SUMMARY: During her OB-GYN visit, Callie Anderson opted for an IUD for birth control, believing it would be covered by her insurance. After a $25 copay for the insertion, she received a shocking $14,658 bill due to her grandfathered insurance plan, which didn’t comply with the Affordable Care Act’s contraceptive mandate. Despite multiple attempts to clarify coverage, Anderson learned the plan excluded IUDs. After hours of discussions and seeking financial assistance, she wound up paying a total of $5,236. The incident highlights the importance of understanding insurance coverage before medical procedures to avoid unexpected costs.

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SUMMARY: Missouri voters approved sports betting, set to begin soon, allowing residents to place wagers from home. While this offers convenience, experts warn it may lead to increased gambling addiction, especially since smartphones make betting more accessible. The state plans to allocate at least $5 million annually from sports betting taxes to fund addiction prevention and treatment. In other states like Virginia, the rise of online sports betting has been linked to a surge in gambling-related health issues and calls to helplines. Missouri aims to address these concerns by using tax revenue to expand resources for problem gambling support.

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SUMMARY: The Trump administration’s directive to freeze nearly all federal grants, announced on Monday, alarmed state officials and health advocates, as it initially affected Medicaid funding for over 70 million Americans. By Tuesday, state access to crucial online portals for Medicaid funding was blocked, causing widespread concern. Although the White House later clarified that Medicaid was exempt, uncertainty remained regarding other critical programs. Congressional Democrats condemned the freeze as dangerous and unconstitutional, with lawsuits emerging against the order. The freeze’s implications extended beyond Medicaid, impacting various social programs vital to children and vulnerable populations.

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