Understanding the Tobacco Advertising Debate

History and Background of Tobacco Advertising Tobacco companies have employed various advertising methods over the past 75 years. Advertising initially began in the 1940s when tobacco companies enlisted doctors and dentists to endorse their products with slogans like “Just What the Doctor Ordered” and “More Doctors Smoke Camels.” This evolved into celebrity endorsements in the […]

Understanding the Access to Infertility & Care Act Debate

Background on Infertility & Fertility Preservation Infertility poses a significant public health challenge, affecting roughly one in six individuals worldwide, irrespective of income levels. In the United States, married women aged 15-49 face a notable prevalence, with approximately 19% experiencing difficulties conceiving. Furthermore, within this demographic, 26% of women who do conceive encounter challenges in […]

Understanding the FAIR Drug Pricing Act Debate

The Fair Accountability and Innovative Research Act was introduced in March 2021. The FAIR Drug Pricing Act imposes a requirement on pharmaceutical companies to notify the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and furnish a transparency and justification report at least 30 days before implementing any price increase on drugs priced at $100 […]

Understanding the ACA in Chronic Care Debate

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, also known as the Affordable Care Act or “ACA” for short, is a healthcare reform law that was unveiled in March 2010. The primary objective of the ACA is to increase access to health insurance for a larger number of U.S. citizens. Because of this, the ACA mandates […]

Food Security and Local Food Production

Background Generally, local food production refers to systems in which food is produced, distributed, and consumed within the same area. However, there is debate within the local food movement about this definition. For example, some call for local food systems to expand distribution—to sell food outside of the boundaries of the local community—while others fear […]

Understanding the Access to STD Resources and Healthcare Debate

What are Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)? Also known as sexually transmitted infections (STIs), sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are “infections that are passed from one person to another through sexual contact”. While there are more than 20 types, the eight most common in 2018 included chlamydia, genital herpes, HIV, HPV, syphilis, trichomoniasis, and hepatitis B. STDs […]

Understanding the No Surprises Act

What is Surprise Billing? Surprise billing refers to any unexpected bill received by patients but is especially prevalent with balance billing. Balance billing is the process of billing a patient the remainder of what insurance has not agreed to cover for a medical service or treatment. Even though emergency services are required by law to […]

Healthcare Provisions of the Inflation Reduction Act

Introduction In resuscitating the previously stalled Build Back Better Act, the Senate Democratic Caucus has reached a reconciliation passage consisting of investments in climate/energy, IRS enforcement, deficit reduction, and healthcare in the 725-page Inflation Reduction (IRA). While the $300 billion is far from the original agenda that President Joe Biden had envisioned when Democrats regained […]