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Reproductive Rights Under Attack in Congressional Funding Bills, Says Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley

WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley from Massachusetts denounced the recent attacks on sexual and reproductive health and rights in the FY25 State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs (SFOPs) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) appropriations bills. The bills, currently undergoing markup, include funding cuts and policy riders that obstruct access to critical services such as abortion, birth control, and gender-affirming care. Pressley criticized the Republicans for using the appropriations process to push forward harmful policies …

Preventive Care Surprise: ACA Free Annual Check-Up Leaves Patients with Unexpected Bills and Frustration

SEATTLE, WA – When Kristy Uddin, 49, went in for her annual mammogram last year, she anticipated that she wouldn’t receive a bill due to the preventative care measures covered under the 2010 Affordable Care Act. However, when a bill for $236 arrived, Uddin was shocked and frustrated. She learned that the mammogram itself was covered, but the fee for the equipment and the facility was not, leading to confusion and dissatisfaction. Uddin’s experience is …

Legislation Update: Minnesota House Passes Historic Bipartisan Bills

Chanhassen, Minnesota – As the clock ticks down on the 2024 legislative session, lawmakers are hard at work in conference committees and on the House Floor, fine-tuning bills and finalizing legislation before the midnight deadline. The focus is on amending bills, ensuring transparency in the legislative process, and passing legislation that will ultimately require the governor’s approval. In recent updates, the House has successfully passed several crucial pieces of legislation and conference committee reports, addressing …

Governor Youngkin’s Record-Breaking Veto Spree Continues with Rejection of Key Bills

Richmond, VA – Governor Glenn Youngkin of Virginia made headlines on Friday by vetoing several key bills aimed at addressing access to contraceptives and closing tax loopholes for Confederate heritage groups. This decision marked another significant milestone in Youngkin’s record-breaking spree of vetoes, which also included rejecting measures such as restricting guns in psychiatric hospitals and advocating for responsible firearm storage practices in households with children. Youngkin’s actions were a response to bills that had …

Colorado House Passes Key Health Care Access Bills

Denver, Colorado – The Colorado House recently approved a series of bills aimed at enhancing healthcare accessibility across the state. These legislative measures are designed to address various aspects of healthcare, from prescription drug affordability to expanding services like telehealth and mobile health units. One of the bills, SB24-110, focuses on reducing costs for Coloradans when it comes to prescription medications. This bill would eliminate unnecessary authorization requirements for certain antipsychotic medications, ensuring that individuals …

Social Security Payments Could Lead to Higher IRS Bills for Millions of Americans as Tax Season Approaches

Sarasota, Florida – As tax season approaches, many seniors on Social Security may find themselves owing thousands of dollars to the IRS. Although Social Security payments received a 3.2 percent cost of living adjustment this year, this increase could inadvertently push many seniors into a higher tax bracket, resulting in a larger amount of money being withheld from their payments. In fact, it is estimated that nationally, about 40 percent of Social Security recipients are …

Abortion Rights Battle in Kansas: Governor Kelly Vetoes Bills Restricting Health Care and Implementing Invasive Surveys

TOPEKA, Kan. – Governor Laura Kelly of Kansas wielded her veto power on Friday to reject bills aimed at restricting gender-identity health care for transgender youth and introducing penalties for coercing someone to have an abortion. These decisions underscore the ongoing debate in the state over personal freedoms and government intervention in healthcare and reproductive rights. One of the bills vetoed by Governor Kelly, Senate Bill 233, sought to prohibit gender-affirming care for transgender minors …

Unauthorized ACA Plan Switching Leads to Major Challenges and IRS Bills for Consumers

Charlotte, North Carolina – Some consumers in North Carolina enrolled in Affordable Care Act plans are finding themselves involuntarily switched to different plans, causing disruptions in healthcare services and potential financial implications. Unauthorized enrollment and plan-switching have become significant issues for the ACA, raising concerns among brokers who cite the ease with which agents can access policyholder accounts in the federal marketplace. Brokers highlight the alarming trend of clients being switched to new agents, potentially …

Florida Governor DeSantis Signs “Live Healthy” Bills to Improve Health Care Access

Bonita Springs, Florida – Governor Ron DeSantis signed a comprehensive package of healthcare bills aimed at addressing critical issues in the state’s healthcare system. Supporters believe that these bills will enhance access to healthcare services, increase the number of healthcare professionals in Florida, and focus on improving mental health treatment. Tampa General Hospital President and CEO, John Couris, emphasized the significance of these bills in overcoming challenges faced by the health-care industry. He mentioned the …

Florida’s Culture War Bills Face Defeat in Legislature with Growing Pushback

Miami, Florida – The culture wars in Florida have taken an unexpected turn as controversial bills championed by Governor Ron DeSantis faced unexpected defeats in the state’s Republican-dominated legislature. Bills banning rainbow flags from public buildings, enforcing restrictions on transgender individuals, and preserving Confederate monuments all failed to gain traction during the recently concluded session, marking a notable shift from the usual trend of passing legislation proposed by the governor. Despite a history of conservative …