WinnDems News

The Rockland County case isn’t expected to cause a major outbreak, but it shows how even this rare disease can pop up in undervaccinated communities. http://dlvr.it/SVhzVZ

WASHINGTON — Today, Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (IL-17) voted to pass historic, bipartisan legislation to address inflation, strengthen Illinois families’ financial future, boost America’s research advantage and safeguard our economic and national security for generations to come.   The CHIPS and Science Act will deliver a powerful investment in America’s global competitiveness – creating jobs, slashing kitchen table costs, ending dependence on […] The post Bustos Votes for CHIPS and Science Act to Lower Families’ Costs, Power American Economic Independence appeared first on Congresswoman Cheri Bustos. http://dlvr.it/SVgYPL

In a rare surprise for official Washington, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) announced a deal to expand the planned health bill in the Senate to include provisions raising taxes and addressing climate change. The measure would include a third year of expanded subsidies for the Affordable Care Act, but not health care coverage for people left out of Medicaid in states that failed to expand the program. Meanwhile, the ACA goes back to court, and the Biden administration restores anti-discrimination protections for LGBTQ+ people that were rolled back by the Trump administration. Joanne Kenen of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and Politico, Sarah Karlin-Smith of the Pink Sheet, and Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico join KHN’s Julie Rovner to discuss these issues and more. Also this week, Rovner interviews Dr. Céline Gounder of KHN about the latest on the monkeypox outbreak. http://dlvr.it/SVgT5L

WASHINGTON — Today, Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (IL-17), a longtime champion for increasing telehealth availability, voted to pass the Advancing Telehealth Beyond COVID-19 Act – bipartisan legislation to ensure that Medicare patients can continue to access telehealth services beyond the current public health emergency. The White House has announced its support for the legislation through a Statement of Administration Policy.   “Every […] The post Bustos Votes to Advance Telehealth Access appeared first on Congresswoman Cheri Bustos. http://dlvr.it/SVfyt4

Debt lawsuits — long a byproduct of America’s medical debt crisis — can ensnare not only patients but also those who help sick and older people be admitted to nursing homes, a KHN-NPR investigation finds. http://dlvr.it/SVdkqP

PEORIA — Today, Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (IL-17), a member of the powerful House Appropriations Committee, announced that General Downing – Peoria International Airport will receive $8.4 million in federal funding for runway improvements. The funds were awarded by the U.S. Department of Transportation through the Federal Aviation Administration.  “During my decade in Congress, I’ve always been focused […] The post Bustos Announces $8.4 Million for Peoria International Airport Runway Improvements appeared first on Congresswoman Cheri Bustos. http://dlvr.it/SVc12J

Although the disease is currently spreading almost exclusively among men who have sex with men, some cases are turning up in other populations — and that number is likely to grow if public health officials don’t effectively nip the outbreak in the bud. http://dlvr.it/SVZQ78

A lack of Native physicians means many tribal communities rely on doctors who don’t share their lived experience, culture, or spiritual beliefs. In Episode 9, meet two medical students working to join the ranks of Indigenous physicians. http://dlvr.it/SVWKXz

The advocacy group American Commitment said empowering Medicare to negotiate drug prices would raid it of billions of dollars. Drug pricing experts say that that’s not the case and that such policies would instead reduce costs for the Medicare program and seniors. http://dlvr.it/SVSG7F

WASHINGTON — Today, Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (IL-17), a member of the powerful House Appropriations Committee, helped pass an Appropriations legislative package for Fiscal Year 2023. Congresswoman Bustos secured local wins in each of the six bills: Agriculture, Rural Development, FDA; Energy and Water Development; Financial Services, General Government; Interior-Environment; Military Construction and Veterans Affairs and Transportation-HUD. The package included […] The post Bustos Priorities Pass House in Six-Bill Appropriations Package appeared first on Congresswoman Cheri Bustos. http://dlvr.it/SVLjKn

Homes for pregnant girls may seem like a vestige of the past. But they still exist and, in light of the Supreme Court’s recent ruling on abortion, may become more necessary. http://dlvr.it/SVK4mT

The commonly repeated myths include arguments that only women who are pregnant are affected by the decision overturning Roe v. Wade, that Democratic lawmakers could have codified abortion protections before, and that Congress can easily get rid of federal laws restricting abortion. http://dlvr.it/SVK4hv

Amparo and Victor Rios began searching for answers about their son’s development when he didn’t hit some milestones after turning 2. Three years later, they are still trying to get their insurance to pay for expensive therapy to help him. http://dlvr.it/SVFtHM

Families affected by ultra-rare diseases are starting their own companies to speed the development of treatments for their kids, venturing into territory that traditional drugmakers deem too risky. http://dlvr.it/SVFt9n

Some people living with HIV and some state health officials are raising concerns about part of the federal effort to end the HIV epidemic: a new technology that analyzes blood samples to find emerging outbreaks. The critics say it’s too invasive and stigmatizing and might not be more effective than older public health approaches. http://dlvr.it/SVBhbV

KHN Midwest correspondent Lauren Weber appeared on CBS News’ streaming network to discuss “Fighting Monkeypox, Sexual Health Clinics Are Underfunded and Ill-Equipped,” an article she wrote with KHN senior correspondent Liz Szabo. It details how ill-equipped the nation’s sexual health clinics and public health system are to tackle monkeypox after decades of underfunding. Weber described […] http://dlvr.it/SVBhV6

Measures to enshrine the right to abortion in the state constitution will be on the ballot in California and Vermont this fall. Abortion-rights advocates in Michigan are hoping their state will follow suit. http://dlvr.it/SV7RwZ

Mark Seidman, an assistant director in the Federal Trade Commission’s Bureau of Competition, talks with KHN about efforts to police consolidation among hospitals and other health care providers. http://dlvr.it/SV4MwX

The president has directed the Federal Trade Commission to carefully consider health industry mergers that may stymie competition and drive up prices. The new Democratic majority appears eager to look beyond traditional hospital consolidations to deals that involve products, services, or staffing. http://dlvr.it/SV4MhW

Spurred on by opposition to pandemic-related health mandates, a coalition of religious liberty groups, conservative think tanks, and Republican state attorneys general has filed a cascade of litigation seeking to rein in the powers of public health authorities. http://dlvr.it/SV4MH5

As the country faces a rise in new infections driven by the omicron BA.5 subvariant of the coronavirus, about 70% of people 50 and older who got a first covid-19 booster shot haven't received the recommended second one, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Many undervaccinated Americans have lost interest, and others aren’t sure whether to get boosted again now or wait for vaccines reformulated to target newer strains of the virus. http://dlvr.it/SV4MBq

Dozens of Iowa hospitals have closed their birthing units. A team of University of Iowa nurse midwives can’t reopen them, but they’ve found a way to provide prenatal checkups and other crucial services in two towns. http://dlvr.it/STxFzN

Existing drugs still treat most infections. But that has discouraged investment in new drugs that will be needed when — not if —the old ones fail. http://dlvr.it/STx6c3

A ballot measure that would have taxed California millionaires to boost public health funding will not be on the November ballot. But the tech titans who bankrolled the effort say they are negotiating with Gov. Gavin Newsom’s administration to get more money without imposing new taxes. http://dlvr.it/STx6R8

KHN senior correspondent Noam N. Levey joined WBEZ and Wisconsin Public Radio to talk about medical debt and health care costs in the U.S. http://dlvr.it/STx6M9

Indigenous people in the United States face disproportionately high rates of incarceration and family separation through the foster care system. Episode 8 explores the Yurok Tribal Court’s efforts to keep families together. http://dlvr.it/STssNt

Sixteen children and young adults are suing the state over energy policies they say are hurting their health and environment. The flooding that closed Yellowstone National Park may show they have a point. http://dlvr.it/STss2v

A new federal rescue program that pays rural hospitals to shutter underused inpatient units and focus solely on emergency rooms and outpatient care hasn’t generated much interest yet. http://dlvr.it/STsrwW

WASHINGTON — Today, Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (IL-17) joined David Westin on Balance of Power to discuss the cost of gasoline, the impact of inflation and the upcoming midterm elections. WATCH: Bustos Discusses Cost of Gas, Impact of Inflation On gas prices:  “If you just look at the last two weeks, the price of gas has gone down forty […] The post Bustos on Bloomberg TV: In Last Two Weeks, “Price of Gas Has Gone Down Forty Cents” appeared first on Congresswoman Cheri Bustos. http://dlvr.it/STrdKq

Even before the Supreme Court struck down the constitutional right to abortion, insurance coverage for the service varied widely. Now it’s become even more complex, with additional changes and court challenges to come. http://dlvr.it/STpgql

This episode is an interview with Dr. Thomas Fisher, author of "The Emergency: A Year of Healing and Heartbreak in a Chicago ER." http://dlvr.it/STlRRh

WASHINGTON — Today, Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (IL-17) joined President Joe Biden at the White House to mark the passage of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, a commonsense law to protect America’s children, keep our schools safe and reduce the threat of gun violence across our country. President Biden signed the legislation into law on June 23rd. “Gun violence has taken the […] The post Bustos Joins President Biden to Mark Passage of Bipartisan Gun Violence Prevention Law appeared first on Congresswoman Cheri Bustos. http://dlvr.it/STjpq2

Some health experts said measures underway by state and federal officials won’t lower ozone pollution to safe levels across nine counties of Colorado’s Front Range. http://dlvr.it/SThMt3

Montana is one of a handful of states that bar transgender people from changing the sex on their birth certificates. Health professionals say that gender marker should be erased completely. http://dlvr.it/SThMTh

In California, where inmates manufacture glasses for Medi-Cal, enrollees and providers can wait months for their orders. Now, state lawmakers are considering allowing clinics to order from private labs as well. http://dlvr.it/SThMMJ

Medical breakthroughs mean cancer is less likely to kill, but survival can come at an extraordinary cost as patients drain savings, declare bankruptcy, or lose their homes, a KHN-NPR investigation finds. http://dlvr.it/STc2NY

Consumers who have trouble getting in to see a therapist are turning to online behavioral health providers that offer quick access. But there’s limited research on their effectiveness. http://dlvr.it/STYDfH

The surge of calls for special legislative sessions to pass abortion laws is an unusual occurrence in modern U.S. history, according to experts — one caused by the Supreme Court’s decision to give states more power to regulate abortion. http://dlvr.it/STYDTH

Public health officials say monkeypox is not as dangerous as covid and can be handled well with current treatments and if those at risk use caution. But the rollout of vaccines has been slow and led to angst among some at-risk people. http://dlvr.it/STYDQv

PEORIA – U.S. Representative Cheri Bustos (D-IL-17) and U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced $15 million in federal funding awarded to the General Wayne A. Downing Peoria International Airport from the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA)to construct the airport’s new Air Traffic Control Tower (ATCT). Bustos, Durbin and Duckworth secured language […] The post BUSTOS, DURBIN, DUCKWORTH SECURE $15 MILLION FOR NEW AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL TOWER AT PEORIA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT appeared first on Congresswoman Cheri Bustos. http://dlvr.it/STWWd8

Health workers are not OK, and that poses a threat to anyone who may need health services. That’s the central finding of the latest report from the office of U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, “Addressing Health Worker Burnout.” This special episode of KHN’s “What the Health?” podcast is a conversation about the report between Murthy and KHN chief Washington correspondent Julie Rovner, which was recorded at the annual research meeting of AcademyHealth in June. http://dlvr.it/STWW00

In addition to allowing federal officials to negotiate the price that Medicare pays for some drugs, the bill would cap annual out-of-pocket drug costs for Medicare beneficiaries at $2,000. But before Democrats can pass the bill under special rules that prevent Republicans from staging a filibuster, they must get approval from the Senate parliamentarian. http://dlvr.it/STTzhn

FREEPORT — Today, Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (IL-17), a member of the powerful House Appropriations Committee, announced a $1,473,639 grant for the Northwestern Illinois Community Action Agency. The grant was awarded through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and will be put toward a Head Start project. The Northwestern Illinois Community Action Agency (NICAA) seeks […] The post FREEPORT: Bustos Announces $1.4 Million in Federal Funding for Head Start Project appeared first on Congresswoman Cheri Bustos. http://dlvr.it/STRqYk

Isolation gowns are supposed to protect health care workers from splattered bodily fluids. But new studies suggest that too much liquid seeps through some disposable gowns, creating a risk of infection. http://dlvr.it/STQqj1

Even a decade in, the Affordable Care Act’s recommendations to simply cover preventive screening and care without cost sharing remain confusing and complex. http://dlvr.it/STQqM7

Anti-vaccine advocates discovered a catchy, succinct, and potent slogan. Its unlikely source: the abortion rights movement. http://dlvr.it/STQqGj

University of Texas researchers are testing a program that would allow harm reduction groups to crowdsource data on fatal and nonfatal drug overdoses statewide. While the data relies on word of mouth, they say, it is more comprehensive than anything that exists now and can be used immediately to prevent overdoses. http://dlvr.it/STMnpz

The drugmaker has the best-selling vaccine to prevent covid and the most effective drug to treat it. Its success and might have overshadowed the government’s covid-fighting strategy. http://dlvr.it/STMf2q

WASHINGTON — This week, Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (IL-17), a member of the powerful House Appropriations Committee, helped advance out of committee a series of packages that address water quality in Lewistown and other rural communities, would help lower gas prices and increase access to education.  The packages now head to the House Floor for a full vote. “I’ve […] The post Bustos Secures Support for Rural Communities, Local Priorities in Appropriations Packages appeared first on Congresswoman Cheri Bustos. http://dlvr.it/STBrvw

WASHINGTON — This week, Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (IL-17), a member of the powerful House Appropriations Committee, helped advance out of Committee a comprehensive transportation, housing and urban development funding bill that will bring significant federal resources to projects in Northwest and Central Illinois. “Listening to folks in all of our communities and delivering results to improve lives is […] The post Bustos Secures More Than $9.3 Million for Local Projects in Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Package appeared first on Congresswoman Cheri Bustos. http://dlvr.it/STBhrz

WASHINGTON — Today, Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (IL-17), a member of the powerful House Appropriations Committee, helped advance out of Committee a comprehensive labor, health and human services and education funding bill that would bring significant federal investments to promote rural health and wellbeing.  “From the doctor’s office to the classroom, families in rural communities face significant barriers,” said Congresswoman […] The post Bustos Secures Rural Priorities in Labor, Health and Human Services and Education Appropriations Package appeared first on Congresswoman Cheri Bustos. http://dlvr.it/STBhn9