Transcript:
This is your Weekly Dose Health News…
The CDC has confirmed the first severe case of H5N1 bird flu in the United States in a patient in Louisiana. Investigation into the source of infection is still ongoing, but it has been determined that the patient had exposure to sick and dead birds in backyard flocks.
Americans are unhappy with the current state of healthcare and health insurance. A YouGov poll last week found that 49% of Americas have an unfavorable view of the American healthcare system. Other polls have suggested that Americans are as unhappy as they have ever been in recent years with the current state of healthcare. More than 6 in 10 Americans agree that pharmaceutical and health insurance companies, as well as corporate executives, are to blame for problems in the American health care system.
Amazon One Medical is being sued after a patient entered a video consultation with an Amazon One Medical clinician and was only prescribed an inhaler for his symptoms. He died several hours later in an emergency room. The patient was experiencing flu like symptoms, coughing up blood, had shortness of breath, and his feet were turning blue, and he was not told by the clinician to seek emergency medical care. In the lawsuit Amazon One Medical is accused of lacking “adequately trained and qualified staff,” resulting in care that was “careless, reckless, and negligent.”
In our State Statute Spotlight, California passed a landmark law that prohibits health insurance companies from using artificial intelligence to deny healthcare coverage. Denial, delay, or modification of care based on medical necessity must by reviewed and decided by a licensed physician or qualified health care provider. The law also establishes fair and equitable standards for companies using AI in their utilization review processes, preventing improper or unethical practices. This new law sets a national precedent for ensuring AI in healthcare is used responsibly. Other states are following California’s lead in implementing similar laws.
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Story Source Links:
CDC Confirms First Severe Case of H5N1 Bird Flu in the United States: https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2024/m1218-h5n1-flu.html#:~:text=This%20marks%20the%20first%20instance,reported%20in%20the%20United%20States.
Americans are unhappy with the state of health care and insurance: https://abcnews.go.com/538/americans-unhappy-state-health-care-insurance/story?id=116775693
Amazon One Medical sued after patient prescribed inhaler dies in ER: https://healthexec.com/topics/healthcare-management/legal-news/amazon-one-medical-sued-after-patient-prescribed-inhaler-dies-er
Landmark Law Prohibits Health Insurance Companies From Using AI To Deny Healthcare Coverage: https://sd13.senate.ca.gov/news/press-release/december-9-2024/landmark-law-prohibits-health-insurance-companies-using-ai-to
‘Dreamers’ shut out of the health care marketplace in 19 states for now, judge rules: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/dreamers-shut-out-of-the-health-care-marketplace-in-19-states-for-now-judge-rules
USDA orders nationwide testing of milk for bird flu to halt the virus: https://apnews.com/article/usda-order-milk-testing-bird-flu-bbe5d467615aca6075b5f46a1582fdd0
House passes major Pentagon bill despite Dem revolt over transgender health care: https://www.politico.com/news/2024/12/11/house-passes-ndaa-pentagon-bill-00193834
US DEPARTMENT OF LABOR ANNOUNCES PROPOSED RULE TO PHASE OUT CERTIFICATES ALLOWING PAYMENT OF LESS THAN MINIMUM WAGE TO WORKERS WITH DISABILITIES: https://www.dol.gov/newsroom/releases/whd/whd20241203
These neurons in the abdomen help form the gut-brain connection: https://www.npr.org/2024/12/12/nx-s1-5225375/these-neurons-in-the-abdomen-help-form-the-gut-brain-connection