Month: September 2020

Feeling sick after getting a flu shot is a normal (and even good!) thing

News

The intent of flu shots is to avoid the flu. We know this. It’s been drilled into our heads again and again. And yet, a little less than half of adults in the US got the routine jab for the 2018 to 2019 flu season. (This was actually a pretty high vaccination rate; in recent flu seasons, adherence has hovered around 40%.)

The reason for this shouldn’t be the cost—most insurance and Medicaid covers the flu vaccine as preventative medicine. Nor should it be ...

Read More

Why is a Trump official charging taxpayers thousands for a ‘girls’ night’?

News, Trump administration, US news, US politics

In 2018, Seema Verma spent $2,933 on a girls’ night, according to a 17-month investigation by congressional Democrats – but it isn’t the worst of her claims

They say money can’t buy you happiness, but it can buy you a really expensive girls’ night – which is exactly what Seema Verma, the Trump administration’s top Medicaid official, has been spending on – and charging the taxpayer for it too.

In 2018, Verma spent $2,933 organizing a “girls’ night” at a reporter’s house and char...

Read More

Trump heads to Michigan as row over Woodward coronavirus revelations continues – live

Donald Trump, News, US news, US politics, World news

Here’s where the day stands so far:

Senior administration official Seema Verma is facing questions over her consultant fees that were paid with taxpayer dollars.

Politico reports:

When Seema Verma, the Trump administration’s top Medicaid official, went to a reporter’s home in November 2018 for a ‘Girl’s Night’ thrown in her honor, taxpayers footed the bill to organize the event: $2,933.

When Verma wrote an op-ed on Fox News’ website that fall, touting President Donald Trump’s changes to Obamacare, taxpayers got charged for one consultant’s price to place it: $977.

That Seema Verma is still running CMS says everything that needs to be said about how seriously this administration takes shameless graft and transparent corruption from its own appointees—which is to say, not at all:https://t.co/f8PD9LNu3E

Continue reading...

Read More

Trump criticized for reported military comments: ‘He doesn’t understand bravery’ – live

Donald Trump, News, US news, US politics

During the press conference, Biden was asked a few more questions on Trump’s comments on voting, mask-wearing, ongoing Russian election interference and the economic agreement between Serbia and Kosovo.

“It is a felony!” he said of Trump’s illegal suggestion that voters vote twice.

Asked about Qanon and Trump’s refusal to denounce the conspiracy and its followers, replied: “I’ve been a big supporter of mental health.”

He said supporters of the theory should avail themselves of the mental health resources provided by the Affordable Care Act.

Continue reading...

Read More

Coronavirus Australia live: Victoria reports 113 new cases and 15 deaths and NSW records 12 cases

health, News

Senate censures aged care minister Richard Colbeck and security firms involved in guarding Melbourne quarantine hotels continue giving evidence at the state’s inquiry. Follow live news and updates today

In other news:

The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) has welcomed an interim parliamentary committee report that recommends that Medicare-subsidised telehealth be made permanent.

We are pleased that the interim report of the select committee on financial technology and regulatory technology has backed the RACGP’s calls for telehealth to be made permanent in its recommendations.

With the September deadline looming, patients and GPs urgently need clarity on the future of telehealth and e-prescribing services. Patients with long-term conditions are already being booked in for appointments after 30 September, and general practices need to know whether telehealth is an option.

The last thing we need is a lack of clarity or significant disruption for patients and GPs across the country. Telehealth must be extended while we work on a suitable long-term solution.

The House is about to adjourn, but Labor has moved a motion to try and get the sitting to continue (which will fail).

And oh God, I have just been told we might end up sitting for four weeks straight after budget, because the quarantine for the MPs is a little too difficult to wrangle.

Continue reading...

Read More