laurie
@elliejay.bsky.social
health advocacy . social justice . substance use health . mental health . whole health . fan of people doing good things . sometimes singer songwriter . she/her . views my own . posts not necessarily endorsement
Reposted by laurie
ICYMI Dept of Education will no longer considers these professional degrees:
Nursing
Public health
Social work
Physician assistant
Occupational therapy
Physical therapy
Audiology
Speech-language pathology
Social work
Counseling & therapy
Health Admin
A smaller health workforce makes us all sicker
Nursing
Public health
Social work
Physician assistant
Occupational therapy
Physical therapy
Audiology
Speech-language pathology
Social work
Counseling & therapy
Health Admin
A smaller health workforce makes us all sicker
November 21, 2025 at 11:14 PM
ICYMI Dept of Education will no longer considers these professional degrees:
Nursing
Public health
Social work
Physician assistant
Occupational therapy
Physical therapy
Audiology
Speech-language pathology
Social work
Counseling & therapy
Health Admin
A smaller health workforce makes us all sicker
Nursing
Public health
Social work
Physician assistant
Occupational therapy
Physical therapy
Audiology
Speech-language pathology
Social work
Counseling & therapy
Health Admin
A smaller health workforce makes us all sicker
Reposted by laurie
A last-minute provision in the federal spending bill will re-criminalize many hemp-derived products, reversing their legalization in the 2018 Farm Bill.
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
Congress tightens THC restrictions on hemp, closing farm bill loophole
The restrictions on hemp-derived THC, the psychoactive compound found in cannabis, threaten to wipe out an industry worth approximately $30 billion, critics say.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 13, 2025 at 3:37 PM
A last-minute provision in the federal spending bill will re-criminalize many hemp-derived products, reversing their legalization in the 2018 Farm Bill.
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
Reposted by laurie
KFF's latest employer survey is out. The average cost of a family health insurance policy has climbed to $26,993. Health insurance is wildly expensive because health care in the U.S. is expensive.
www.kff.org/affordable-c...
www.kff.org/affordable-c...
Annual Family Premiums for Employer Coverage Rise 6% in 2025, Nearing $27,000, with Workers Paying $6,850 Toward Premiums Out of Their Paychecks | KFF
Family premiums for employer-sponsored health insurance reached an average of $26,993 this year, KFF’s annual benchmark health benefits survey of large and smaller employers finds. On average, workers...
www.kff.org
October 22, 2025 at 1:28 PM
KFF's latest employer survey is out. The average cost of a family health insurance policy has climbed to $26,993. Health insurance is wildly expensive because health care in the U.S. is expensive.
www.kff.org/affordable-c...
www.kff.org/affordable-c...
Reposted by laurie
The Trump administration has laid off between 100 and 150 workers at SAMHSA during the federal government shutdown.
news.bgov.com/bloomberg-go...
news.bgov.com/bloomberg-go...
Trump Administration Cuts Staff at Key Mental Health Agency
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration sent reduction-in-force notices to employees working on mental health services, substance use prevention, and substance use treatment, acc...
news.bgov.com
October 15, 2025 at 12:52 PM
The Trump administration has laid off between 100 and 150 workers at SAMHSA during the federal government shutdown.
news.bgov.com/bloomberg-go...
news.bgov.com/bloomberg-go...
Reposted by laurie
Few patients appeal a health insurance denial, but a little-known process that requires insurers and plans to seek an independent opinion can force insurers to pay for what can be lifesaving treatment.
Here’s what experts say you need to know.
Here’s what experts say you need to know.
How to Fight Your Health Insurance Denial with an External Appeal
When a health insurer refuses to pay for your treatment, you may have the right to have the denial reviewed — and potentially overturned — by an independent provider. Here are six steps experts sugges...
www.propublica.org
October 13, 2025 at 3:00 AM
Few patients appeal a health insurance denial, but a little-known process that requires insurers and plans to seek an independent opinion can force insurers to pay for what can be lifesaving treatment.
Here’s what experts say you need to know.
Here’s what experts say you need to know.
Reposted by laurie
Our guide to where furloughed federal workers can find joy right now—on a budget.
How to Survive the Government Shutdown in the DC Area - Washingtonian
Our guide to where furloughed federal workers can find joy right now—on a budget.
www.washingtonian.com
October 5, 2025 at 2:55 PM
Our guide to where furloughed federal workers can find joy right now—on a budget.
Reposted by laurie
Study finds 99% of all heart attacks, heart failure, or strokes occur in people with "suboptimal" blood pressure, cholesterol, blood glucose, or smoking history
www.statnews.com/2025/09/29/r...
www.statnews.com/2025/09/29/r...
Warning: Serious cardiovascular events don’t come out of the blue
Study finds 99% of all heart attacks, heart failure, or strokes occur in people with "suboptimal" blood pressure, cholesterol, blood glucose, or smoking history.
www.statnews.com
September 30, 2025 at 1:55 PM
Study finds 99% of all heart attacks, heart failure, or strokes occur in people with "suboptimal" blood pressure, cholesterol, blood glucose, or smoking history
www.statnews.com/2025/09/29/r...
www.statnews.com/2025/09/29/r...
Reposted by laurie
Feeling overwhelmed? Despair? Unending urgency?
My friends feeling this… a few things...🧵
1/6
My friends feeling this… a few things...🧵
1/6
September 26, 2025 at 11:51 AM
Feeling overwhelmed? Despair? Unending urgency?
My friends feeling this… a few things...🧵
1/6
My friends feeling this… a few things...🧵
1/6
Reposted by laurie
As some states form alliances on vaccine policy, others bar vaccine mandates, and ACIP pulls back on recommendations for certain vaccines, we provide a snapshot of what states are doing on vaccine policy.
Dive in: https://on.kff.org/3IhxRnr
Dive in: https://on.kff.org/3IhxRnr
Tracking State Actions on Vaccine Policy and Access | KFF
With recent federal actions to curtail vaccine access, many states have announced actions intended to maintain broader access. This issue brief provides a snapshot of this rapidly changing landscape, tracking which states have instituted changes in resp...
on.kff.org
September 24, 2025 at 7:59 PM
As some states form alliances on vaccine policy, others bar vaccine mandates, and ACIP pulls back on recommendations for certain vaccines, we provide a snapshot of what states are doing on vaccine policy.
Dive in: https://on.kff.org/3IhxRnr
Dive in: https://on.kff.org/3IhxRnr
Reposted by laurie
We're proud that 2 million+ docs & health care workers can now seek mental health support or care for a substance use disorder without fear of professional repercussions. This is a big step in strengthening the healthcare workforce & ensuring better patient care. spr.ly/63323AwhUB
Press Release: More than 2 Million of Our Country’s 22 Million Health Workers Can Access Mental Health Support Without Fear of Professional Repercussions
In recognition of Suicide Prevention Month, ALL IN: Wellbeing First for Healthcare, a national coalition led by the Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes’ Foundation, unveiled a monumental achievement in improving access to mental health care for more than 2 million U.S. health workers.
spr.ly
September 24, 2025 at 6:27 PM
We're proud that 2 million+ docs & health care workers can now seek mental health support or care for a substance use disorder without fear of professional repercussions. This is a big step in strengthening the healthcare workforce & ensuring better patient care. spr.ly/63323AwhUB
Reposted by laurie
Thanks! If anyone is interested in blow-by-blow coverage, just read over my posts from today. I lived posted through the whole ACIP, including lots of slides.
We owe @lizszabo.bsky.social a huge debt of gratitude for listening to all of the #ACIP meeting today and highlighting it, so we didn't have to. It has been sickening seeing how RFK Jr is destroying #PublicHealth. Thank you again, Liz!
September 18, 2025 at 9:54 PM
Thanks! If anyone is interested in blow-by-blow coverage, just read over my posts from today. I lived posted through the whole ACIP, including lots of slides.
Reposted by laurie
Today’s ACIP meeting promoted false claims and misguided information about vaccines. AAP will continue stepping up and working with our local, state and federal partners to make sure every child in every community continues to have access to immunizations.
bit.ly/4puP4uf
bit.ly/4puP4uf
September 18, 2025 at 10:38 PM
Today’s ACIP meeting promoted false claims and misguided information about vaccines. AAP will continue stepping up and working with our local, state and federal partners to make sure every child in every community continues to have access to immunizations.
bit.ly/4puP4uf
bit.ly/4puP4uf
Reposted by laurie
IT'S OFFICIAL: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York State, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and New York City have formed the Northeast Public Health Collaborative.
The collaborative will issue their own vaccine recommendations and coordinate public health efforts.
The collaborative will issue their own vaccine recommendations and coordinate public health efforts.
September 18, 2025 at 3:50 PM
IT'S OFFICIAL: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York State, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and New York City have formed the Northeast Public Health Collaborative.
The collaborative will issue their own vaccine recommendations and coordinate public health efforts.
The collaborative will issue their own vaccine recommendations and coordinate public health efforts.
Reposted by laurie
WPSU is set to be the first in the country to go dark after the Trump administration stripped away federal funding for NPR and PBS.
“The news devastated me, it devastated all the employees,” said Jeff Hughes, WPSU’s former program director.
“The news devastated me, it devastated all the employees,” said Jeff Hughes, WPSU’s former program director.
‘Never would have imagined it’: Pennsylvania NPR station set to be first to shutter following Trump’s cuts
WPSU, which has been broadcasting out of Penn State since 1953, will shut down following federal cuts to public media organizations
www.inquirer.com
September 17, 2025 at 12:28 PM
WPSU is set to be the first in the country to go dark after the Trump administration stripped away federal funding for NPR and PBS.
“The news devastated me, it devastated all the employees,” said Jeff Hughes, WPSU’s former program director.
“The news devastated me, it devastated all the employees,” said Jeff Hughes, WPSU’s former program director.
Reposted by laurie
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy and Education Secretary Linda McMahon are against schools giving kids standardized questionnaires about their mental well-being. But experts say they are wrong.
RFK Jr. wants to end mental health screenings in schools. Experts say it's a bad idea
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy and Education Secretary Linda McMahon are against schools giving kids standardized questionnaires about their mental well-being. But experts say they are wrong.
n.pr
September 17, 2025 at 11:25 AM
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy and Education Secretary Linda McMahon are against schools giving kids standardized questionnaires about their mental well-being. But experts say they are wrong.
Reposted by laurie
Mississippi Today opens 'black box' of opioid settlement spending mississippitoday.org/2025/09/15/b...
Mississippi Today opens 'black box' of opioid settlement spending - Mississippi Today
A Mississippi Today investigation found that after nearly three years of state and local governments receiving money, they have reported spending less than $1 million – or less than 1% of the money…
mississippitoday.org
September 16, 2025 at 9:32 PM
Mississippi Today opens 'black box' of opioid settlement spending mississippitoday.org/2025/09/15/b...
Reposted by laurie
JAMA Perspective: How the vocabulary used to describe the way US health care is increasingly governed by the rules, values, and practices of other sectors of the market economy.
ja.ma/3K775P0
ja.ma/3K775P0
September 16, 2025 at 9:00 PM
JAMA Perspective: How the vocabulary used to describe the way US health care is increasingly governed by the rules, values, and practices of other sectors of the market economy.
ja.ma/3K775P0
ja.ma/3K775P0
Reposted by laurie
NEW YORKERS- Did you see that Attorney General Letitia James released proposed rules yesterday that would force social media platforms to require age verification?
Would be awesome if the public comments section was jam packed with “don’t” 👀
subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2025...
Would be awesome if the public comments section was jam packed with “don’t” 👀
subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2025...
POLITICO Pro: New York AG proposes requiring social media companies to verify users’ ages
Platforms like Instagram and TikTok could employ options such as having users take selfies.
subscriber.politicopro.com
September 16, 2025 at 9:08 PM
NEW YORKERS- Did you see that Attorney General Letitia James released proposed rules yesterday that would force social media platforms to require age verification?
Would be awesome if the public comments section was jam packed with “don’t” 👀
subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2025...
Would be awesome if the public comments section was jam packed with “don’t” 👀
subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2025...
Reposted by laurie
The contrast between this and the last few years, when we finally saw some evidence-based harm reduction initiatives coming out of SAMHSA, is stark. This does not portend well.
SAMHSA Strategic Priorities
www.samhsa.gov
September 11, 2025 at 4:18 PM
The contrast between this and the last few years, when we finally saw some evidence-based harm reduction initiatives coming out of SAMHSA, is stark. This does not portend well.
Reposted by laurie
You’re taking it day by day and that’s something worth celebrating! 🎉
For those difficult days, text SHARE to 741741. We’re here to support your mental health 24/7. 📱❤️
📷: destressed on Instagram
For those difficult days, text SHARE to 741741. We’re here to support your mental health 24/7. 📱❤️
📷: destressed on Instagram
September 5, 2025 at 9:10 PM
You’re taking it day by day and that’s something worth celebrating! 🎉
For those difficult days, text SHARE to 741741. We’re here to support your mental health 24/7. 📱❤️
📷: destressed on Instagram
For those difficult days, text SHARE to 741741. We’re here to support your mental health 24/7. 📱❤️
📷: destressed on Instagram
Reposted by laurie
Yup.
here's what PA is telling those of us who currently buy insurance through Pennie [PA marketplace]:
expect an 82% increase
expect an 82% increase
September 3, 2025 at 3:02 AM
Yup.
Reposted by laurie
New at Health Affairs: The Opioid Crisis: Scaling Up Treatment And Harm Reduction Programs To Reach More People Who Would Benefit
www.healthaffairs.org/doi/full/10....
www.healthaffairs.org/doi/full/10....
The Opioid Crisis: Scaling Up Treatment And Harm Reduction Programs To Reach More People Who Would Benefit | Health Affairs Journal
A central challenge in the opioid crisis in the US has been the underuse of lifesaving treatment and harm reduction programs. Conventional explanations focus on limited access to care when services ar...
www.healthaffairs.org
September 2, 2025 at 8:31 PM
New at Health Affairs: The Opioid Crisis: Scaling Up Treatment And Harm Reduction Programs To Reach More People Who Would Benefit
www.healthaffairs.org/doi/full/10....
www.healthaffairs.org/doi/full/10....
Reposted by laurie
Big day for Robert and me—Recovery-ish Podcast just launched!
We’re here to cut through the noise, challenge the narratives, and bring fresh convos about PWUDS, policy, recovery and what actually works.
Episode 1 is live now: recoveryish.com
We’re here to cut through the noise, challenge the narratives, and bring fresh convos about PWUDS, policy, recovery and what actually works.
Episode 1 is live now: recoveryish.com
Verifying…
recoveryish.com
September 1, 2025 at 7:32 PM
Big day for Robert and me—Recovery-ish Podcast just launched!
We’re here to cut through the noise, challenge the narratives, and bring fresh convos about PWUDS, policy, recovery and what actually works.
Episode 1 is live now: recoveryish.com
We’re here to cut through the noise, challenge the narratives, and bring fresh convos about PWUDS, policy, recovery and what actually works.
Episode 1 is live now: recoveryish.com
Reposted by laurie
My latest article co-authored with @hrca.bsky.social colleagues for International Overdose Awareness Day #IOAD2025 explaining why referring to overdose as a drug related death is misleading - most of these deaths are prohibition related deaths!
filtermag.org/overdose-pro...
filtermag.org/overdose-pro...
Overdoses Should Be Termed “Prohibition-Related Deaths”
Major drivers of overdose fatalities have little to do with drugs and everything to do with our drug laws.
filtermag.org
August 29, 2025 at 11:09 PM
My latest article co-authored with @hrca.bsky.social colleagues for International Overdose Awareness Day #IOAD2025 explaining why referring to overdose as a drug related death is misleading - most of these deaths are prohibition related deaths!
filtermag.org/overdose-pro...
filtermag.org/overdose-pro...