Politics. On Point.

Initial External Contributions In Response to Vice President Kamala Harris’s Call to Action to Reduce Maternal Mortality and Morbidity   On behalf of the Biden-Harris Administration, Vice President Harris is issuing a nationwide Call to Action to both the public and private sectors to help improve health outcomes for parents and infants in the United States. Below are initial external contributions to kick off the White House Maternal Health Day of Action. Read more about the Day of Action  here. (listed alphabetically ) The   Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC)  is announcing that they will hold a Maternal Health Incubator on May 24-25. This Incubator will consist of a two-day virtual convening to better understand the data needed to effectively address maternal health inequities. Participants will identify and share evidence-based strategies to decrease racial/ethnic maternal health gaps, and will develop an action plan aimed at eliminating existing ine...

The wheels that grind this country's racist ways have to come to an end.   Over the last days and weeks America has started to see the country move in that direction.   From discussions over whether or not the Confederate flag that flies at the state capital in South Carolina is a sign of racial hatred, prompting its removal, to fighting disparities in housing , healthcare , and same-sex marriage . Thursday, the Supreme Court ruled that disparate-impact standard has worked to combat systemic discrimination in the case of  Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs v. Inclusive Communities Project Inc .  (See Supreme Court Syllabus here ). America, the equal?  A flag symbolizing equality flies in front of the Supreme Court. Under the Fair Housing Authority, "it is unlawful to refuse to sell, rent or otherwise make unavailable or deny a dwelling to a person because of race, or other protected characteristic." Attorney General Loretta Lynch we...

   You now have less than two days to get health insurance coverage. With the deadline to sign up for health care looming, many Americans are scrambling to find a plan that is both affordable and acceptable.     Even Republicans.    Republicans have tried to repeal, and 'replace', the Affordable Care Act, all without coming up with a viable alternative.     Read the below story of how at least one Republican (we suspect there are many more) who not only doesn't have an issue with the ACA, but rather embraces it.   From the White House:   Good afternoon,   I am a staunch Republican, a self-proclaimed Fox News addict, and I didn't vote for the President. And I'm here to tell you that Obamacare works. I'm living proof.   I'm a chemotherapy patient, and was previously paying $428 a month for my health coverage. I was not thrilled when it was cancelled. ...

You Are What You Drink When we first got a swig (pun intended) of this upcoming event with Michelle Obama encouraging Americans to drink more water, we knew the crazies would come out against it. Apparently, the only ones who can talk about fitness, eating healthy, and drinking water are Jane Fonda , Jack LaLanne , the group Drink Water , and the bottled water company, Drink More Water . First Lady Obama wants Americans to drink more water. Even with a resume in fitness like the one of Mrs. Obama, she still receives backlash.   Speaking at an event yesterday in Watertown, Wisconsin the first lady gave a passionate appeal on why drinking water is healthy for all. "But I really care about your health like I care about my kids' health", said Mrs. Obama. "That's why I've devoted so much of my energy into making sure that your generation is as healthy as you can be.  We've been talking about how you got to move and keep active and eat right.  ...

DC Ward 8 Councilmember Marion Barry : “As a member of the Committee on Health, I applaud the Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the Affordable Care Act. Barry, who has struggled with his own healthcare issues said, “The Affordable Care Act expands health care coverage for low-income populations across the country such as Ward 8, which suffers from the g reatest health disparity in the city due to lack of health care coverage, resources and poverty. Ward 8 residents and other low-income communities dis-proportionately suffer from diseases such as high blood pressure, heart disease and diabetes. Our children deserve better. Our parents deserve better. Our seniors deserve better. “In upholding the Affordable Care Act, the U.S. Supreme Court chose to put families first–protecting the lives of thousands of Washingtonians and millions of Americans. As the chairman of the Committee on Aging and Community Affairs, it makes my heart proud that the price of prescription drugs wil...