SUMMARY: Donald Trump’s return to the White House may inspire Republicans to weaken or repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA), but significant procedural and political challenges remain. Trump has opposed the ACA and is interested in reforming it, while GOP lawmakers aim to revamp the 2010 health law, citing costs and government overreach. Potential changes could affect Medicaid expansion, raise the uninsured rate, and increase premiums. Trump could use reconciliation to change the ACA without Democratic votes, or pursue executive actions to modify it. Critics worry that policies could lead to higher costs and reduced protections for individuals with preexisting conditions.

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The post Washington Power Has Shifted. Here’s How the ACA May Shift, Too. appeared first on kffhealthnews.org

SUMMARY: The Glenwood Resource Center in Iowa, which served individuals with disabilities for over a century, closed in June 2023 amid care allegations. Its cemetery, housing about 1,300 individuals buried with minimal markers, has become a focal point for disability rights advocates who seek proper maintenance and memorialization. As redevelopment plans are discussed, local leaders emphasize honoring the memory of those buried there, as past neglect of similar cemeteries across the U.S. has faced criticism. Efforts aim to ensure significant recognition that reflects their humanity, preventing a repeat of the erasure experienced by many individuals with disabilities in institutional care.

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The post After Institutions for People With Disabilities Close, Graves Are at Risk of Being Forgotten appeared first on kffhealthnews.org

SUMMARY: William Lopez, a former employee of the Rocky Mountain Lions Eye Bank, recounts a troubling experience from June 2017 involving a request to contact a deceased friend’s spouse for eye donation, which he refused. Over three years, he witnessed numerous issues, including damaged tissue and lack of transparency. Criticism has emerged about the eye bank’s operations, highlighting high employee turnover and inadequate training, leading to errors. Despite its crucial role in restoring sight through cornea transplants, former employees express concerns over oversight and the pressure to fulfill international demands at the expense of quality. Stricter regulation of tissue donation practices is called for.

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The post Ex-Eye Bank Workers Say Pressure, Lax Oversight Led to Errors appeared first on kffhealthnews.org