Health Care
VA eyes major changes in health care system as veterans flock to the South, Southwest
The restructuring would mean the closures or consolidations of some medical facilities, likely provoking opposition from communities and members of Congress.
Likely death of anti-trans kids bill doesn’t make it less harmful, advocates say
The executive director of LGBTQ advocacy organization says that even without the legislation becoming law, the mere presence of a debate over the lives of some of the most vulnerable children is having a negative effect on mental health.
Biden in State of the Union urges ‘unmistakable’ support for democracy in Ukraine
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden used his first State of the Union address on Tuesday night to reassert America as a leading global voice for democracy and condemn Russian President Vladimir Putin for starting an “unprovoked” war in Ukraine. “Throughout our history we’ve learned this lesson – when dictators do not pay a price for […]
He donated his kidney and received a $13,064 bill in return
Living organ donors are never supposed to receive a bill for care related to a transplant surgery. The recipient’s insurance covers all of those costs. This rule is key to a system built on encouraging such a selfless act.
Governor: Most COVID-19 reinfections in Louisiana are among unvaccinated
People who have not received a coronavirus vaccine account for the majority of those who have contracted COVID-19 more than once, according to data Gov. John Bel Edwards shared Thursday. From September through December 2021, 60% percent of reinfections were among the unvaccinated, the governor said. In the past two days, 2,384 reinfections were reported […]
Senators air bipartisan beefs with Biden administration’s handling of COVID crisis
WASHINGTON — Senators from both political parties expressed their frustration with the Biden administration coronavirus response team during a Tuesday hearing that keyed in on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s guidance on vaccines, as well as the shortage of COVID-19 tests available for Americans. The hearing also was highlighted by a tense exchange […]
U.S. Supreme Court hears arguments against COVID-19 vaccine mandates
The U.S. Supreme Court is hearing arguments Friday against President Joe Biden’s COVID-19 vaccine mandates for large employers and health care workers. The plaintiffs include Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry, who has specifically objected to the requirement at hospitals and facilities that receive federal aid. The U.S. District Court for Western Louisiana and Missouri’s Eastern […]
Louisiana prison visits halted for third time due to COVID-19
The Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections has suspended in-person visits between prisoners and guests again for the third time in two years in response to a COVID-19 surge. Louisiana’s prison population has been barred from meeting with their families, loved ones and attorneys for most of the pandemic. Since March 2020, visitation – […]
Federal judge blocks Biden vaccine mandate for Head Start workers in 24 states
A Louisiana federal judge has put a hold on President Joe Biden’s mandate that Head Start workers be vaccinated against COVID-19. U.S. District Judge Terry Doughty, who previously ruled against a vaccine mandate for health care workers, issued a preliminary injunction on New Year’s Day restricting the executive branch from enforcing in 24 states a […]
‘Crisis standards of care’ involve excruciating choices, ethical decisions for hospital staff
Matthew Wynia, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus for The Conversation The Conversation is running a series of dispatches from clinicians and researchers operating on the front lines of the coronavirus pandemic. You can find all of the stories here. As the omicron variant brings a new wave of uncertainty and fear, I can’t help reflecting […]
Louisiana doesn’t allocate enough money to domestic violence services, audit finds
Louisiana isn’t able to provide services to all the domestic violence victims that seek them and five state laws meant to combat domestic violence aren’t consistently enforced, according to a report from the Louisiana Legislative Auditor released this week. The state turned down an average of 2,659 requests for shelter from domestic violence victims annually […]
With fewer people boosted, Louisiana could be more vulnerable to omicron surge
In Louisiana, where people are reluctant to get even the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, health care providers are preparing for the worst. Louisiana still has a lower COVID-19 vaccination rate – and a lower percentage of vaccine booster uptake – than almost all other states in the country, leaving its population more vulnerable […]