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 […]
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 […]