Latest news with #healthcarefunding
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Louisiana Congressman Cleo Fields speaks on ‘The Big Beautiful Bill'
BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) — Congressman Cleo Fields sharply criticized a newly passed federal bill, calling it damaging to Louisiana residents and favoring the wealthy at the expense of the poor. 'I really do not see how it is beautiful for Louisiana because of the impact it is going to have on the people of Louisiana,' Fields said. He pointed to a $4.4 billion tax break for the wealthy included in the legislation, which also slashes more than $1 trillion in healthcare funding, potentially leaving millions without insurance. Fields said roughly 260,000 Louisiana residents could lose coverage, including 36,000 in his own district. The congressman also condemned a $1.1 billion proposed cut to public broadcasting, saying it would harm rural parishes in his district, where many residents rely on public media during hurricanes and other natural disasters. In response to the bill, Fields outlined three new proposals: a teacher loan forgiveness program for educators who serve eight years in Louisiana public schools, universal early childhood education starting at age two, and a measure to allow SNAP recipients to use benefits for grocery delivery in food deserts. 'It's not as controversial as it may sound, because I think we all want people to have healthy foods,' Fields said. Meanwhile, U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy defended the legislation, saying it would benefit workers, students, patients, and seniors across the state. 'We help those on Medicaid by strengthening the program and ensuring that those on it receive the care they need,' Cassidy said. 'For most seniors, we cut taxes and protected Social Security. We also included a $50 billion rural hospital fund to preserve access to care in rural areas.' Cassidy added that he, President Trump, and fellow Republicans are united in 'putting Americans first' through the bill. 'We're working together to secure these wins for people in Louisiana—and there's more to come,' he said. Latest News Gunman kills four, including NYPD officer, in Manhattan skyscraper shooting New Orleans Saints defensive line shines in padded practice Louisiana Congressman Cleo Fields speaks on 'The Big Beautiful Bill' New Orleans Saints safety Julian Blackmon finally teams up with Brandon Staley Zachary Rouses, shopping center prepares for major upgrades Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
23-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Push for new hospital in Dayton rejected by commissioners
A proposal for a new tax levy to fund a public hospital in West Dayton will not appear on the November ballot after a deadlocked vote by the Dayton City Council. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] The proposal, which aimed to establish a one-mill tax levy to generate $2 million annually, was intended to replace the services lost when Premier Health closed the Good Samaritan Hospital. 'There has been no site identified for this project; the funding is woefully insufficient,' Dayton City Commissioner Chris Shaw said. Bishop Richard Cox of the Clergy Community Coalition appealed to the council, saying, 'We appeal to your compassion, we appeal to your graciousness.' TRENDING STORIES: Bryan Kohberger sentenced; families of murder victims make emotional impact statements Health network announces 2023 data breach New Survey: Local village has one of the best main streets in America to take a walk 'We've jumped through all the hoops. Put it on the ballot. Let the voters decide,' Kathleen Gaul of the Clergy Community Coalition said. The Clergy Community Coalition, which has been advocating for the levy, argues that residents of North and West Dayton need hospital care closer to their homes after the closure of Good Samaritan Hospital. Despite the coalition's efforts, including gathering 1,250 valid signatures to qualify the issue for the ballot, the council's 2-2 vote with one abstention prevented the measure from moving forward. Nancy Kiehl of the Clergy Community Coalition expressed frustration with the council's decision. 'We will do this, and we'll do your job because you failed to do your job,' Kiehl said. Commissioners defended their decision, emphasizing the need to protect taxpayers and city budgets. 'You can't just say, we hope it's going to happen or we think it's going to happen,' Commissioner Matt Joseph said. Shaw highlighted the potential financial impact on the city, noting that filling the funding gap could necessitate cuts to essential services like police, fire, and public works. The deadlock in the Dayton City Council has stalled efforts to bring the tax levy proposal to voters. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] Solve the daily Crossword
CTV News
09-07-2025
- Health
- CTV News
Parking fees generate millions of dollars in revenue for Ottawa's largest hospital
Patients, staff and visitors paid millions of dollars to park at the Ottawa Hospital last year, as Ottawa's largest hospital saw a significant increase in parking revenue. The Ottawa Hospital's financial statements show the hospital took in $27.576 million in parking revenue during the 2024-25 fiscal year, up from $25,546 million in 2023-24. An Ottawa Hospital spokesperson says the $2 million in additional parking revenue is due to an increase in parking rates and an added 'off-site parking to support the hospital's growing needs.' 'Parking revenues support key capital projects, much-needed updates and improvements to the parking facilities at all three campuses, as well as buying medical equipment and building new patient care environments,' the hospital spokesperson said in a statement to CTV News Ottawa. 'These areas are not publicly funded for hospitals.' Last October, the Ottawa Hospital increased parking rates for patients, visitors and staff by 3.9 per cent. According to the Ottawa Hospital website, the short-term parking rates are $8.30 for 30 minutes to one hour, and a daily maximum of $15.60. A daily pass is $15.60, and a weekly pass is $52. The Ottawa Hospital has seen parking revenues increase from $19.984 million during the 2018-19 fiscal year to $20,860 million in 2022-23 and to $27.576 million last fiscal year. The Ottawa Hospital's new Civic Campus near Dow's Lake will include a parking garage with approximately 3,000 parking spaces. The Montfort Hospital told CTV News Ottawa parking revenues were $2.144 million for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2025. 'This amount was invested almost entirely in education and research through the Institut du Savoir Montfort, our knowledge institute,' a spokesperson for the Montfort Hospital said in a statement. At the Queensway-Carleton Hospital, parking revenue for the 2023-24 fiscal year was $4,887,871, up from $4,166,525 the year before. 'Proceeds from parking are re-invested in parking operations and care at the hospital. Parking proceeds help to fund things like medical equipment which are not funded by the government,' a spokesperson for the Queensway-Carleton Hospital told CTV News Ottawa. At CHEO, parking revenues are collected by the CHEO Foundation and distributed to CHEO 'as needed to support the most urgent priorities such as equipment, programs, family support or research,' the children's hospital told CTV News Ottawa. According to the CHEO Foundation's 2024 financial statement, the foundation earned $4.402 million from parking operations in 2024, up from $4 million in 2023. The Kingston Health Sciences Centre's fiscal report shows the Kingston, Ont. hospital received $796,000 from parking revenue in 2024-25, up from $650,000 the year before. In May, NDP MPP Jeff Burch introduced a motion in the Ontario Legislature, calling on the Ontario government to eliminate hospital parking fees at hospitals. The motion was defeated.
The Independent
26-06-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Ministers urged to act to protect hospice care for children
Seriously ill children may be denied end-of-life care without further funding for hospices, a charity has warned. Together for Short Lives said hospices are being forced to rely on donations and funds raised from charity shops to prop up services as it called on ministers to increase ring-fenced NHS funding for children's hospices. A new poll of 30 hospices in England found almost nine in 10 (89%) expect their costs to exceed their income this financial year. The charity warned seriously ill children may die without accessing end-of-life care, symptom management and emotional and psychological support as a result. A report from the charity, seen by the PA news agency, states inflation, workforce shortages, and rising demand for care are stretching services to 'breaking point'. The report estimates costs for hospices have risen by 34% since 2021. However, statutory funding for children's hospices is still 'falling short' of what is needed, it adds. 'With reserves set to dwindle and deficits projected to grow, the future of children's hospice care is becoming increasingly unsustainable,' the authors wrote. The report also reveals disparities in funding across England, with neighbouring health authorities spending vastly different amounts on care. Together for Short Lives is urging ministers to increase ring-fenced NHS funding for children's hospices in England from £26 million in 2025/26 to £30 million by 2029/30. It said hospices have said that without this funding they would have to cut back on respite care and short breaks, emotional and psychological support, as well as end-of-life care. Nick Carroll, chief executive of Together for Short Lives, said: 'As ministers try to shift greater levels of healthcare from hospitals into communities, our amazing children's hospices are doing more than ever before to provide crucial support to seriously ill children and their families. 'But as their costs soar, they are having to rely even more on the generosity of the public amid patchy and unsustainable funding from the NHS. 'To expect the complex and often specialist healthcare these families need to be funded by charity shops and donations is wrong – we wouldn't accept this for other parts of our health and care system, so to add more uncertainty to families' lives when many simply don't know how long they have left with their children is unacceptable.' As well as providing end-of-life care, hospices also offer services including emergency support, symptom management and short breaks for respite. One parent described how she 'couldn't live without' the support of her local hospice. Laura McArthur, from Bristol, relies on the Jessie May hospice in the city for support in caring for her seven-year-old son Archie, who has cerebral palsy. But the future of the hospice remains 'unclear' after its charitable expenditure has risen sharply, and uncertainty around funding has forced it to draw on its reserve and rely on voluntary income, Together for Short Lives said. Ms McArthur said: 'Jessie May has known Archie since he was six months old. 'They have been there through it all. 'His needs are so complex, requiring around-the-clock care – at times it can be very difficult. 'Jessie May come and look after Archie so I can have a short break. 'As the years go on, caring for a disabled child is both physically and mentally exhausting. The truth is that I couldn't live without their support.' Mr Carroll added: 'As it finalises its NHS 10-year plan, the UK Government must put in place a long-term, sustainable funding model for children's palliative care in England. 'Immediately, ministers should act to protect and maintain the NHS children's hospice grant and put it on a path to £30 million by 2030. 'Only by doing so can the Government make sure lifeline services are not cut for seriously ill children, which could deny many the choice of accessing end of life care from a children's hospice.' A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: 'The Government recognises the incredible work that children and young people's hospices do across the country. 'We are investing £100 million to improve hospices facilities, and a further £26 million specifically for children's hospices this year, the biggest investment in hospices in a generation. 'We are also working to make sure the palliative and end of life care sector is sustainable in the long-term and are determined to shift more healthcare out of hospitals and into the community through our Plan for Change.'
CBC
23-06-2025
- Health
- CBC
Ontario announces $235M in funds to support primary health-care teams
The Ford government has announced $235 million in new funding to support new and expanded primary care teams that will help connect more Ontarians to primary health care this year. The 130 primary care teams were selected through a call for proposals launched in April, focused on communities with the highest number of residents who do not currently have primary health care. Health Minister Sylvia Jones announced on Monday that the teams will help connect 300,000 people to primary care this year. "Our government is protecting Ontario's health-care system and helping connect everyone in Ontario to a primary care provider for years to come," said Jones. Jones says the new funding is part of the government's Primary Care Action Plan, which aims to connect everyone in Ontario to a publicly funded family doctor or primary care team by 2026. In April, the Ontario Medical Association said that 2.5 million people across Ontario don't have a family doctor and that number will grow to more than 4.4 million people by 2026. WATCH | The impact of losing your family doctor: What happens when 10,000 people lose their family doctor all at once 1 year ago Duration 8:12 The impact of Canada's primary-care crisis is being felt acutely in Sault Ste. Marie Ont., where 10,000 people will be cut off from their family doctor at the end of May. CBC's Nick Purdon breaks down the Group Health Centre's de-rostering and what it means for patients. The chair of Ontario's Primary Care Action team says the teams will begin to accept patients in the upcoming weeks and months. "We know that many have waited a long time for this," said Dr. Jane Philpott at Monday's announcement. "These teams will be the front door to care, offering timely, comprehensive support led by a family doctor or a nurse practitioner," she said. In a release, the province says eligible teams not selected for funding in this round will be encouraged to refine and resubmit their proposals for the next call for proposals, which is expected to launch in September. Jones says primary care teams will be provided with $142 million in operational funding over three years to recruit and retain health-care workers. Funding can be used for non-physician team members such as nurse practitioners, registered practical nurses, physician assistants and pharmacists.
