#healthcare access
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"The Biden Administration last week [early December, 2023] announced it would be seizing patents for drugs and drug manufacturing procedures developed using government money.
A draft of the new law, seen by Reuters, said that the government will consider various factors including whether a medical situation is leading to increased prices of the drug at any given time, or whether only a small section of Americans can afford it.
The new executive order is the first exercise in what is called “march-in-rights” which allows relevant government agencies to redistribute patents if they were generated under government funding. The NIH has long maintained march-in-rights, but previous directors have been unwilling to use them, fearing consequences.
“We’ll make it clear that when drug companies won’t sell taxpayer funded drugs at reasonable prices, we will be prepared to allow other companies to provide those drugs for less,” White House adviser Lael Brainard said on a press call.
But just how much taxpayer money is going toward funding drugs? A research paper from the Insitute for New Economic Thought showed that “NIH funding contributed to research associated with every new drug approved from 2010-2019, totaling $230 billion.”
The authors of the paper continue, writing “NIH funding also produced 22 thousand patents, which provided marketing exclusivity for 27 (8.6%) of the drugs approved [between] 2010-2019.”
How we do drug discovery and production in America has a number of fundamental flaws that have created problems in the health service industry.
It costs billions of dollars and sometimes as many as 5 to 10 years to bring a drug to market in the US, which means that only companies with massive financial muscle can do so with any regularity, and that smaller, more innovative companies can’t compete with these pharma giants.
This also means that if a company can’t recoup that loss, a single failed drug can result in massive disruptions to business. To protect themselves, pharmaceutical companies establish piles of patents on drugs and drug manufacturing procedures. Especially if the drug in question treats a rare or obscure disease, these patents essentially ensure the company has monoselective pricing regimes.
However, if a company can convince the NIH that a particular drug should be considered a public health priority, they can be almost entirely funded by the government, as the research paper showed.
Some market participants, in this case the famous billionaire investor Mark Cuban, have attempted to remedy the issue of drug costs in America by manufacturing generic versions of patented drugs sold for common diseases."
-via Good News Network, December 11, 2023
#united states#us politics#biden administration#executive order#prescription drugs#medical news#healthcare#healthcare access#biden#big pharma#drug prices#public health#nih#national institutes of health#good news#hope
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A big cost and concern for many seniors in the U.S. is the price of prescription drugs and other healthcare expenses—and this year, thanks to The Inflation Reduction Act, their costs may go down dramatically, especially for patients fighting cancer or heart disease.
I learned about the new benefits because my ‘Medicare birthday’ is coming up in a couple months when I turn 65. I was shocked that there were so many positive changes being made, which I never heard about on the news.
Thousands of Americans on Medicare have been paying more than $14,000 a year for blood cancer drugs, more than $10,000 a year for ovarian cancer drugs, and more than $9,000 a year for breast cancer drugs, for instance.
That all changed beginning in 2023, after the Biden administration capped out-of-pocket prescriptions at $3,500—no matter what drugs were needed. And this year, in 2024, the cap for all Medicare out-of-pocket prescriptions went down to a maximum of $2,000.
“The American people won, and Big Pharma lost,” said President Biden in September 2022, after the legislation passed. “It’s going to be a godsend to many families.”
Another crucial medical necessity, the shingles vaccine, which many seniors skip because of the cost, is now free. Shingles is a painful rash with blisters, that can be followed by chronic pain, and other complications, for which there is no cure
In 2022, more than 2 million seniors paid between $100 and $200 for that vaccine, but starting last year, Medicare prescription drug plans dropped the cost for shots down to zero.
Another victory for consumers over Big Pharma affects anyone of any age who struggles with diabetes. The cost of life-saving insulin was capped at $35 a month [for people on Medicare].
Medicare is also lowering the costs of the premium for Part B—which covers outpatient visits to your doctors. 15 million Americans will save an average of $800 per year on health insurance costs, according to the US Department of Health and Human Services.
Last year, for the first time in history, Medicare began using the leverage power of its large patient pool to negotiate fair prices for drugs. Medicare is no longer accepting whatever drug prices that pharmaceutical companies demand.
Negotiations began on ten of the most widely used and expensive drugs.
Among the ten drugs selected for Medicare drug price negotiation were Eliquis, used by 3.7 million Americans and Jardiance and Xarelto, each used by over a million people. The ten drugs account for the highest total spending in Medicare Part D prescription plans...
How are all these cost-savings being paid for?
The government is able to pay for these benefits by making sure the biggest corporations in America are paying their fair share of federal taxes.
In 2020, for instance, dozens of American companies on the Fortune 500 list who made $40 billion in profit paid zero in federal taxes.
Starting in 2023, U.S. corporations are required to pay a minimum corporate tax of 15 percent. The Inflation Reduction Act created the CAMT, which imposed the 15% minimum tax on the adjusted financial statement income of any corporation with average income that exceeds $1 billion.
For years, Americans have decried the rising costs of health care—but in the last three years, there are plenty of positive developments.
-via Good News Network, February 25, 2024
#united states#medicare#healthcare#healthcare access#big pharma#prescription drugs#health insurance#us politics#good news#hope#seniors#aging#healthy aging
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Several Ontario hospitals are bringing back mask mandates for staff with COVID-19 cases on the rise once again – a clear sign the province has entered a new wave, an expert explains.
St. Joseph's Healthcare and Hamilton Health Sciences (HHS) updated their masking guidelines on Wednesday, requiring staff to wear masks when interacting with patients.
“While we anticipate requiring clinical masking through the peak of the respiratory season, we intend for this to be a temporary measure,” an internal memo sent to HHS hospital staff said on Monday.
Masks became required in clinical-areas at Guelph General Hospital on Sept. 11 while remaining optional in hallways and meeting rooms. Earlier this month, some eastern Ontario hospitals in Kingston and Ottawa also made moves towards masks.
At a number of Toronto-area hospitals, including at Mount Sinai, North York General, Women's College, Lakeridge, St. Josheph's and St. Michael's Unity Health, masks continue to be required in patient-care areas but are optional elsewhere. [...]
Continue Reading.
Tagging: @politicsofcanada
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Friendly reminder…you don’t ever have to publicly specify the “self” part of self-diagnosed. if you don’t want to. because I know it can sometimes feel like a caveat that you’re obligated to disclose but the thing is, you’re not even obligated to disclose your diagnoses in the first place, much less the source. so you can just say diagnosed. if you prefer. to feel safe and avoid scrutiny or fake-claims or for any other reason. because it’s the truth, it’s not even a lie. self-diagnosed is diagnosed
#self diagnosis is valid#if you don’t think so check your privilege honestly#self diagnosis#anti fakeclaiming#fake claiming#pro self diagnosis#educated self diagnosis#healthcare reform#intersectionality#comorbidities#comorbid conditions#adhd autistic#audhd#trauma symptoms#neurodiversity#accessibility#healthcare access#differential diagnosis#complex trauma#late diagnosis#adhd diagnosis#autism diagnosis#disability accessibility#disability advocacy#mental illness advocacy#mental health rant#trauma recovery#personality disorders#cptsd#bpd
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#life expectancy#healthcare disparities#Black doctors#primary care#racial disparities#healthcare access#racial health disparities#healthcare equity#access to healthcare#minority representation#healthcare workforce#community health#social determinants of health
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DIY Dental Preventative Care
We've prepared a fresh batch of Nano-Silver-Fluoride Cavity Prophylaxis for free distribution. One batch is ~100 x 1ml doses. Offer good until we run out...until we make another batch.
If you'd like one (or more?) email your mailing address to [email protected] (this is an encrypted email, and we delete every request once fulfilled - no storing of your personal info here!) and we will get 1ml (or more?) into the mail for you at no charge!
Nano Silver Fluoride (NSF)
Nano silver particles have the ability to remineralize enamel, in adult and children’s teeth [yes also “baby teeth” aka “milk teeth”] even at a low concentration. It is bactericidal to a wide range of organisms like Streptococcus mutans, Enterococcus faecalis, and Escherichia coli. It has anti-biofilm properties as well.
HOW?
ANTI-BACTERIAL – Silver ions in solution are toxic to bacterial cells, and are especially effective against acid-producing bacteria, like S. mutans, the bug that causes dental caries (cavities), so it mechanically kills the infection already there.
PREVENTS BIOFILM FORMATION – A two-drop treatment lasts about a year, and during that time prevents new bacteria from colonizing the tooth surface, e.g. prophylaxis against new infections. This preventative strategy does not select for a population, so it doesn’t create drug-resistant bacteria! (phew!)
REMINERALIZATION – Nano Silver Fluoride not only
prevents further decay of the dentin, it can actually help to rebuild and recover from damage that has already occured.
So, how do I use this inexpensive, completely safe, super-effective treatment???
CLEAN
This is a critical step as you do not want any particles of trapped food to prevent the solution from making contact with the tooth surface.
To prepare the tooth, first brush your teeth, then floss. Because the solution is itself anti-bacterial, it is not required to rinse with antiseptic mouthwash, or to debride the tooth surface any further.
DRY
Moisture will prevent the Tooth Seal from bonding properly with the tooth. Dry the tooth using cotton balls or paper towels. Place dry cotton balls or paper towels between the cheek and gum to keep the cheek away from the tooth, and to soak up any saliva being produced.
Keep saliva away from the tooth during the process.
APPLY
Two drops placed on a cavity or on a tooth you’d like to protect, creates a concentration of encapsulated silver that adheres to the surface of the tooth and provides protection for about a year. If you use a cotton swab to apply, add one additional drop to account for what gets absorbed by the swab.
The solution should be left in contact with the tooth surface for 2 minutes.
• Do not lick your teeth during that time.
• Don’t eat or drink for 2 hours after application.
If necessary, repeat the process in 10-12 months.
Further reading, including a bibliography, can be found here:
https://fourthievesvinegar.org/tooth-seal/
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Washington State Residents: Support this Pro Trans Youth Bill!!!
It's a great idea to write to your WA State Senator in support of SB5599, a bill that protects trans youth, and which (unlike the anti-trans bills proposed this year) has actually made it not just into the House's committee but out of it and into the Senate's committee, but which has garnered a lot of pushback from conservatives.
This one would protect trans minors who run away from toxic anti-trans homes to seek gender-related healthcare by removing some relevant mandatory reporting requirements. Basically shelters are required to report runaways who show up, but they would no longer be required to do so when runaways left home for protected reasons, including seeking gender-affirming healthcare.
Link to read the bill and/or write to your WA State Senator: https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5599&Year=2023&Initiative=false
Article about this bill: https://www.kuow.org/stories/runaway-bill-would-add-protections-for-youth-seeking-gender-affirming-care
#trans#trans youth#trans rights#washington#washington state#politics#human rights#healthcare#healthcare access#gender affirming#gender affirming healthcare#take action#call to action
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- a speech to the Medical Committee for Human Rights, 1966
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Look into elevated access if you are in a red state ESPECIALLY AROUND ILLINOIS to see if you can be flown to a place that provides abortion care and if you are a pilot see if you can join to help get people the healthcare they need
https://elevatedaccess.org/
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Less than three months after U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin and her colleagues launched an investigation into the four major American manufacturers of inhalers, three of the companies have relented, making commitments to cap costs for their inhalers at $35 for patients who now pay much more.
25 million Americans have asthma and 16 million Americans have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), meaning over 40 million Americans rely on inhalers to breathe.
Inhalers have been available since the 1950s, and most of the drugs they use have been on the market for more than 25 years.
According to a statement from the Wisconsin Senator’s office, inhaler manufacturers sell the exact same products at a much lower costs in other countries. One of AstraZeneca’s inhalers, Breztri Aerosphere, costs $645 in the U.S.—but just $49 in the UK. Inhalers made by Boehringer Ingelheim, GlaxoSmithKline, and Teva have similar disparities.
Baldwin and her Democratic colleagues—New Mexico Sen. Ben Ray Luján, Massachusetts Sen. Ed Markey, and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders—pressured the companies to lower their prices by writing letters to GSK, Boehringer Ingelheim, Teva, and AstraZeneca requesting a variety of documents that show why such higher prices are charged in America compared to Europe.
As a ranking member of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, Baldwin recently announced that as a result of the letters they had secured commitments from three of the four to lower the out-of-pocket costs of inhalers to a fixed $35.00 rate.
“For the millions of Americans who rely on inhalers to breathe, this news is a major step in the right direction as we work to lower costs and hold big drug companies accountable,” said Senator Baldwin.
A full list of the inhalers and associated drugs can be viewed here.
It’s the second time in the last year that pharmaceutical companies were forced to provide reasonable prices—after the cost of insulin was similarly capped successfully at $35 per month thanks to Congressional actions led by the White House.
-via Good News Network, March 25, 2024
#united states#us politics#us senate#tammy baldwin#bernie sanders#big pharma#health care#us healthcare#inhaler#asthma#pulmonary disease#healthcare access#affordability#disability#good news#hope
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"The overdose-reversing drug Narcan could soon be available to buy over the counter without a prescription, the Food and Drug Administration announced Wednesday.
The FDA's approval of the nasal spray Narcan — the brand name for the drug naloxone — means the medication could be more widely available across the U.S. as the country continues to grapple with an opioid epidemic.
"Today's action paves the way for the life-saving medication to reverse an opioid overdose to be sold directly to consumers in places like drug stores, convenience stores, grocery stores and gas stations, as well as online," the FDA said in a statement.
Emergent BioSolutions, the drug companythat producesNarcan, said on Wednesday that it hoped to make the nasal spray available on store shelves and at online retailers by late summer. It did not immediately say how much it would cost...
Some state and city governments as well as harm-reduction groups have offered naloxone for free to residents, and pharmacies already can sell the medication without a prescription, thanks to a variety of standing orders, state laws and other actions.
But this patchwork can still leave some people behind or require them to get Narcan behind the counter, which comes with some stigma.
Public health experts, harm-reduction advocates and many politicians have argued that those barriers meant fewer people would get the life-saving medication they needed in time. The new FDA approval has been praised for making Narcan even more accessible.
The FDA approval comes as the U.S. continues to see a staggering number of opioid-related deaths, driven in large part by the spread of synthetic opioids such as illicit fentanyl...
"We can prevent overdoses and save lives by making naloxone more accessible, and at the same time, we can ensure equitable access to essential health care," Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra said in a statement.
Still, overdose prevention advocates warn that if the cost of over-the-counter Narcan is too high — at one point it had a discounted price of $38 per dose — it may be too expensive for some.
"While we welcome #naloxone in any form being accessible over-the-counter, we're echoing the need for naloxone to be free and accessible for all," the National Harm Reduction Coalition said in a tweet.
Naloxone, which comes in a nasal spray and an injectable drug, can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose and restore a person's breathing. Opioids include heroin, fentanyl, oxycodone and morphine.
Signs of an overdose include bluish lips and nose, abnormal breathing and a lack of responsiveness. More than one dose of naloxone may be necessary to reverse an overdose.
An FDA advisory committee voted unanimously last month to approve Narcan for over-the-counter sales without a prescription."
-via NPR, 3/29/23
#cw drug use#cw drugs#cw overdose#opiod crisis#opiods#harm reduction#narcan#naloxone#otc#healthcare access#overdose awareness#good news#hope
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A new development shaping up in Toronto's Canary District area will soon serve Toronto's Indigenous community with a purpose-built hub offering residential, commercial, health and child care uses.
The new Indigenous Hub is well under construction at the southeast corner of Cherry Street and Front Street East, completing a western gateway to the recently built neighbourhood.
Occupying Block 10 of the West Don Lands — land that sat idle for decades before being developed as an athlete's village for the 2015 Pan Am Games — the new Indigenous Hub is one of the final plots of lands being developed in this newly-invigorated area.
The team of developers Dream Unlimited, Kilmer Group, Tricon Residential, and Anishnawbe Health Toronto is bringing a complex of 13-, 11- and 5-storey mixed-use complex containing condos, rentals, and a community health centre to the neighbourhood.
Construction of the Indigenous Hub began in mid-2021, and after over two years of work, the project's design — from a team of architects that includes firms Stantec, BDP Quadrangle, and the Indigenous-led Two Row Architect — is finally emerging. [...]
Continue Reading.
Tagging: @politicsofcanada
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Someday I’ll get over my weird panic thing about doctors and needles and get blood work done and a doctor will get my results back and be like “holy fuck you’ve been living with untreated _____ and ______ this whole time how are you just now getting diagnosed are you okay??” and I’ll be like noo lol and then everyone that’s ever called me lazy will be suddenly struck by an all-consuming wave of guilt and shame <3 yay
#chronic illness#chronic pain rant#undiagnosed disability#undiagnosed chronic illness#undiagnosed something#late diagnosed autistic#self diagnosed autistic#audhd problems#medical trauma#childhood trauma#fear of needles#pda autistic#autistic borderline#chronic illness rant#chronic illness vent#chronic pain problems#chronic pain treatment#late diagnosis#dysautonomia#comorbid conditions#chronic panic#chronic fatigue#chronic headaches#healthcare reform#healthcare access#anti ableism#autistic trauma#pathological demand avoidance#csa survivor
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AN OPEN LETTER to THE PRESIDENT & U.S. CONGRESS; STATE GOVERNORS & LEGISLATURES
Say NO to Loony-Bins: Immediate Action Required for Inpatient Psychiatric Care
2 so far! Help us get to 5 signers!
The current model of inpatient psychiatric care, which primarily focuses on safety and crisis stabilization, falls short in promoting sustained recovery. The prevalent emphasis on ultrashort lengths of stay often overlooks the need for comprehensive treatment plans.
A proposed model of care advocates for rapid diagnosis, goal-setting, and treatment modalities before initiating treatment, organized into three distinct phases: assessment, implementation, and resolution. This approach emphasizes individualized treatment and active patient involvement in treatment planning, addressing critical psychosocial aspects that are frequently neglected.
As we strive to reform the mental health care system, it's imperative to prioritize effective, recovery-oriented treatment strategies. This includes ensuring patient comfort and preferences are accommodated within reason. Considering patient preferences, like comfort items (such as safe stuffed animals; Share-Bears, if you will) and rescue medications (like melatonin,) is essential to upholding rigorous standards of care and safety.
Let's advocate for reforms that enhance patient-centered practices while adhering to established treatment guidelines and advancing recovery-oriented care.
Say no to “loony-bins;” those archaic relics that should be relegated to the distant past.
📱 Text SIGN PWORPV to 50409
🤯 Liked it? Text FOLLOW IVYPETITIONS to 50409
💘 Q'u lach' shughu deshni da.
🏹 "What I say is true" in Dena'ina Qenaga
#IVYPETITIONS#PWORPV#resistbot#Mental Health#Psychiatry#Inpatient Care#Recovery#Treatment Plans#Psychiatric Services#Patient-Centered Care#Crisis Stabilization#Mental Health Reform#Healthcare Policy#Healthcare System#Patient Advocacy#Holistic Treatment#Psychosocial Care#Medical Ethics#Safety Standards#Comfort Items#Rescue Medications#Stigma Reduction#Community Support#Legislative Action#Public Health#Healthcare Access#Advocacy Campaign#Recovery Strategies#Healthcare Legislation#Supportive Care
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John Oliver Discusses Medicaid Crisis and the Importance of Access to Healthcare
On his show, Last Week Tonight, John Oliver tackled an important issue plaguing our nation’s healthcare system – the crisis in Medicaid. This government healthcare program is intended to provide healthcare access to low-income Americans. However, millions of people are losing their Medicaid access, and the “unwinding” has made it increasingly difficult for people to access even basic healthcare…
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#Dionne#eligibility requirements#funding#healthcare access#help#John Oliver#Last Week Tonight#low-income Americans#Medicaid#purefilly#services#wellbeing
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Shakti Krupa Trust | Milestones Achievement & Impactful Moments
Shakti Krupa Trust celebrates milestone in community welfare, sustainable development, healthcare& education program recognizing achievement towards greater impact
#Shakti Krupa Trust#Progress#Impact#Transformation#Empowerment#Community Development#Education#Healthcare Access#Social Justice#Advocacy#Gender Equality#Child Welfare#Sustainable Livelihoods#Collaboration#Resilience
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