Trending News Today: Congress to Pursue Bipartisan Healthcare Reform

Today, Congress returns from recess and faces a tough month ahead due to healthcare reform, according to The Hill. The Senate’s Health Committee will be holding 2 hearings on a bipartisan healthcare bill this week and 2 more the following week. Governors and state insurance officials will give testimony regarding the bipartisan effort, which is expected to fund subsidies and make changes to the 1332 waivers for states, according to the article.

Results from a new study suggest that 50% of patients with cancer who are of reproductive age do not receive information about how treatment may affect their fertility, according to The Washington Post. The authors found that the discussion about fertility issues depended on the patient’s age and gender and the provider’s specialty, attitude, and knowledge. Approximately 74% of clinicians, 68% of clinical nurse specialists, and 40% of surgeons discussed fertility issues with their patients, according to The Post. Additionally, less than half of clinicians referred patients to a reproductive specialist.

San Diego County, CA, declared a health emergency due to an outbreak of hepatitis A virus, which killed 15 people and hospitalized hundreds, according to the Los Angeles Times. A private company has begun implementing portable handwashing stations where homeless Californians gather. The county plans to pressure clean the streets with water and bleach to remove feces, blood, bodily fluids, and other contaminants to further prevent hepatitis infections, according to the study.