Over the past year, we have witnessed the national outcry against our “ race-based caste system ,” the frailty of our social safety nets and economic precarity disproportionately affecting communities of color . This stems from barriers rooted in poverty and discrimination with downstream collateral of inaccessible housing, education, transportation, healthcare and job security with paid sick leave and a living wage. It is well established that poverty and low-income status are associated with worse health status and outcomes . Currently, there is a feverish inward focus on increasing inclusion, representation and research to challenge structural racism within healthcare systems. However, empowering patients entangled in this complex web of racially-driven societal structures and intergenerational poverty cannot be achieved with insulated healthcare initiatives and policy changes. One of the ways to do this is to support federal policy that … [Read more...] about Addressing racial health inequities includes addressing the minimum wage
Minimum wage
Game of votes — why budget reconciliation isn’t the answer Democrats need
Democracy took a big hit last week when Senators Joe Manchin Joe Manchin GOP acknowledges struggle to bring down Biden On The Money: Moderates' 0B infrastructure bill is a tough sell with Democrats | Justice Dept. sues Trump ally Roger Stone for unpaid taxes Moderates' 0B infrastructure bill is a tough sell with Democrats MORE (D-W.Va.) and Kyrsten Sinema Kyrsten Sinema Sinema, Romney propose bill to tackle student loan debt House committee approves DC statehood bill Romney, Sinema teaming up on proposal to raise minimum wage MORE (D-Ariz.) both reinforced their previous statements against filibuster reform. Such reform is essential for our nation’s ability to govern representatively. Game theory can explain how Senate Democrats ended up here and why recent legislative wins may actually cause larger-scale losses. The U.S. has a long history of voter suppression and gerrymandering . However, better technology allows … [Read more...] about Game of votes — why budget reconciliation isn’t the answer Democrats need
Colorado wants to lower health care costs. But not everyone agrees the state should get involved.
Fruita Dr. Korrey Klein wanted to make sure the final dose of 8,000 COVID-19 vaccines at his Fruita hospital’s last mass vaccination clinic didn’t go to waste. After some asking around, it went to a visitor at Colorado Canyons Hospital and Medical Center. Eighty percent of patients at this small rural critical-access hospital, about 20 miles from Grand Junction and a service of the nonprofit Family Health West, are on Medicare and Medicaid. Because of COVID, the hospital lost money in 2020, said Klein, who is also the president and CEO of Family Health West. The year before, it made a 4% profit. Already, insurance carriers don’t seem to have an incentive to negotiate better rates with rural hospitals, Klein said, because they have fewer patients. Plus, many don’t even carry their insurance products in rural areas. But the public option bill in front of the Colorado Legislature makes Klein more worried that his hospital and other rural hospitals, which communities depend on and … [Read more...] about Colorado wants to lower health care costs. But not everyone agrees the state should get involved.
2021 ACMs sees Blake Shelton perform first No. 1 hit ‘Austin’ 20 years later
close Video Fox News Flash top entertainment headlines for April 16 Fox News Flash top entertainment and celebrity headlines are here. Check out what's clicking today in entertainment. Blake Shelton gave old and newcomer fans alike a dose of his greatest hits during his performance at the ACM Awards on Sunday. The 44-year-old fiancé of Gwen Stefani , 51, hit the ACM stage in Nashville and began his medley of hits with his debut single, "Austin," a record which rewarded Shelton with his first No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart back in 2001. Donning his signature blue jeans and a member’s only-style jacket over a simple blue collared shirt, the " Voice " judge then flipped the decades and turned to something a little more current and performed his latest single, "Minimum Wage," which will appear on his forthcoming studio album, "Body Language," on May 21. "Best surprise @blakeshelton singing Austin #ACMAwards," wrote one … [Read more...] about 2021 ACMs sees Blake Shelton perform first No. 1 hit ‘Austin’ 20 years later
