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Senators Luján and Kaine Introduce Legislation to Expand Home-Based Care

Senators Luján and Kaine Introduce Legislation to Expand Home-Based Care

Senators Ben Ray Luján and Tim Kaine have introduced the Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Access Act, aimed at expanding access to home and community-based care for older adults and people with disabilities. The legislation seeks to make such care a mandatory Medicaid benefit, eliminate waiting lists, and strengthen the caregiving workforce. Currently, many individuals rely on state waiver programs for home-based care, which can result in long waiting periods. The proposed act would ensure that eligible individuals have the option to receive care at home, enhancing their quality of life and providing support for family caregivers.
SB Nation SB Nation
Twitter Gold: Cozell McQueen

Twitter Gold: Cozell McQueen

McQueen will be missed by fans all over the Triangle
USA Today USA Today
Powerball ticket deadlines for Saturday's $856M jackpot

Powerball ticket deadlines for Saturday's $856M jackpot

Before chasing Saturday's $856M Powerball jackpot, check when ticket sales end in your state. Most cutoffs are one to two hours before the drawing.
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Senate Passes Moran's Legislation for NIH Down Syndrome Research Program

Senate Passes Moran's Legislation for NIH Down Syndrome Research Program

The U.S. Senate has unanimously passed the DeOndra Dixon INCLUDE Project Act, introduced by Senator Jerry Moran and co-sponsored by Senators John Hickenlooper, Cory Booker, and former Senator Markwayne Mullin. This bipartisan legislation aims to authorize the INCLUDE Project at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), which focuses on research related to Down syndrome. The project investigates co-occurring conditions such as Alzheimer's disease, autism, and congenital heart disease. The bill now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration. The legislation is named in honor of DeOndra Dixon, a Global Down Syndrome Foundation Ambassador who passed away in 2020.
Reuters Reuters
US Senate passes Russia sanctions championed by Graham; US House next

US Senate passes Russia sanctions championed by Graham; US House next

By Patricia Zengerle WASHINGTON, Aug 7 (Reuters) - The U.S. Senate easily passed sweeping Russia sanctions legislation on Friday, advancing a long-delayed measure backed by late Senator Lindsey Graham and setting the stage for consideration by the House of Representatives within weeks.
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Klobuchar and Gillibrand Introduce VITAL Act to Expand Accessible Housing for Seniors and Disabled

Klobuchar and Gillibrand Introduce VITAL Act to Expand Accessible Housing for Seniors and Disabled

Senators Amy Klobuchar and Kirsten Gillibrand have introduced the Visitable Inclusive Tax Credits for Accessible Living (VITAL) Act. This legislation aims to enhance the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) to increase the supply of affordable, accessible housing for seniors and people with disabilities. The bill proposes increasing state LIHTC allocations and providing enhanced tax credits for developments that include accessible units. The VITAL Act is supported by a wide range of advocacy groups and seeks to address the growing need for accessible housing as the U.S. population ages.
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Senator Heinrich Proposes Ending Tax Breaks for Overseas Oil Production

Senator Heinrich Proposes Ending Tax Breaks for Overseas Oil Production

Senator Martin Heinrich, a Democrat from New Mexico, has announced plans to introduce a bill aimed at eliminating tax breaks for U.S. oil and gas companies operating overseas. This legislative proposal comes in the wake of President Trump's criticism of major U.S. oil producers for their substantial profits amid rising gasoline prices due to the conflict with Iran. The bill seeks to level the playing field for American energy development by removing preferential tax treatment for overseas fossil fuel profits, aligning them with other foreign business income. Heinrich argues that oil majors should not receive tax incentives for foreign production, especially when they are reporting significant quarterly profits.
Sarasota Herald-Tribune Sarasota Herald-Tribune
Why you could be a part of medical fraud and not even be aware of it

Why you could be a part of medical fraud and not even be aware of it

Some have discovered by accident that their identity has been used to rip off government health care. What can you do?
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Bipartisan Senators Propose Reforms to 340B Drug Pricing Program

Bipartisan Senators Propose Reforms to 340B Drug Pricing Program

A bipartisan group of U.S. senators has introduced a bill to reform the 340B drug pricing program, which provides discounted drugs to healthcare providers serving low-income populations. The proposed legislation aims to establish new transparency and reporting requirements to ensure that the program's benefits reach patients rather than being retained by hospitals. The bill is supported by Senators Jerry Moran, Tammy Baldwin, Shelley Moore Capito, Tim Kaine, John Boozman, and John Hickenlooper. The reform efforts come amid ongoing debates between pharmaceutical companies and hospitals over the program's scope and implementation. While the bill seeks to preserve the program's critical benefits, some critics argue that it does not impose sufficient restrictions.
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CDC Confirms New Director Amid Partisan Vote

CDC Confirms New Director Amid Partisan Vote

The Senate has confirmed Dr. Erica Schwartz as the new director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Dr. Schwartz, a physician known for her advocacy of vaccine safety and efficacy, was confirmed by a 51-to-44 vote, which largely followed party lines. This appointment marks the first full-time leadership for the CDC in nearly a year. The confirmation process highlighted the ongoing political divisions in the Senate, with Senator Tim Kaine being the only Democrat to vote in favor of Dr. Schwartz's appointment.
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Senator Ben Cardin Supports Choose Home Care Act to Expand Home Health Services

Senator Ben Cardin Supports Choose Home Care Act to Expand Home Health Services

Senator Ben Cardin, along with a bipartisan group of senators, is advocating for the Choose Home Care Act of 2021. This legislation aims to reform Medicare by providing extended care services at home for patients who currently have limited options, primarily the Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) benefit. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the risks associated with SNFs, prompting a push for home-based care alternatives. The bill is supported by several organizations, including AARP and the National Council on Aging, but faces opposition from groups representing SNFs and assisted living facilities. The bill's proponents are working to gather support ahead of a potential vote in the fall, as part of a larger reconciliation infrastructure package.
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Rep. Auchincloss Co-Sponsors Bill for Early Alzheimer's Detection, Aiming to Transform Diagnosis

Rep. Auchincloss Co-Sponsors Bill for Early Alzheimer's Detection, Aiming to Transform Diagnosis

Representative Jake Auchincloss (D-MA), alongside Representative Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ), has introduced the bipartisan Alzheimer’s Early Detection Act. This legislation aims to provide pre-Medicare-eligible adults access to blood-based biomarker testing for early detection of Alzheimer’s disease, which is typically diagnosed after symptoms appear in individuals over 65. The act mandates commercial health plans and Medicaid to cover these tests for adults over 50, potentially transforming early diagnosis and management of the disease. The initiative is driven by the expectation that by 2050, 13 million Americans will suffer from Alzheimer’s, incurring an annual cost of $1 trillion in medical and caregiver expenses. The bill seeks to alleviate the emotional and economic burden on patients and families by facilitating early detection and timely intervention.