What Alabama learns when it pays attention
Rural Alabama communities adapted to stretched resources, but endurance required clear sight to spot strain early and notice what was quietly slipping away.
healthcare reform
Palmer reintroduces bill to give seniors the option of opting out of Medicare
Currently, seniors must forfeit Social Security if they choose to keep their private insurance and not enroll in Medicare.
Sewell voted for bipartisan COVID relief, government funding package
"This bill is far from perfect, but Alabamians cannot wait any longer for relief," the congresswoman said.
Congressman Gary Palmer praises Trump executive order expanding Medicare access
Congressman Gary Palmer, R-Hoover, on Tuesday praised a recent executive order expanding telehealth services for Medicare recipients. President Donald Trump recently signed the order designed to expand access to care for Medicare beneficiaries, particularly those in rural areas. In response, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services issued a proposed rule that would permanently add … Continued
Trump signs executive orders on drug pricing
President Donald Trump on Friday took executive action to deliver lower prescription drug prices to American patients. The president, joined by doctors, patients, state and local officials, and other invites guests, signed four executive orders on drug pricing. The executive orders direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services, Alex Azar, to take several steps … Continued
Sewell sponsors bipartisan legislation to expand telehealth services for seniors
Congress members Terri Sewell, D-Alabama; Jackie Walorski, R-Indiana; Ron Kind, D-Wisconsin; Tony Cárdenas, D-California; and Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Pennsylvania, on Wednesday introduced the bipartisan Ensuring Parity in MA for Audio-Only Telehealth Act. This legislation is designed to help ensure Medicare Advantage enrollees who cannot access the video component during telehealth visits are able to access care … Continued
Alabama is setting up the ability to contact doctors with telehealth
The Alabama Senate earlier this month approved a $5 million supplemental appropriation to the budget to combat the spread of COVID-19, a condition caused by a novel strain of coronavirus. Much of that funding was to set up coronavirus testing, but the state is also working on setting up the ability to contact doctors with … Continued
Roy Moore officially qualifies for Senate race
Thursday, former Chief Justice Roy Moore officially qualified to run for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Doug Jones (D). Moore signed his qualifying papers at Republican state headquarters in Hoover. “I know it is Halloween, and no I did not do this to scare the wits out of the people in Washington,” Moore … Continued
Doug Jones announces $200,000 grant for New Site medical complex
U.S. Sen. Doug Jones, D-Alabama, announced Wednesday a new $200,000 grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission to establish the New Site Medical Complex in New Site, Alabama. This grant will provide funding for a 3,120 square-foot building housing a primary care clinic and private pharmacy. The tenants will include Russell Medical and Jackson Drugs. “Health … Continued
Jones cosponsors bill to improve access to rural health care for new, expecting mothers
Sen. Doug Jones is co-sponsoring the bipartisan Rural MOMS Act to understand the root causes of maternal mortality and to develop solutions to improve maternal care in rural America. “As I’ve traveled around Alabama to hear directly from women and health care providers about how we can improve maternal health outcomes in the state, they … Continued