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dontmeantobepoliticalbut · 1 year

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A new bill in the capitol would legalize safe spaces to use drugs.

The bill would allow the Department of Human Services to license what the bill calls “Overdose Prevention Sites.” People could go to these locations and use illegal drugs under direct supervision, with no fear of criminal prosecution.

Right now, they are far from common in the United States. Rhode Island is the only state to legalize them, but New York City and several other cities have them. A pair of lawmakers are saying those spaces are the next logical step as the state tries to curb overdose deaths.

Opioid overdoses continue to be a leading cause of accidental deaths in the state for those between the ages of 18 and 49. In 2021, 3,013 people died from overdoses. The bill’s sponsor, Rep. La Shawn Ford (D-Chicago), said supervised injection sites are a logical step to help curb those numbers.

“Why would we turn our backs on people struggling with a substance use disorder saying, ‘no, we don’t want to allow space for you,'” Ford said. “‘We would rather see you die on the streets.'”

Taylorville Police Chief Dwayne Wheeler takes his own unique approach to helping people who are suffering from addiction. The Taylorville Safe Passage program has helped hundreds of people get clean before they get in trouble with the law. The increased supervision is a sensible idea for Wheeler, but he is skeptical of the ramifications that come with giving people a safe space to use.

“There’s a lot of work to be done,” Wheeler said. “But let’s treat the people.”

Ford said in an ideal situation, there would be treatment options available at these facilities.

“I think we should have the debate to make sure that when we have overdose prevention sites, that they’re not places where people just go use drugs,” Ford said. “It’s the place where people go and get the help that they need while struggling with a substance use disorder.”

But the bill does not require those services. At a minimum, the bill would require these facilities to have a clean space to use, have naloxone to help people survive an overdose, staff that can help people who are in the middle of an overdose and equipment like fentanyl testing strips. It also would give legal immunity to people who use in those facilities.

Wheeler’s Safe Passage program gives people the opportunity to come into the police department and say they need help. It’s gained state wide acclaim, and even earned his department a $250,000 grant from the state to expand.

The program prioritizes getting people to treatment centers. It relies on people to take that first step and admit they need help, and once they take that step, the department — and it’s long list of volunteers — will drive that person to whatever rehab center they can find a spot in, no matter where it is in the state.

He said if the state is going to allow supervised injection sites, they need to carefully design the program, and make sure it leaves no questions unanswered on how it would work.

There is data that shows supervised injection sites have positive impacts, but they also come with societal ramifications, including arguments over where the sites will be located.

“Illinois should answer the call, knowing that this is the best harm reduction tool that we have in our toolbox,” Ford said. “When you look at overdose prevention sites, and you look at other harm reduction tools, this is the number one harm reduction tool that has proven to save lives across the world.”

This is not the first time the proposal has made its way around the Capitol, but it hasn’t found any traction in past years. So far, the bill has not been voted on in any committees.

#us politics #news #wcia #2023 #Illinois #Overdose Prevention Sites #Illinois Department of Human Services #Opioid overdoses #opioid crisis #La Shawn Ford #supervised injection sites #Dwayne Wheeler #Taylorville Safe Passage program #substance use disorder #substance abuse #drug addiction #addiction #Illinois legislature

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odinsblog · 2 years

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One particularly maddening aspect of our current politics is that Democrats feel beholden to rules that Republicans feel entitled to burn. Democrats creatively interpret rules in ways that inevitably frustrate their ability to wield power, while Republicans creatively use their power to get around the rules. Democrats invent constraints on themselves, ostensibly to restrict Republicans, while these same Republicans long ago decided to use maximal power to achieve their goals.

Abortion services should be provided on federal lands; abortion providers should be deputized by the federal government to protect them from state bounty hunters; people seeking abortion services should be granted safe passage to these facilities, or out of state if need be.

But every time I or anybody else makes arguments for strong executive action to protect people from Republicans, somebody, often a liberal or Democrat, says that the Hyde Amendment prevents the federal government from funding abortions. Anybody who lived through the Trump administration should know that the law rarely outright “prevents” things, and “funding” is a matter of interpretation, but Twitter is awash in so many Hyde takes you’d think it was the 28th Amendment to the Constitution.

So let’s talk about the Hyde Amendment and what it says. Because when you really look at it, you’ll see it’s a paper tiger: While it is harrowingly effective at preventing poor and vulnerable people from getting the health care they need, it is easily shredded by a committed executive at the head of a massive administrative state.

The Hyde Amendment was proposed in 1976, three years after the landmark decision in Roe v. Wade, by Illinois Representative Henry Hyde, a white male Republican who didn’t like abortion rights. He proposed a rider to the funding bill for the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare (now called the Department of Health and Human Services) that prohibited federal Medicaid funds from being used to pay for women to get abortions.

The amendment passed both houses of Congress, and has been a feature of every budget bill since. The amendment and its modern versions prevent people enrolled in Medicaid or other government-run programs from using those insurance dollars for abortion procedures, except in the cases of rape or incest, or in cases where the life of the mother is at risk. Hyde Amendment–esque language has since been inserted into a number of health care bills, including the Affordable Care Act.

That’s it, that’s the whole thing.

This is not to say the Hyde Amendment isn’t a smoldering hunk of misogynist garbage that restricts access to abortion for millions of mostly poor women (often with the complicity of the Democratic Party, which is ostensibly elected to protect impoverished people). But, this boogey-man that Democrats argue constrains the commander in chief from providing health care to US citizens is not and has never been some insurmountable prohibition on federal government action.

The idea that the Hyde Amendment restricts all federal action for abortion services is a clear misreading of the amendment. The Hyde Amendment does not, for instance, prevent the government from allowing people in federal prisons to seek abortion services. It does not prevent people being held in immigration custody from being allowed to seek abortion services. And the astute reader will notice that exceptions in the case of rape and incest are written right into the regulation. It is simply inaccurate to say that the amendment, in its current form, prevents the federal government from doing anything that could lead to an abortion. The Hyde Amendment is about insurance coverage.

Those are just the facts. What one should do with the knowledge of those facts is open for interpretation. What one should do with knowledge of those facts while in charge of the executive branch of government is still another thing. I will stipulate that everything I am about to say will be disputed by Republicans. If that matters to you, I do not know how to help you. I do not allow my thinking to be cabled within the confines of “what Republicans agree with” because my desire to live in a pluralistic society built on justice and equality outweighs my desire to be liked by The New York Times. But in my opinion, this now-boilerplate budget amendment cannot prevent the might of the executive office from fighting for women’s rights. Here are four obvious workarounds.

The point of all of these suggestions is that Biden and the Democrats should use power maximally while they have it to prevent the atrocity of people being forced to give birth against their will. The argument that executive inaction is not only justified but required by a 1976 budget rider is intellectually dishonest, and literal evidence that one doesn’t perceive forced birth as a fundamentally illegitimate use of state power.

There is no law, yet, that prevents the federal government from helping rape survivors. There is no law, yet, that requires the federal government to throw up its hands every time it hits the borders of Texas.

There will be laws to do both of those things should Republicans take back Congress and the White House, because Republicans use power when they have it. Maybe Democrats should take a page out of the GOP playbook and try out the whole “using power” thing, before it’s too late for women, the LGBTQ community, and democracy.

👉🏿 https://www.thenation.com/article/politics/hyde-amendment-abortion-biden/tnamp/

#politics #abortion #roe v wade #hyde amendment #healthcare #reproductive rights #reproductive justice #war on women #womens rights #womens health #bidenism

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beardedmrbean · 6 months

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A man has been charged with murder and hate crimes after allegedly stabbing a six-year-old boy to death because he was Muslim.

Joseph Czuba, 71, is accused of killing Wadea Al-Fayoume and seriously wounding his mother in Plainfield, Illinois.

The landlord allegedly targeted the pair, who were his tenants, because of their religion and the ongoing conflict between Hamas and Israel.

President Joe Biden said he was "sickened" by Saturday's attack.

"This horrific act of hate has no place in America, and stands against our fundamental values: freedom from fear for how we pray, what we believe, and who we are," he said.

Hanaan Shahin, 32, was attacked by her landlord, who had a military-style knife, and ran to the bathroom to call the police, authorities said.

She suffered more than a dozen stab wounds but is expected to survive.

Her son, Wadea, was stabbed more than two dozen times in the attack and later died in hospital. A funeral service and burial will be held on Monday afternoon in the town of Bridgeview, which is sometimes referred to as "Little Palestine" because of its large Palestinian-American population.

On Monday, a makeshift memorial - which included a stuffed spider-man figure and other children's toys - stood at the scene of the crime.

Several crosses, apparently put up by Mr Czuba sometime before the incident, were also visible, along with a sign telling passers-by to "pray the rosary at 4:20".

He celebrated his sixth birthday just a few weeks ago. "He loved his family, his friends. He loved soccer, he loved basketball," the executive director of the Chicago office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), Ahmed Rehab, said.

When officers arrived at the scene, about 40 miles (64km) south-west of Chicago, they found Mr Czuba sat on the ground outside the property with a cut to his face.

The victims, who were Palestinian-Americans, were found in a bedroom.

Mr Czuba was taken to hospital for treatment before being questioned by detectives. He was later charged with first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, hate crimes and aggravated battery.

While he did not make a statement, detectives said they were able to determine a potential motive.

"Both victims in this brutal attack were targeted by the suspect due to them being Muslim and the ongoing Middle Eastern conflict involving Hamas and the Israelis," the Will County Sheriff's office said.

The US Justice Department has also opened a federal hate crime investigation into the attack. In statements on Monday, both Vice President Kamala Harris and Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas condemned the attack and rising incidents of hate.

"There is no humane world that can and should tolerate the murder of an innocent child because of his identity," Mr Mayorkas said. "The tragic events in the Middle East...have brought ideologies of hate to the fore across the world - notably antisemitism and Islamophobia. This must end."

At a news conference on Sunday, CAIR said Wadea was born in the US while his mother - originally from Beitunia in the West Bank - came to the country 12 years ago.

"[Wadea] paid the price for the atmosphere of hate and otherisation and dehumanisation that frankly I think we are seeing here in the United States," Mr Rehab said.

The boy's father, Oday al-Fayoume, was at the news conference and was in a state of shock, Mr Rehab said.

Neighbours such as Eva Case expressed disbelief at the violent attack. "I don't care what the situation was," she told the BBC's US partner CBS. "Don't take it out on somebody that innocent of life."

Others who lived nearby said the pair had moved into the home four years ago.

"It's sickening. I can't even imagine how anybody could do that to a little child," one neighbour said.

#nunyas news #this ain't the way #not for anyone

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notjustanyannie · 1 year

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Ben Salentine, the associate director of health-sciences managed care at the University of Illinois Hospital and Health Sciences System, hasn’t been weighed in more than a decade. His doctors “just kind of guess” his weight, he says, because they don’t have a wheelchair-accessible scale.

He’s far from alone. Many people with disabilities describe challenges in finding physicians prepared to care for them. “You would assume that medical spaces would be the most accessible places there are, and they’re not,” says Angel Miles, a rehabilitation-program specialist at the Administration for Community Living, part of the Department of Health and Human Services.

Not only do many clinics lack the necessary equipment—such as scales that can accommodate people who use wheelchairs—but at least some physicians actively avoid patients with disabilities, using excuses like “I’m not taking new patients” or “You need a specialist,” according to a paper in the October 2022 issue of Health Affairs.

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uicscience · 2 years

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The Midwest AIDS Training and Education Center at the University of Illinois Chicago will expand its services nationwide with the help of a new $3 million grant.

The center, which was founded in 1988 to provide HIV/AIDS training for medical students and primary care physicians, already works to bring the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Health Resources and Services Administration‘s National HIV Curriculum to medical students and professionals in 10 midwestern states: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio and Wisconsin.

“MATEC will build on the lessons learned from a previous project carried out in the past four years when we worked with 16 academic institutions with accredited programs of medicine, nursing and pharmacy in the Midwest,” said Dr. Ricardo Rivero, MATEC’s executive director and a co-principal investigator on the grant. “With this project, we successfully integrated content from the National HIV Curriculum E-Learning Platform into their existing curricula. By doing so, we firmly believe we enhanced the quality of HIV education and training at those institutions.”

MATEC, which is based in the UIC Department of Community and Family Medicine at the College of Medicine, will use these new funds to introduce the curriculum to academic institutions in the 57 jurisdictions outside the Midwest that have been designated “high priority” by the federal government’s Ending the HIV Epidemic in the U.S. initiative.

In addition to continuing its work with graduate schools in medicine, nursing and pharmacy, MATEC will use the new funds to target physician residency programs for dentists and family medicine practitioners.

“The National HIV Curriculum has a tremendous impact on our students’ ability to provide knowledgeable and compassionate care to people living with HIV,” said Natacha Pierre, UIC clinical assistant professor of population health nursing science at the College of Nursing and co-investigator on the grant. “Increasing the number and quality of health care providers is essential to increasing access to care and ending the HIV epidemic. If we are to meet the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ goal to end the HIV epidemic by 2030, we need to go national. We are up for the challenge.”

According to Corina Wagner, MATEC research and evaluation manager and co-principal investigator on the new grant, “The project will assist existing faculty, especially those who are not HIV specialists and who may lack the HIV clinical background, with knowledge of HIV content, teaching methods and ways to address potential students’ reluctance to engage with vulnerable communities such as the ones most affected by HIV.”

Rivero said, “By doing so, the project will continue to address students’ and residents’ attitudinal barriers to care for people living with or at risk of acquiring HIV, and we expect that those who have been trained in HIV care through the integrated National HIV Curriculum will be able to identify, address or properly refer their patients with HIV-related needs, particularly for chronic illness interventions that appear as a growing number of people living with HIV age.”

Other key faculty and co-investigators on the new grant include Dr. Mahesh Patel, assistant professor at the College of Medicine; Blake Max, clinical associate professor at the College of Pharmacy; and Dr. Sarah Henkle, assistant professor of clinical family medicine at the College of Medicine.

#HIV education healthcare AIDS medical training

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chicago-geniza · 2 years

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OH. Mother of fuck. CHANGE ADDRESS WITH ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES, YOU HAVE ONLINE & TEXT NOTIFICATIONS ENABLED BUT THEY SEND ALL YOUR MEDICAID & SNAP DECISIONS TO YOUR MAILING ADDRESS.

Also:

Change address with regular pharmacy

Change CVS address, message neuropsych, message PCP (T gel)

Call locksmith to fix janky lock and also let you into your mailbox lol

Change address with clinic

Change address on invoice template

You did the change of address with USPS and online ordering stuff, ura

Change address with bank

Print and mail the form to complete voter registration change before October, it has to be done analog without a state ID, like you can do it at the polling place day of but it's annoying

For ID: A said if it's not a Real ID you don't need a birth certificate, so--once you have Official Mail (medical, utility bills--request hard copies from ComEd & Peoples) to this address to prove residency, make an appt at the nearest DMV, you can go girl mode so they don't make it weird

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drbrownphdblog · 10 days

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University Shortlist

UCONN

Human Development and Family Sciences specialising in Diversity and Culture

University of Illinois - Chicago

Disability Studies*

Psychology*

* with Graduate Interdepartmental Concentration in Black Studies

University Faculty

Claire Laurier Decoteau, PhD Professor & Interim Department Head Sociology

Funding

Graduate assistantships are the primary means of financial support for PhD students. The department offers appointments in both teaching and research (or a combination of both). Assistantships are competitive and many are awarded at the time of acceptance into the program, so you should submit your materials early for full consideration.

University of Chicago

Comparative Human Development - Cultural Psychology, Psychological Anthropology, Immigration Studies Focus.

Funding

All newly enrolled PhD students are guaranteed funding support from the University of Chicago, external sources, or a combination of the two for the duration of their program, regardless of citizenship or other factors. Funding support includes a full-tuition scholarship, health insurance (for the student only), coverage of the Graduate Student Services Fee, and a living stipend. The guaranteed minimum stipend level for the 2023-2024 year is $37,000.

Florida International University - PhD in Psychology: Applied Social and Cultural Psychology

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bllsbailey · 1 month

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UnitedHealth hack takes toll on healthcare providers to the nation's poor

The ransomware attack on UnitedHealth that has disrupted payments to U.S. doctors and healthcare facilities nationwide for a month, has taken an especially harsh toll on the community health centers that serve more than 30 million poor and uninsured patients.

Many large healthcare centers have been able to resume receiving payments and making claims after the hack by using alternative technology, UnitedHealth says.

But technology roadblocks have prevented many community health centers from reconnecting, according to interviews with national and state-based organizations representing them, two national groups representing Medicaid directors and plans and five of the affected centers

One Texas-based association said if the situation continues through the end of this month, some members will not be able to make payroll.

UnitedHealth’s Change Healthcare technology is used to verify insurance coverage, file claims and get paid. With thousands of customers needing to move to a new connection, UnitedHealth has provided loans and urged practices to use workarounds while it tests and resumes a new system in phases starting this week.

For Tulip Tree Family Health Care, which operates two locations in southern Indiana and serves 4,000 rural patients from Indiana and Illinois, the impact has been “drastic,” said Executive Director Kristine Georges.

Tulip Tree has been unable to shift to a different clearinghouse or access other workarounds recommended by UnitedHealth, Georges said. Since Feb. 20, claims have been piling up, amounting to a $300,000 backlog.

Tulip Tree is one of 1,400 community health centers that receive grants from federal Health Resources and Services Administration to cover uninsured patients. Most rely on payments from the U.S. Medicaid program for low income individuals and families.

Members of its 32-person staff are submitting claims on paper or individual insurers’ websites, a time-consuming process that has racked up $12,000 in overtime costs in the past two weeks.

Even the extra postage is a drain, she said. “There’s no fat to cut.”

UnitedHealth has acknowledged that some providers may need more restoration work before they can submit claims and that not all have been able to implement workaround solutions

The company is working with several thousand providers to help with cash flow issues, including large and small regional health systems and small, rural independent physician practices, a spokesman said.

He did not say when claims processing to community health centers would be restored.

‘THE MOST VULNERABLE’

Dr. Julia Skapik of the National Association of Community Health Centers said centers receive half their revenue from Medicaid, about 10% from the Medicare program for people aged 65 and older and the disabled, and the rest from private insurers and grants to help uninsured people.

After several weeks, affected centers are exhausting their reserves, she said.

Some groups, unable to access the new system, are waiting for a legacy system to be restored. Others have systems that are incompatible with proposed fixes, and several are worried about denials and whether they will soon, or ever, get paid for these claims, she said.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has instructed Medicaid programs to advance payments to affected providers.

“We have made clear to UnitedHealth Group our expectation that no provider be left behind,” an HHS spokesperson said.

John Baackes, chief executive of L.A. Care Health Plan, which serves low-income communities in Los Angeles County, said they are making cash advances to small community-based providers, who “do not have the sophistication or staffing to turn their claims submission operation quickly.”

Isaiah Nathaniel, chief information officer at Delaware Valley Community Health, which has nine locations in the greater Philadelphia area serving 50,000 patients per year, said his organization took a double hit.

While they have taken advantage of some financial assistance from UnitedHealth, there is still a major shortfall because they are unable to get reimbursed from some of their largest payers, one of which asked them to submit paper claims.

They also are unable to connect to UnitedHealth’s new system because they do not yet have guarantees that the system is secure. Connecting without that assurance could put their cybersecurity insurance at risk.

On top of that, Delaware Valley uses Change’s call centers to handle appointments and prescription refills at four centers. Those are still down with no timeline for restoration.

Lori Hooks of the Texas Association of Community Health Centers said some centers are seeing just 30% to 50% of their claims processed, and for a handful, none are going through.

Her association surveyed members last week who said if the situation persists through the end of March, it may be tough to pay bills or employees.

“These are clinics that don’t have a lot of days cash on hand and so they’re the most vulnerable for not being able to make their regular monthly bills and payroll,” she said.

Reporting by Julie Steenhuysen in Chicago and Deena Beasley in Los Angeles; Editing by Caroline Humer and Bill Berkrot

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reasoningdaily · 1 month

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Frances Cress Welsing (1935–2016)

Dr. Frances Cress Welsing recieving Fannie Lou Hamer Community Award, 10th Annual National Black L.U.V. Festival, 2008

Frances Cress Welsing, a psychiatrist best known for writing The Isis Papers, was born Frances Luella Cress in Chicago, Illinois, on March 18, 1935. Welsing, who was the child of physician Henry Cress and teacher Ida Mae Griffen, grew up the middle of three daughters. She received her Bachelor’s of Science from Antioch College in Ohio in 1957 and her medical degree (M.D.) from Washington, D.C.’s Howard University in 1962.

After earning her M.D., Welsing stayed in Washington, D.C., pursuing a career in child and general psychiatry. Welsing spent nearly twenty-five years working as a staff physician for D.C.’s Department of Human Services, and also as the clinical director of two schools catering to children with emotional troubles. Welsing opened her own private practice in D.C. in 1967. Through her published works and her research, Welsing sought to help bring about a solution to the mental health problems of the black community by understanding racism.

Welsing published her first major work, “The Cress Theory of Color-Confrontation” as an essay in 1974 while assistant professor at Howard University. In the controversial essay, Welsing argued that the drive for white supremacy and superiority stems from a pervasive feeling of inadequacy and inferiority. Welsing claimed that “whiteness” was, in fact, a deficiency, evidenced by the inability of whites and other races to produce melanin which generates skin color. In short, white people in America could not cohabit peacefully with their black peers, according to Welsing, because of a deep-seated jealousy of people with melanin and their embrace of racial supremacy to accommodate these feelings. The essay was controversial and, according to Welsing, prevented her from not only gaining tenure at Howard but in fact losing her teaching post.

In 1991 Welsing published her most famous work, a collection of essays titled The Isis Papers: The Keys to the Colors, which discussed in depth the issues of white supremacy and racism in the United States. In The Isis Papers, Welsing delved deeper into her theories of melanin deficiency among whites as the driver of racism, white supremacy, and white segregation. In the process of psychoanalyzing white racism, Welsing also discussed the importance of recognizing racial behaviors and symbols among blacks that were psychologically damaging and which needed to be countered and destroyed. She listed among those behaviors, homosexuality, which she claimed was a strategy for destroying black people.

Aside from her published racial and social theories, Welsing was an advocate for a strong African American family unit. She advised black men and women to delay having children until their thirties and instead take the time to thoroughly educate themselves so as to rear the next generation of high-functioning and disciplined black Americans who could challenge white supremacy.

Frances Cress Welsing died in Washington, D.C., on January 2, 2016, after being hospitalized for a stroke. She was eighty years old.

Do you find this information helpful? A small donation would help us keep this available to all. Forego a bottle of soda and donate its cost to us for the information you just learned, and feel good about helping to make it available to everyone.

#Frances Cress Welsing (1935–2016)#Frances Cress Welsing #Black Psychiatrist #Black Thought #The Isis Papers #Cress Theory of Color Confrontation

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dontmeantobepoliticalbut · 9 months

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Illinois Governor JB Pritzker has signed a bill that is aimed at fighting homelessness.

Called “Home IL,” it will bring state agencies, nonprofit organizations and other advocates together. The bill focuses on an equity-based approach, which includes the voices and contributions of those who have experience homelessness.

It codifies the collaboration to move Illinois to “functional zero” homelessness by bolstering the safety net, targeting high-risk populations, expanding affordable housing, securing financial stability for unhoused individuals and closing the mortality gap.

“Every person deserves access to safe shelter and the dignity that comes with housing,” Pritzker said. “This is a first-of-its-kind multi-agency cooperative effort — bringing together state agencies, nonprofit organizations, advocates, and people with lived experience to prevent and end homelessness. I’m grateful for their dedication and believe that together, we can prevent and end homelessness once and for all.”

Rockford has already taken strides in this aspect. In 2017, it became the first community to reach “functional zero” levels among veterans and the chronically homeless.

Illinois’ Interagency Task Force and Community Advisory Council works across 17 state departments and agencies, as well as over 100 processes, programs and policies, to develop a comprehensive plan to combat homelessness.

The goal of the plan is to prevent shelter entry or ensure that shelter stays are limited and lead to quick transitions into stable living situations.

Pritzker has also committed about $360 million for the initiative in his FY24 budget. These investments include:

• $118 million to support unhoused populations seeking shelter and services, including $40.7 million in the Emergency and Transitional Housing Program.

• $50 million in Rapid ReHousing services for 2,000 households, including short-term rental assistance and targeted support for up to two years.

• $40 million in Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) Capital funds to develop 90+ new PSH units providing long term rental assistance and case management.

• $37 million in Emergency Shelter capital funds to create more than 460 non-congregate shelter units.

• $35 million for supportive housing services, homeless youth services, street outreach, medical respite, re-entry services, access to counsel, and other shelter diversion supports.

• $21.8 million to provide homelessness prevention services to approximately 6,000 more families.

• $30 million for court-based rental assistance.

• $15 million to fund Home Illinois Innovations Pilots.

• $12.5 million to create 500 new scattered site PSH units.

“People experiencing the trauma of housing instability are our neighbors and community members who deserve to be treated with humanity and dignity. With this cooperative effort, Illinois is ensuring our state agencies can continue to collaborate, and that stakeholders are at the table with us, to support our most vulnerable in living healthy, well, and with dignity.” Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton said. “Our state is making it clear that we will continue to work together so we can all move forward, and we will focus on holistic strategies that bring us closer to ending homelessness in our state.”

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petespestpatrol · 6 months

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Effective Mosquito Removal in Athens, GA

Mosquitoes can be a major annoyance and a health concern in Athens, GA, but Pete's Pest Patrol offers effective mosquito removal services to help residents combat these pesky insects. With their expertise and comprehensive approach, Pete's Pest Patrol ensures a mosquito-free environment for homes and businesses.

Pete's Pest Patrol understands the importance of mosquito control for comfort and preventing mosquito-borne illnesses such as West Nile virus, Zika virus, and dengue fever. Their team utilizes a combination of strategies to remove mosquitoes and prevent their return effectively.

One of the key methods employed by Pete's Pest Patrol is targeted mosquito treatment. This involves identifying and treating breeding areas with safe and effective solutions, such as larvicides or adulticides. By targeting mosquito larvae and adults at different life cycle stages, they disrupt the population and reduce the overall mosquito numbers.

In addition to targeted treatments, Pete's Pest Patrol also focuses on eliminating mosquito breeding grounds. They identify and address areas with stagnant water, which are ideal breeding sites for mosquitoes. Removing or treating these sources, such as standing water in gutters, flower pots, or birdbaths, helps prevent future mosquito infestations.

Furthermore, Pete's Pest Patrol offers property owners advice and recommendations on minimizing mosquito attractants. This may include tips on proper outdoor lighting, landscaping modifications, or installing mosquito-repelling devices. These preventive measures help create an inhospitable environment for mosquitoes and reduce the chances of future infestations.

Because of their dedication to providing satisfactory service to customers and extensive mosquito removal services, Pete's Pest Patrol is a trusted choice for effective mosquito control in Athens, GA. Whether a residential yard or a commercial property, their team ensures a mosquito-free environment, allowing residents and visitors to enjoy outdoor spaces without the nuisance and health risks associated with mosquitoes.

The Dangers of Mosquitoes and Why Prompt Removal is Crucial

Mosquitoes pose significant dangers to human health due to their ability to transmit diseases. Mosquito-borne diseases can range from mild illnesses to severe and even deadly conditions. It is crucial to remove mosquitoes to minimize the risks they pose promptly.

Infectious diseases such as West Nile can be spread by mosquitoes, Zika, dengue, chikungunya, yellow fever, as well as malaria. These disorders can have extremely detrimental effects on one's health, and, in some cases, result in death. The Illinois Department of Public Health emphasizes that there is a risk of contracting encephalitis, meningitis, and other disorders if mosquito bites are infected with certain viruses.

According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), individuals working in areas where mosquitoes are present are at risk of mosquito-borne diseases. Severe cases of these diseases can be fatal, highlighting the importance of protection and prevention.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) stresses that mosquito bites can make people sick, and disease epidemics from mosquitoes are occurring more frequently. It is essential to recognize that everyone is at risk of mosquito-borne diseases.

Prompt removal of mosquitoes helps reduce the potential for disease transmission. Taking measures to eliminate breeding grounds and implementing mosquito control strategies can significantly reduce the mosquito population and minimize the associated risks.

The dangers of mosquitoes lie in their capacity to spread infections, some of which are potentially fatal, severe and deadly. Prompt removal of mosquitoes and preventive measures are crucial to protect public health and prevent the spread of mosquito-borne illnesses.

The Importance of Regular Maintenance and Monitoring After Mosquito Treatment

Regular maintenance and monitoring after mosquito treatment ensures long-term effectiveness and prevents future infestations. Pete's Pest Patrol recognizes the value of ongoing care and provides comprehensive services to support its clients.

Mosquito populations can rebound if not properly monitored and controlled. Regular maintenance visits allow pest control professionals to assess the effectiveness of the treatment, identify any areas of concern, and address them promptly. This proactive approach helps maintain a mosquito-free environment.

Furthermore, monitoring after mosquito treatment enables early detection of any signs of mosquito activity. By closely observing the property, Pete's Pest Patrol can identify potential breeding grounds or areas where mosquitoes might be reintroduced. Timely intervention can then be implemented to prevent a resurgence.

Pete's Pest Patrol may also offer recommendations for property owners to minimize mosquito attractants and take preventive measures. This can include guidance on landscaping modifications, eliminating standing water sources or using mosquito-repelling devices.

Regular maintenance and monitoring following mosquito treatment are crucial for sustained effectiveness. Pete's Pest Patrol understands the significance of ongoing care and provides these services to ensure long-term mosquito control and a mosquito-free environment for their clients.

Mosquito-Friendly Landscaping: Creating a Repellent Environment

Creating mosquito-friendly landscaping is a proactive approach to reduce mosquito presence and enjoy a more comfortable outdoor space. Here are some tips for creating a mosquito-repellent environment:

Remove Standing Water: Mosquitoes breed in stagnant water. Eliminate sources of standing water, such as clogged gutters, flower pot saucers, and birdbaths.

Install Mosquito-Repellent Plants: Certain plants like citronella, lavender, marigolds, and rosemary naturally repel mosquitoes. Plant them in your garden or pots around your outdoor areas.

Use Outdoor Fans: Mosquitoes are weak fliers. Strategically placed outdoor fans can disrupt their flight patterns and make it difficult for them to reach you.

Keep Grass Trimmed: Regularly mow your lawn and trim vegetation to reduce resting places for mosquitoes.

Use Outdoor Lighting Wisely: Mosquitoes are attracted to light. Use yellow or LED lights, which are less attractive to them.

Install Screens: Use screens on doors and windows to keep mosquitoes out of your home.

Remove Debris: Clear leaf litter, fallen branches, and other debris where mosquitoes can hide during the day.

Consider Mosquito Nets or Tents: If you have a dedicated outdoor space, consider using mosquito nets or tents for protection.

Use Mosquito-Repellent Products: Apply mosquito repellent on exposed skin and clothing when spending time outdoors.

Professional Pest Control: Consider professional mosquito control services for more extensive, long-term solutions.

By implementing these mosquito-friendly landscaping techniques, you can create an outdoor environment that is less attractive to mosquitoes, providing you and your family with a more enjoyable and mosquito-free outdoor experience.

Enjoy a Mosquito-Free Environment in Athens with Effective Removal Strategies

Experience a mosquito-free environment in Athens, GA, with the effective removal strategies offered by Pete's Pest Patrol. Mosquitoes can be a nuisance and carry diseases, making their control essential for your comfort and well-being. Our expert team employs targeted and environmentally responsible methods to eliminate mosquitoes from your property. From larvicides to adult mosquito treatments, we have the expertise and tools to create a pest-free outdoor space for you to enjoy. Don't let mosquitoes ruin your outdoor activities. Choose Pete's Pest Patrol for reliable mosquito control solutions that ensure Athens's peaceful and bite-free environment.

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ovpwebnetwork · 6 months

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

October 17, 2023

Media Contact:

Danny Wimmer

Michigan Joins Settlements to Resolve Data Security Errors with ACI Worldwide and Inmediata

LANSING – Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced two settlements today involving financial and healthcare technology companies ACI Worldwide and Inmediata. ACI Worldwide is a large-scale payment processing company, Inmediata a healthcare clearinghouse that facilitates financial and clinical transactions between healthcare providers and insurers.

“We must rely on organizations such as these to secure our financial and personal data to a reasonable and robust standard,” said Nessel. “I am happy to join my colleagues in protecting consumers and holding corporations accountable when they violate that trust.”

ACI Worldwide Settlement

Michigan joined a coalition of 48 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico in announcing a $10 million settlement with payment processor ACI Worldwide over a 2021 testing error that led to the attempted unauthorized withdrawal of $2.3 billion from the accounts of mortgage holders. Michigan will receive $246,258.97 from the settlement. A private class action settlement is providing restitution to persons affected by the testing error. Affected Michigan residents who may wish to submit claim forms must do so by November 13th, and more information on the class action settlement is available here.

ACI Worldwide is a payment processor for Nationstar Mortgage, known publicly as Mr. Cooper. On April 23, 2021, ACI was testing its Speedpay platform. Due to significant defects in ACI’s privacy and data security procedures and its technical infrastructure related to the Speedpay platform, live Mr. Cooper consumer data was entered into the system. This resulted in ACI erroneously attempting to withdraw mortgage payments from hundreds of thousands of Mr. Cooper customers on a day that was not authorized or expected. The error impacted 477,000 customers, some of whom were forced to incur overdraft or insufficient funds fees.

State regulators, including Michigan’s Department of Insurance and Financial Services, have entered into a separate agreement with ACI for an additional $10 million. The regulators’ settlement also orders ACI to take steps to avoid any future incidents, including requiring the company to use artificially created data rather than real consumer data when testing systems or software and to segregate testing or development work from its consumer payment systems.

Along with Michigan, the settlement was joined by the attorneys general of Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico.

Inmediata Settlement

AG Nessel also announced that Michigan, along with 32 other state attorneys general, has reached a settlement with Inmediata, a healthcare clearinghouse that facilitates transactions between healthcare providers and insurers across the U.S. The settlement is in response to a coding issue that exposed patient information of approximately 1.5 million consumers for almost three years.

On January 15, 2019, the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Office of Civil Rights alerted Inmediata that personal information maintained by Inmediata was available online and had been indexed by search engines, potentially allowing sensitive patient information to be viewed and downloaded by anyone with an internet connection.

Although Inmediata was alerted to the breach on January 15, 2019, the company delayed notification to impacted consumers for over three months and then sent misaddressed and unclear notices.

The settlement resolves allegations of the attorneys general that Inmediata violated state consumer protection laws, breach notification laws, and HIPAA by failing to implement reasonable data security.

Under the settlement, Inmediata has agreed to make a $1.4 million payment to the states. Michigan will receive $217,049 from the settlement. Inmediata has also agreed to overhaul its data security and breach notification practices going forward, including:

implementation of a comprehensive information security program with specific security requirements, including code review and crawling controls;

development of an incident response plan with specific policies and procedures regarding consumer notification letters; and

annual third-party security assessments for five years.

Indiana led the multistate Inmediata investigation, assisted by the Executive Committee consisting of Connecticut, Michigan, and Tennessee, and joined by Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Georgia, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Utah, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.

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iraempirecom · 6 months

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Nashville Coin Gallery Reviews

What is Nashville Coin Gallery?Nashville Coin Gallery Locations, Timings, Email, Phone, Services

Nashville Coin Gallery, founded in 2002 by Pete Dodgea, is a nationally known and highly respected dealer in rare coins, paper money, and precious metals bullion products, with annual revenue in the millions of dollars.

Nashville Coin Gallery, according to the company, lives on word-of-mouth referrals and online reviews from its many satisfied clients, many of whom are repeat customers. This reciprocity of loyalty is met with the highest respect and gratitude from the gallery's end. Nashville Coin Gallery's foundation has been founded in the pursuit of a unique blend of top-tier customer service and outstanding pricing, setting a standard unmatched in the coin and precious metals industry. The Brentwood location has evolved into an exclusive appointment-only engagement in which the gallery works directly with customers to provide a more personalised experience. The gallery's strategic position, around 10 miles from downtown Nashville and 8 miles from Franklin, demonstrates the gallery's commitment to accessibility. - Address: 500 Wilson Pike Circle, Ste. 227, Brentwood, TN 37027 - Phone: (615) 764-0331 - Email: [email protected] - Website: https://nashvillecoingallery.com/

People Behind Nashville Coin Gallery: CEO, Owner, Co-Founders & MoreWho owns Nashville Coin Gallery? What is the management team behind Nashville Coin Gallery?

The company's website mentions the following team members: Pete Dodge: Founder

Pete is the owner and founder of Nashville Coin Gallery. He is a lifelong coin collector from Brockton, Massachusetts, who was first exposed to the hobby as a child while in the Cub Scouts. After working as a computer programmer/analyst for many years, including in the United States Air Force from 1980 to 1984, Pete decided to make his lifelong hobby a full-time business and founded Nashville Coin Gallery in 2002. Pete is our Head Numismatist, and he is the primary buyer and seller of coins, paper money, and precious metals bullion products at Nashville Coin Gallery. Pete enjoys travelling, creating music, and playing guitar and piano in his spare time. Jonah Nestadt: Coin & Bullion Buyer

Jonah was born in Sydney, Australia, where he got a bachelor's degree in International Business from Macquarie University. He then worked at a coin store in New Jersey for four years before joining Nashville Coin Gallery as a coin and bullion buyer in February 2022. Jonah enjoys hiking, mountain biking, and listening to live music in his spare time, and he has backpacked in several countries across the world. Jackson Taylor: Accounting / Finance / Marketing

Jackson is another Nashville Coin Gallery employee who has been with the company since February 2016. He attended Mississippi State University and majored in economics and accounting. His responsibilities at Nashville Coin Gallery mostly include marketing, bookkeeping, online SEO, and data analytics. He's also been known to help out the Shipping Department when they're in need. Jackson enjoys golf, basketball, and powerlifting. Brian Roan: Shipping & Receiving Specialist

Brian was born in Illinois but grew up in the Dallas area, graduating from high school in Richardson, Texas, just outside of Dallas. He moved to Tennessee in 1990 after spending time in Virginia and Oklahoma and started working at Nashville Coin Gallery in May 2022. Brian is an avid amateur photographer who enjoys photographing birds, flowers, and other animals when he is not performing shipping and receiving chores for Nashville Coin Gallery. He also enjoys travelling with his wife. Sylvia McMillan: Accounting / Payroll / Human Resources

Sylvia moved to the Nashville, Tennessee area in 2020 and was still working part-time from home for a company in Washington doing real estate work when she became interested in investing in precious metals, so she came to Nashville Coin Gallery numerous times to buy gold and silver. She showed interest in joining their team after becoming fascinated by the firm itself, like the way the company conduct business. Sylvia joined the Nashville Coin Gallery team in November 2022 and working in the Accounting & HR department, where she is responsible for accounting functions, payroll, and human resources. Sam Mizell: Photography & Videography

Sam joined the Nashville Coin Gallery team in November of 2020 as a Shipping and Receiving Specialist. He manages all things related to shipping and receiving for a year and a half, from assembling boxes to packing and securing the contents, from ensuring every box is adequately insured to generating shipping labels, from ordering shipping supplies to videotaping all shipping and receiving activities. During his time, Sam also became highly skilled at coin photography and website video production. However, he quit the organization in early May 2022 after taking another full-time position in the music industry.

Nashville Coin Gallery Products: Bullion Coins, Bars, And Rare CoinsAll products offered by Nashville Coin Gallery

Nashville Coin Gallery offers a diverse range of numismatic products and precious metals. Here's a list of the product categories they provide: Gold:

- Gold Coins (Various denominations and historical periods) - Gold Bullion Bars (Assorted weights and refineries) - Gold American Eagles - Gold Canadian Maple Leafs - Gold Krugerrands - Gold Austrian Philharmonics - Gold Chinese Pandas - Gold Australian Kangaroos Silver:

- Silver Coins (Different designs, eras, and countries) - Silver Bullion Bars (Various sizes and manufacturers) - Silver American Eagles - Silver Canadian Maple Leafs - Silver Britannias - Silver Austrian Philharmonics - Silver Chinese Pandas - Silver Australian Koalas Platinum: - Platinum Coins (Assorted designs and origins) - Platinum Bullion Bars (Various weights and brands) - Platinum American Eagles - Platinum Canadian Maple Leafs Palladium: - Palladium Coins - Palladium Bullion Bars Rare Coins: - Collectible U.S. Coins (Historical coins, key dates, and unique varieties) - World Coins (Coins from various countries and time periods) - Certified Coins (Graded and authenticated by professional grading services) Paper Money: - U.S. Paper Currency (Banknotes of different denominations and historical significance) - World Paper Currency (Currency notes from around the globe) Other Precious Metals: - Other Bullion (Such as bars and coins in various metals) - Coin Supplies (Albums, holders, and accessories for coin storage and display) Special Collections and Sets: - Commemorative Coin Sets - Limited Edition Releases It's important to note that the availability of specific products may vary over time, and it's recommended to visit their official website or contact them directly for the most up-to-date information on their product offerings.

Can You Invest in Nashville Coin Gallery IRA?Do They Offer A Precious Metals IRA?

To invest in a precious metals IRA through Nashville Coin Gallery are the general steps: Open a Self-Directed IRA Select an IRA company that handles opening precious metals IRA accounts and fill out an application. You can work with Nashville Coin Gallery to recommend an IRA company and provide the necessary paperwork. However, I don't recommend doing so. Fund Your IRA Once you have selected an IRA company, you can move your funds into your new IRA account. You can work with the IRA company representative to transfer or rollover funds into the new account. Select a Precious Metals Dealer One of the forms you need to fill out along the way is typically called a Buy Direction Letter. This is where you list the precious metals dealer you have selected, such as Nashville Coin Gallery. Decide Which Precious Metals to Purchase You can choose to invest in gold, silver, platinum, or palladium for your IRA. There are some restrictions regarding fineness requirements and allowable coin types, so it's important to get guidance from Nashville Coin Gallery in this area. Place Your Order Once the funds are available in your IRA account, you can call them to place your order for the desired precious metals. However, I don't recommend opening an IRA with Nashville Coin Gallery. Why? Because there are plenty of better options available for you. Opening a precious metals IRA is a major decision. That's why I suggest checking out our top gold IRA providers list. There, you can find the best precious metals dealer in your state and choose accordingly. Also, the list will help you understand what the industry's best has to offer and what you might miss out on.

Nashville Coin Gallery Fees and Charges: Do they overcharge?What are their fees? Do they have hidden fees?

It's important for people to know about fees and charges when they're thinking about investing in things like coins and precious metals. However, Nashville Coin Gallery's website doesn't give clear information about these fees, and that might make potential customers and investors feel disappointed.

When you're thinking about investing your money, it's really helpful to have all the details about how much things will cost. Not having this information on the website can make people uncertain about whether to invest or not. It's like not knowing all the costs before you buy something – you might end up surprised by extra expenses you didn't expect. Even though Nashville Coin Gallery has a good reputation and happy customers, not knowing the fees upfront can create doubts for those who want to understand everything before making a decision. This could also lead to worries about hidden fees that nobody likes. Transparency is Important

Nashville Coin Gallery Reviews and Complaints: BBB, Yelp, GoogleRead all the Nashville Coin Gallery reviews & complaints

Better Business Bureau (BBB) Based on two customer reviews, Nashville Coin Gallery has an A+ rating and a 3/5 rating on the Better Business Bureau website. The company has been in business for 20 years and has been accredited since 2007. One of their customers posted a negative review saying they should be arrested for robbing people, while another customer praised the company.

Nashville Coin Gallery has received #6 complaints on Google The company has received several unresolved complaints from customers. There are also several unresolved negative reviews on different platforms. Our #1 rated gold IRA company has ZERO unanswered complaints on BBB. Yelp Nashville Coin Gallery has a 4.8/5 star rating on the Yelp platform, based on 10 customer reviews. Customers have mostly posted positive reviews, appreciating the company for providing excellent customer service and being open and honest with them.

Google Reviews On Google, the company has received many reviews from customers, both positive and negative; however, the majority of customers have left positive reviews saying that the owner, Pete Dodge, responds professionally and is transparent and helpful to them. It is important to remember, however, that customers have also posted negative reviews.

Overall, the company has an insufficient online presence, and there are no client ratings and reviews on Trustpilot, which could be cause for concern for potential customers. Having a solid internet presence is essential for client trust and Nashville Coin Gallery's online visibility is not so good. Positive Reviews #1. Linda, a customer, described her great experience with the company, stating that the owner Pete was a wonderful guy to work with. It was her first time, and Pete helped set her at ease by explaining value, and condition, and answering all of her questions. Linda further stated that the company gave her more than she expected in return for her collection. Lastly, she said she would recommend this company to anyone looking to sell or purchase coins.

#2. Another customer, Ammon S., also shared his experience, adding that the drive to the company was worthy. Pete was kind and quick in handling the coins he sold. Lastly, he added, he got better deals than he could have received anywhere else.

#3. Mary stated that she liked her overall experience with the company and its owner, Pete. Pete was really polite and accommodating on the phone, she stated, and in person, he was happy to share his expertise on the coins he had. At last, she added, surely would recommend this company.

Negative Reviews #1. A customer, Charles advised that you should not sell your silver and gold here since you will get a higher price elsewhere. He described it as the biggest rip-off he has encountered in years. Lastly, he recommended avoiding doing business with this company.

#2. Another customer, Herman, stated that his experience was terrible and that the staff was rude and short-tempered. He also stated that it is not a coin company, but rather a little office with a table.

#3. Gerald, a customer, explained his terrible experience with the company, starting with its owner Pete, who appeared to be in a hurry to run errands rather than carefully evaluating customer's coins. He also added that he is sure Pete cheated him on his coin. Pete told the customer that his foreign coins were worthless and he did not even look at them. When the customer returned home, he looked up the coins and discovered that it was a $10 Spanish coin. At last, he advised everyone not to do business with this company.

Is Nashville Coin Gallery Legit? Should You Invest With Them?Is Nashville Coin Gallery a scam or legit? Are they worth it?

No, I don't recommend investing with them. Pros: - A+ rating on BBB Cons: - Risk of hidden fees and charges - Lack of transparency - Limited online presence - No Trustpilot rating I believe you have numerous better options available for you. Nashville Coin Gallery has been in the precious metals business for 20 years. On the Better Business Bureau, they have an A+ rating with 3 stars. However, little information on fees and charges has been revealed by the company, and there are few customer reviews. Before you make any final decision, I recommend checking out our top gold IRA providers. There, you will find out what the industry's best has to offer. Also, it will ensure you make an informed decision. Or, you can check out the best gold dealer in your state below: Each state has its regulations and rules, so we've sorted and found the best Gold IRA company for each state. Find the best Gold IRA company in your state Read the full article

#NashvilleCoinGallery

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dancing-coyote · 9 months

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Starting to think that Illinois Department of Human Services is deliberately trying to force SNAP recipients, particularly disabled or disadvantaged individuals, off of their benefits.

The ABE website doesn't work, it's IMPOSSIBLE to speak to a caseworker, the other employees are nice but clueless, they can apparently hold off on redeterminations until after they're due, leaving recipients without access to food or Medicare...

Do I need to write to the goddamn Governor about this?

(Plus as of this year they've made things overly-complicated and EXTREMELY hostile to neurodivergent and cognitively disabled people)

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nbmsports · 10 months

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FDA says aspartame is safe, disagrees with WHO on possible cancer link

Cans of PepsiCo's Pepsi Zero Sugar soda are displayed for an arranged photograph taken in Tiskilwa, Illinois, on Wednesday, April 17, 2019.Daniel Acker | Bloomberg | Getty ImagesThe U.S. Food and Drug Administration disagrees with a World Health Organization finding that the widely used soda sweetener aspartame possibly causes cancer in humans, saying the studies used to reach that conclusion had "significant shortcomings.""Aspartame is one of the most studied food additives in the human food supply. FDA scientists do not have safety concerns when aspartame is used under the approved conditions," an agency spokesperson said late Thursday shortly after the WHO released its findings.The International Agency for Research on Cancer, a WHO body, found a possible link between aspartame and a type of liver cancer called hepatocellular carcinoma after reviewing three large human studies in the U.S. and Europe.Aspartame is used as a substitute for sugar in about 6,000 products worldwide, according to the Calorie Control Council, a trade group that represents the manufacturers of artificial sweeteners.Artificially sweetened beverages have historically been the biggest source of exposure to aspartame. The sugar substitute is used in diet sodas such as Diet Coke and Pepsi Zero Sugar.Aspartame is widely used because it is 200 times sweeter than sugar, which means beverages containing the substitute taste similar to products with sugar, but have a lower calorie count.Dr. Mary Schubauer-Berigan, a senior official at IARC, emphasized that the WHO classification of aspartame as a possible carcinogen is based on limited evidence.

CNBC Health & Science

Read CNBC's latest health coverage:Schubauer-Berigan acknowledged during a press conference with journalists Wednesday that the studies could contain flaws that skewed the results. She said the classification should be viewed as a call to conduct more research into whether aspartame can cause cancer in humans."This shouldn't really be taken as a direct statement that indicates that there is a known cancer hazard from consuming aspartame," Schubauer-Berigan said.The FDA spokesperson said the classification of aspartame as "possibly carcinogenic to humans" does not mean the sugar substitute is actually linked to cancer. Health Canada and the European Food Safety Authority have also concluded that aspartame is safe at the current permitted levels, the spokesperson said.A separate body of international scientists called the Joint Expert Committee on Food Additives said Thursday that the evidence of an association between aspartame and cancer in humans is not convincing. JECFA is an international group made up of scientists from the WHO and the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization.JECFA makes recommendations about how much of a product people can safely consume. The organization maintained its recommendation that it is safe for a person to consume 40 milligrams of aspartame per kilogram of body weight daily during their lifetime.An adult who weighs 70 kilograms, or 154 pounds, would have to drink more than nine to 14 cans of aspartame-containing soda daily to exceed the limit and potentially face health risks.The U.S. Health and Human Services Department told the WHO in an August 2022 letter that JECFA is better suited to provide public health recommendations about the safety of aspartame in food.This is because JECFA reviews all available data, both public and private proprietary information, whereas the IARC only looks at public data."Thus, an IARC review of aspartame, by comparison, would be incomplete and its conclusion could be confusing to consumers," Mara Burr, who heads the HHS office of multilateral relations, wrote in the letter.The FDA has a slightly higher recommendation than JECFA and says it is safe for a person to consume 50 milligrams of aspartame per kilogram of body weight daily during their lifetime. A person who weighs 132 pounds would have to consume 75 packets of aspartame per day to reach this limit. Source link Read the full article

#BiotechandPharmaceuticals #Biotechnology #BreakingNews:Business #business #businessnews #Healthcareindustry #politics #Science #U.S.Economy #UnitedStates

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