News 2013
Mortality Same With Low HIV Load, High CD4s as in General Population
HIV-positive people who did not inject drugs, had a recent undetectable viral load, and had a CD4 count above 500 cells/μL had the same death risk as a general-population comparison group, according to an analysis of SMART and ESPRIT trial participants.
Read more: Mortality Same With Low HIV Load, High CD4s as in General Population
How Will The ‘Unbanked’ Buy Insurance On The Exchanges?
When movie stars become unbankable, they’re no longer a slam dunk at the box office. When investments become unbankable, they’re relegated to the junk pile. For ordinary Americans deemed unbankable, those who don’t have a traditional checking or savings account, it can be hard to simply pay bills. And that is about to become a big problem for those who also lack health coverage -- and for the health insurance companies trying to sell them coverage. After all, how do you sell a product to a customer who has no way to pay you?
Read more: How Will The ‘Unbanked’ Buy Insurance On The Exchanges?
Senate Accepts Deal to Kick Formerly Incarcerated Off Food Benefits
Yesterday, Sen. Vitter of Louisiana offered up an amendment to permanently drop anyone ever convicted of a violent crime from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). According to Robert Greenstein, president of the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, Democrats in the Senate obliged him. The amendment is for a farm bill, which is currently being debated in the Senate.
Read more: Senate Accepts Deal to Kick Formerly Incarcerated Off Food Benefits
Some Individual Policies Offer A Way To Shrink Deductibles
There is no free lunch. As more people buy high-deductible health plans, they're discovering that while premiums for such plans are more affordable, the trade-off can be high out-of-pocket costs before coverage kicks in.
Read more: Some Individual Policies Offer A Way To Shrink Deductibles
In This Issue
We close out May -- Mental Health Awareness month -- with our house doctor Theresa Mack providing an overview of HIV and mental health. Mental and emotional distress increase one's risk for HIV. And people already living with HIV/AIDS can experience sadness, depression, anxiety and other mental and emotional challenges.