Pros and Cons of Prison Nursery Expansion in the United States
What are Prison Nurseries? United States prison nurseries are programs within correctional facilities that allow pregnant, incarcerated mothers to keep their infants with them from the child’s birth to the end of their sentence. Located within a separate wing of a prison, the nurseries are subject to decreased security and expanded mobility for inmates. Babies […]
Pros and Cons of the Menstrual Equity for All Act of 2021
What is Menstrual Equity and Period Poverty? Menstrual equity and period poverty are two global issues rooted in accessibility and affordability of menstrual products and reproductive healthcare. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, 4 in 5 students in the United States knew someone who missed school due to struggles in attaining menstrual products. A second study […]
Pros and Cons of the First Step Act
The First Step Act The First Step Act is a bipartisan piece of criminal justice legislation signed into law in 2018, aiming to reduce crime while giving… citizens a chance at redemption.” The First Step Act (FSA) requires the Attorney General (AG) to develop a system for the Bureau of Prisons to assess the recidivism […]
Pros and Cons of the Medicaid-funded Housing Debate
What is Medicaid and Section 1115? Medicaid is a federal government-funded health insurance entitlement program that provides health coverage to primarily low-income and disadvantaged individuals. Each state runs its own Medicaid program, so eligibility and benefits may vary. While Medicaid benefits traditionally include physician and other health services, Section 1115 of the Social Security Act […]
The Health Care Debate for Undocumented Immigrants: What You Need to Know
What types of health insurance do immigrants currently qualify for? Undocumented immigrants are generally ineligible for federal healthcare programs due to immigration status regulations and public charge rules. Additionally, even immigrants who are “lawfully present” face barriers to accessing federal healthcare programs such as Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), which are state-administered […]
The Medicaid Reentry Act Debate: The Pros and Cons of Healthcare Services for Returning Citizens
What is the Medicaid Reentry Act? The Medicaid Reentry Act is a proposed amendment to Medicaid law, designed to enhance healthcare access for incarcerated individuals, especially during their transition back into society. This legislation addresses healthcare disparities and improves health outcomes for a population often facing socioeconomic vulnerability. For example, despite approximately 58% of incarcerated […]
Pros and Cons of the Access to Genetic Counselor Services Act
Introduction Genetic counseling is a service where a patient’s personal and family medical history are reviewed to assess the risk for genetic disorders and other diseases. The service is typically provided by genetic counselors but can also be done by other medical professionals like a patient’s physician. Currently, Medicare does not reimburse genetic counselors, which […]
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 […]