Recent News

Four cities sue Trump administration over ACA rollback (Modern Healthcare)

Aug 2nd, 2018

Four major U.S. cities sued the Trump administration Thursday over its regulatory dismantling of the Affordable Care Act, claiming that federal actions are already overtaxing their health departments.

Baltimore, Chicago, Cincinnati and Columbus, Ohio, joined liberal advocacy groups in the suit, filed in a U.S. District Court in Maryland, alleging that President Donald Trump and his administration "are deliberately trying to make the (ACA) fail." They maintain that these efforts will drain city budgets and resources to manage public health as coverage rates are predicted to drop. 

Read the entire story.

Leana Wen

Baltimore joins lawsuit against Trump Administration's Affordable Care Act actions (WMAR)

Aug 2nd, 2018

Baltimore City filed suit against the Trump Administration Thursday, joining other jurisdictions looking to stop potential changes to the Affordable Care Act that might result in higher premiums and underinsured rates, the Baltimore City Health Department said.

“Our Health Department’s clinics serve as a safety net for the uninsured and underinsured in Baltimore City, providing essential health services from reproductive health and dental care to HIV/AIDS and addiction treatment,” said Baltimore City Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen. “By intentionally sabotaging the ACA, the Trump Administration is directly increasing the number of uninsured and underinsured Baltimoreans. This will increase demand for our services, without additional resources."

Read the entire story.

 

Leana Wen

Trump's undermining of Obamacare violates the Constitution, new lawsuit charges (NBC News)

Aug 2nd, 2018

After congressional Republicans repeatedly failed last year to repeal the Affordable Care Act, President Trump promised to “let Obamacare implode” on its own.

A new lawsuit being filed Thursday argues that Trump’s efforts to make good on that promise violate the U.S. Constitution.

Trump has “waged a relentless effort to use executive action alone to undermine and, ultimately, eliminate the law,” the complaint charges, according to a draft obtained by NBC News. The lawsuit is being filed in Maryland federal court by the cities of Chicago, Columbus, Cincinnati and Baltimore.

Read the entire story.

Baltimore City Joins Other Jurisdictions, Individuals, to Sue President Trump for Intentionally Sabotaging the ACA, Increasing Costs of Health Coverage

Aug 2nd, 2018

Faced with Stark Increases in Premiums and Rising Underinsured Rates, Americans Sue to Halt Trump Administration Sabotage

In systematically attacking the health law, President Trump is increasing the cost of health coverage and the number of uninsured Americans, and is violating his constitutional duty to “take care that the laws be faithfully executed.”

Leana Wen

Mosquitoes on the move in Maryland (WBFF)

Jul 31st, 2018

Health officials are urging property owners to rid their property of standing water after West Nile Virus was detected in Prince George's County.

“Even a small bottle cap can breed mosquitoes,” said Baltimore health commissioner Dr. Leana Wen.

Watch the segment.

Leana Wen

Beauty in the Eye of the Stakeholder (University of Maryland)

Jul 31st, 2018

What was once a dull corner of concrete outside of Samuel Coleridge-Taylor Elementary School on West Preston Street is now brightened by pink and purple petunias and lush green hostas sprouting out of a formerly litter-strewn plot of dirt.

Read the entire article.

Leana Wen

Brett Talks to Dr. Leana Wen About Drug Overdosing Problems in Baltimore City (WBAL)

Jul 31st, 2018

The Opioid Crisis continues to persist as drug overdose numbers continue to rise, particularly in Baltimore City.  Brett talks  to Dr. Leana Wen, an expert on public health, for more on these numbers, and how to potentially curtail them in the future.

Listen to the full segment. 

Leana Wenopioids

Baltimore health officials, lawmakers say abortion politics threatens $1.4 million in funding for health clinics (Baltimore Sun)

Jul 30th, 2018

Baltimore health clinics fear a proposed federal gag rule that would prohibit money from going to centers that perform or refer patients for abortions would undercut their ability to care for the city’s most vulnerable residents.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has proposed a rule that would withhold funding from the Title X Family Planning Program. The federal agency is taking public comments on the issue, which is being criticized by local lawmakers and health officials, until Tuesday.

Read the entire story.

Leana Wen

Congressional officials, Baltimore leaders talk opioids at Health Care for the Homeless (Health Care for the Homeless)

Jul 30th, 2018

That stat surfaced during a roundtable discussion and C-SPAN live broadcast with congressional officials, Baltimore leaders and community members at our downtown clinic on Friday, July 27. 

We were honored to welcome Senator Elizabeth Warren, Congressman Elijah Cummings, Senator Ben Cardin, Congressman John Sarbanes, Mayor Catherine Pugh, Baltimore Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen and many others to tour our facility and discuss the state of our nation’s opioid epidemic. 

Read the entire story.

Leana Wenopioids

Maryland Hit With Record Number Of Fentanyl Deaths (The Fix)

Jul 30th, 2018

"It's terrifying that we're at a point where the numbers escalate every year. We don't even know where the peak is," said Baltimore's health commissioner.

Maryland hit a sobering new milestone last year: The state saw more fentanyl deaths than ever before. And this year, it turns out, is already on track to set another disquieting record. 

Read the entire story.

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