Rick J Nash, MPH
@hepatitisme.bsky.social
Disabled + Patient Advocate focused on the liver. Vert transmission HCV survivor, 7+ years End Stage, 6 treatments, 1 liver transplant. AI enthusiast day job with Policy/Market Analysis, Workforce Development, Marketing, Community Building and Education
Reposted by Rick J Nash, MPH
CIRM is officially on BlueSky 🦋
The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) is expanding its reach to BlueSky to share the latest developments in California stem cell and gene therapy research initiatives. [1/3]
The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) is expanding its reach to BlueSky to share the latest developments in California stem cell and gene therapy research initiatives. [1/3]
May 14, 2025 at 4:22 PM
CIRM is officially on BlueSky 🦋
The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) is expanding its reach to BlueSky to share the latest developments in California stem cell and gene therapy research initiatives. [1/3]
The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) is expanding its reach to BlueSky to share the latest developments in California stem cell and gene therapy research initiatives. [1/3]
Reposted by Rick J Nash, MPH
No decent person opposes narcan, a lifesaving drug. RFK Jr’s position is like opposing HIV medications, vaccines, and insul— oh wait
There are few things as cost effective as Narcan, especially in a country where (entirely preventable) opioid overdoses have been a leading cause of death for years. For every 6 kits distributed 1 OD is prevented. The $56M in this grant trained >66K people and distributed >282,500 kits in 2024 alone
RFK Jr. to End 'Godsend' Narcan Program That Helped Reduce Overdose Deaths Despite His Past Heroin Addiction
Despite overcoming heroin addiction himself, RFK Jr. is backing plans to cut a critical Narcan program that helped reduce overdose deaths.
www.latintimes.com
April 30, 2025 at 3:29 AM
No decent person opposes narcan, a lifesaving drug. RFK Jr’s position is like opposing HIV medications, vaccines, and insul— oh wait
Bill Cassidy, where is your outrage?
As an author of some of the most advanced #ViralHepC elimination bills in Congress and championing the Netflix model in Louisiana, why does the only #GIDoc in #congress not oppose, But support this gutting?
Docs are supposed to know where their spine is. #Shame
As an author of some of the most advanced #ViralHepC elimination bills in Congress and championing the Netflix model in Louisiana, why does the only #GIDoc in #congress not oppose, But support this gutting?
Docs are supposed to know where their spine is. #Shame
All 27 scientists at this CDC lab were told their duties were "unnecessary," and now viral outbreak investigations have been halted.
In the middle of a hepatitis outbreak, U.S. shutters the one CDC lab that could help
All 27 scientists at this CDC lab were told their duties were "unnecessary," and now viral outbreak investigations have been halted
www.npr.org
April 17, 2025 at 2:56 PM
Bill Cassidy, where is your outrage?
As an author of some of the most advanced #ViralHepC elimination bills in Congress and championing the Netflix model in Louisiana, why does the only #GIDoc in #congress not oppose, But support this gutting?
Docs are supposed to know where their spine is. #Shame
As an author of some of the most advanced #ViralHepC elimination bills in Congress and championing the Netflix model in Louisiana, why does the only #GIDoc in #congress not oppose, But support this gutting?
Docs are supposed to know where their spine is. #Shame
I've spent 10+ years advocating for just appropriate funding for #ViralHep surveillance at the fed level. But To see it gutted by a fellow #HCV Survivor is just painful. People will die as a result.
#HepA, #HepB are preventable, and dying from #HepC is also. #liver #patient
#HepA, #HepB are preventable, and dying from #HepC is also. #liver #patient
Last month, the CDC Division of Viral Hepatitis found the source of a Hepatitis C outbreak in Florida that state officials had been unable to solve since December. Now the entire Division has been fired, leaving investigations of outbreaks in OR, PA, MA, NM, WI, WV and GA, unsolved in addition to FL
April 17, 2025 at 2:50 PM
It's not about Crypto.
The problem here is a lack of opportunity.
Wages have been stuck for decades, and the new gilded age offers little hope for upward mobility.
Gambling, Theft, Luck, or Inheritance, when honest work doesn't have the same return, the Risk-Seeking desire Rent-Seeking behavior
The problem here is a lack of opportunity.
Wages have been stuck for decades, and the new gilded age offers little hope for upward mobility.
Gambling, Theft, Luck, or Inheritance, when honest work doesn't have the same return, the Risk-Seeking desire Rent-Seeking behavior
Smartest crypto quote on @blueksy. And it doesn't have to be $5k. In a country where a large number of people don't have $400 in savings, If a candidate doesn't respect the importance of $100 of crypto to young voters, they will lose them
For someone who works a low paid job but has amassed $5000 in crypto, it’s not just an investment. It’s their ticket out. You do NOT want to threaten that if you want them to vote for you.
March 25, 2025 at 3:52 PM
It's not about Crypto.
The problem here is a lack of opportunity.
Wages have been stuck for decades, and the new gilded age offers little hope for upward mobility.
Gambling, Theft, Luck, or Inheritance, when honest work doesn't have the same return, the Risk-Seeking desire Rent-Seeking behavior
The problem here is a lack of opportunity.
Wages have been stuck for decades, and the new gilded age offers little hope for upward mobility.
Gambling, Theft, Luck, or Inheritance, when honest work doesn't have the same return, the Risk-Seeking desire Rent-Seeking behavior
As imperfect as the ACA is, it's done a lot of good. My life was saved due to a sig. amount of its provisions while End stage liver from HepC nearly ended me.
Namely the elimination of pre-existing conditions, the option of marketplace insurance, and the listing of dietary standards at restaurants.
Namely the elimination of pre-existing conditions, the option of marketplace insurance, and the listing of dietary standards at restaurants.
Figured I’d hop on here today for the 15th anniversary of the Affordable Care Act.
With everything going on right now, it’s easy to feel like regular folks can’t make a difference – but the ACA is a reminder that change is possible when we fight for progress.
With everything going on right now, it’s easy to feel like regular folks can’t make a difference – but the ACA is a reminder that change is possible when we fight for progress.
March 23, 2025 at 11:18 PM
As imperfect as the ACA is, it's done a lot of good. My life was saved due to a sig. amount of its provisions while End stage liver from HepC nearly ended me.
Namely the elimination of pre-existing conditions, the option of marketplace insurance, and the listing of dietary standards at restaurants.
Namely the elimination of pre-existing conditions, the option of marketplace insurance, and the listing of dietary standards at restaurants.
Reposted by Rick J Nash, MPH
“People will die, but we will never know, because even the programs to count the dead are cut.”
www.nytimes.com/2025/02/27/h...
www.nytimes.com/2025/02/27/h...
U.S. Terminates Funding for Polio, H.I.V., Malaria and Nutrition Programs Around the World
Here are some of the 5,800 contracts the Trump administration formally canceled this week in a wave of terse emails.
www.nytimes.com
February 28, 2025 at 3:24 PM
“People will die, but we will never know, because even the programs to count the dead are cut.”
www.nytimes.com/2025/02/27/h...
www.nytimes.com/2025/02/27/h...
Reposted by Rick J Nash, MPH
Make it make sense!
February 27, 2025 at 11:22 PM
Make it make sense!
What a Friday...
HHS is moving to eliminate notice and public comment. If finalized this would devastate #PatientAdvocacy and make it difficult to ensure perspectives other than the agency can voice how the rule would impacts them.
www.cnn.com/2025/02/28/h...
HHS is moving to eliminate notice and public comment. If finalized this would devastate #PatientAdvocacy and make it difficult to ensure perspectives other than the agency can voice how the rule would impacts them.
www.cnn.com/2025/02/28/h...
Kennedy moves to eliminate notice and public comment requirements for certain HHS decisions | CNN
The US Department of Health and Human Services has reversed an obscure requirement called the Richardson Waiver, which requires a period of notice and an opportunity for public comment on a wide range...
www.cnn.com
March 1, 2025 at 12:42 AM
What a Friday...
HHS is moving to eliminate notice and public comment. If finalized this would devastate #PatientAdvocacy and make it difficult to ensure perspectives other than the agency can voice how the rule would impacts them.
www.cnn.com/2025/02/28/h...
HHS is moving to eliminate notice and public comment. If finalized this would devastate #PatientAdvocacy and make it difficult to ensure perspectives other than the agency can voice how the rule would impacts them.
www.cnn.com/2025/02/28/h...
Reposted by Rick J Nash, MPH
Update on the Measles outbreak in Texas and New Mexico
www.nytimes.com/2025/02/22/u...
There likely hundreds of cases, so many not being diagnosed. And many more to come. All preventable.
www.nytimes.com/2025/02/22/u...
There likely hundreds of cases, so many not being diagnosed. And many more to come. All preventable.
Measles Outbreak in Texas and New Mexico Sickens Nearly 100 People
Texas reported 90 cases this week, while New Mexico reported nine. A majority of the cases have been in a Texas county where vaccination rates have lagged behind the rest of the state.
www.nytimes.com
February 22, 2025 at 5:58 PM
Update on the Measles outbreak in Texas and New Mexico
www.nytimes.com/2025/02/22/u...
There likely hundreds of cases, so many not being diagnosed. And many more to come. All preventable.
www.nytimes.com/2025/02/22/u...
There likely hundreds of cases, so many not being diagnosed. And many more to come. All preventable.
Reposted by Rick J Nash, MPH
Medicaid is not for sale.
NASA is not for sale.
The Post Office is not for sale.
America is not for sale.
We have an obligation to resist kings. We outnumber them. And they can be overwhelmed.
NASA is not for sale.
The Post Office is not for sale.
America is not for sale.
We have an obligation to resist kings. We outnumber them. And they can be overwhelmed.
February 21, 2025 at 7:19 PM
Medicaid is not for sale.
NASA is not for sale.
The Post Office is not for sale.
America is not for sale.
We have an obligation to resist kings. We outnumber them. And they can be overwhelmed.
NASA is not for sale.
The Post Office is not for sale.
America is not for sale.
We have an obligation to resist kings. We outnumber them. And they can be overwhelmed.
I'm alive today thanks to a bunch of medical innovations, social safet net programs and importantly: Medicare+Medicaid.
It helps people with #disabilities live.
#Medicaid is also how win the war on #epidemics
Without Medicaid #HepC #HepB #HIV #Tuberculosis and dozens of other preventables wont be
It helps people with #disabilities live.
#Medicaid is also how win the war on #epidemics
Without Medicaid #HepC #HepB #HIV #Tuberculosis and dozens of other preventables wont be
Republicans want to slash Medicaid — a death sentence for thousands of Americans. Medicaid provides health care to more than 37 million kids, funding for 2/3 of seniors in nursing homes & is 40% of the revenue for community health centers.
We must EXPAND Medicaid, not cut it.
We must EXPAND Medicaid, not cut it.
February 8, 2025 at 5:11 PM
I'm alive today thanks to a bunch of medical innovations, social safet net programs and importantly: Medicare+Medicaid.
It helps people with #disabilities live.
#Medicaid is also how win the war on #epidemics
Without Medicaid #HepC #HepB #HIV #Tuberculosis and dozens of other preventables wont be
It helps people with #disabilities live.
#Medicaid is also how win the war on #epidemics
Without Medicaid #HepC #HepB #HIV #Tuberculosis and dozens of other preventables wont be
Work requirements aren't necessary, because rent isn't optional, and assisted housing is even more overburdened than housing.
With renewed legislative interest in Medicaid work requirements, explore our updated analysis of the latest data on the work status and characteristics of adults on Medicaid:
Understanding the Intersection of Medicaid and Work: An Update | KFF
Amid renewed interest in Medicaid work requirements as part of a broader legislative package designed to significantly reduce federal Medicaid spending, KFF has updated its analysis of the work status...
on.kff.org
February 6, 2025 at 4:43 PM
Work requirements aren't necessary, because rent isn't optional, and assisted housing is even more overburdened than housing.
FDA approval of a Ketamine Nasal Spray for Depression. As a disabled person who has had to use Ketamine and been depressed, I hope it's useful.
Just in time as we might be on the cusp of a likely looming Depression as a country.
www.livescience.com/health/medic...
Just in time as we might be on the cusp of a likely looming Depression as a country.
www.livescience.com/health/medic...
FDA approves 'ketamine' nasal spray for depression — here's everything you need to know
A nasal spray that contains esketamine — a potent derivative of ketamine — can now be taken on its own to treat adults with severe depression, the FDA says. Here's what that means.
www.livescience.com
February 2, 2025 at 11:22 PM
FDA approval of a Ketamine Nasal Spray for Depression. As a disabled person who has had to use Ketamine and been depressed, I hope it's useful.
Just in time as we might be on the cusp of a likely looming Depression as a country.
www.livescience.com/health/medic...
Just in time as we might be on the cusp of a likely looming Depression as a country.
www.livescience.com/health/medic...
Reposted by Rick J Nash, MPH
#Tuberculosis is curable!
Tuberculosis is treated with antibiotics. To be effective, these medications need to be taken daily for 4–6 months.
⚠️ Stopping treatment early can lead to drug-resistant tuberculosis.
Learn more bit.ly/3Vo428E #EndTB
Tuberculosis is treated with antibiotics. To be effective, these medications need to be taken daily for 4–6 months.
⚠️ Stopping treatment early can lead to drug-resistant tuberculosis.
Learn more bit.ly/3Vo428E #EndTB
February 2, 2025 at 6:47 PM
#Tuberculosis is curable!
Tuberculosis is treated with antibiotics. To be effective, these medications need to be taken daily for 4–6 months.
⚠️ Stopping treatment early can lead to drug-resistant tuberculosis.
Learn more bit.ly/3Vo428E #EndTB
Tuberculosis is treated with antibiotics. To be effective, these medications need to be taken daily for 4–6 months.
⚠️ Stopping treatment early can lead to drug-resistant tuberculosis.
Learn more bit.ly/3Vo428E #EndTB
This monument to people with HIV whose memories endure and remind us of the importance and power of action and community.
In 2016 I met Richard Zaldivar, and his telling of how this monument came to be was inspiring and heartwarming.
It's a shame what has happened to it
www.poz.com/article/vand...
In 2016 I met Richard Zaldivar, and his telling of how this monument came to be was inspiring and heartwarming.
It's a shame what has happened to it
www.poz.com/article/vand...
Vandals Deface The Wall Las Memorias AIDS Monument in Los Angeles
TWLM’s Richard Zaldivar says the nonprofit is committed to restoring the AIDS monument and providing Los Angeles with HIV services.
www.poz.com
February 2, 2025 at 5:00 AM
This monument to people with HIV whose memories endure and remind us of the importance and power of action and community.
In 2016 I met Richard Zaldivar, and his telling of how this monument came to be was inspiring and heartwarming.
It's a shame what has happened to it
www.poz.com/article/vand...
In 2016 I met Richard Zaldivar, and his telling of how this monument came to be was inspiring and heartwarming.
It's a shame what has happened to it
www.poz.com/article/vand...
Reposted by Rick J Nash, MPH
🧵
On 30 January 2025, the Ministry of Health of #Uganda declared an outbreak of Sudan Ebola virus disease following confirmation from 3 national reference laboratories.
As of 30 January 2025, 45 contacts have been identified, incl. 34 healthcare workers & 11 family members bit.ly/40J3N9g
1/3
On 30 January 2025, the Ministry of Health of #Uganda declared an outbreak of Sudan Ebola virus disease following confirmation from 3 national reference laboratories.
As of 30 January 2025, 45 contacts have been identified, incl. 34 healthcare workers & 11 family members bit.ly/40J3N9g
1/3
February 1, 2025 at 12:01 PM
🧵
On 30 January 2025, the Ministry of Health of #Uganda declared an outbreak of Sudan Ebola virus disease following confirmation from 3 national reference laboratories.
As of 30 January 2025, 45 contacts have been identified, incl. 34 healthcare workers & 11 family members bit.ly/40J3N9g
1/3
On 30 January 2025, the Ministry of Health of #Uganda declared an outbreak of Sudan Ebola virus disease following confirmation from 3 national reference laboratories.
As of 30 January 2025, 45 contacts have been identified, incl. 34 healthcare workers & 11 family members bit.ly/40J3N9g
1/3
Reposted by Rick J Nash, MPH
This week’s Monitor breaks down the latest KFF polling on Health Information & Trust — plus, a look at how senators questioned Robert F. Kennedy Jr. about vaccines during his Senate hearing, distrust in public health messaging about bird flu, and more.
Skepticism About Vaccines and Response to Bird Flu — The Monitor | KFF
This volume shares findings from the latest KFF Tracking Poll on Health Information and Trust, along with updates from Robert Kennedy Jr’s senate hearings. It also examines distrust in public health m...
on.kff.org
January 30, 2025 at 7:30 PM
This week’s Monitor breaks down the latest KFF polling on Health Information & Trust — plus, a look at how senators questioned Robert F. Kennedy Jr. about vaccines during his Senate hearing, distrust in public health messaging about bird flu, and more.
Reposted by Rick J Nash, MPH
Learning the language of life with A.I.
@science.org
In today's essay, I review the phenomenal progress in foundation models of DNA, RNA, proteins, ligands, cells, their interactions, the Virtual Lab, and the aspiration for the Virtual Cell
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
@science.org
In today's essay, I review the phenomenal progress in foundation models of DNA, RNA, proteins, ligands, cells, their interactions, the Virtual Lab, and the aspiration for the Virtual Cell
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Learning the language of life with AI
In 2021, a year before ChatGPT took the world by storm amid the excitement about generative artificial intelligence (AI), AlphaFold 2 cracked the 50-year-old protein-folding problem, predicting three-...
www.science.org
January 30, 2025 at 7:40 PM
Learning the language of life with A.I.
@science.org
In today's essay, I review the phenomenal progress in foundation models of DNA, RNA, proteins, ligands, cells, their interactions, the Virtual Lab, and the aspiration for the Virtual Cell
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
@science.org
In today's essay, I review the phenomenal progress in foundation models of DNA, RNA, proteins, ligands, cells, their interactions, the Virtual Lab, and the aspiration for the Virtual Cell
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Reposted by Rick J Nash, MPH
The extraordinary endTB trial offers a path to much shorter and less toxic curative therapy for drug resistant tuberculosis. This is huge news. Hopefully we'll see these regimens adopted quickly, especially now that bedaquiline is more affordable.
So grateful to all the researchers involved.
So grateful to all the researchers involved.
Proud to see the endTB trial, work of a huge team, led by @partnersinhealth.bsky.social, @msf.org, IRD & supported by @unitaid.bsky.social, published in @nejm.org today. Safe, effective, shortened treatments for drug-resistant TB can be available to all. #TBSky #ForeignAid tinyurl.com/NEJM-endTB
Oral Regimens for Rifampin-Resistant, Fluoroquinolone-Susceptible Tuberculosis | NEJM
For decades, poor treatment options and low-quality evidence plagued care for patients
with rifampin-resistant tuberculosis. The advent of new drugs to treat tuberculosis
and enhanced funding now p...
tinyurl.com
January 30, 2025 at 8:38 PM
The extraordinary endTB trial offers a path to much shorter and less toxic curative therapy for drug resistant tuberculosis. This is huge news. Hopefully we'll see these regimens adopted quickly, especially now that bedaquiline is more affordable.
So grateful to all the researchers involved.
So grateful to all the researchers involved.
Reposted by Rick J Nash, MPH
Our latest poll finds the public’s trust in key health agencies has fallen over the last 18 months — continuing a decline that began during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Explore the findings:
Explore the findings:
KFF Tracking Poll on Health Information and Trust: January 2025 | KFF
As Senate hearings begin for President Trump’s health nominees, including Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the latest KFF Tracking Poll on Health Information and Trust shows a decline in public trust for govern...
on.kff.org
January 28, 2025 at 2:35 PM
Our latest poll finds the public’s trust in key health agencies has fallen over the last 18 months — continuing a decline that began during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Explore the findings:
Explore the findings:
Reposted by Rick J Nash, MPH
We see you.
WHO is grateful for the love 💙 and messages of support we received.
We stand by you. #HealthForAll
WHO is grateful for the love 💙 and messages of support we received.
We stand by you. #HealthForAll
January 28, 2025 at 11:23 AM
We see you.
WHO is grateful for the love 💙 and messages of support we received.
We stand by you. #HealthForAll
WHO is grateful for the love 💙 and messages of support we received.
We stand by you. #HealthForAll
Reposted by Rick J Nash, MPH
🧵 STATEMENT: WHO expresses deep concern on the implications of the immediate funding pause for #HIV programmes in low- and middle-income countries.
These programmes provide access to life-saving HIV therapy to more than 30 million people worldwide.
Read more bit.ly/42yxxIz
1/5
These programmes provide access to life-saving HIV therapy to more than 30 million people worldwide.
Read more bit.ly/42yxxIz
1/5
January 28, 2025 at 9:37 PM
🧵 STATEMENT: WHO expresses deep concern on the implications of the immediate funding pause for #HIV programmes in low- and middle-income countries.
These programmes provide access to life-saving HIV therapy to more than 30 million people worldwide.
Read more bit.ly/42yxxIz
1/5
These programmes provide access to life-saving HIV therapy to more than 30 million people worldwide.
Read more bit.ly/42yxxIz
1/5
Well said!
worth mentioning, the last time we had a big epidemic kick off in kansas, while a simultaneous isolationist red wave rode into Congress, we got prohibition. The only amendment to have been repealed. We're in for a wild ride, esp with a crippled CDC, VA, FDA & RFK Jr hasn't even MAHA yet.
worth mentioning, the last time we had a big epidemic kick off in kansas, while a simultaneous isolationist red wave rode into Congress, we got prohibition. The only amendment to have been repealed. We're in for a wild ride, esp with a crippled CDC, VA, FDA & RFK Jr hasn't even MAHA yet.
This is 67 cases--a tiny fraction of TB's global burden, which exceeds 10,000,000 active cases per year.
But the longer we allow a curable illness to infect and kill millions, the more TB we'll see in the U.S. Tuberculosis is an airborne disease, and TB anywhere is a threat to humans everywhere.
But the longer we allow a curable illness to infect and kill millions, the more TB we'll see in the U.S. Tuberculosis is an airborne disease, and TB anywhere is a threat to humans everywhere.
Kansas Is Battling the Largest Tuberculosis Outbreak Ever Recorded in the U.S. https://gizmodo.com/kansas-is-battling-the-largest-tuberculosis-outbreak-ever-recorded-in-the-u-s-2000555298
January 28, 2025 at 8:42 PM
Well said!
worth mentioning, the last time we had a big epidemic kick off in kansas, while a simultaneous isolationist red wave rode into Congress, we got prohibition. The only amendment to have been repealed. We're in for a wild ride, esp with a crippled CDC, VA, FDA & RFK Jr hasn't even MAHA yet.
worth mentioning, the last time we had a big epidemic kick off in kansas, while a simultaneous isolationist red wave rode into Congress, we got prohibition. The only amendment to have been repealed. We're in for a wild ride, esp with a crippled CDC, VA, FDA & RFK Jr hasn't even MAHA yet.
Reposted by Rick J Nash, MPH
If you’re just finding KFF... welcome! 👋
We’re a nonprofit health policy research, polling, and news organization. We don’t make recommendations or advocate for or against policies.
Keep up with the latest health policy information by pinning our list to your feed:
We’re a nonprofit health policy research, polling, and news organization. We don’t make recommendations or advocate for or against policies.
Keep up with the latest health policy information by pinning our list to your feed:
January 23, 2025 at 7:45 PM
If you’re just finding KFF... welcome! 👋
We’re a nonprofit health policy research, polling, and news organization. We don’t make recommendations or advocate for or against policies.
Keep up with the latest health policy information by pinning our list to your feed:
We’re a nonprofit health policy research, polling, and news organization. We don’t make recommendations or advocate for or against policies.
Keep up with the latest health policy information by pinning our list to your feed: