Recent News

Four cities sue Trump over Obamacare 'sabotage', claiming it violates constitution (Independent)

Aug 2nd, 2018

Four cities and two people have sued Donald Trump and other government agencies, alleging the US president’s “sabotaging” of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) has violated the constitution. 

A lawsuit filed by Baltimore, Columbus, Ohio, Cincinnati and Chicago stated Mr Trump and his administration have waged a “relentless campaign” to undermine and ultimately nullify Obamacare. The suit alleges Mr Trump has violated the constitution by two counts: a violation of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) and violation of the “take care” clause. 

Read the entire story.

Leana Wen

Suing the Trump administration to protect the ACA, health and the economy (The Hill)

Aug 2nd, 2018

In her op-ed, Dr. Leana Wen discusses why Baltimore City filed a suit against the Trump Adminisration for intentionally and unlawfully sabotaging the Affordable Care Act (ACA), and how it will affect the residents of Baltimore.

"We in Baltimore join Columbus, Ohio, Cincinnati, Ohio, Chicago, Illinois, and citizens in Charlottesville, Virginia, to express our deep concern about the consequences of sabotaging the ACA. In Baltimore, more than 10,000 residents are enrolled in plans purchased through the health insurance marketplace. Destabilizing the ACA could mean that 10,000 people in our city alone could become uninsured."

Read the entire story.

 

Leana Wen

Mosquitoes on the move in Maryland (WBFF)

Jul 31st, 2018

Health officials are urging property owners to rid their property of standing water after West Nile Virus was detected in Prince George's County.

“Even a small bottle cap can breed mosquitoes,” said Baltimore health commissioner Dr. Leana Wen.

Watch the segment.

Leana Wen

Brett Talks to Dr. Leana Wen About Drug Overdosing Problems in Baltimore City (WBAL)

Jul 31st, 2018

The Opioid Crisis continues to persist as drug overdose numbers continue to rise, particularly in Baltimore City.  Brett talks  to Dr. Leana Wen, an expert on public health, for more on these numbers, and how to potentially curtail them in the future.

Listen to the full segment. 

Leana Wenopioids

Beauty in the Eye of the Stakeholder (University of Maryland)

Jul 31st, 2018

What was once a dull corner of concrete outside of Samuel Coleridge-Taylor Elementary School on West Preston Street is now brightened by pink and purple petunias and lush green hostas sprouting out of a formerly litter-strewn plot of dirt.

Read the entire article.

Leana Wen

Congressional officials, Baltimore leaders talk opioids at Health Care for the Homeless (Health Care for the Homeless)

Jul 30th, 2018

That stat surfaced during a roundtable discussion and C-SPAN live broadcast with congressional officials, Baltimore leaders and community members at our downtown clinic on Friday, July 27. 

We were honored to welcome Senator Elizabeth Warren, Congressman Elijah Cummings, Senator Ben Cardin, Congressman John Sarbanes, Mayor Catherine Pugh, Baltimore Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen and many others to tour our facility and discuss the state of our nation’s opioid epidemic. 

Read the entire story.

Leana Wenopioids

Baltimore health officials, lawmakers say abortion politics threatens $1.4 million in funding for health clinics (Baltimore Sun)

Jul 30th, 2018

Baltimore health clinics fear a proposed federal gag rule that would prohibit money from going to centers that perform or refer patients for abortions would undercut their ability to care for the city’s most vulnerable residents.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has proposed a rule that would withhold funding from the Title X Family Planning Program. The federal agency is taking public comments on the issue, which is being criticized by local lawmakers and health officials, until Tuesday.

Read the entire story.

Leana Wen

Maryland Hit With Record Number Of Fentanyl Deaths (The Fix)

Jul 30th, 2018

"It's terrifying that we're at a point where the numbers escalate every year. We don't even know where the peak is," said Baltimore's health commissioner.

Maryland hit a sobering new milestone last year: The state saw more fentanyl deaths than ever before. And this year, it turns out, is already on track to set another disquieting record. 

Read the entire story.

Leana Wenopioids

US City Bans Sugary Drinks on Children’s Menus (Learning English)

Jul 29th, 2018

Recently, Baltimore, Maryland, became the largest city in the United States to ban restaurants from including sodas and other sugary drinks on their menus for children.

Now, Baltimore’s restaurants can only offer milk, water or 100 percent fruit juice as drinks with meals meant for children.

Read the entire story.

Leana Wen

Melanie Repert: Help stop proposed gag rule affecting health care for women (Arizona Daily Star)

Jul 28th, 2018

The first time I visited the Baltimore City Health Department’s Druid Clinic, I was 17. I wasn’t going to the clinic for myself. A friend had told me she thought she was pregnant but was too nervous to go to the clinic to take a test alone, so I offered to go with her. When we arrived she was still nervous, so I offered to take a test as well.

Read the entire op-ed.

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