SUMMARY: Maria Sanchez, an undocumented immigrant from Mexico, has lived in Chicago for 30 years without health insurance. At 87, she finally gained coverage through an Illinois program for older undocumented residents. Many states are expanding public insurance to cover unauthorized immigrants, especially for seniors, despite criticism from Republicans who argue it burdens American citizens. The expansions address healthcare access disparities highlighted by the pandemic. While programs in states like California and New York have made strides, enrollment pressures and costs pose challenges. For Sanchez, the new coverage has significantly improved her health and quality of life.

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SUMMARY: Becky Carroll sought dental implants from ClearChoice after feeling ashamed about her teeth. Despite her concerns, she underwent a $31,000 procedure. However, during surgery, her anesthesia reportedly wore off, causing her pain. Following the operation, her misaligned prosthetic teeth left her unable to chew properly for over two years. Experts warn that many dentists are extracting healthy teeth unnecessarily for profit, leading to patient complications. The surge in dental implants, influenced by private equity, has raised concerns over the quality of care. Critics assert that patients often meet salespeople before dentists, risking uninformed decisions about their dental health.

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The post Dentists Are Pulling ‘Healthy’ and Treatable Teeth To Profit From Implants, Experts Warn appeared first on kffhealthnews.org

SUMMARY: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. prioritizes human health and environmental issues, advocating for significant changes in healthcare, particularly regarding food and medicine. His potential involvement in healthcare roles raises concerns among public health professionals, especially since vaccination is widely regarded as a cornerstone of public health advancements. The Trump campaign has hinted at skepticism towards vaccines, aligning with Kennedy’s history of anti-vaccine activism. This alliance could challenge established health protocols, as campaign officials voice doubts about vaccines, reflecting a shift in public discourse around health-related topics.

With the 2024 election campaign in its final days, House Speaker Mike Johnson this week floated “massive” health care reform if former President Donald Trump wins — changes that are also dependent, of course, on whether Republicans control Congress next year.

Meanwhile, new reporting uncovers more maternal deaths under state abortion bans, plus at least one case in which a woman was jailed after a miscarriage. Plus, other investigations are shining a light on a reality of American health care, regardless of who wins on Tuesday: the consequences of health industry profiteering.

This week’s panelists for KFF Health News’ ‘What the Health?’ are Emmarie Huetteman of KFF Health News, Lauren Weber of The Washington Post, Shefali Luthra of The 19th, and Jessie Hellmann of CQ Roll Call.

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