Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community
Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community
Sorted by date Results 26 - 34 of 34
The Legislature spent four hours this past week debating LB 906, which focuses on employer vaccine mandates. As amended by Health and Human Services Committee amendments, LB 906 would apply to businesses with one or more employees but would only pertain to the COVID-19 vaccine. LB 906 clarifies that if an employer requires employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19, an exemption to the mandate is allowed for a medical reason, accompanied by a signed statement from their health care...
What does it mean to practice humanity in medicine? The phrase is used as a tagline and in book titles. Humanity and compassion in medicine is touted as something to aspire to, a noble accomplishment. But in reality, the biomedical model of health, the business model for healthcare, is not set up to support it. Algorithms and best practices set forth by insurance companies and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid do not account for the time required to establish meaningful human interaction...
et's talk needs versus wants, particularly as it relates to two packages under consideration in Congress – the $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure package and a $1.75 trillion budget reconciliation bill. Infrastructure is a need. A big social spending and climate bill is a president's want. Our communities, state and nation are still recovering from economic and personal hits we took during the pandemic and, in Nebraska, historic floods just prior. Now, we face record deficit spending, s...
A drive-through flu shot clinic will be held Monday, Oct. 4, from 2 to 5:30 p.m. at the Summerland School parking lot. It will be open to staff, students and community members. North Central District Health Department is partnering with the school to offer flu, Tdap, pneumonia, shingles and COVID vaccines. A high-dose vaccine will be available for individuals over 65. NCDHD accepts most insurance, Medicare and NE Medicaid. They are an approved provider for Vaccines for Children and Adult...
Third District representative Adrian Smith met with area residents, Aug. 18, at the Neligh Public Library. He told constituents it is "refreshing to meet with folks faceto- face, rather than by Zoom." Smith spoke on a variety of topics, primarily driven by questions from audience members. Taxes As a member of the tax writing committee, Smith said he is concerned about current tax proposals under consideration. "It's a huge money grab." He said the capital gains taxes threaten multi-generation...
For end-of-the-year columns, it’s customary to recap events of the past 12 months, usually highlighting a mix of good and bad. Because this year has been dominated by health, and my beat is health, it seems fitting to reflect on where we are. Where we are is not good. A headline in the Los Angeles Times seemed to sum up the current state of the U.S. health care system: “Bodies pile up, patient care falters as COVID-19 devastates L.A. County hospitals.” In the Times’ story, a hospital critical care nurse says, “No one would believe this is the U...
North Central District Health Department will offer a drive-through flu vaccine clinic, Thursday, Oct. 15, in Orchard. The clinic will be held between 2 and 6 p.m., at the Rex Theater. Enter the alley from the east to line up. Individuals taking part are asked to remain in their vehicle and follow the signs. Individuals six months old and older may participate in the clinic. A high-dose vaccine will be available for individuals more than 65 years old. A screening form must be filled out and can be found online at ncdhd.ne.gov. Health...
Prepared. Diane Carlin, chief executive officer of Antelope Memorial Hospital, used the word to describe staff members' efforts to be prepared if the health care facility in Neligh is faced with an influx of COVID-19 patients. "We've done a lot of good work here at the hospital to be prepared. That's been a best part of this - the coming together of staff," Carlin said during a telephone interview Monday afternoon. She said the hospital has had several trial runs with testing patients and have...
For more than a year, I’ve been navigating the health care system for Dad. It’s been an eye-opening experience. I’m not sure you’re ever prepared to take over your parents’ finances and deal with insurance, Medicare and hospice requirements. I know I wasn’t. My saving grace: a family of medical professionals who are willing to help me understand the system and endless forms I’m filing. Our family agrees he receives excellent care at the facility in Battle Creek. We’re encouraged by his willingne...
