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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The post Trump Wants Harris To Pay a Political Price for Generous Immigrant Health Policies appeared first on kffhealthnews.org

SUMMARY: Voters in Missouri, Nebraska, and Alaska will soon decide on ballot measures to grant paid sick leave to workers. Supporters argue this benefit would help low-wage employees avoid financial instability during illness and benefit public health by reducing disease spread. However, opponents claim it imposes unfair burdens on employers. Currently, 15 states and D.C. have similar laws. These initiatives have garnered minimal campaign funding compared to more prominent measures like abortion and sports betting. Proponents include various unions and advocacy groups, while business organizations express opposition due to increased operational costs. The measures could also raise the minimum wage.

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The post Paid Sick Leave Is Up for a Vote in Three States appeared first on kffhealthnews.org

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