House Republicans are preparing to vote on a bill to reopen the US government, despite strong opposition from Democrats. Democrats plan to oppose the bill because it fails to extend tax credits for Affordable Care Act health plans, a key demand for the party. The Senate passed the compromise bill, and now the House is expected to vote, but a significant number of House Democrats, including the New Democrat Coalition and the Congressional Progressive caucus, are against the measure. This poses a challenge for Speaker Mike Johnson, as he can only afford to lose a few Republican votes.
Read More
As reported by the Associated Press, Maine Family Planning, a network of 18 clinics serving low-income residents, is closing its primary care operations due to the Trump administration’s cuts to abortion providers. The network, which offers a range of services beyond abortions, including cancer screenings and STD testing, stated the cuts forced them to make difficult decisions. The move to defund abortion providers is driving patients away from their doctors and has resulted in over 600 patients losing access to care. Maine Family Planning is fighting the funding cuts in federal court, with the Center for Reproductive Rights vowing to continue the legal battle.
Read More
The Department of Homeland Security has dramatically increased immigration enforcement, despite a decline in border crossings and evidence that undocumented people have lower criminal conviction rates than US-born citizens. This has manifested in the deployment of heavily armed agents against communities of color, often collaborating with local law enforcement. Concurrently, ICE is targeting delivery drivers and offering substantial signing bonuses to recruits, while public services remain underfunded. Ultimately, the article advocates for shifting priorities away from policing and military spending towards funding essential social programs like healthcare, education, and childcare, reflecting the need to prioritize people over policing and warfare.
Read More
The British Columbia government announced the termination of funding for nine-year-old Charleigh Pollock’s $1 million-per-year Brineura treatment for CLN2, a rare and terminal disease. This decision, based on Health Minister Josie Osborne’s statement, stems from independent expert review concluding Charleigh’s condition has progressed beyond the point where the drug effectively slows disease progression. While acknowledging the family’s distress, the ministry cited clinical criteria established by Health Canada’s drug agency as the basis for this funding cessation. The family, however, maintains that Charleigh continues to benefit from the medication and urges the province to reconsider.
Read More
Critically ill 9/11 first responders are facing a devastating situation: they are being denied access to the very program designed to provide them with essential healthcare. This isn’t a simple bureaucratic snafu; it’s a systemic failure impacting individuals who risked their lives during a national tragedy. The program, intended to support those who suffered health consequences from their 9/11 response efforts, has seen a massive surge in enrollment, far exceeding initial projections. This increase underscores the long-term health impacts of the disaster and the significant need for sustained support.
The sheer volume of applicants has unfortunately exposed a critical funding gap.… Continue reading
Federal budget cuts have forced Johns Hopkins University to lay off over 2,000 workers, a move that has sparked widespread concern and outrage. This drastic measure, resulting from reduced government funding, exemplifies the devastating ripple effects of such cuts, extending far beyond the immediate loss of employment.
The consequences of these layoffs are far-reaching and deeply troubling. These weren’t just any jobs; many were well-paying positions held by middle-class individuals. This loss of income will have a significant impact on the wider economy, affecting local businesses reliant on the spending power of these now-unemployed individuals. Restaurants, landscaping services, and house cleaning businesses, among many others, will likely experience a sharp decline in patronage, leading to further job losses and economic hardship.… Continue reading
As a doctor, and as someone who has watched my loved ones battle cancer, the recent news of Congress voting against funding a cure for cancer solely to block a win for Biden is beyond infuriating. The sheer callousness and cruelty displayed by some members of Congress is appalling. The fact that some politicians would prioritize petty political gains over the health and well-being of countless Americans is a stark reminder of the broken system that currently governs our country.
It is disheartening to see that some Republicans, in their quest to undermine Biden’s administration, would stoop to such lows. The idea that funding for cancer research and treatment was shot down simply to prevent the opposition party from achieving a victory is a testament to the toxic and divisive nature of current political discourse.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood