

In anticipation of the Supreme Court rolling back abortion rights this year, both Democrats and Republicans are arguing among themselves over how best to proceed to either protect or restrict the procedure. Meanwhile, millions of Americans are at risk of losing their health insurance when the federal government declares an end to the current “public health emergency.” Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico, Shefali Luthra of The 19th, and Rachana Pradhan of KHN join KHN’s Julie Rovner to discuss these issues and more. Also this week, Rovner interviews KHN’s Jay Hancock, who wrote the latest KHN-NPR “Bill of the Month” episode about a couple whose insurance company deemed their twins’ stay in intensive care not an emergency. http://dlvr.it/SKbd0N

“This is about protecting democracy and not allowing a leader like Vladimir Putin to continue to spread his authoritarian ways.” WASHINGTON — Today, Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (IL-17), a member of the powerful House Appropriations Defense Subcommittee, joined NewsNation’s Morning in America to discuss Russia’s unprovoked attack on Ukraine and the need for Democrats and Republicans to unite in […] The post Bustos on NewsNation: Americans Must Put “Country Over Party” In Response to Russian Attacks appeared first on Congresswoman Cheri Bustos. http://dlvr.it/SKbFQ7

Nine seniors from across the country talk frankly about feeling alone and constrained, missing church, and family routines. They also share newfound hope and discoveries that arose from the crisis. http://dlvr.it/SKYpZg

WASHINGTON — Today, Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (IL-17) joined her colleagues on a letter to the Department of Defense urging Secretary Lloyd Austin to make at-home COVID-19 tests available to service members and their families at no cost and without unnecessary medical requirements. In the letter, the Members encourage the Department of Defense to provide the more than 9.6 […] The post Bustos Pushes For Free At-Home COVID-19 Tests For Servicemembers and Their Families appeared first on Congresswoman Cheri Bustos. http://dlvr.it/SKXG4M

The insurance company said that the birth of the Bull family’s twins was not an emergency and that NICU care was “not medically necessary.” The family’s experience with a huge bill sent to collections happened in 2020, but it exposes a hole in the new No Surprises law that took effect Jan. 1. http://dlvr.it/SKVLj4

Those who are living with disabilities, chronic illnesses or are immunocompromised because of medications or cancer treatment feel that their needs are not being considered as states open back up and lift mask mandates. http://dlvr.it/SKQnTL

Covid is running rampant through the Alderson women’s prison in West Virginia, in one of the deadliest outbreaks this year at a federal correctional facility. This comes as Bureau of Prisons officials take heat for how the agency has handled the pandemic. http://dlvr.it/SKCQQm

California’s homeless crisis is often understood through cities like Los Angeles and San Francisco, where the sheer number of people living unsheltered can quickly capsize the programs designed to help them. But in remote counties like Del Norte, California’s Project Homekey is having a tangible impact. http://dlvr.it/SKCFsg

As the pandemic wanes, for now, the ever-rising cost of health care is again taking center stage. Meanwhile, a year into the Biden administration, the FDA finally has a Senate-confirmed commissioner, Dr. Robert Califf. Tami Luhby of CNN, Sarah Karlin-Smith of the Pink Sheet, and Rachel Cohrs of Stat join KHN’s Julie Rovner to discuss these issues and more. Also this week, Rovner interviews Hannah Wesolowski of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, about how the pandemic has worsened the nation’s mental health crisis and what can be done about it. http://dlvr.it/SK9W8j

Conservative lawmakers may find their anti-abortion agendas complicated by state constitutions that explicitly grant citizens the right to privacy, regardless of what the U.S. Supreme Court does. http://dlvr.it/SK7lGp

An epic battle is playing out behind the scenes over whether the government should pay for Aduhelm, an FDA-approved Alzheimer’s drug that scientists say has not been proven to work. http://dlvr.it/SK4GzV

Episode 3 is an exploration of the forces that brought uranium mining to the Navajo Nation, the harmful consequences, and the fight for compensation that continues today. http://dlvr.it/SK0tBc

MOLINE — Today, Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (IL-17) announced that her office delivered more than 300 valentines across Northwest and Central Illinois as part of her ninth annual “Valentines for Veterans” drive. Bustos, who organized this effort to thank our Veterans for their service and sacrifice, spearheaded the effort to collect valentines from Illinois families and […] The post Bustos Delivers More Than 300 Valentines for Veterans appeared first on Congresswoman Cheri Bustos. http://dlvr.it/SJzN7L

KHN highlights some of the creative valentines posted on Twitter by health policy enthusiasts. http://dlvr.it/SJxWdN

Inquiries lead from one federal office to the next, with no clear answers. At one Army Contracting Command, a protocol office employee says that “voicemail has been down for months.” And the email address listed for fielding media inquiries? “The army stopped using the email address about eight years ago.” http://dlvr.it/SJnVbx

Congress is set to start its once-every-five-years review of the law that authorizes user fees to finance the hiring of personnel to speed the FDA review of drugs. The periodic renewals of “PDUFA” also give lawmakers a chance to make other changes to the agency at the hub of the pandemic. Meanwhile, the FDA could also find itself at the center of the abortion debate and a controversial new medication to treat Alzheimer’s disease. Anna Edney of Bloomberg News, Joanne Kenen of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and Politico, and Sarah Karlin-Smith of the Pink Sheet join KHN’s Julie Rovner to discuss these issues and more. http://dlvr.it/SJlqrp

Bustos first introduced the bill in 2017 after learning about thousands of women who were sexually harassed or assaulted, and then silenced by forced arbitration clauses WASHINGTON — Today, Congresswoman Cheri Bustos’ (IL-17) bipartisan, bicameral legislation to end forced arbitration for sexual harassment and assault survivors passed the U.S. Senate, after passing the U.S. House […] The post Bustos Statement on Senate Passage of HR 4445 to End Forced Arbitration appeared first on Congresswoman Cheri Bustos. http://dlvr.it/SJlBLq

The Biden administration is getting rid of several policies implemented by Trump-era appointees that restricted enrollment. Federal officials now say states can no longer charge premiums to low-income residents enrolled in Medicaid and have ruled out work requirements. http://dlvr.it/SJk2x9

WASHINGTON — This week, Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (IL-17) voted to improve mail delivery across Illinois and strengthen the U.S. Postal Service with the Postal Service Reform Act of 2022.  By saving billions in funding, increasing performance transparency and creating new sources of revenue, this bipartisan legislation will strengthen the financial footing of the USPS so […] The post Bustos Votes to Strengthen Postal Service and Ensure Reliable, On-Time Mail Service appeared first on Congresswoman Cheri Bustos. http://dlvr.it/SJhKmg

Problems with California’s new Medicaid prescription drug program are preventing thousands of patients from getting their medications, including some life-saving ones. State officials say they’re working on fixes. http://dlvr.it/SJfVMT

WASHINGTON — Today, Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (IL-17),Chair of the General Farm Commodities and Risk Management Subcommittee of the House Agriculture Committee, delivered the following statement at today’s hearing titled “A Hearing to Review Farm Policy with Undersecretary Robert Bonnie.” [As prepared for delivery] Today’s hearing to review farm policy with USDA’s Undersecretary for Farm Production […] The post Bustos’ Opening Statement at Hearing to Review Farm Policy with Undersecretary Robert Bonnie appeared first on Congresswoman Cheri Bustos. http://dlvr.it/SJd0tF

WASHINGTON — Today, Congresswoman Cheri Bustos’ (IL-17) spoke on the House Floor during the debate of her bipartisan, bicameral legislation to end forced arbitration for sexual harassment and assault survivors. A vote by the full House of Representatives is forthcoming this evening. Her full speech can be viewed here and read below.  WATCH: Bustos Speaks […] The post Bustos Speaks on House Floor Ahead of Vote on Bill to End Forced Arbitration for Sexual Assault and Harassment appeared first on Congresswoman Cheri Bustos. http://dlvr.it/SJcg8f

A public health official who said he was anti-abortion and anti-mandate for masks and covid vaccines did not pass the purity test of a Missouri senator who opposes covid public health restrictions. The senator killed the official’s nomination to be state health director, highlighting how hands may be tied in the nationwide fight against infectious diseases. http://dlvr.it/SJbJDv

Investigators allege a Texas company that arranges spine surgery and other medical care for people injured in car crashes accepted bribes in violation of 1960s-era racketeering law. http://dlvr.it/SJb70B

Cities and nonprofits across the country are building communities of tiny homes to safely house people amid covid and cold winters. Proponents say tiny homes give people dignity and privacy, but some advocates for homeless people say they don't go far enough. http://dlvr.it/SJWhrx

WASHINGTON — Yesterday, Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (D-IL-17) led a bipartisan letter with Congressman Darin LaHood (R-IL-18) and Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) urging the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to prioritize funding from the bipartisan infrastructure law for the replacement of the outdated air traffic control tower at the Peoria International Airport.  “The […] The post PEORIA: Bustos, Durbin, Duckworth & LaHood Urge FAA to Prioritize Funding to Replace Air Traffic Control Tower at Peoria International Airport appeared first on Congresswoman Cheri Bustos. http://dlvr.it/SJPBzN

Alice Wong, a writer and organizer in San Francisco, says the isolation and loss of the pandemic have shown society what it’s like to be disabled. http://dlvr.it/SJMp5W

The backroom deal with politically connected Kaiser Permanente, which infuriated other Medi-Cal health plans, allows the health care giant to continue selecting the enrollees it wants. http://dlvr.it/SJLzzQ

Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra is drawing criticism for his hands-off handling of the covid crisis even though the heads of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institutes of Health, and FDA report to him. Meanwhile, the Department of Labor looks to enforce mental health “parity laws” that have failed to achieve their goals. Margot Sanger-Katz of The New York Times, Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico, and Rachel Cohrs of Stat join KHN’s Julie Rovner to discuss these issues and more. Also this week, Rovner interviews KHN’s Noam N. Levey, who reported and wrote the latest KHN-NPR “Bill of the Month” episode about a large emergency room bill for a small amount of medical care. http://dlvr.it/SJL6Mw

Home health and hospice agencies are experiencing extreme worker shortages, which means they can’t provide services to all the patients seeking care. http://dlvr.it/SJJPGQ

WASHINGTON — Today, Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (IL-17) announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has awarded more than $275,000 in rural development grants to community facilities in Illinois’ 17th Congressional District. The federal funds will be used to improve community infrastructure. “Rural communities are at the very heart of Northern, Northwestern and Central Illinois. […] The post Bustos Announces More Than $275,000 in Federal Funding to Improve Rural Community Infrastructure appeared first on Congresswoman Cheri Bustos. http://dlvr.it/SJH2H7

Today’s vote sets bill on path for consideration by the full House of Representatives WASHINGTON — Today, Congresswoman Cheri Bustos’ (IL-17) bipartisan, bicameral legislation to end forced arbitration for sexual harassment and assault survivors took a critical step forward when the Rules Committee passed a rule setting up floor consideration of the bill. The Ending […] The post House Rules Committee Advances Bustos’ Bill to End Forced Arbitration for Sexual Assault and Harassment appeared first on Congresswoman Cheri Bustos. http://dlvr.it/SJFXh0

Many parents of children too young for vaccines are exhausted. Some feel isolated and even forgotten by those who just want to move on even as omicron continues to sweep through parts of the country. http://dlvr.it/SJDvGf

ROCK ISLAND — Today, Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (IL-17) announced that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has awarded more than $1.6 million in federal funding for Head Start programs at Project NOW, a Community Action Agency serving Rock Island, Henry and Mercer counties in Illinois.  “Since 1968, Project NOW has helped improve living […] The post QUAD-CITIES: Bustos Announces More Than $1.6 Million in Federal Funding for Head Start Programs appeared first on Congresswoman Cheri Bustos. http://dlvr.it/SJBpV2

The need for mental health services on campus, which was already rising, has skyrocketed during the pandemic, with many students undergoing grave psychological crises. Colleges say they often lack the means to offer competitive salaries to therapists. http://dlvr.it/SJ9VTk