(2019-10-08). Trump issues proclamation to deny immigration visas to workers lacking health insurance. wsws.org Last Friday, the White House released a presidential proclamation suspending immigration visas for applicants "who will financially burden the United States health care system."
(2019-10-08). Tuesday's Daily Brief: Eye health, UN's financial crisis, progress in Mali and South Sudan, human rights in Australia. un.org Tuesday's top stories: Global need for eye care is set to increase 'dramatically'; work and reforms of the UN 'at risk'; progress on Mali security; South Sudan peace accord anniversary; Rights chief Bachelet urges rollback on Australia migration policies; and an interview with Maha Mamo, living proof of why statelessness needs to end worldwide.
(2019-10-08). NUHW members strike Janus of Santa Cruz. indybay.org NUHW members at Janus of Santa Cruz held their first-ever strike on Thursday, September 26, after management imposed a first contract that did not remedy poverty wages that has forced many workers to find new jobs.
(2019-10-08). Critics Use Bernie Sanders's Heart Attack to Smear Medicare for All. truthout.org | | After presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders suffered a heart attack last week, he used the experience to explain why he is pushing so hard for his Medicare for All plan. Sanders's plan would expand and improve Medicare so it covers the whole country with no fees, co-pays or deductibles. | "I am more determined than ever to fight alongside you to make health care a human right," he said in a tweet. | Yet many critics of…
(2019-10-08). NHS chief urges government to be 'led by the evidence' on sugar tax. thecanary.co The head of the NHS, Simon Stevens, has urged the government to be "led by the evidence" showing the so-called sugar tax has worked, days before the results of a review into whether it should be extended to all unhealthy foods are due. | England's chief medical officer Professor Dame Sally Davies will publish her findings this week after being asked by health secretary Matt Hancock to examine the possibility of taxing all unhealthy foods. | Boris Johnson has been accused of "turning back the clock" on the fight against childhood obesity after he pledged a separate review into so-called sin taxes, including the le…
(2019-10-08). Toxic PFAS Chemicals Found in Artificial Turf. theintercept.com PFAS chemicals have been identified in synthetic turf, according to lab tests performed on several samples of the artificial grass that were shared with The Intercept. The presence of the chemicals, members of a class that has been associated with multiple health problems, including cancer, adds to growing concerns about the grass replacement that covers many thousands of acres in parks, schools, professional sports stadiums, and practice fields around the U.S. | In one se…
(2019-10-08). Striking UAW Member: We'll Strike "As Long as It Takes" to Demand Fair Salaries and Benefits. democracynow.org 
About 48,000 workers at General Motors have entered their fourth week on strike. It is the longest national strike at GM by the United Auto Workers in nearly 50 years. Workers are seeking higher pay, protection of their healthcare benefits, greater job security and a commitment from GM to build more cars and parts in the United States. On Sunday, UAW officials announced they had rejected the company's latest offer, saying negotiations had "taken a turn for the worse." We speak with Steve Frisque, a striking GM worker and former president of UAW Local 722.
(2019-10-07). Stark Lessons From Wall Street's #MeToo Moment. theintercept.com 
Stacy Passeri was looking for a promotion. Pacific Life Insurance was hiring someone to lead sales of its insurance products to stock brokers across the country. Passeri thought she was perfectly positioned as a field vice president at the firm, marketing these same products to brokerage firms in a western region of California that stretched from San Luis Obispo to Eureka, and she was eager for a bigger role. She'd heard that Mike Dahlquist, who held her same job title, was a contender too. But there were whispers about Dahlquist, who had a reputation as a partier. Women in the office talked about how he'd made u…
(2019-10-07). UK: Inquest adjourned into death of Port Talbot steelworks contractor Justin Day. wsws.org The events leading to the tragedy of Justin Day's death are still unknown, but the circumstances of a machine switching on with an engineer working inside it points to a disastrous breakdown in health and safety protocol.
(2019-10-07). The 'Public Option' on Health Care Is a Poison Pill. thenation.com The 'Public Option' on Health Care Is a Poison Pill…
(2019-10-07). Education is a Neglected Casualty of Wars and Displacements. counterpunch.org One of the neglected consequences of the recent wars and civilian conflicts in many parts of the world is their effect on people's education, particularly children's education. Because of the close connection between education and health, these events have had a severe effect on people's health —particularly on children- and on the countries' development. In More
(2019-10-07). Turning waste into wealth: World Habitat Day focus on cleaning up cities. un.org Waste can have a devastating effect on public health, the environment, and the climate, but cutting-edge innovation and technology can provide improved, cheaper solutions to the challenge, and help cities and communities to see waste as a business opportunity. This was the message marking World Habitat Day, on Monday, with a focus on waste management.
(2019-10-07). "A Backlash Against Our Existence": Laverne Cox Speaks Out on Violence Against Trans Women of Color. democracynow.org 
At least 19 transgender people have been killed in the United States in 2019 — most of them trans women of color. Last year, there were at least 26 killings of transgender people. The American Medical Association has declared the wave of violence an "epidemic." Laverne Cox, the award-winning transgender actress and longtime trans rights activist, says such violence has long been part of the lives of trans people. "For my entire life as a trans woman, for 21 years, I have been hearing about, witnessing, going to memorials [and] going to Trans Days of Remembrance," she says. Cox says the violence reflects a s…
(2019-10-05). Exile poor Americans next? Trump scorched over entry ban for migrants who can't afford health insurance. rt.com 
The White House has issued a proclamation demanding that migrants prove they can afford to pay for healthcare in the United States before they are allowed to enter the country, kicking off fierce debate among netizens. | Issued late on Friday, the new directive says immigrants must prove their ability to purchase health insurance within 30 days of entering the country, arguing the uninsured are passing on costs to US taxpayers and over-burdening the healthcare system. | An alien will financially burden the United States healthcare system unless the alien will be covered by approved health insurance… within 3…
(2019-10-04). UN highlights milestone of 1,000 Ebola survivors in DR Congo amid complex environment of conflict and mistrust. un.org One thousand people have survived the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC): a testament to the strong leadership of the Congolese health authorities combined with the tireless efforts of thousands of local health workers and partners, United Nations agencies said on Friday.
(2019-10-04). FIFA and UN kick off healthy living campaign, to harness global game's 'huge potential'. un.org At a ceremony held in Geneva on Friday, the World Health Organization (WHO) and football's world governing body, FIFA, announced that they are teaming up to raise awareness of the benefits of a healthy lifestyle.
(2019-10-04). Ground-breaking clean air protocol to guard human health and the planet, enters into force. un.org European and North American countries will take a major stride in cleaning up the atmosphere next Monday, 7 October, through the implementation of an amended legally binding treaty to limit the amount of emissions polluting the air.
(2019-10-03). FAO plants new efforts to protect bananas under disease threat. un.org In a renewed effort to help protect banana crops in Latin America and the Caribbean, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has launched an emergency project to curb major plant losses threatened by a fungal disease, the agency announced on Thursday.
(2019-10-03). Thursday's Daily Brief: UN chief remembers former Assembly President, Council on Africa's Great Lakes, FAO data shows stable food prices. un.org A recap of Thursday's stories: Guterres addresses climate emergency in op-ed; UN envoy highlights 'golden opportunity' for Africa's Great Lakes region; FAO scales up banana crop protection against disease; Data shows September food prices held steady; Somalia Partnership Forum concludes.
(2019-10-02). Corporate Journalists Push Tax Attack on Medicare for All. fair.org 
Election Focus 2020: Centrist think tank Third Way commissioned an August poll on how to turn people off of Medicare for All, and one of the strongest tactics turned out to be emphasizing what the plan would cost taxpayers. Lo and behold, the tax line has become a central focus of media coverage of Medicare for All.
(2019-10-01). Newark Water Crisis: Mayor Ras Baraka Responds to Critics & Promises City Is Working on Solution. democracynow.org 
Newark, New Jersey, city officials recently announced thousands of water filters handed out to residents have significantly reduced lead in drinking water to safe levels. Lead contamination has plagued the city for years, spiking even higher in 2019. Over the summer, the Natural Resources Defense Council filed a lawsuit against Newark, accusing it of violating federal safe drinking water laws. The crisis came to a head last month following revelations that water filters distributed to residents may not have been effective. Meanwhile, New Jersey officials have signed off on a $120 million bond with Essex County to…
(2019-10-01). Headlines for October 1, 2019. democracynow.org House Democrats Subpoena Giuliani over Ukraine Work, Report: Trump Pressured Australia, Italy & U.K. to Help with Political Probes, Trump Renews Threats Against Schiff and Intelligence Whistleblower, Hong Kong Protests Escalate as Beijing Marks 70th Anniversary of People's Republic of China, Four Die in Ongoing Anti-Government Protests in Haiti, Somali Militants Attack U.S. Drone Base & Italian Military Convoy, Nigerian Journalist Omoyele Sowore Pleads Not Guilty, Remains Locked Up, U.S. Blocks Cuban Health Minister from Attending Regional WHO Meeting in D.C., GOP Congressmember Chris Collins Resigns over Insider…
(2019-09-30). Lancaster, PA march demands right to healthcare in the face of hospital closure, corporate profiteering. liberationnews.org 
Community members in Lancaster, Pennsylvania came into the streets on September 21 to march in the heat for the right to quality healthcare.
(2019-09-27). Time to stand up for public healthcare. greenleft.org.au 
civil rights Mischa FrankIssue 1239 Australia Medicare private health insurance funding cutsSeptember 27, 2019The federal Coali…
(2019-09-26). Kentucky's Abortion Law Forces Me to Humiliate My Patients. aclu.org H.B. 2 is cruel, offensive, and the Supreme Court should strike it down. | I'm a doctor at the only abortion clinic in Kentucky. Providing safe, compassionate medical care has been my life's calling, and my patients' well-being is always my first priority. But Kentucky politicians — determined as usual to interfere with access to reproductive healthcare — are trying to force me to harm and humili…
(2019-06-19). House Casts Historic Vote to Repeal Authorization for Endless War. peaceaction.org Washington, D.C. — June 19, 2019 — In response to the House of Representatives passing H.R. 2740 (Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, Legislative Branch, Defense, State, Foreign Operations, and Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act, 2020), which includes language to repeal the 2001 Authorization for the Use of Military Force (AUMF) eight months after …