State Politics, Medicaid Expansion, and Public Health
Since the Supreme Court ruled against the Affordable Care Act’s mandatory Medicaid expansion in 2012, twenty-nine states and the District of Columbia have expanded the program to individuals at or below 138% of the Federal Poverty Index (FPI), or approximately $16,000 for an individual per year. Resistance to the expansion […]
Growth of Health Care Spending at its Lowest
In 2013, the rate of health care spending grew at its lowest rate since 1960, which was when the federal government first began tracking it. Health care spending added up to $2.9 trillion in 2013, a 3.6 percent increase, or $9,255 per person, from 2012. The next lowest increase was […]
Pentagon Reviewing Care for Veterans Exposed to Chemical Weapons
An October investigation by the New York Times (NYT) has led the Pentagon to review and adjust how it cares for veterans returning from tours in Iraq who believe they were exposed to chemical weapons. The NYT investigation notes that between 2004 and 2011, American and American-trained Iraqi troops “repeatedly” […]
FDA “Updates” Its Policy on Blood Donations from Gay and Bi-Sexual Men Engaging in Same-Sex Intercourse
Since 1983, FDA has banned men from donating blood for life if they have had sex with another man, even just once, at any point from 1977 and on, Despite lacking scientific significance, the lifetime ban has remained in effect until this past December. However, organizations like the Red Cross […]
ICE Detainee Facility Medical Treatment
The medical standard at Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facilities has become highly contested as more detainees are coming forward. In 1995, there were 6,785 immigrants being detained nationwide. As of 2013, this number rose to 34,000. Additionally, the annual cost to detain immigrants is above 2 billion according […]
