Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Viewpoints: The Tweet That Sadly Tells It All About Expense Of Health Care: 'It's $3,000. I Can't Afford That.'
A nightmarish accident on a Boston subway platform on Friday 鈥 described in gory detail by a local reporter, Maria Cramer, as it unfolded and quickly retweeted by thousands 鈥斅爄s one you might expect to see in an impoverished country. (7/2)
Amid all the confusion about zero tolerance and executive orders over the crisis at the border, one thing is clear. At least 2,000 children are still detained away from their parents in shelters across the country. Many 鈥 no one knows exactly how many 鈥 are under age 5 housed in 鈥渢ender age鈥 shelters in South Texas. Government officials claim they are safe and well cared for, but nothing could be further from the truth. Years of research shows us that group care, is harmful to children of all ages and especially toxic for infants and young children. (Charles H. Zeanah and Carole Shauffer, 7/3)
It鈥檚 been more than a week since a detainee at Victorville 鈥 a prison complex in California being used by Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) 鈥 was diagnosed with chickenpox. About 1,000 immigrants were moved here as part of the Trump administration鈥檚 crackdown on asylum seekers; authorities claim that they were medically screened on entry to the prison. The diagnosis of chickenpox 鈥 highly contagious, passed by touching or breathing virus particles 鈥 came days after protesting聽prison workers there 鈥 who considered the situation dangerous - urged the federal government to add more staff to the medical unit. (Jonathan Fielding, 7/2)
The evolution of emergency care in the United States is a fascinating story. Sadly, what became a hugely successful solution to an important problem in health care is now being eroded by its misapplication to another problem. The modern U.S. health care system began with so much promise. After World War II, the economy was booming and employers were quick to provide health care for their workers. The addition of Medicare and Medicaid in 1965 further fueled a dramatic expansion in the quality and availability of health care services. Throughout this time, emergency care was still in its dark days. (Paul Seward, 7/3)
Baker just signed into law a 0.63 percent payroll tax that funds a brand-new entitlement: 12 weeks of paid family leave and 20 weeks of medical leave. (Tom Keane, 7/3)
If people in other parts of Pennsylvania want to sacrifice their children to support Big Tobacco鈥檚 profits, shame on them. But if they want to offer up our kids, that鈥檚 another story altogether. Because we can鈥檛 afford to lose another life to tobacco here in Philadelphia. (Colleen McCauley, 7/3)
The Texas Medical Board is tasked with regulating the practice of medicine across the state, but even more so, with protecting and enhancing the public鈥檚 safety, health and wellness, and maintaining the standards of excellence for more than 80,000 Texas physicians through education, discipline and licensure. As a family practice physician in San Antonio for 36 years, I believe we must deliver quality care to every patient, every time. (Manuel Qui帽ones, 7/2)
Education about the nature and effects of complex trauma encourages compassionate responses to trauma-affected individuals, families and communities. Moreover, specific information about how to engage trauma-affected individuals or groups and how to support their resilience improves the practices and culture of local organizations. (James Topitzes, 7/2)