Sunday, May 18, 2025

Sunita Sohrabji

Sunita Sohrabji is the Health Editor at American Community Media.

UPDATE: House Committee Advances Proposal to Strip $715 Billion from Medicaid

As the House Energy and Commerce committee debated legislation that would strip $715 billion from Medicaid, several people voicing their opposition in the chamber were arrested by Capitol Police.

House Republicans Unveil Text of $880 Billion Cut to Medicaid

The House of Representatives is expected to vote on a measure next week that would slash the Medicaid budget by $880 billion, essentially gutting the program.

Are India and Pakistan on the Brink of Nuclear War?

Stanford Professor Dr. Sumit Ganguly states that Pakistan and local Kashmiris were complicit in an April 22 terrorist attack which killed 26 people, forcing India to retaliate with air strikes.

No Jail Time for Man Who Hurled Racist, Homophobic Statements at Interracial Family

Mark Douglas, who lobbed death threats against his neighbors, along with racist and homophobic slurs, was not charged with a hate crime. He will serve 30 days of community service.

Researchers Provide Blueprint to Tackle Nation’s Mental Health Pandemic

The U.S. suicide death rate is the highest among 10 peer nations, and the 2nd leading cause of death among children ages 10-14.

Supreme Court Hears Arguments to End ACA’s Free Preventive Care

If the justices rule in favor of the plaintiffs, preventive services and screenings would be subject to co-pays and deductibles, disincentivizing people from getting them.

World Faces Rise of New HIV/AIDS Infections as US Slashes Funding

“Without HIV therapy, people get opportunistic infections. They get certain cancers and they die.” — Dr. Richard Sutton, Professor of Medicine, Infectious Diseases, and of Microbial Pathogenesis at the Yale School of Medicine.

The Tax Filing Clock Is Ticking: But Don’t Despair if You’re Not Prepared

People expecting a refund do not need to file by April 15, and can file at any time without accruing a penalty for IRS and California state taxes. United Way Bay Area offers free tax help for low-income filers.

House Passes SAVE Act, Disenfranchising Millions of American Voters

”This is voter suppression, plain and simple.” - Rep. Joe Morelle, D-New York

Federal Rule Strips Affordable Healthcare for Millions, Including DACA Recipients

The proposed rule would also revoke “sex trait modification services” as an essential health benefit covered by ACA plans. Critics say transgender health care is a lifesaving tool.

Massive Cuts at HHS Deal Severe Blow to Public Health

Dr. Avenel Joseph, vice president of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, fears that massive layoffs at the Department of Health and Human Services will result in increased barriers to accessing healthcare for the nation’s most vulnerable people and children.

SAVE Act Will Bar Millions of Citizens from Voting

The bill calls for voters to provide proof of citizenship at election offices, while ending voter registration drives, mail-in and online registration.

Trump Sends Chilling Message to Immigrants Declaring English Official Language

"The message being sent to immigrant communities is that we don't belong, and that we should have no expectation of getting assistance from the Government." - Marita Etcubanez, AAAJ/AAJC

Measles Outbreaks Rise as Vaccination Rates Drop

UCSF's Dr. Peter Chin-Hong explains the rise in measles outbreaks, and debunks purported treatments for the infection.

Congress Considers $800 Billion Medicaid Cut, Putting Healthcare In Jeopardy for Millions of Working Families

"These are the worst cuts to Medicaid in the history of the program." - Stan Dorn, director of the Health Policy Project at UnidosUS.

Visits to Community Health Clinics Drop as Fears of ICE Raids Escalate

Dr. Jose Perez, CMO at the South Central Family Health Center, says ICE agents cannot conduct dragnet searches at community health clinics.

Democrats Disrupt Trump’s Congressional Address with Shouts and Walkouts

During his speech to Congress, Trump failed to substantively address two of his key issues on the campaign trail: immigration and the economy.

America Faces the Worst Flu Season in 15 Years

Vaccine skepticism, public policy changes, misinformation, and a fear of deportation has created the perfect storm for a severe flu season.

South Lake Tahoe Man Hurls Racist, Homophobic Slurs at Interracial Family

A California family has been traumatized after a neighbor was captured on home security video footage yelling racist and homophobic slurs at them.

USAID Shutdown Puts the Health of Americans at Risk

The abrupt shutdown of USAID-funded projects has severe consequences for disease research and vaccine development, say global health experts.

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