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Health Care — White House makes new push to fund health battles

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Health Care — White House makes new push to fund health battles

Now that the pumpkin-spiced latté has returned, you may take your love of fall even additional with these pumpkin-shaped Dutch ovens that Twitter has fallen in love with. 

At this time in well being, we’ll have a look at the White Home requesting billions in new funding to reply to each the coronavirus and monkeypox, with “tough selections” looming if extra sources aren’t obtainable.

Welcome to In a single day Well being Care, the place we’re following the most recent strikes on coverage and information affecting your well being. For The Hill, we’re Peter Sullivan, Nathaniel Weixel and Joseph Choi. Subscribe right here.

A word from the authors: It’s Peter’s final day on this text. He says thanks for studying and Nate and Joseph will keep on nicely!

Biden asks for billions in COVID, monkeypox funding

There’s a brand new twist within the ongoing battle for COVID-19 funding.  

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The White Home is ready to request $22.4 billion in funding for the COVID-19 response effort and $3.9 billion for the monkeypox response effort within the type of emergency funding from Congress, senior administration officers introduced on Friday. 

The up to date request for COVID-19 funding is to fulfill instant short-term home wants, together with testing, analysis and improvement of next-generation vaccines and therapeutics, in response to the White Home. It additionally would assist the worldwide response to COVID-19 and assist to organize for future variants. 

“With out further funding, we must make tougher selections,” a senior administration official stated on Friday. 

Penalties already:  

  • The federal authorities on Friday suspended this system without spending a dime COVID-19 checks to be despatched to Individuals. Officers argued {that a} lack of funding has prevented them from adequately replenishing nationwide stockpiles of at-home checks.
  • Officers stated on Friday that whereas there are some checks obtainable within the stockpile, there’s not sufficient funding to get by way of a surge within the fall.
  • Vaccines will probably be free into 2023, however the timeline for commercialization of vaccines going ahead has needed to be accelerated with out funding. 

The request to battle monkeypox is to assist guarantee prepared entry to vaccinations, testing, therapy and operational assist. It additionally consists of $600 million to assist fight the unfold globally. 

Learn extra right here.  

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VA to supply abortion entry in restricted circumstances

The Division of Veterans’ Affairs (VA) on Friday stated that it’ll present entry to abortions to pregnant veterans in restricted circumstances. 

In an announcement, the division stated it submitted an interim last rule within the federal register to permit it to supply entry to abortion counseling, in addition to the process itself for individuals who turned pregnant because of rape or incest, or if carrying a being pregnant to time period endangers the lifetime of the mom. 

  • VA Secretary Denis McDonough known as the transfer a “affected person security determination.” 
  • “Pregnant Veterans and VA beneficiaries need to have entry to world-class reproductive care after they want it most. That’s what our nation owes them, and that’s what we at VA will ship,” he added. 

A departure from present guidelines: In its interim last rule, the VA notes that present laws don’t permit the company’s Civilian Well being and Medical Program (CHAMPVA) program to cowl the process until the lifetime of the pregnant individual is endangered.

Protection for abortions for pregnancies ensuing from rape and incest can be excluded from CHAMPV, as is abortion counseling.   

The transfer would cowl veterans and advantages below CHAMPVA program, the VA stated. The division added that its staff could present the service no matter state restrictions so long as they’re working throughout the scope of federal employment. 

Learn extra right here. 

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WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT POLIO AS IT RESURFACES 

This 12 months, polio instances have been detected in New York state, London and Jerusalem.

Unfold largely by way of contact with an contaminated individual’s feces, vaccination is protecting towards sickness, paralysis and dying from the polio virus. 

In July, the case in Rockland County in New York was in an in any other case wholesome younger grownup who was unvaccinated however had a confirmed case of poliomyelitis leading to paralysis within the leg. The county additionally discovered the virus in wastewater samples from June.

Signs: Most people who find themselves contaminated won’t have seen signs, in response to the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention (CDC). One out of 4 individuals could have flu-like signs, like sore throat, fever and fatigue. A good smaller variety of individuals could have neurological signs as a result of the virus can journey into the spinal twine, together with meningitis (an infection of protecting of spinal twine and/or mind) or paralysis. 

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Significance of vaccines: “One of the simplest ways to maintain adults and kids polio-free is thru secure and efficient immunization – New Yorkers’ biggest safety towards the worst outcomes of polio, together with everlasting paralysis and even dying,” says New York State Well being Commissioner Mary T. Bassett. In New York Metropolis, there are some pockets the place vaccination protection is below 70 % in youngsters ages 6 months to five years previous. 

Learn extra right here.  

DRIED MUSHROOMS RECALLED IN 15 STATES OVER SALMONELLA

An Asian meals importer based mostly in Maryland is recalling a few of its dried mushrooms as a consequence of a possible salmonella contamination.   

Thai Phat Wholesalers is stopping the sale of 4 forms of its “Three Cash Dried Mushrooms” in 15 states: Virginia, New York, New Jersey, North Carolina, Maryland, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Tennessee.   

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The specialty retailer issued a recall for the mushrooms on Friday after a routine check from the Maryland Division of Well being detected micro organism in some packages.   

  • To this point, nobody has gotten sick from consuming any of the “Three Cash Dried Mushrooms” however Thai Phat is urging individuals to not buy the product or return them for a full refund.
  • Most individuals who develop into contaminated with salmonella will undergo from abdomen cramps, fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and get well inside every week, in response to the U.S. Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention. 

Learn extra right here. 

WHO: Monkeypox drop proves outbreak might be stopped

World Well being Group (WHO) Director-Basic Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated on Friday that the current decline in monkeypox instances that has been noticed in North America and Europe is proof that the present outbreak might be stopped or eradicated outright.

Tedros made word of how monkeypox has rapidly gone from being a little-known virus that was typically solely mentioned throughout the context of international locations the place it’s endemic. 

Historic numbers: With over 50,000 instances and 16 deaths as a consequence of monkeypox confirmed this 12 months, Tedros stated the variety of instances has already exceeded the variety of reported infections within the years since monkeypox was first recognized in 1958. 

“It’s encouraging to see that in some international locations in Europe and North America we now see a sustained decline in instances, demonstrating the effectiveness of public well being interventions and neighborhood engagement to trace infections and stop transmission,” stated Tedros. 

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  • In line with info from the European Union, reported monkeypox instances have seen a continued decline since peaking in mid-July. The present variety of reported instances in EU international locations now replicate the degrees that had been noticed within the early elements of the outbreak.
  • All through the monkeypox outbreak, the U.S. has tended to comply with the epidemiological tendencies noticed in Europe. Knowledge from the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention (CDC) has indicated a slight decline in reported instances in current weeks. CDC Director Rochelle Walensky stated final week that she was “cautiously optimistic,” although the speed of enhance is uneven throughout the nation. 

“These indicators affirm what we have now stated persistently for the reason that starting: that with the suitable measures, that is an outbreak that may be stopped,” Tedros stated. “And in areas that don’t have animal-to-human transmission, it is a virus that may be eradicated.” 

Learn extra right here. 

WHAT WE’RE READING

  • Examine raises considerations concerning the effectiveness of the monkeypox vaccine (Stat) 
  • There’s no unhealthy time to get a brand new COVID booster in case you’re eligible, CDC director says (NPR) 
  • Biden administration is getting ready for the top of free COVID-19 vaccines as funds run dry (CBS Information) 

STATE BY STATE

  • 2 residents of California assisted residing amenities die after separate unintended poisoning incidents (NBC Information) 
  • Pa.’s Well being Division is distributing free potassium iodide tablets to residents (WFMZ-TV) 
  • New Mexico to construct $10 million abortion clinic close to Texas border (Midland Reporter-Telegram) 

OP-ED IN THE HILL

As overdose disaster rages, we should prioritize saving lives with hurt discount  

That’s it for as we speak, thanks for studying. Try The Hill’s Well being Care web page for the most recent information and protection.

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Programming word: This text will choose up once more on Tuesday after the vacation weekend. See you subsequent week!

VIEW THE FULL EDITION HERE

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Putin apologises to Azerbaijan for Kazakhstan air crash

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Putin apologises to Azerbaijan for Kazakhstan air crash

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Vladimir Putin has apologised to Azerbaijan for what he described as a “tragic incident” involving an Azerbaijani aircraft in Russian airspace on Christmas Day.

Moscow phoned Azerbaijani president Ilham Aliyev and the Russian president expressed “deep and sincere condolences” to the families of those affected, the Kremlin’s press office said on Saturday. 

The Azerbaijan Airlines Embraer 190 plane was flying from Baku to Grozny on Christmas Day when it diverted across the Caspian Sea and crash-landed near Aktau, Kazakhstan, killing 38 of the 67 people on board.

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Senior US and Ukrainian officials blamed Russian anti-aircraft fire for the crash.

Although the Kremlin’s statement on Saturday did not explicitly confirm that Russian air defence systems were responsible, it did not deny the allegation. 

The aircraft “repeatedly attempted to land at Grozny airport” while Ukrainian combat drones were attacking nearby cities and Russian air defences were “responding to these attacks”, according to the Kremlin.

“Vladimir Putin apologised for the tragic incident that occurred in Russian airspace”, the statement said.

A Russian investigative committee has opened a criminal investigation into alleged violations of aviation safety regulations, with “civilian and military specialists being questioned”, the statement added. 

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Azerbaijani, Kazakh and Russian officials are already conducting an official investigation, led by Baku.

Putin’s carefully worded acknowledgment sharply contrasts with Moscow’s repeated denial of responsibility for the 2014 downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17, which investigators attributed to a surface-to-air missile fired from territory held by Moscow-backed rebels in eastern Ukraine. A court in the Netherlands has found three men with links to the Russian military guilty of murder for their roles in the incident.

Richard Giragosian, director of the Regional Studies Center, a Yerevan-based think-tank, said the Kremlin’s statement “was both unexpected and out of character” for Putin.

He said the move “reveals the overall weakness of Russia’s position” as Moscow pursues its war in Ukraine. Putin clearly “values his relationship with Turkey, Azerbaijan’s patron state, over all else”, he added.

Andrey Kolesnikov, a Moscow-based political scientist, said that as a result of the plane crash, “Azerbaijani society has overnight become anti-Russian”.

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Russia’s main aviation authority had initially suggested that the Kazakhstan crash was caused by a bird strike to the plane’s engine. Azerbaijan’s president said he had been told the plane had been diverted due to poor weather conditions.

On Friday John Kirby, the US National Security Council spokesperson, said there were “early indications” that the plane had been hit by Russian air defences. Rashad Nabiyev, Azerbaijan’s transport minister, said on the same day that the crash had been caused by a weapon impact.

Survivors, including passengers and crew, have described explosions outside the plane as it flew over Grozny.

On Thursday, the head of Russia’s main aviation authority Dmitry Yadrov admitted that air conditions around Grozny had been “very difficult” due to attacks from Ukrainian combat drones.

In response to the catastrophe, five airlines have suspended some flights to Russia.

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Turkmenistan Airlines suspended its route from Ashgabat to Moscow while Azerbaijan Airlines, Kazakhstan’s Qazaq Air and the UAE’s Flydubai all suspended routes to southern Russia. Israel’s El Al has suspended its Tel Aviv to Moscow route.

Additional reporting by Robert Wright in London

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Severe weather could disrupt holiday travel, with tornadoes forecast in the South

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Severe weather could disrupt holiday travel, with tornadoes forecast in the South

Vehicles make their way on a rain soaked highway in Dallas on Thursday.

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Severe weather conditions across the U.S. could disrupt holiday travel this weekend, as millions of people set out to reach their destinations or return home. The National Weather Service is forecasting tornadoes and thunderstorms, heavy rain, and wind in many regions.

An outbreak of severe thunderstorms with tornadoes is possible Saturday in parts of East Texas, the Lower Mississippi Valley, the Tennessee Valley, and central Gulf Coast states. Baton Rouge and Shreveport, La.; Mobile and Tuscaloosa, Ala.; and Jackson, Miss., are among cities under serious threat. Flash flooding, tropical storm strength wind gusts, and up to two-inch sized hail are possible in some places.

National Weather Service meteorologist Frank Pereira says long-range tornadoes could strike some communities from the Texas-Louisiana border, northern and central Louisiana, and into parts of Mississippi.

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“They could stay on the ground for quite a while and they could be very strong tornadoes, EF3, which is really significant,” he said. “Once they touch down, they remain on the ground, and can do damage over quite a length, quite a distance.”

The potential for dangerous storms and twisters comes as many are traveling for the holidays. Auto club AAA projects a record 119 million people are traveling through New Year’s Day. Nearly 107 million are traveling the nation’s highways. About 8 million are estimated to be flying, many through the nation’s busiest airline hubs.

More than 3,000 U.S. flights were delayed as of Saturday morning, according to FlightAware.com.

For parts of western Oregon and northern California, heavy rain and strong winds are in the forecast this weekend, with the worst conditions Saturday. Pereira says the atmospheric river is likely to return to the region and could cause flash flooding and other headaches.

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“By the time we get into Monday, Tuesday, things should start to taper off. We could see an uptick later in the week, Tuesday, Wednesday, but currently that round doesn’t look as heavy as what is currently ongoing,” he said.

Meanwhile, it’s not likely to be a white New Year. Outside of higher elevations in the West, forecasters are not calling for snow. Instead, well-above normal temperatures are expected in much of the country in the coming days.

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Year in a word: Greenlash

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Year in a word: Greenlash

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(portmanteau noun) the backlash against environmental policies. Not to be confused with greenwashing, green hushing or green wishing

It seems it was only yesterday that green policies were on the march. If it wasn’t the US passing the biggest climate law in the country’s history, it was the EU legislating for the world’s first major carbon border tax or the UK pledging to end sales of new petrol and diesel cars by 2030. 

Green progress was especially notable in Europe. By 2022, the EU’s renewable power generation had boomed so much that solar and wind overtook gas for the first time. EU emissions plunged 8 per cent in 2023, the steepest annual fall in decades outside of 2020.

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But as climate promises were becoming a reality, inflation was spurring cost of living anxieties. Net zero-sceptic populist parties seized on these to denounce green policies as a costly elitist plot against working people. 

As 2023 turned into 2024, the green march began to stumble. Companies backed away from green targets. Germany watered down a contentious heat pump law that had helped to push the far-right AFD party’s poll numbers above 20 per cent. Brussels scrapped a plan to halve pesticide use. Green parties were hammered in June’s European parliament elections.  

In the UK, the former Conservative government pushed back the ban on new petrol and diesel cars to 2035. 

Yet the Conservatives still suffered a crushing election loss to the Labour party, which pledged to restore the 2030 target and is still committed to an ambitious decarbonisation agenda. 

That’s a reminder that the greenlash has limits, as does China’s remorseless charge towards green energy supremacy. But with an incoming Trump administration expected to reverse climate policies, and populism showing no sign of easing in Europe, it is clear that fraught green politics are by no means at an end.

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pilita.clark@ft.com

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