Category: Health
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Health Care Advocates Call New Insurance Rule Bad for Consumers, Providers
Photo Courtesy of Franchise Opportunities A new health insurance rule is being called another blow to people with pre-existing conditions. On Wednesday, the Trump administration released a new rule that allows insurance companies to expand the sale of short-term insurance plans that don’t cover the health benefits deemed “essential” by the Affordable Care Act. Cheryl…
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Family Planning Is a Human Right
It has been five decades since the international community affirmed the right to family planning but women still remain unable to enjoy this right, which is increasingly under attack around the world. It has been five decades since the international community affirmed the right to family planning but women still remain unable to enjoy this…
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Despite Endorsement From Massachusetts Medical Society, Legislators Go Home For Summer Without Approving Supervised Injection Sites
Legislators folded at the chance to establish a supervised injection site pilot program within a bill, following the strong condemnation of Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker and U.S. Attorney Andrew E. Lelling at the end of this legislative session. The supervised injection facility (SIF) idea was approved for further study by the Senate Ways and Means…
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Medical experts weigh in on ‘zero tolerance’ immigration policy separating children from parents at the border
Senator Edward Markey spent the morning of June 24 consulting health experts in East Boston about the impacts on children being separated from their families and caretakers at the U.S.-Mexico border. Markey has joined a growing chorus of legislators, civil rights groups and religious leaders who are in strong opposition of Donald Trump’s zero tolerance…
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Study Shows “Red-Flag” Laws Reduce Gun Suicides
BOSTON – With the state Senate poised to take up a bill to allow removal of firearms from people considered a danger to themselves and others, new research shows such laws reduce suicides. The so-called “Red Flag” bill would allow a relative or someone with close ties to a legal gun owner to petition the…
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‘Fighting for Space’ author talks injection sites, harm reduction in Boston
A Canadian journalist’s book on harm reduction in Vancouver is coming to the United States, and the Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program hosted the author for a discussion and book launch. In “Fighting for Space: How a Group of Drug Users Transformed One City’s Struggle with Addiction,” Travis Lupick provides a detailed look…
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Boston Pride talks public accommodations law and legal protections for trans people
Members of the LBGTQ community, in particular transgender people, and allies are working to protect the public accommodations law adopted by the Massachusetts legislature in 2016. The law specifically protects a person based on their gender identity, but could be repealed if voters choose ‘no’ on the ballot question in November. Freedom for All Massachusetts…
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Cecile Richards on Planned Parenthood
It started with a relatively small action: A black felt armband worn to her Texas grade school as part of a nationwide protest against the Vietnam War. Cecile Richards was only 13 at the time, and it was her first big leap into the resistance. As a result of her act of rebellion, she was…