Health Care

Years of cuts and lack of preparedness have left millions in North Carolina vulnerable

By Alanna Joyner / April 14, 2020 / Comments Off on Years of cuts and lack of preparedness have left millions in North Carolina vulnerable

The COVID-19 outbreak is exposing not only the weakness in the U.S health system and economy but the lack of preparedness plagued by decades of cuts and lack of concern. In North Carolina, working families, vulnerable populations, and children may be victims of a legislature that favored benefits for the wealthy at the expense of…

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A triple disaster: Uninsured, living far from a hospital, and sick with COVID-19

By Alanna Joyner / April 10, 2020 / Comments Off on A triple disaster: Uninsured, living far from a hospital, and sick with COVID-19

Rural areas in North Carolina have seen numerous hospitals closed resulting in dwindling options on where to receive medical care. Out of the 100 counties in North Carolina, seventeen do not have state-licensed hospitals resulting in residents — if they are able — traveling up to 30 miles in some cases to the nearest medical…

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NC researchers: Models show social distancing makes big impact on hospital capacity

By Alanna Joyner / April 6, 2020 / Comments Off on NC researchers: Models show social distancing makes big impact on hospital capacity

New projection models released today shows that social distancing practices will significantly reduce the chance that hospitals will be overwhelmed by COVID-19 patients. A team of local health experts determined that if social distance policies remain, predictions of increased cases could lessen — emphasizing the importance of maintaining social distancing.  From WRAL: The model shows…

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NCHN: COVID-19 accentuates barriers for the deaf and hard of hearing

By Alanna Joyner / April 6, 2020 / Comments Off on NCHN: COVID-19 accentuates barriers for the deaf and hard of hearing

In the midst of a public health crisis, various communities are being heavily impacted and the necessity to provide vital information for everyone as society consistently changes due to COVID-19, is important.  But that lifesaving information can be lost in translation or limited for those within the deaf community. In a state that has almost…

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Medical professionals share challenges, urgent needs with lawmakers as COVID-19 cases rise

By Alanna Joyner / March 31, 2020 / Comments Off on Medical professionals share challenges, urgent needs with lawmakers as COVID-19 cases rise

According to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, North Carolina currently has 1,498 confirmed coronavirus cases across the state. As cases continue to rise, medical professionals remain concerned about lack of protective equipment, medical supplies and the potential for hospitals across the state to become overwhelmed by patients.  At the first meeting…

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Coronavirus reveals vulnerabilities within states like N.C. that rejected Medicaid expansion

By Alanna Joyner / March 30, 2020 / Comments Off on Coronavirus reveals vulnerabilities within states like N.C. that rejected Medicaid expansion

Uninsured people within the 14 states, including North Carolina, that have not expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, could face numerous challenges as COVID-19 cases increase. Almost 5 million people across the country are without access to health care coverage and states that have turned down billions of federal dollars that would have come…

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Area hospitals seek donated protective gear, medical supplies amid pandemic. Here’s how to help.

By Alanna Joyner / March 25, 2020 / Comments Off on Area hospitals seek donated protective gear, medical supplies amid pandemic. Here’s how to help.

As coronavirus cases continue to surge across the nation, hospitals in every state are dealing with the stressful demand to combat the virus, but with limited resources. North Carolina hospitals, along with others around the country, are asking for donations of medical supplies, especially personal protective equipment, or PPE, for health care providers.   Health care…

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Senate passes ‘Families First Coronavirus Response Act’

By Alanna Joyner / March 24, 2020 / Comments Off on Senate passes ‘Families First Coronavirus Response Act’

A second coronavirus emergency aid package came into law last week, named the Families First Coronavirus Response Act. The latest package includes a federal emergency paid-leave benefits program, free COVID-19 testing for the public and expanded unemployment benefits. The first emergency bill allocated over $8 billion for coronavirus prevention, preparation, and response efforts across the…

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NC United for Survival & Beyond calls for needed protection of vulnerable populations during the outbreak

By Alanna Joyner / March 20, 2020 / Comments Off on NC United for Survival & Beyond calls for needed protection of vulnerable populations during the outbreak

Yesterday, 10 demands were expressed during a press conference hosted by over 60 North Carolina organizations in a coalition effort to address needed protection for vulnerable communities during the COVID-19 outbreak.  North Carolina’s Governor Roy Cooper and the General Assembly, were called out to prioritize the health and safety of NC families, workers, uninsured immigrants,…

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WRAL: Secretary Cohen tells legislators what they can’t handle — The Truth

By Alanna Joyner / March 12, 2020 / Comments Off on WRAL: Secretary Cohen tells legislators what they can’t handle — The Truth

Due to Gov. Roy Cooper’s veto of the General Assembly’s proposed state budget, North Carolina avoided more than $42 million in cuts that would have left numerous agencies vulnerable during the coronavirus outbreak. A dramatically shrunken budget and staff cuts prompted by the state budget, would have strained the state’s Health and Human Services, the…

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