SUMMARY: In 2023, Michael Adams faced insurance denial for a crucial prosthetic leg replacement. After losing his leg to cancer 40 years ago, he selected a health plan that covered advanced prosthetics, but his insurer deemed the replacement unnecessary, despite his doctor’s long-standing recommendation. This disparity in coverage, particularly between joint replacements and prosthetics, highlights ongoing discrimination in the amputee community. An estimated 2.3 million Americans live with limb loss, and many encounter barriers to obtaining necessary prosthetics. Leah Kaplan also struggled with insurance denial for a myoelectric prosthetic hand, emphasizing the financial and emotional toll of inadequate insurance coverage.

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SUMMARY: Bill Hall, a 71-year-old HIV survivor, has endured numerous health challenges, including depression, heart disease, and cancer since contracting the virus in 1986. His struggles are compounded by trauma from childhood, where he faced bullying and abuse in a government boarding school. LGBTQ+ seniors like Hall often face isolation, with many living alone and lacking social support. By 2030, the number of LGBTQ+ seniors is projected to double, increasing their vulnerability to health issues and mental struggles. Many have experienced profound loss from the AIDS crisis, leading to ongoing emotional challenges. Support services remain critical for this aging population.

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SUMMARY: In Las Vegas, case manager Bryon Johnson searches the underground tunnels for homeless individuals like Jay Flanders, who suffers from health issues and substance abuse. Escaping rising housing costs and law enforcement, around 1,200 to 1,500 people live in these tunnels, which provide shelter from extreme weather but pose significant health risks, especially during monsoon season. Outreach workers emphasize the dangers of drug addiction and untreated health conditions, urging residents to seek medical care above ground. As housing costs soar, many homeless individuals, including tourists, end up in these perilous conditions, seeking cover from societal judgment and harsh weather.

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The post Caseworkers Coax Homeless People out of Las Vegas’ Tunnels for Treatment appeared first on kffhealthnews.org