Trending News Today: Republicans Optimistic About Replacing Affordable Care Act

Medical care provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs has been labeled inadequate by many vets who use these services, with many patients waiting months to receive necessary medical care or prescription drugs. Now, free mental health clinics are providing treatment to veterans experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder and other mental health conditions. Stephen A. Cohen, who started Cohen Veterans Network, is investing more than $275 million in 5 clinics, and plans to open 20 additional clinics over the next 5 years to improve care for this population, according to Kaiser Health News.

A new initiative created by California officials has a stated goal of achieving zero cases of new HIV infections by 2021. According to Kaiser Health News, the “Getting to Zero” initiative plans to eliminate new cases through increased surveillance and access to care, in addition to reducing disparities in treatment. In the short-term, this plan aims to cut new cases in half, with less than 2500 cases per year.

Repealing the Affordable Care Act without any plans to replace it could potentially leave 30 million individuals without health insurance. However, Republicans do not believe repealing the legislation will leave individuals without insurance, since they are currently working on a replacement plan. The plan would likely be very similar to the Affordable Care Act, but would have less federal regulation, and would eliminate the fines individuals face if they do not have health insurance, The New York Times reported.