Category: Health

WASHINGTON — It’s been more than a year in the making and has seen plenty of ups and downs. Now, a Democratic economic package focused on climate and health care faces hurdles but seems headed toward the party-line passage by Congress next month.

Approval would let President Joe Biden and his party claim a triumph on top priorities as November’s elections approach. They have not forgotten that they came close to approving a far grander version of the bill last year, only to see Mon. Joe Manchin, DW.Va., one of their most conservative and contrarian members, torpedo it at the eleventh hour.

This time, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, DN.Y., has crafted a compromise package with Manchin, to the surprise of everyone, transforming the West Virginian from pariah to partner. The measure is more modest than earlier versions but still checks boxes on issues that make Democrats giddy.

Here’s what

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With coronavirus cases in the DC region on a gradual incline and vaccine immunity waning, some public health officials recommend residents consider wearing high-quality masks, but have no plans to reinstate mandates as people learn to live and work amid the virus.

Most counties and cities in the region reported a medium level of community spread of the coronavirus this week, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s tracker. Some counties in the region are toggling from low to medium with the occasional day at a high level, reflecting the variable nature of the pandemic.

The jump in cases stems mainly from the highly transmissible omicron offshoot, BA.5, which, in recent weeks, has become the dominant strain in the United States driving a wave of cases across the country.

In DC, State Epidemiologist Anil Mangla said officials noticed an uptick in cases

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You might be surprised to learn that gut health is the latest buzzy topic on TikTok.

Under hashtags like #guttok, #guthealth and #guthealing, influencers and every day users alike are posting thousands of videos, sharing stories about their gut health struggles and remedies.

And they’ve raked in a little over a billion views.

Like with anything that skyrockets on TikTok, gut health’s popularity on the app can be attributed in part to the ease with which content creators can churn out quick and relatable videos about topics like how to reduce bloating or prevent symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome.

Another factor is that as users are looking to become more informed about their health on the app, they’re also looking for solutions—and the gut health community is offering them up.

For example, this year, a cleaner and easier way to get gut health information

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How to Navigate Medicare and Mental Health at a Behavioral Hospital - Port St. Lucie Hospital, Inc. | Florida Mental Health Services

While health insurance policies like Medicare cover a wide array of treatment services for people with drug abuse disorders and mental illness, special rules limit reimbursement and coverage. Medicare’s coverage of these types of services for behavioral health, drug abuse disorders, and mental illness are not as extensive as their coverage for other types of services.

Substance use disorders and alcoholism treatment

Health insurance policies will pay for SUD and alcoholism treatment in both outpatient and inpatient settings. Part A of the policy will pay for inpatient drug abuse therapy; people will pay the same as co-players for other kinds of inpatient hospitalization. Likewise, Part B of the policy will pay for outpatient, outpatient drug abuse therapy services from hospitals, outpatient departments, or clinics. Covered services and items for alcoholism and SUD therapies include:

Patient education when it comes to treatment and diagnosis

Psychotherapy

Outpatient prescription medications through Part D…

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