SUMMARY: Letters to the Editor discuss various healthcare concerns. Gail Daniels shares her struggles caring for a mother with dementia, while Shava Nerad reflects on the challenges faced by those without family support. Gloria Rankin suggests using pen pals to combat social isolation. Zoe Joyner Danielson recalls racial bias in pulse oximeter development, while Suzann Lebda questions fluoride’s impact on dental health. Readers also address issues like Medicare Advantage, high drug costs for seniors, and the financial burden of prepaying for baby deliveries. Liviu Steier advocates for fluorescence in dental care, emphasizing its diagnostic benefits.

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The post Readers Embrace ‘Going It Alone’ Series on Aging and Chastise Makers of Pulse Oximeters appeared first on kffhealthnews.org

SUMMARY: Lloyd Mills, a 32-year-old with autism, cerebral palsy, and kidney disease, has faced prolonged hospitalization due to inadequate community support in Georgia. After being admitted to Grady Memorial Hospital for mental health issues, Mills waited over eight months for appropriate housing, highlighting the systemic failures of a state still grappling with the consequences of a 2010 Department of Justice lawsuit regarding care for people with developmental disabilities. Despite significant investments and improvements in services, challenges like workforce shortages and inadequate funding persist, often leaving individuals like Mills in hospitals, impacting their mental and physical well-being.

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The post Georgians With Disabilities Are Still Being Institutionalized, Despite Federal Oversight appeared first on kffhealthnews.org

SUMMARY: Florida’s plan to import lower-cost prescription drugs from Canada, approved by the FDA nearly a year ago, has yet to launch. Governor Ron DeSantis praised the program, anticipated to save state agencies up to $180 million, but officials lack a start date. Despite bipartisan support for drug importation, complications persist, including operational challenges and safety concerns from the pharmaceutical industry. DeSantis has filed lawsuits against the FDA for delays and Florida has already spent $50 million on the initiative with no drugs imported. Other states, like Colorado, face similar hurdles in establishing importation programs.

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The post Florida Gov. DeSantis’ Canadian Drug Import Plan Goes Nowhere After FDA Approval appeared first on kffhealthnews.org