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Senate Health Committee bill advances despite clash between ophthalmologists, optometrists

The Alabama Senate Health Committee last week narrowly voted to give a favorable report to a bill that would allow Alabama optometrists to expand their scope of practice to include seven procedures that are currently performed exclusively by ophthalmologists. Senate Bill 66 is sponsored by State Senator Tom Whatley (R-Auburn). Whatley said that he has … Continued
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February 14, 2020

U.S. economy adds 225,000 jobs in January

Many economists had been expecting an economic slowdown in 2020 after an extremely prosperous 2019. January, however, vastly exceeded expectations. The U.S. added 225,000 jobs in January. Trade tensions were greatly eased after President Donald J. Trump (R) formally signed the United States Mexico Trade Agreement (USMCA) into law and reached a Phase One trade … Continued
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February 10, 2020

Sewell urges Trump to work across the aisle on healthcare

Tuesday, Congresswoman Terri A. Sewell (D-Selma) urged President Donald J. Trump (R) to, “Work across the aisle to make real, positive change-to make health care more affordable and accessible.” “I challenge the President tonight not to make empty promises,” Sewell said. “Work across the aisle to achieve real, positive change – to make health care … Continued
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February 6, 2020

Ivey urges legislators to address prison system problems

During her annual State of the State address to a packed joint session of the Alabama legislature in the Old House Chambers of the historic state Capital building, Gov. Kay Ivey urged lawmakers to deal with the problems that have long plagued the state’s prison system. “After becoming your governor in April 2017, I realized … Continued
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February 5, 2020

Buttigieg, Sanders are too close to call in Iowa

Iowa Democrats went to the polls and the Iowa Democratic Party’s new ap crashed so nobody knew who had won Iowa that night or the next day. On Tuesday night, the Iowa Democratic Party released partial results. South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg is claiming victory. The partial results show Buttigieg with a narrow lead over … Continued
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February 5, 2020

UAB Health and Ascension St. Vincent’s form strategic alliance

Friday, the University of Alabama at Birmingham Health System (UABHS) and Ascension St. Vincent’s are entering into a strategic alliance. The two hospital systems announced that the alliance will increase access to high-quality, innovative medical care through multiple outlets and health programs. Pending appropriate approvals, including the approval of the University of Alabama System Board … Continued
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January 27, 2020

New interactive map details unpaid debt in U.S.

Alabamians, mush like residents in many other Southern states, have more unpaid, uncollected debt than those living in other U.S. states, according to new updates to an interactive map.  The updated interactive map by the Urban Institute, a Washington D.C.-based economic and policy think tank, shows how many Alabamians have unpaid debts, and breaks those … Continued
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December 18, 2019

Sewell praises passage of legislation to lower drug costs

Thursday, U.S. Representative Terri Sewell, D-Selma, praised the House passage of HR3, the Elijah E. Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act. Proponents say that the bill will bring down costs for patients and taxpayers, help level the playing field for American consumers and will allow for reinvestment in Medicare program improvements and medical innovation. “I … Continued
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December 13, 2019

McCutcheon says that legislature will address rural healthcare

Wednesday, Speaker of the House Mac McCutcheon (R-Monrovia) told a gathering of the Alabama County Commissioners Association in Auburn that the Alabama legislature will likely work on addressing rural healthcare in the 2020 legislative session. McCutcheon said that the legislature is “Working on rural healthcare,” and is looking at rural clinics. “We need to provide … Continued
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December 10, 2019