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President Biden wants Americans to switch from gas-powered cars to electric cars, but his vague trade policies and too few trade agreements make that difficult.

The Biden administration sees widespread adoption of the electric vehicle (EV) as critical to combating climate change and achieving a sustainable future. In an effort to ensure that future, the Environmental Protection Agency recently proposed a new emissions rule that says gas-powered vehicles should make up no more than 30 percent of vehicle sales by 2032. .

That will be a real challenge. The EV share of new vehicle sales was 7.3 percent in the first quarter of 2024, down from 7.8 percent in the fourth quarter of 2023. The industry is seeing a slowdown in EV sales growth.

If widespread EV adoption is a priority, then America’s business policies, some of which Biden inherited and some of which are his own, need another look. Because now, it’s a big race.

Many Americans are hesitant to adopt electric vehicles due to concerns about reliable charging options, the initial purchase price and other concerns. Addressing them will be critical to growing the EV market. International business can help Biden achieve that goal. But it needs to go back to the basics, including congressionally-authorized free trade agreements.

The Affordable Care Act requires that key minerals in EV batteries be sourced domestically or from free trade partners. The existing law is not clear on who exactly these partners are. Until now, the administration has been pursuing important mineral agreements with the understanding that participating countries qualify as free trade agreement partners as far as the law goes.

These agreements aim to help US automakers create competitive EV supply chains. The United States has signed an important mineral agreement with Japan. Negotiations with the European Union, the United Kingdom and Indonesia are ongoing.

But a new bill that has just been proposed will put a damper on those discussions. The House Ways and Means Committee recently passed HR 7983, the “Stop Executive Overreach on Trade Agreements Act.”

Proponents of the bill say it’s time for Congress to assert its constitutional authority over trade policy, and that the act would “protect Congress’s role by definition. [a free trade agreement] being an international agreement approved by Congress and eliminating restrictions on all trade with a partner. “

With all the world’s trade laws, restrictions and requirements on the content of precious minerals and battery components, the ambiguity surrounding what constitutes a free trade agreement partner creates a real problem. to be resolved. As the Center for Strategic and International Studies’ Bill Reinsch said, “This is not an idle exercise in semantics.”

No one wants to enter into a long-term resource agreement with a mining or refining company when the contractual agreements can be suddenly destroyed by the next political opinion. It’s time to get to work because private sector firms and investors must trust that a secure deal will be in place for the long term. A congressionally approved free trade agreement lasts longer than an independent mineral agreement.

The United States has free trade agreements with other countries that are major exporters of minerals, such as Chile and Australia. But other nations, such as The Philippines and Indonesia, have mineral or refining capacity to contribute and want to be integrated into our supply chains. A common trade agreement that lowers trade costs and covers many goods, including minerals, could help North American automakers build an efficient EV supply chain.

If EV adoption is a priority for the Biden administration, it would help to find ways to use the free trade agreements allowed to make that happen.

Christine McDaniel is a senior researcher with the Mercatus Center at George Mason University.

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A national leader in orthopedic surgery respected for clinical excellence, compassionate patient care

Dan Donovan

Charles Goldfarb, MD, (center) has been named the Richard H. Gelberman, MD, Distinguished Professor of Orthopedic Surgery at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. Louis. He was installed by Chancellor Andrew Martin (right) and David H. Perlmutter, MD, (left) executive vice president for medical affairs, George and Carol Bauer Dean of the School of Medicine, and Spencer T .and Ann W. Olin. Dear Professor.

Charles A. Goldfarb, MD, a widely respected orthopedic surgeon, has been named the Richard H. Gelberman, MD, Distinguished Professor of Orthopedic Surgery at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. Louis. The professorship was established in honor of renowned hand surgeon Richard H. Gelberman, MD, former longtime head of the Department of Surgical Medicine.

Goldfarb, associate vice chair of the department, was introduced by Chancellor Andrew D. Martin and David H. Perlmutter, MD, George and Carol Bauer Dean of the School of Medicine, associate vice dean for medical affairs, and Spencer T. and Ann W. Olin Distinguished Professor.

“The establishment of this professorship by the Department of Surgery is a testament to the many lives Dr. Gelberman has touched through his clinical knowledge, leadership and mentorship,” Martin said. “We are grateful for the generous support of the many donors who made this possible. Their generosity is key to recognizing Dr. Goldfarb and the deep dedication to patient care and advancement of the orthopedic department that he and Dr. .Gelberman who share. They both deserve this honor.”

Goldfarb specializes in the care of children with hand and upper limb differences – including genetic conditions that are present from birth or develop as a result of trauma or illness. Helping such children is his passion and has greatly influenced his research. In 2014, he led the development of a coalition of organizations and national leaders who are committed to advancing the understanding of care for children with high-level birth defects.

“Dr. Goldfarb is a gifted surgeon, a brilliant physician-scientist, and a trusted and thoughtful mentor and leader,” said Perlmutter. “This professorship was born out of the desire of many to honor the many years of Dr. Gelberman’s leadership and impact on countless lives—of his patients, his colleagues, and the many orthopedic surgeons around the country whom he helped mentor.”

When Goldfarb was director of the Hand and Microsurgery Service, the division emerged as a national leader, attracting top fellowship applicants. As director of pediatric and adolescent orthopedics, Goldfarb expanded and enhanced the clinical program, providing excellent care for children and adolescents with spine, hip, arm, leg and foot conditions, as well as and those with traumatic musculoskeletal injuries. Since 2019, Goldfarb has been the department’s assistant deputy chairman, where he oversees its 11 divisions.

“Dr. “Goldfarb’s clinical care and research has established the University of Washington as one of the few major orthopedic centers in the United States,” said Regis O’Keefe, MD, PhD, Fred C. Reynolds Professor of Orthopedics. “He also cares about athletes at all levels, and great athletes from all over the country seek his care. He has an amazing ability to provide compassionate care.” respect.”

Goldfarb, an innovative and talented physician, has been awarded the department’s Palma Chironis Award for teaching excellence, and the Jerome Gilden Compassionate Physician Award, an honor created by residents who recognize commitment, ability and compassion for patients. He also received the Andrew J. Weiland Award for Outstanding Research in Hand Surgery, from the American Foundation for Surgery of the Hand in 2021.

Gelberman – who studies the effects of growth factors and inflammatory cytokines on tendon healing – led the department from January 1995 until October 2014. As the inaugural department head, he recruit and assemble a team that has set the national standard for clinical excellence and orthopedic research. surgery. He has been recognized with many awards, among them his election to the National Academy of Medicine. He is one of very few orthopedic surgeons to be honored.

Scientists say bird flu may begin to affect cattle in Texas by the end of 2023.

Genetic “breadcrumbs,” the bits of virus left behind, suggest that H5N1 was circulating among cattle in Texas in December. Meanwhile, researchers are concerned that bird flu cases among farm workers may be missed as the outbreak spreads.

Stat: H5N1 Bird Flu Virus Began in Cattle in Texas in December

As agriculture officials and epidemiologists try to wrap their heads around the latest confounding episode in the decades-old story of the H5N1 flu virus — it’s outbreak in US dairy herds — they’re turning to virus-destroying genes. they leave in the noses of animals, in the lungs, and especially in the milk. (Molteni, 5/2)

NPR: Scientists Worry U.S. May Be Running Out of Bird Mist Cases in Farm Workers

Officially, there has only been one reported case of bird flu spilling from cattle to humans during the US pandemic. But epidemiologist Gregory Gray suspects the true number is higher, based on what he’s heard from veterinarians, farm owners and workers themselves when the virus hits their herds in his state. “We know that some workers sought medical attention for flu-like illnesses and conjunctivitis at the same time H5N1 was ravaging dairy farms,” ​​says Gray, an infectious disease expert at the University of Texas. Medical Branch in Galveston. (Stone, 5/2)

Count: Why H5N1 Bird Flu Keeps CDC’s Top Flu Scientist on Alert

Vivien Dugan isn’t sleeping much these days. Director of the influenza division at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Dugan leads a team of CDC scientists who work with partners — the US Department of Agriculture, the Food and Drug Administration, and federal health departments. and local – in response to an outbreak of H5N1 bird flu in dairy cattle. (Branswell, 5/3)

Reuters: Bird flu outbreak in dairy cows fails to deter US raw milk exporters

US raw milk producers appear undeterred by federal health warnings for consumers to avoid drinking unpasteurized milk in the wake of an outbreak of bird flu that has affected dairy herds in nine states and sicken at least one dairy farm worker. Thirty of the 50 US states allow the sale of raw milk, which accounts for less than 1% of US milk sales. A nationwide study of pasteurized milk – heated to kill germs – found particles of the avian flu virus in about 20% of the samples tested. (Baertlein, Steenhuysen and Polansek, 5/2)

KFF Health News: Bird Flu is Bad for Chickens and Dairy Cattle. Not a Tremendous Threat to Most of Us – Yet

Heads are flying after the Department of Agriculture confirmed that the H5N1 bird flu virus has infected dairy cattle across the country. Tests have detected the virus among cattle in nine states, mostly in Texas and New Mexico, and most recently in Colorado, said Nirav Shah, assistant principal at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, at a May 1 event in held by the Court. External Relations. (Adults, 5/3)

With tuberculosis and tuberculosis –

CBS News: 1 dead in Long Beach tuberculosis outbreak, 9 hospitalized

One person has died from an outbreak of tuberculosis among residents of a one-bedroom hotel in Long Beach, health officials announced Thursday. Nine other people were hospitalized. As of April 29, a total of 14 cases have been linked to the outbreak. Investigators also found another 170 people who may have been exposed. These potential patients are being evaluated, and further exposure is expected to increase. (Radin, 5/2)

USA Today: Michigan State Confirms Bat and Rabies, More Transmissions to Come

A bat with rabies has been found in a small county in Michigan, prompting local health officials to remind residents of the dangers of the creatures and rodents in general. As if there will be no more spring. Washtenaw County, which has a population of more than 300,000, had been “enjoying an extended period” of no animals with rabies until Monday, the day they confirmed the presence of ‘ bats with rabies among them. The last time a bat with rabies was seen in this area was in 2022. (Encinas and DeLetter, 5/2)

In covid –

The Boston Globe: Moderna COVID Vaccine Sales Plummet 91 Percent

Soaring sales of Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine have fueled debate on Wall Street over the future of the biotech company that was once seen as the brightest star in the Massachusetts drug scene. Sales of Moderna’s messenger RNA vaccine fell 91 percent in the first quarter from a year ago, a stark illustration of the dwindling demand for protection against the virus that has caused a global pandemic. The Cambridge company’s earnings report, published on Thursday, continued the decline in sales of the biotech vaccine, Spikevax. (Saltzman and Weisman, 5/2)

The New York Times: Thousands Admit Covid Vaccines Harmed Them. Is Anyone Listening?

Within minutes of receiving the Johnson & Johnson Covid-19 vaccine, Michelle Zimmerman experienced excruciating pain from her left arm to her ear to her toe. home. After a few days, he became hypersensitive to light and had difficulty remembering simple details. He was 37 years old, with a Ph.D. in neuroscience, and until then he could ride his bike 20 miles, teach a dance class and give a tutorial on artificial intelligence, all in one day. Now, more than three years later, he lives with his parents. When he was finally diagnosed with brain damage, he was unable to work, drive or stand for long periods of time. (Mandavilli, 5/3)

Message: If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts or mental health issues, please call the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988 to connect with a trained counselor, or visit 988 Lifeline website.

CNN
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Haley Weaver has always been worried.

When she was 5 years old, she worried that her parents would not return home after hiring a babysitter and bit her nails until they did.

His coping skills changed as he got older, sometimes for the worse (lying to please middle school friends) and sometimes for the better ( taking long walks for clarity). Eight years ago, he started drawing a doodle a day to calm his anxious thoughts and channel his thoughts into something positive.

She shares her daily pictures on her popular Instagram account @haleydrewthis to experience her self-discovery outside of her day job and to create a connection with others who may feel the same way. Now, all this art has become his new picture book, “Give Me Space But Don’t Go Away.”

His first book comes from a time when anxiety is on the rise and many people don’t know how to deal with the situation. Anxiety is overwhelming, disrupts sleep, interferes with life goals and interferes with relationships, all of which add to the effects of isolation and anxiety.

Worried new parents or young adults may worry about how their children are coping but find that asking directly provides little insight. Weaver said she hopes her book will reframe our concerns and serve as a tool to start difficult conversations at home.

I spoke with Weaver about her anxiety and how her new book might give other people with anxiety a place to start talking about it.

This interview has been slightly edited and shortened for clarity.

CNN: Many people believe that their lives would be better if their anxieties, fears and insecurities disappeared completely. But it doesn’t sound like you want to get rid of your worries. Why?

Haley Weaver: At its core, anxiety wants to keep us safe – safe from disaster, safe from judgment, safe from rejection – the list goes on! That said, anxiety doesn’t always operate from the most logical place, and knowing how to listen to anxiety without letting it control everything about us is part of it. tricky. I am committed to sharing the importance of accepting the reality of anxiety while creating a “community” of coping strategies to help manage difficult thoughts.

CNN: Was it difficult to be vulnerable about the different tools you used to deal with your anxiety — some helpful, some harmful — as a child, teenager and adult?

Weaver: Of course! Not to be meta, but my anxiety about sharing my anxiety was present throughout the writing process. I was afraid that talking about some of these painful and personal moments would let the world in on my biggest secret: that I don’t do it have it together. Actually, it’s quite the opposite.

At the same time, most of the media I love – whether it’s comics, movies or music – involves telling very vulnerable stories. I knew this book would work best if I was brutally honest about my experience with anxiety, and I’m so glad I did. Since my book was published, people have reached out to tell me how they felt when they read the most vulnerable chapters. It was a great gift.

CNN: What mistake do people make when their children are anxious?

Weaver: Instead of seeing anxiety as a hindrance to their child’s happiness, I believe that parents should help their children see anxiety as a part of themselves that needs to be taken care of just like any other part of their life. their bodies. In addition, taking care of anxiety may seem different depending on how the anxiety develops – perhaps helping children find helpful coping strategies. Maybe it depends on the doctor’s knowledge. There is no single solution for anxiety, but there are many coping skills and support methods.

CNN: What are some common misconceptions about anxiety?

Weaver: Those concerns are inherently misplaced. In fact, anxiety requires us to move forward in life carefully. It is only when worrying thoughts interfere with a person’s daily life that we should take a closer look at why our anxiety is increasing and perhaps seek advice from a mental health professional.

CNN: How can we better support our loved ones dealing with anxiety?

Weaver: Start by asking what your loved one needs. Am I a listening ear? Some confirmation? A shoulder to cry on? Advice? This will help them feel like they have a safe place to stay while you help support them.

If their anxiety is interfering with their ability to enjoy life, it may be helpful to help them make an appointment with a therapist. I’m not an expert, but my experience with speech therapy and anti-anxiety medication has helped me a lot in my day-to-day management.

CNN: You have a lot of people who are very resourceful. Do you have a favorite?

Weaver: They all have their place in my heart! But I have a soft spot for the Liar, who encourages me to lie to fit in with my peers – he’s a prick, even a scam artist.

I also love the Writer, who helps me massage my anxious knots with every written word.

CNN: Who is your book?

Weaver: I wrote this book for anyone who has anxiety or cares about someone who deals with anxiety in their daily life. I hope to inspire readers to rethink the role of anxiety in their lives, that our anxiety is something to do with, not fear. And with care, practice, and sound strategies, we can learn to keep our worries at bay (but also take some much-needed space from them)!

Michelle Icard is the author of “Eight Barriers to Child Success: What to Do and Say to Turn ‘Failure’ into a Character-Building Moment..”

I’m generally not a fan of taking a lot of supplements as I think you can get most of what you need from a healthy diet.

But I make an exception for vitamin D. And with recent studies showing that high doses may reduce the risk of colon cancer, but also dementia, I now take a higher dose. common – and I also take it. year round.

In the winter months, when the sun is less, I have been following NHS advice and taking a daily tablet, because I know that vitamin D is very important for many reasons.

But usually around this time of year, when the sun is strong and summer is on its way, I stop taking it. In fact, I eat a lot of fish and fatty eggs, both of which are high in vitamin D, and I also go outside for a lot of walking, so my vitamin D levels should be well replenished.

However, this year I will continue to take those supplements.

This is due to the fact that, every year I get older and studies have shown that as we get older our bodies become less efficient at absorbing vitamin D from food and our skin becomes become less efficient at converting sunlight into these nutrients.

That, and the fact that older people tend to spend more time indoors or in the shade, means that vitamin D deficiency is more common in the over-60s, even in the summer months, especially if you have dark skin.

But what dose should you take? This is where things get controversial. While the NHS suggests you stick to 10 micrograms (mcg) – or 400 international units (IU) of vitamin D per day, the National Institutes of Health in the US recommends 15 mcg – and 20 mcg if you’re over the age of 70.

I take 25 mcg (1,000 IU), which is within the limits of what is considered safe (anything less than 100 mcg a day for adults or 50 mcg for children, according to the NHS) but close to the kind of studies that show you need to take it to prevent infection, cancer, and possibly dementia.

Since its discovery in the 1920s, vitamin D’s best-known role has been to keep your bones healthy by increasing the body’s calcium intake.

In recent years, scientists have discovered that there are vitamin D receptors in almost all of our cells, which shows that its benefits extend far beyond the bones.

But there is growing evidence that enjoying the benefits in these areas, such as preventing colon cancer and maintaining brain health, requires larger doses than recommended.

For example, when it comes to cancer, a recent study, published in the journal Science, showed that one of the ways that taking large doses of vitamin D can work is by boosting the type of bacteria of the intestines which are very effective in inhibiting growth. of colon cancer. When researchers at the Francis Crick Institute in London fed mice a diet rich in vitamin D, it boosted levels of Bacteroides fragilis – and higher levels of this bacterium better protected them against colon cancer.

Although there is currently no clear evidence that high-dose vitamin D intake has the same effect on the human gut, there are ongoing trials looking at using it to treat colon cancer.

For example, in 2017, a trial of 139 patients with advanced colon cancer undergoing chemotherapy found that those with high levels of vitamin D (100 mcg) had 36% of the chances of them dying, or seeing the progress of their death. during the two-year study than those with a lower dose (10 mcg). Encouraged, the team is conducting a large, long-term study to see if high-dose vitamin D can help slow or prevent the spread of the disease.

Meanwhile, evidence is mounting for the effect of vitamin D in delaying dementia.

Last year there was an amazing study by the University of Exeter where they looked at the brains of more than 12,000 people participating in the US Alzheimer’s National Collaborative Center (a project that collects data on this disease).

At the start of the study, patients were aged 71 and had no dementia – and more than a third (37 per cent) said they were taking vitamin D supplements regularly. Vitamin D fans will be happy to hear that over the next ten years those who took the supplements were 40 percent less likely to develop dementia.

This may be because vitamin D has been shown to help prevent the accumulation of two proteins in the brain, amyloid and tau, which are associated with dementia. It also helps reduce inflammation, which is another cause of dementia.

Although compelling, this was not a proper randomized controlled trial – where people taking the supplement could be compared to a placebo group – and the patients had very different rates. , which makes it difficult to interpret these results.

So, researchers at the University of Exeter are conducting a trial with patients at risk of dementia, which will include randomly assigning them to a high vitamin D supplement (100 mcg) or a placebo. I will let you know when the results are announced.

In the meantime, take a supplement if you need it (obviously ask your doctor about the right dosage, especially if you have health problems) and take full advantage of vitamin D which you get in the summer months, by completing at least ten. minutes a day outside – folded hands.

Walking down the stairs can help your heart

When I’m at the airport or the mall I’m always surprised (and saddened) by how many people are standing on the stairs, even going down.

All I can say is that you are missing out on an opportunity to give your heart a good job and, possibly, prolong your life. That was the conclusion of a recent review presented at a meeting of the European Society of Cardiology.

Based on data from 480,000 people, it found that those who climbed the stairs regularly were 39 percent less likely to die of a heart attack or stroke, and 24 percent less likely to die of any cause. This is because it is a very vigorous exercise that gets your heart racing.

It’s even better to take the stairs – in a 2017 study conducted by Edith Cowan University in Australia, obese women took the elevator to the sixth floor and then went down, or went up and down, twice a week. After two weeks those who went down saw the biggest benefits in balance, bone strength and blood pressure – possibly because going down stairs means your muscles have to work hard to keep you from falling.

What to do with that long cough

As you may have noticed, there is a nagging cough that lingers around. I got it a few weeks ago from my husband’s husband, who had it for at least three weeks, and he also got it from his wife.

This one keeps me up at night and shows no signs of getting better. The problem is that I don’t really believe in the effectiveness of over the counter remedies (there is no real evidence that cold remedies work) – but in desperation I resorted to cold syrup and zinc. Even now nothing good so far. I was very disappointed with zinc, as studies have shown that supplements can shorten a cough and reduce coughing by 46 percent. (Although that only seems to work if you take them within 24 hours of having symptoms, so maybe I missed that boat.)

If you have the same cold, I would suggest drinking lots of water with hot lemon and honey (honey helps the throat, while lemon has anti-inflammatory properties). The NHS says to see your doctor if the cough lasts for more than three weeks.

Put a thief to catch a thief is a popular saying that, luckily for us, seems to apply to bacteria. A new study by the University of Bonn, Germany, has found that a common type of skin bacteria, Staphylococcus, kills other bacteria by injecting chemicals that dissolve their cells.

The idea is that this could be used to create a new antibiotic, which is exciting as many bacteria are now resistant to antibiotics – including the first effective antibiotic, penicillin. which saved my life when I was a baby when I got pneumonia.

Being a nurse sounded like the perfect career for Danielle Gonzalez — at least on paper.

He already had experience working in the field of health. Before retiring to care for her third child, who was born with health problems, she worked as a certified medical assistant for about 10 years. In addition, she loved caring for others.

But when he looked at how much it would cost to go back to school, he lost hope. Her husband, a carpenter, supported the family with only one income. They lived paycheck to paycheck. It was hard enough to keep up with the cost of living and put food on the table.

“Okay,” he said to himself. “This is not real. I can’t do this.

Then, he read about Public Health Pathways – a workforce development pilot program created by Baltimore County, University of Maryland St. Joseph Medical Center and Community College of Baltimore County. Suddenly, a career in nursing didn’t seem out of reach.

The program, which welcomed its first cohort last June, covers the cost of unemployed and underemployed Baltimore County residents to attend community college to become certified nursing assistants, then nurses with license – a job that requires more training, but also comes with a higher salary.

After students become certified nursing assistants, they are offered guaranteed employment with full benefits at St. Joe’s Towson, where they can work while continuing their education. They also receive a monthly stipend of $1,000 to help with childcare, transportation, rent or other needs that may make it difficult to participate in the rigorous program.

Jennifer Lynch, senior policy advisor for education and personnel for Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski Jr., described the program as the brainchild of Olszewski and Dr. Mohan Suntha, president and CEO of the University of Maryland Medical System. It is intended to deal with two problems at the same time: The strong need for health care workers and the problems that the economically disadvantaged residents of the district are trying to enter or continue to work.

To start the program, the medical system contributed $500,000 and Baltimore County contributed $675,000 of its American Rescue Plan Act funds. It’s part of the district’s effort to “reimagine” workforce development, Lynch said. While it’s nice to help someone get hired in the first place, the effort shouldn’t stop there, he said.

“Our mission is not just to get someone in the door, but to get them to a living wage for a family,” Lynch said.

Licensed practical nurses earned, on average, $59,730 per year in 2023, according to data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.

More than 500 people applied for the Pathways program when the application was released early last year, said Sandra Kurtinitis, president of the Baltimore County community college. Of that number, only 28 — including Gonzalez — chose to enroll in the college’s certified nursing assistant program.

From June to September last year, the students completed the training and were hired by St. Joe’s. Nine students decided to continue their education to become registered nurses.

Lynch and other supporters of the program consider it a victory. Typically, they said, only a small percentage of students enrolled in nursing degree programs graduate, and even fewer pursue higher education.

Gonzalez, who is already enrolled in a community college nursing program, will be the first to admit it’s a tough job. Still, he and other participants say the program is important.

Alicia Saunders, a single mother of a 12-year-old son, also decided against applying to nursing school after researching how much it would cost. When she saw an ad for the Health Promotion Program on Instagram, she said it felt like divine intervention.

Before enrolling in the program, Saunders worked in various administrative assistant roles at nonprofits in the Baltimore area. Becoming a licensed nurse will increase her family’s income and give her the opportunity to work in the field she loves, she said. He remembers the wonder he felt the first time he heard his heart murmur.

“Things like that during the tour are a big deal for me. It’s really exciting,” he said.

The Pathways program has received a lot of attention. Olszewski was invited to speak about it at the White House in November 2022, before the program began. And this year, state lawmakers sponsored legislation in the General Assembly that would continue to support the pilot program and expand it.

With the state facing a tough fiscal year, Olszewski knew the law could face challenges. Legislative staff estimated that implementing it would cost about $184,200 in fiscal year 2025 to develop the program and staff the advisory board, and about $829,500 in the next fiscal year for expenses continuing staffing and financial support for selected students. Costs can be “substantial,” depending on the number of students served and the services provided, depending on the legal budget and policy.

The program has the power to change the lives of families by increasing their access to income, Olszewski said. Maryland hospitals are also in dire need of nurses, with 1 in 5 vacant, according to data from the Maryland Hospital Association. Ultimately, Olszewski said, it’s an investment that can “more than pay for itself.”

“You’re going to see people who can afford to buy a house or a very expensive house, and they’re going to pay more property taxes,” he said. and more.”

Lawmakers agreed with him and other supporters of the program. The law is now awaiting the signature of Gov. Wes Moore to start working in June.

Although St. Joe’s has a relatively low turnover rate, as 1 in 4 nursing positions are vacant in other departments, said Nicole Beeson, the hospital’s senior vice president of patient care services and chief nursing officer. . The Pathways program has expanded the staffing pipeline at the medical center as a whole, Beeson said, and helps attract a diverse workforce so that its employees represent the communities they serve.

To support students participating in the program, St. Joseph created a new staff position to provide full-time training and coaching to them, Beeson said. The hospital also offers students paid study time, which allows them to put in a few hours during shifts for class work.

Helping with the Pathways program has been a “happy project” for him, Beeson said. She graduated from the nursing program at Baltimore County Community College herself. Taking weekend and evening classes, she was able to take care of her three young children while she earned her degree – which ultimately changed her family’s life. Now, one of her children is a nurse and the other is a physical therapist.

He said: “When you enter the work of caring for others, you think that you are going to care for other people, and you realize that caring for others really restores the caregiver.”

Stop looking for a satisfying salad that’s also delicious, because you’ll find it here in this collection. These vegetable-filled mixes provide at least 15 grams of protein at a time to help keep you fuller longer, promote muscle recovery and maintain healthy digestion. They’re also packed with prebiotic-rich foods like artichokes, peas and pears, as well as probiotic-rich ingredients like kimchi, tempeh and yoghurt to support a healthy gut microbiome.

You’ll love every refreshing bite like our Green Goddess Salad and Forbidden Rice and Kimchi Steak Salad for lunch or dinner any day of the week!

Marisol Pantoja Toribio found a lump in her breast in early January. Unprotected and living in California without legal status or family, the usually happy-go-lucky 43-year-old quickly realized how how limited his options were.

I said, ‘What am I going to do?’” he said in Spanish, quickly becoming emotional. He was immediately worried that he might have cancer. “I went back and forth — I did [cancer]I don’t have it, I have it, I don’t have it.” And if he was sick, he added, he wouldn’t be able to work or pay the rent. Without life insurance good, Pantoja Toribio would not be able to find out if he has a serious condition.

Starting this year, Medi-Cal, California’s Medicaid program, was expanded to include undocumented immigrants, a time that would have worked well for Pantoja Toribio, who lives in the Bay Area city of Brentwood. for three years. But his Medi-Cal application was quickly denied: As a farm laborer making $16 an hour, his annual salary of about $24,000 was too high to qualify for of the program.

California is the first state to expand Medicaid to all eligible adults regardless of immigration status, a move celebrated by health advocates and political leaders across the country. But many immigrants without permanent legal status, especially those living in parts of California where the cost of living is high, earn too much to qualify for Medi-Cal.

The state is moving a bill to expand Medi-Cal, but federal law bars those it calls “unenrolled” from getting insurance subsidies or other benefits from the Affordable Care Act, leaving many employed but they have no health insurance options.

Now, health advocates who fought for Medi-Cal expansion say the next step to achieving health equity is to expand Covered California, the ACA’s state marketplace, to all adults from states ling by passing AB 4.

“There are people in this country who work and are the backbone of many parts of our economy and contribute to their jobs and even taxes… Policy Center, which is one of the two organizations supporting this bill , called #Health4All.

To qualify for Medi-Cal, a person cannot earn more than 138% of the federal poverty level, which is currently about $21,000 a year for a single person. A family of three would need to earn less than $35,632 a year.

For people above those thresholds, the Covered California marketplace offers a variety of health plans, often with state and federal subsidies, that offer premiums as low as $10 a month. The hope is to create what advocates call a “mirror market” on the Covered California website so that immigrants regardless of their status can be offered the same health plans that would only be supported by the state.

Despite the high level of democracy in the legislature, the bill may be more difficult to pass, as the government faces a budget deficit for next year from $38 billion to $73 billion. Gov. Gavin Newsom and legislative leaders have announced a $17 billion package to begin closing the gap, but major spending cuts appear inevitable.

It’s unclear how much it would cost to extend California’s coverage to all immigrants, according to Assemblyman Joaquin Arambula, the Fresno Democrat who introduced the bill.

The Center for Immigration Policy estimates that establishing the market would cost at least $15 million. If the bill passes, sponsors will need to find funding for grants, which could run into the billions of dollars a year.

“It’s a tough time to ask for new costs,” Dar said. “The start-up cost of the mirror market is relatively low. So we’re confident that it’s still within the realm of possibility.”

Arambula said he hopes the government will continue to take the lead in improving access to health care for undocumented immigrants.

“I believe we will continue to stand up, as we work to make California for everyone,” he said.

The bill passed the Assembly last July by a vote of 64-9 and now awaits action by the Senate Appropriations Committee, Arambula’s office said.

An estimated 520,000 Californians would be eligible for the Covered California program if not for the lack of legal status, according to the labor research center at the University of California-Berkeley. Pantoja Toribio, who moved to Mexico alone after leaving a bad relationship, said she was lucky. She learned about health care alternatives when she visited the weekly food pantry at Hijas del Campo, a farmworker advocacy organization in Contra Costa County, where they told her she might be eligible for low-income plan through Kaiser Permanente.

Pantoja Toribio applied just before open enrollment closed at the end of January. For that purpose, he learned that the wound on his breast is not cancerous.

“God heard me,” he said. “Thank God.”

This article was published by KFF Health News, which publishes California Healthline, an independent service of the California Health Care Foundation.

This article is reprinted from khn.org, a national newsroom that produces journalism on health issues and is one of the main programs operating at KFF – an independent source of health policy research. beauty, elections and journalism.

The social media manager and influencer who stopped drinking caffeinated beverages in March to help her anxiety has been sharing her experience on TikTok.

“I quit caffeine when I realized it made my anxiety worse,” says Kylie Ohlson, 20, of Salt Lake City.

Ohlson said Newsweek that he used to drink more than two cups of caffeinated drinks a day. The National Coffee Association reports that by 2022, Americans will drink nearly 517 million cups of coffee each day, and the stimulating drink is now the most popular among 18-year-olds. 24.

Ohlson said she felt she had no choice but to remove caffeine from her diet after noticing several side effects, including eye problems and stomach problems.

“Since I quit caffeine, I wake up with more energy. I don’t feel the need to drink coffee first thing in the morning,” Ohlson said. “I feel more focused and relaxed throughout the day.”

“I had constant eye twitches and I always felt like I was on edge,” Ohlson said of caffeine’s effects on him. Along with the anxiety, I noticed stomach problems—even with water and a meal before drinking—bloating and acne, and early menstrual symptoms that increased, such as mood swings. no feelings and pains.”

He added: “I wanted to feel and look my healthiest. So I decided to see how I would feel without caffeine.”

According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, coffee has many benefits, including increasing energy and preventing serious diseases such as Parkinson’s and heart disease. However, it is not the best choice for people with anxiety.

Amy Baertschi, a registered dietitian, spoke with her Newsweek about the relationship between coffee and anxiety.

“It’s important to remember that caffeine is a central nervous system stimulant and will increase heart rate, blood pressure, and can cause heart palpitations when consumed in high doses,” said Baertschi, who lives in Zurich.

He continued: “For people with pre-existing anxiety, adding something that will worsen anxiety symptoms (such as heart palpitations or palpitations) will make the symptoms worse.”

During the TikTok video, which received more than 101,000 views and 12,000 likes, Ohlson said that giving up caffeine “healed” her. She added that she was in a better place mentally and that her skin had “never been so clear and bright.”

He told Newsweek: “I’m an alcoholic girl. I like to wake up and drink coffee or juice. The hardest part of quitting caffeine was losing the habit.”

According to the CDC, three to five cups of regular coffee is fine as part of a healthy diet. Ohlson says he replaced coffee with water with electrolytes—though he didn’t rule out the odd latte as a “cure.”

“I also remind myself that everything in moderation is important,” she said. with two lattes since March.

“Overall, my mental health has improved, and I no longer struggle with terrible anxiety. Of course, I have my day, but when I’m worried, I feel like I’m in control more and I can handle it more easily.”

In the comments section of the video, TikTok users shared their experiences of giving up caffeine or limiting what they eat.

“I stopped drinking caffeine on an empty stomach (I knew it was bad for me) and omg my anxiety is SO much less,” one user wrote.

“Ughhh I’m moody without caffeine I want to but I can’t,” another added.

Commenter said: “I did the same thing!!! Caffeine used to make me so nervous [and] cutting it out was very healing for me.”

Is there a health issue that is bothering you? Let us know at health@newsweek.com. We can ask experts for advice, and your story can be featured Newsweek.