#military and veterans health care program

[odinsblog]

Veterans’ health care


A 1996 law set eligibility requirements for military veterans to receive hospital, medical and nursing home care and authorized spending for those services and patient enrollment. That law has not been renewed, but Congress regularly allocates additional Department of Veterans Affairs funding and allows benefits to increase automatically based on inflation. VA provides medical care to more than 9.1 million enrolled veterans, according to the agency.
​

Drug development and opioid addiction treatment

Most of this spending relates to the bipartisan 21st Century Cures Act of 2016. That law provided money to the National Institutes of Health and Food and Drug Administration to modernize pharmaceutical research and medical trials. It funded research for cancer cures and state-level grants for opioid addiction and other substance abuse treatment.


​State Department

In 2003, Congress passed the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, which set policy priorities and created spending authority for the State Department. That law has not been renewed, but Congress every year since has passed annual funding bills for the department, which Trump has announced he’ll nominate Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Florida) to run.


​Housing assistance

President Bill Clinton in 1998 signed the Quality Housing and Work Responsibility Act, which overhauled federal housing assistance policies, including voucher programs and other antipoverty assistance. The Department of Housing and Urban Development and other agencies continue using this law to implement federal housing programs.


​Justice Department

In 1994, Congress passed the landmark Violence Against Women Act and has renewed it multiple times since. In 2006, lawmakers packaged a VAWA renewal with authorizing legislation for the Justice Department. As with the State Department, Congress has not approved new authorizing legislation for the Justice Department since, but it has funded the agency — and even authorized hundreds of millions of dollars more for a new FBI headquarters — every year.


​Education spending

The 2015 Every Student Succeeds Act delegated power to state and local education officials to set primary and secondary education achievement standards. It gives billions of dollars in federal grant money to state and local education officials to fund schools and school districts. Those standards are still used by the Education Department, even though the legislation has not been reauthorized. Trump has suggested he’d like to eliminate the entire department.

NASA

Stripping funding for NASA, which was last reauthorized in 2017, could spell doom for Musk’s commercial spaceflight firm, SpaceX. The company has contracts worth more than $4 billion — including for return trips to the moon and retiring the International Space Station — linked to programs approved in the 2017 law.


​Health-care and student loan programs

What’s known as the Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare, was actually passed in two separate bills in 2010. The Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act represents the second bill, which included some tax revisions and technical changes to the ACA. The law has not been reauthorized since, but the Department of Health and Human Services reported in March that more than 45 million people have health insurance coverage backed by the Affordable Care Act.

The law that made those final tweaks to the ACA also overhauled the Education Department’s student loan program. Where some schools relied on private lenders to issue federally backed loans, with this law, the government itself became the lender. That change has since enabled President Joe Biden to offer student loan debt relief, though many of his most ambitious policies have been blocked by the courts. Student loans are generally funded through mandatory spending — similar to social safety net programs such as Medicare and Social Security — and not subject to annual spending laws.


​International security programs

The 1985 International Security and Development Cooperation Act bundled together authorizations for a number of international security programs, including funding and regulations for arms sales to allies, economic aid for developing countries, airport security, anti-narcotics-trafficking policies, the Peace Corps and more. This Reagan-era law continues to be foundational to congressional funding and federal policy.


​Head Start

Head Start provides preschool education for children from low-income families. In the 2023 fiscal year, more than 800,000 children enrolled in Head Start programs, according to the National Head Start Association. The program also helped place more than 530,000 parents in jobs, school or job-training programs. It was last authorized in 2007.

(continue reading)

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[batboyblog]

What Joe Biden has Done for LGBTQ+ People

I wanted to list out everything The Biden Administration has done for Queer people in the last 3 and a half years, but according to GLAAD it'd been 337 moves (and I noticed they missed a few things...) there was just no way to list every ground breaking first Queer person ever nominated to fill this or that job, every ally with a historic LGBT rights record nominated for a top job, every beautiful statement of support, every time he tried to get Congress to pass the Equality Act (support it!) So I've gone through and done my best to pick the ones I think were the most important, but everyone should check out the full list!

Day 1: Signs executive orders banning discrimination and ordering a full review of all federal agencies policies to better include and support LGBT people

Pete Buttigieg becomes the first openly gay person nominated and confirmed for a cabinet level post as Secretary of Transportation

Revokes Trump’s 2018 ban on transgender military personnel

Department of Housing and Urban Development implements LGBTQ protections in housing, becoming first federal agency to implement Pres. Biden’s executive order

First President to recognize and proclaim Trans Day of Visibility

Department of Justice Civil Rights Division issues an official memo that the Supreme Court's Bostock decision against LGBT workplace discrimination also applies to education through Title IX

HUD withdraws a Trump Administration proposed rule change, and reaffirms trans people's rights to seek shelters matching their gender identity

HHS announces the withdrawal of Trump Administration rules that allowed discrimination by healthcare organizations against LGBT people.

The State Department and later Homeland Security announce babies born to Queer couples overseas will be American citizens if one parent is American, in the past the child only qualified if they were genetically related to the American citizen parent.

The Justice Department files against a West Virginia law banning trans students from school athletics

Department of Veterans Affairs announces it will offer gender confirming surgery for transgender veterans. There are an estimated 134,000 transgender veterans in the U.S. and another 15,000 transgender people serving in the armed forces.

President Biden Signs a law making the Pulse Night Club a national memorial

The State Department creates an X gender marker for passports and other documents, allowing gender affirming identification for non-binary and intersex people for the first time.

The Census Bureau for the first time issues a Survey with questions about sexual orientation and gender identity

On the 10th anniversary of the repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, Veterans Administration announces that soldiers discharged for homosexual conduct, gender identity or HIV status qualify for veterans' benefits

Dr. Rachel Levine becomes the first trans person confirmed by the US Senate when she was nominated to be Assistant Secretary for Health, she also became the first trans flag rank officer when she was sworn in as a 4 star Admiral for her job as head of the Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, his makes her the highest ranked trans person in government

Holds the first ever vigil in the White House for Transgender Day of Remembrance

HHS announces rule change to reinstate and expand protections against discrimination in the Affordable Care Act, including denying coverage for gender-affirming care.

Social Security Administration reverses a Trump Administration policy and allows benefits claims by surviving partners in same-sex relationships, whose partner died before marriage equality was legal

President Biden signs the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act (a bill he helped originally craft in the Senate) which for the first time has grant programs dedicated to expanding and developing initiatives specifically for LGBTQ survivors of domestic violence

The TSA announces new technology and policy shifts to improve the customer experience of transgender travelers who have previously been required to undergo additional screening due to alarms in sensitive areas.

The Social Security Administration allows people to edit their gender and name on records for the first time without legal and medical documentation

The US Air Force announces it'll offer medical and legal aid to any personnel families affected by state level anti-trans youth bills.

Karine Jean-Pierre becomes the first Lesbian to serve as White House Press Secretary

on 50th anniversary of Title IX The Department of Ed strengthens protections for Students against sexual harassment and discrimination

Veterans Affairs announces survivor benefits now extended to partners from relationships before marriage equality was legalized in 2015

President Biden signs the Respect for Marriage Act into law enshrining protections for marriage equality for same-sex and interracial couples

The Department of Ed announces new rules around athletic eligibility under Title IX, declaring blanket bans on trans students violate the law and setting up strike standards for schools

The White House announced a suit of new protections for LGBTQ people, including a new job at the Department of Ed to combat book bans, a joint DoJ Homeland Security effort to combat violence and threats and HHS evidence-based guidance to mental health providers for care of transgender kids

President Biden signs an Executive Order directing HHS to protect LGBTQI+ youth in the foster care system, a rule they later passed requiring Queer foster children to be placed in affirming homes

The Biden administration joins families of transgender youth in Tennessee and Kentucky in petitioning the U.S. Supreme Court to review and reverse a circuit court ruling allowing a ban on mainstream health care to be enforced

President Biden Signs a EO expanding on past EO on equality and helping underserved communities

The Department of Education's Civil Rights office opens an investigation into the death of Nex Benedict. President Biden in his statement said: "Every young person deserves to have the fundamental right and freedom to be who they are, and feel safe and supported at school and in their communities. Nex Benedict, a kid who just wanted to be accepted, should still be here with us today. Nonbinary and transgender people are some of the bravest Americans I know. But nobody should have to be brave just to be themselves. In memory of Nex, we must all recommit to our work to end discrimination and address the suicide crisis impacting too many nonbinary and transgender children.”

[dreaminginthedeepsouth]

Leopards Are Telling You That They Will Eat YOUR Face

By Paul Krugman

Opinion Columnist

Do you know this widely cited meme, introduced in a 2015 tweet?

“I never thought leopards would eat MY face,” sobs woman who voted for the Leopards Eating People’s Faces Party.

It’s hard to explain why this is perfect, but it is. If Donald Trump wins, there will eventually be a lot of sobbing among people who voted for him.

Some of this will involve the frightening reality of authoritarianism; if you think you’ll be unaffected by a second Trump presidency because you aren’t undocumented or Puerto Rican or a Democratic politician, I encourage you to reassess. But I’ll get to that next week. Today I want to talk about more prosaic economic issues.

Many analysts have pointed out that Trump’s proposed tariffs would hurt most Americans, with only high-income individuals gaining enough from his tax cuts to make up the difference. Trump, of course, insists that taxes on imports — which are, essentially, a sales tax — won’t hurt American consumers. But, as The Washington Post reports, corporations are already getting ready to raise prices.

The inflationary impact of tariffs will, however, probably be only the beginning of the pain for millions of Americans if Trump wins. Over the past few days, two people who will very likely have a lot of policy influence if Republicans prevail have let the leopard out of the bag on what else we should expect from a Trump administration.

Perhaps most notably, Elon Musk — who Trump promises to appoint as the head of a government efficiency commission — says he could cut “at least $2 trillion” in federal spending, around 30 percent of the budget, declaring that it would be relatively easy given the amount of government waste, although he recently acknowledged that doing so “necessarily involves some temporary hardship.”

Those remarks alone tell you two things. First, that Musk doesn’t understand federal spending. Second, a new Trump administration would probably inflict a lot of hardship on millions of Americans, and it’s unlikely that it would be temporary.

Does the government waste money? Of course it does; so does every large organization — do you believe that every dollar Tesla disburses is well spent? But anyone asserting that waste accounts for a large fraction of federal spending really has no idea what the government does.

The federal government is best thought of as an insurance company with an army. Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, military spending, plus veterans’ benefits and interest payments on the debt account for about three-quarters of overall spending. Much of the rest involves essential functions of government, from operating the courts to providing air traffic control.

So any attempt at spending reductions on the scale Musk is talking about would necessarily involve savage cuts in programs millions of people depend on. Trump has said that he won’t cut Social Security or Medicare, but his tax proposals would undermine their finances, and he conspicuously hasn’t exempted Medicaid, which covers around 70 million people.

Musk-style spending cuts, then, would almost certainly result in hardship for many Americans.

Meanwhile, House Speaker Mike Johnson is promising “massive reform” of the Affordable Care Act — “no Obamacare,” he declared. We don’t need to speculate about what that would mean. In 2017, Trump and his congressional allies almost passed a health care “reform” that the Congressional Budget Office estimated would have increased, by 2026, the number of Americans without health insurance by 23 million; those losing coverage would disproportionately be Americans with preexisting conditions, who need insurance most.

Many potential Trump voters are probably unaware of what’s in store and imagine that Trump would just snap his fingers and “fix” what he insists is a terrible economy. The reality, however, is that America’s economic performance under the Biden-Harris administration has been very good, especially compared with that of other countries. We’ve grown much faster than any other major wealthy nation, and we’ve substantially outperformed projections, both those made before Covid-19 struck and those made at the beginning of the Biden administration.

This achievement, says The Wall Street Journal, is “remarkable”; The Economist calls it “glorious.” Neither is what you’d call a left-wing rag.

It’s true that we had a burst of inflation in 2021 and 2022. But that was a global phenomenon; other nations had similar bursts. Furthermore, inflation has come way down, and although many remain upset, understandably, about the higher level of prices, most workers, especially the lowest paid, have seen wages outpace inflation since the start of the pandemic.

By the way: When Ronald Reagan’s re-election campaign proclaimed “It’s morning again in America,” both unemployment and inflation were substantially higher than they are now.

Would Trump do even better than Biden? Or better than Kamala Harris? There’s an unusual consensus among economists that Trump would preside over a worse economy, especially higher inflation, than Harris.

If he wins, many Trump voters are likely to experience buyer’s remorse.

Will they express their disappointment at the ballot box in 2028? They will if they can. But that assumes a free and fair election. Trump has given us plenty of reason to believe that if he wins, 2024 may be the last time America has anything resembling that.

[polyamorouspunk]

Taking a moment out of my hectic day to talk about veteran suicide. Had a customer at the other register and I made my way over to him and told him I liked his shirt. He told me he was a veteran himself and shook my hand and I told him I knew I veteran who, but I couldn’t even say it. I went back to my register nearly in tears. I understand the military is a huge talking point for right-wingers but saying that people need better access to homes, better access to mental health services, better health care, etc. that all directly impacts veterans even though a lot of them run on their own programs. Yes, the military sucks, yes, a lot of soldiers have committed legit war crimes and crimes against humanity, but the health, homelessness, and mental health of veterans is still an epidemic.

[beauty-funny-trippy]

[Condensed from a June 11, 2024 Military.com article by Ronald Lackey (Retired Major, U.S. Air Force)] –

When running for president in January 2016, Trump held a "fundraiser" for veterans. However, he didn't give the money to veterans' charities until after investigative reporters revealed that veterans had not received the donations. [Turns out, Trump was illegally siphoning money from the charity, using it like a piggy bank for his own personal gain.] Trump was fined $2 million by a judge for fraud and deceptive practices tied to the event.

As president, Trump canceled a visit to an American Cemetery near Paris, telling staffers, "Why should I go to that cemetery? It's filled with losers." During that same trip, he also told senior staffers that the U.S. Marines who died there were "suckers" for getting killed. Trump didn't even want to be seen with veteran amputees because, he said "it doesn't look good for me."

More ominously, Trump said high-ranking military members who disagreed with his political beliefs should be executed.

This is the total disregard Trump has for the honorable men and women who sacrifice their bodies, family time, and even their lives for an American cause greater than themselves.

President Biden, however, has been concerned with veterans for decades. His late son, an Army officer, died of cancer that the president believes came from his exposure to chemicals in wartime burn pits. That loss has driven a very personal commitment to the welfare of military members. While serving as president, Biden has signed more than two dozen laws that benefit veterans, including the PACT Act, which expanded the benefits and services for veterans exposed to toxic chemicals.

Working with partners in Congress, Biden's administration also expanded veterans access to health care and child care; took steps to curtail veteran homelessness (and asked Congress to triple its housing vouchers to needy veterans); lowered health care costs for World War II veterans; and expanded support to military suicide prevention programs (and established the 988 Veterans Crisis Line).

Biden has demonstrated his commitment to veterans' welfare throughout his decades of public service. His reelection would genuinely benefit military members and veterans.

Trump has shown only contempt.

~Ronald Lackey, Retired Major, U.S. Air Force

[qnewsau]

Just.Equal Australia's plan to combat trans hate

New Post has been published on https://qnews.com.au/just-equal-australias-plan-to-combat-trans-hate/

Just.Equal Australia's plan to combat trans hate

LGBTQIA+ advocacy group Just.Equal Australia have announced a four point plan to protect trans and gender diverse (TGD) Australians from an increase in anti-trans hatred after incoming US President Donald Trump made it clear that attacking the rights of transgender people will be a top priority for his second term in office.

Trump yesterday launched a concerted attack on the rights of trans and gender diverse people, saying he will end affirming care for young trans people, expel trans people from the military, end supportive school programs, and segregate trans women from women’s sport.

“It is likely that Trump’s hate-fuelled anti-trans agenda will stir up hatred here in Australia,” Just.Equal spokesperson and veteran trans community advocate, Sally Goldner said.

“We will seek commitments from all parties and candidates to a four point plan which we believe will help protect trans and gender diverse people from any hate campaigns.”

The four points of Just.Equal Australia’s plan are hate speech laws, education campaigns, leadership and mental health support.

The “Hate speech laws” part of the plan would see the introduction of comprehensive national laws to prohibit vilification and bullying conduct based on gender identity as well as other attributes not already covered.

“Education campaigns” would see government funded ad campaigns telling the truth about the lives and aspirations of trans and gender diverse Australians.

“Leadership” would see party leaders speaking out against anti-trans hate speech, abuse and violence.

“Mental health support” would see funding to ensure trans and gender diverse-inclusive mental health services.

“The four point plan will be part of a broader set of commitments on trans and LGBTIQA+ issues that we will seek ahead of the next election,” Goldner said.

“These will include gender affirming care covered on Medicare, funding to improve trans health outcomes and reduce wait times for affirming care, and best-practice self-identification and anti-discrimination laws across the nation.

“We are disappointed the current Government has not already undertaken the initiatives we seek.

“We’re also disappointed they were not included in the recently-released national LGBTIQA+ Health Action Plan.”

“Our hope is that by highlighting how we keep trans and gender diverse people safe from hate we can prompt others to take the threat to TGD people more seriously, and to value us equally to all other Australians.”

For the latest LGBTIQA+ Sister Girl and Brother Boy news, entertainment, community stories in Australia, visit qnews.com.au. Check out our latest magazines or find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

[grits-galraisedinthesouth]

America THIS is UNACCEPTABLE: Every VETERAN deserves unlimited acess to medical care, including oral health care and psychosocial services. We can do better. 🇺🇸

Veterans access better oral health care via non-military employers and non-profit organizations than through our government. 🤕

If you want to understand BUREAUCRACY and misplaced priorities, then look no further than how America mis-TREATS our veterans. NYC is shelling out BILLIONS to provide for (non-working) "migrants," while our VETERANS lack access to oral health care. 🤦‍♀️

Everyday American citizens form non-profit organizations to provide dental care to Veterans.

Smile Faith Dental (2022) bankrupt as 95% of Bay Area Veterans lack access to oral health care.

Orange County Dentists Step Up in 2018 to "fill" in the gaps.

Smile4Vets •Got Your 6 •The Healthy Mouth Movement (Aspen Dental)

Veterans rely on independent citizen journalists to EXPLAIN benefits lack of coverage.

A (2014) three (3) year national PILOT Program "to assess the feasibility and advisability of providing a premium-based dental insurance plan to ELIGIBLE individuals." 🥴 #do better

Yet Another REMINDER: We're Broke & Busted 🥴

[justinspoliticalcorner]

WaPo: DOGE co-chairs Musk, Ramaswamy vow ‘mass head-count reductions’ in U.S. government

Jeff Stein, Jacob Bogage and Lisa Rein at Washington Post:

Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy vowed “mass headcount reductions” to the federal government in an opinion piece Wednesday that sketched out their vision for President-elect Donald Trump’s “Department of Government Efficiency” in the greatest detail so far.

Writing in the Wall Street Journal, Musk and Ramaswamy laid out their plans to slash federal regulations, cut government spending and significantly reduce the number of federal employees. Trump tapped the two with running the DOGE initiative last week, but basic questions about the effort — including its goals, operations and authorities — have primarily remained a source of speculation. While their essay left much unclear, tech entrepreneur Musk and Ramaswamy — a former 2024 GOP presidential rival of Trump’s — began to articulate the legal and procedural steps by which they plan to transform federal operations. The DOGE commission, they wrote, will first “work with legal experts embedded in government agencies” to identify regulations that Trump can repeal. That effort will rely on “advanced technology,” they said, a potential reference to artificial intelligence.

Musk and Ramaswamy argued that recent cases decided by the conservative majority on the Supreme Court will enable major reductions in federal regulations. After Trump “nullifies thousands of such regulations,” DOGE will then work with “embedded appointees” across federal agencies to “identify the minimum number of employees” required for an agency to perform its essential functions. This line appeared to echo Musk’s broader business philosophy and past practices; Musk oversaw the reduction of roughly 80 percent of the staff of Twitter, the social media platform he later renamed X, after he bought it. The DOGE leaders suggested that Trump can unilaterally slash the number of federal employees because many of them will no longer be necessary once the regulations are eliminated. “A drastic reduction in federal regulations provides sound industrial logic for mass headcount reductions across the federal bureaucracy,” they wrote. They added that “the number of federal employees to cut should be at least proportionate to the number of federal regulations that are nullified.”

Musk and Ramaswamy did not specify the number of federal employees they envision being cut under their effort. They wrote that “existing laws” can give federal employees “incentives for early retirement” and voluntary severance payments to “facilitate a graceful exit.” These proposals could affect not just scores of federal operations but also the Washington area, which is home to hundreds of thousands of federal workers.

To reduce federal spending, Musk and Ramaswamy also proposed eliminating programs that Congress funds but where specific spending authorization has lapsed, an idea that would ax critical measures including veterans’ health care, initiatives at the State and Justice departments and NASA, and multiple major antipoverty programs. That idea, some budget experts said, demonstrates the pair’s misunderstanding of how the government works. Funding authorizations are often pro forma exercises; approving funding without official reauthorizations is one way Congress has found to operate more efficiently.

Critics have pointed out that balancing the federal budget would require either much higher taxes or cuts to Social Security and Medicare, which Trump has vowed to protect. Trump campaigned in 2024 on more than $7 trillion in new tax cuts, and his first administration added roughly $8 trillion to the national debt. Some experts have also noted that reducing the federal workforce would not meaningfully alter the budget gap. The federal government spends about $305 billion per year on salary and benefits for federal employees, excluding military personnel, which amounts to roughly 4 percent of the more than $6 trillion federal budget, said Brian Riedl, senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute, a center-right think tank, citing White House statistics. If Musk and Ramaswamy eliminated 25 percent of all federal employees, Riedl added, federal spending would be reduced by roughly 1 percent. Even that estimate is probably high, because the government would have to turn to contractors for at least some of the functions fulfilled by the laid off workers, Riedl said.

Questions also abound about how they would cut federal regulations. Musk and Ramaswamy signaled they would conduct a broad federal review to expunge regulations deemed to be overreaching. To justify their efforts, they pointed to a series of recent Supreme Court rulings that sharply curtailed federal power — including the justices’ decision to revoke a decades-old legal precedent, known as the Chevron doctrine, that had afforded agencies broad policymaking latitude. But the duo did not elaborate on how, exactly, they would accomplish their aim, which is fraught with legal questions and political challenges. In the op-ed, Musk and Ramaswamy said “large-scale audits” during “temporary suspension of payments” could yield savings, although they didn’t articulate what that would entail. The op-ed embraces a dramatic change in the balance of power over spending. Trump’s aides have planned to challenge a 1974 budget law that limits the president’s ability to cease spending on federal programs without congressional approval. If the Supreme Court agrees, the White House would dramatically expand its ability to cut programs unilaterally.

Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy’s DOGE ideas are nothing but a disaster waiting to happen.

[insert-witty-user-name-here]

10+ Good Things Biden has Done: Healthcare, Housing, and LGBTQ+ Edition

Just a list of 10+ good things Biden has done in the last 4 years because I’ve been hearing too much rhetoric that it doesn’t matter who you vote for. It does make a difference. 

Find more 10+ good things here, here, and here.

Increased access to healthcare and specifically codified protections for LGBTQ+ patients against discrimination. (x) 

Strengthened women's reproductive rights by increasing access to reproductive health care, improving confidentiality to protect against criminalization for patients receiving reproductive care, and revoked Medicaid waivers from states that would exclude providers like Planned Parenthood, and more. (x)

Expanded healthcare and benefits for veterans through the PACT Act (x)

Cemented protections for pregnant and postpartum workers through the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act and PUMP for Nursing Mothers Act. 

Improved access to nursing homes for those who receive Medicaid services and established, for the first time, a national minimum staffing requirement for nursing homes to ensure those in their care receive sufficient support.  (x) 

Lowered healthcare costs for those with Medicare which capped insulin for seniors at $35 a month, made vaccines free, and capped seniors’ out of pocket expenses at the pharmacy through the Inflation Reduction Act. 

Fully vaccinated 79% of American adults against COVID-19 (I know this is old news now this is a big deal) 

Banned unfair practices that hide housing fees from renters and homebuyers when moving into a new home (x) 

Reduced the mortgage insurance premium for Federal Housing Administration (FHA) mortgages and clarified that inflated rents caused by algorithmic use of sensitive nonpublic pricing and supply information violate antitrust laws. (x) 

Increased protections for those saving for retirement from predatory practices. (x)

Helped millions of households gain access to the internet through the Affordable Connectivity Program. (x) 

Restored net neutrality (net neutrality is a standard which ensures broadband internet service is essential and prohibits interna providers from blocking, engaging in paid prioritization, and more.) (x)

Increased protections for loan holders as well as increased access to loans (x)

Cut fees that banks charge consumers for overdrawing on their accounts. (x)

Reaffirmed HUD’s commitment to remedy housing discrimination under the Fair Housing Act (which was– surprise, surprise– halted under the Trump administration). (x)

Required the U.S. federal government and all U.S. states and territories to recognize the validity of same-sex and interracial civil marriages by passing the Respect for Marriage Act, repealing the Defense of Marriage Act.

Reversed Trump’stransgender military ban.

Proposed investments in a lot of programs including universal pre-k, green energy, mental health programs across all sectors, a national medical leave program for all workers and more. (x) 

Last… let’s also not forget all the truly terrible things Trump did when he was in office. If you need a reminder, scroll this list, this one mostly for giggles + horror, for actual horror about what a Trump presidency has in store, learn about ‘Project 2025’ from the Heritage Foundation. I know this post is about reasons to vote FOR Biden but let’s not forget the many, many reasons to vote for him over Trump.

Looking for more?

10+ good things Biden has done in education and immigration

10+ good things Biden has done in the justice and courts system

10+ good things Biden has done in climate and labor

A few other notes

Voting for Biden or Trump shouldn’t be the only reason you vote. You know what elections have more power over your life? LOCAL elections. If you’re not feeling jazzed about Biden… vote for someone really cool running for mayor, or your rep, or on your school board and then begrudgingly vote for Biden. 

A reminder that if someone online is trying to discourage you to vote there’s a good chance they are a paid actor to do so. Voter suppression was a well-documented tactic during the 2016 election and I’m sure the trolls are out in force again. 

Check your voter registration here, make a plan to vote, and encourage your friends to vote as well. 

All in all, yeah… there’s a lot of shitty things still happening. There’s always going to be shit but things aren’t going to change on their own. And that change starts (it certainly doesn’t end) with voting. 

Go vote in November.

[sharpdecisions]

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[nursing-student-guide]

Florence Nightingale, first practicing nurse epidemiologist. Developed the first organized program for training nurses, the Nightingale Training School for Nurses (St. Thomas' Hospital, London). Established the first health-maintenance-and-restoration-based nursing philosophy. Known as the "lady with the lamp" during the Crimean War (1853) where she volunteered, traveling the battlefield hospitals nightly to treat the wounded.

Clara Barton, founder of the American Red Cross (1881). She risked her life provided self-taught nursing aid to wounded soldiers on the battlefields during The Civil War (1860-1965), and became referred to as the "Angel of the Battlefield". One of the first women to work for the federal government, she made the Office of Missing Soldiers to aid in the reunion of more than 20,000 soldiers with their families. While providing aid during the Franco-Prussian War (1869), the Red Cross movement was first brought to her attention, inspiring her to bring the movement to America.

Dorothea Lynde Dix, an advocate of indigenous people and the mentally ill. She visited multiple mental institution, reporting her findings and advocated for better managed institutions, eventually establishing asylums of her own. During The Civil War (1860-1865), she aided the Union army by recruiting more than 3,000 nurses and was designated as the Superintendent of Army Nurses. She was known and respected for providing aid to the wounded soldiers from both Confederate and Union sides.

Mary Ann Ball, aka Mother Bickerdyke. She was a hospital administrator for the Union soldiers during The Civil War (1860-1865), regulating supplies and provision for the troops. Referred to as one of the best "generals" during the war for her efforts and organizations of military hospitals, following the war she remained an advocate for veterans - becoming an attorney for those who faced legal issues. 300 hospitals were built to aid the wounded over 19 different battlefields from her involvement.

Harriet Tubman, provided safe passage for slaves during the Underground Railroad movement. Known as the "Moses" of her people, her actions resulted in more than 300 slaves being lead to freedom. She provided nursing aide to the Union forces during The Civil War (1862-1865). Following the war, she played in active role in causes including the Womens Suffrage, and created the "Harriet Tubman Home for Indigent Aged Negroes" where orphans and the elderly could be taken in and care for.

Mary Mahoney, brought awareness to the cultural and racial diversity in nursing, emphasizing respect and the inclusion of all in the profession. The first African-American to receive an official education for the nursing profession (New England Hospital for Women and Children, Boston - 1874). She became the first African-American member of what is now referred to as the American Nurses Association, and helped start up the National Association for Colored Graduate Nurses in 1908.

Isabel Hampton Robb, a large influence in the advancement of the nursing social status in society. She influenced the system of nursing education by implementing a grading policy in the program to improve the quality of the students graduating from the program. She authored the comprehensive and foundational text, Nursing: Its Principles and Practice (1893), and helped to standardize the nursing education all around. She served as president of both the National League for Nursing Education and what is now referred to as the American Nurses Association.

Lillian Wald, opened the Henry Street Settlement (1893) with her fellow nurse graduate, Mary Maud Brewster. Addressed the health needs of poor immigrant families residing in tenements of New York City's Lower East Side. Coined the term "public health nurse", she fought for public health care, women's rights, and children's rights. Her and Mary Brewster started the Visiting Nursing Service of New York. During her work at the Henry Street Settlement, she established one of the earlier playgrounds and aided in paying salary to the first Public School Nurses in NYC. She had a hand in starting up the United States Children's Bureau, the National Child Labor Committee, and the National Women's Trade Union League.

Mary Adelaide Nuting, known for becoming the first nursing professor in 1906 (Columbia Teachers College), and assisted in getting nursing education in Universities across the states. She attended the first nursing training following Florence Nightingale's inflence (John Hopkins Hospital Training School - 1889). Throughout her advancement in the nursing profession working at the school, she assisted in advancing the program - brought in scholarships and on-the-field experience; her work influencing other Universities create and better their own nursing programs. Founder of the American Journal of Nursing (1900), she also became the first registered nurse in the state of Maryland. Several of her authored and coauthored books are still implemented today in nursing programs throughout the nation.

[ssolessurvivor]

"let me see your hand"

memes - always accepting! - @goldenboybarracuda (so I had this idea...I'M FLOORING IT!)

There came a time when public speaking was the most uncomfortable thing Logan had ever done, but given his time, years ago now, when he did need to speak up...he could say he's not terrified of it now. But when Alex said he wanted Logan to join him on a press release, of which he conveniently didn't let him in on the details, all he was told was to wear his dress uniform as it was something involving veterans.

So here they stood before the announcement would be made to go out there, and Logan could feel himself shaking. Alex's soft command, that as it were, brought their hands together. The size difference was entirely expected, and Logan chuckled at the full knuckle length his fingers were shorter on Alex's lithe hands. There was something like a glint of mischief in Alex's eyes that Logan thought to ask about, but it was interrupted with a languid kiss that took his breath away.

Alex didn't let go of him.

Not while they were out of view, listening to Ellen's address of the press for a speech her son would like to address to the public. And while Logan had a thought that surely he'd been seen in public with the First Son in rather intimate moments, he was still surprised at the way the other led him to the podium hand in hand. Logan stood back next to the flags, visible to cameras off Alex's left side, and Ellen to the right. Assuming parade rest, Logan listened to the clicking of the shutters, at least 50 of them, maybe more, and willed himself to be calm like he had been trained to be all those years ago. Given the way he knew his uniform glinted with the few medals on his lapel though, he felt a weight to represent veterans across the country, and so he kept his back straight and his head held high.

Logan always lost himself whenever Alex talked about anything at length he was passionate about, and this was no exception. He and his sister made quite the team in writing great things and executing them beautifully. He heard a few things regarding veterans affairs, the standards of care for returning soldiers, and then...the dangers of off world deployment. It had been an ongoing issue since his return, the Mars mission even causing him immense worry regardless of how many years off it truly was. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see June waving at him in her soft way and he couldn't help but smile at her. But by then, he'd just heard the words echo through the room, hitting him so hard he had to take a couple steps in place: military space programs would be banned from now on and all programs would be defunded.

Alex turned and extended his hand back to Logan, and his world almost went mute. The veteran hesitated for only a second before he reached out for that hand, and allowed himself to be pulled to the podium where they stood together, their fingers interlacing and resting on the podium for all those clicking cameras and disorienting flashes to skyrocket.

The only other thing he heard before he simply let his world vanish, where he only gazed upon Alex and his beautiful spirit in this setting, watching him blossom into the natural leader he was always meant to be, Logan squeezed his hand.

"In memory of the Mimas crew, of which former Commander Finnegan survived at the loss of his health, secondary family, and very nearly his life, this law comes to pass..."

[darklordofthesimp]

I don't know much about other countries but in the US, the US military does have a bad reputation among certain groups of citizens.

For one, it doesn't provide a lot of support to veterans after they come home. A lot of them end up homeless or struggle with mental health issues like PTSD on their own.

Another thing is how much the US government spends on the military. Out of all other countries, the US spends the most on the military. A fraction of what the US military receives could go into funding things like universal health care, free education, and affordable housing. Some people like to argue against the funding of programs like these so the military can offer things like financial aid for college as incentives to get more people to join the military.

Of course there are other things the US military did like the killing of innocence civilians, helping many of the dictators in Latin America come to power, and flooding local law enforcement with military grade equipment like tanks.

But this are some of the reasons me and other US citizens don't like our military :)

Don't like the people who join or don't like the machine behind it?

[e1igius]

a small breakdown of some of hucks issues , why they were chosen for the character.

Depression - VA estimated that about 1 in 3 Veterans visiting primary care clinics has some symptoms of depression; 1 in 5 has serious symptoms that suggest the need for further evaluation for major depression; and 1 in 8 to 10 has major depression, requiring treatment with psychotherapy or antidepressants. (2008 , VA.gov) - polls indicate rates haven risen

Body Dysmorphia - A survey of advanced individual training of tri-service personnel at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, was performed combining the dysmorphia concern questionnaire, a supplement questionnaire, and demographic factors. Our study shows a higher than expected prevalence rate of BDD and MD in service members. ( 2016 , MilMed ) - The U.S. Marine Corps' Body Composition and Military Appearance Program (BCMAP) standards were not developed from populations that reflect the current makeup of the force and the fitness requirements that they are subject to. Research suggests that the implementation of these standards could drive marines to adopt unhealthy behaviors, primarily those associated with disordered eating, to meet the standards. ( 2022 , RAND )

Alcoholism - The relationship between military personnel and alcohol has a long history of contention and difficulty. According to a recent survey conducted by the Department of Defense, one-third of service members meet the criteria for hazardous drinking as well as a possible alcohol misuse issue. Members of the armed forces are especially prone to binge and hazardous drinking: One Department of Defense health survey found that 42.6 percent of Marine Corps service members had engaged in binge drinking within the last 30 days ( 2019 , DELPHI )

PTSD - PTSD is 3 times more likely among Veterans who deployed compared to those who did not (of the same service era). Some factors in a combat situation may contribute to PTSD and other mental health problems, including military occupation or specialty, the politics around the war, where the war is fought, and the type of enemy faced. ( VA.gov ) Survivors of sexual assault have an increased likelihood of meeting criteria for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). They are also comparatively more likely to exhibit higher levels of PTSD symptom severity ( 2018 , SAGE journals )

Internalized Homophobia - this man's a white texan man who comes form a very conservative 100% live red die red household do i really have to explain why he has internalized homophobia over the fact that he is bi ????? and how that affected his mental health ???

[cnacertificationprogram]

Vital CNA Training Guide: Your Path to a Rewarding Healthcare Career

Essential CNA Training Guide: Your Path to a⁢ Rewarding Healthcare Career

Are you looking for a‌ fulfilling career in the healthcare ⁢field? If so, becoming a⁢ certified Nursing Assistant ​(CNA) could be an ideal path for you. This ‍extensive guide covers everything you need to know ⁣about‍ CNA training, the certification process, responsibilities,⁢ benefits, and practical⁣ tips to jumpstart your career.

What is a CNA?

A certified Nursing⁣ Assistant (CNA) provides vital support ⁤to nursing‍ staff and assists patients with ⁢daily activities. CNAs‌ work closely with patients in various settings, including hospitals, nursing homes, and private homes, making them an‌ integral part of the healthcare ⁤team.

Why ⁣Become a CNA?

Choosing​ a career as a ‍CNA comes with various benefits:

job Stability: ⁢The demand‌ for CNAs continues to grow, ensuring‍ job security.

Flexible Hours: ‍CNAs frequently enough work shifts that accommodate their schedules,providing flexibility.

Hands-On Experience: Gain⁢ valuable ‌skills ⁤in patient care ⁤and healthcare practices that can lead to further career advancement.

Emotional rewards: Helping patients improve their quality of life is rewarding both personally and professionally.

Essential ⁢Requirements ​for CNA Training

Before enrolling in a CNA training program, ensure ‍you meet⁣ the following requirements:

Must be at⁤ least 18 years old

High school diploma or GED

Background check

Basic⁣ health requirements (immunizations, physical exams)

Steps to Become a Certified Nursing Assistant

Follow these steps ‌to embark on your‍ journey to becoming a CNA:

Complete a CNA training program: Find an accredited program that includes both classroom instruction and hands-on clinical training.

Pass the CNA certification exam: This consists of a⁢ written‌ test and⁢ a skills⁢ evaluation to assess your competency.

Obtain state certification: Requirements for ‍certification vary by⁤ state, so be‍ sure to⁢ check with your local⁤ licensing board.

Continue your education: ⁣ Engage ⁢in ongoing professional progress⁣ through workshops and continuing education courses.

Finding the Right CNA Training‍ Program

When⁤ searching for a CNA training program, consider the following factors:

Accreditation: ⁤ Ensure the program is accredited ‌by a recognized ​body, as this impacts your certification eligibility.

Curriculum: Look for comprehensive⁢ coursework covering essential nursing skills, patient care,​ and communication.

Clinical Experience: Choose⁣ a program that ‌offers⁤ ample hands-on training in real healthcare settings.

Cost and ⁢Financial Aid: Compare tuition costs and ⁢available financial ⁤aid options to​ find an affordable program.

Practical Tips for Success⁤ in CNA Training

Here ‍are some valuable tips to excel in ‍your CNA⁢ training:

Stay⁤ organized: Keep track of assignments,exams,and clinical hours to ensure you’re‍ on⁤ top of your schedule.

Practice skills regularly: Repetition is key⁢ to mastering nursing skills; consider ​forming study groups with ⁤classmates.

Ask questions: Don’t hesitate to seek clarification from instructors regarding⁣ complex topics or skills.

Network: Engage⁣ with peers, instructors, and professionals in the field‌ for support and opportunities.

Case Studies: ​Success Stories of CNAs

Individual

Background

Current Role

Jessica B.

Recent High School Graduate

CNA at Local Hospital

Michael T.

Career Change from Retail

CNA in⁣ Long-Term care Facility

Sarah K.

Military Veteran

CNA and‍ Nursing Student

These individuals began ‍their journeys as ⁢CNAs and have since moved ⁤forward ⁢in ​their careers, furthering ⁢their education and enhancing their skills. Their experiences showcase the opportunities available in ⁣the field.

First-hand Experience: Insights from Current ⁤CNAs

We spoke with several practicing⁢ CNAs ‌about their experiences in training and their⁢ roles. Here are⁢ some ‌key takeaways:

Real-World Submission: “The combination of classroom learning and clinical practice ‍allowed ‍me⁤ to confidently interact ⁤with patients.” – Emily R.

Building Relationships: “I cherish ​the relationships I’ve​ formed with my patients.They often share stories ⁤that open my ⁤outlook.” – John D.

continuous Learning: ​ “Every day presents new challenges‌ that push me‍ to expand my skills and knowledge.” – Mandy ⁤P.

Conclusion

Embarking on a career as a CNA is both⁢ an exciting and meaningful ⁤choice.With proper​ training,dedication,and a passion for helping others,you can‍ enjoy a fulfilling career‍ in healthcare. Follow the steps outlined in this guide, stay open ⁣to learning, and remember the amazing ‍impact⁣ you⁢ can have ⁣on the lives of your patients. Start your journey today, and ‌take the first step towards becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant!

https://cnacertificationprogram.net/vital-cna-training-guide-your-path-to-a-rewarding-healthcare-career/