By Andy Miller, Georgia Health News On one level, the White House’s pledge late Thursday to stop cost-sharing payments to health insurers under the Affordable Care Act won’t make a major difference in Georgia. That’s because three of the four health insurers offering coverage on the state exchange have already factored in the likely elimination of the… Read more
By Andy Miller, Georgia Health News President Trump signed an executive order Thursday that would potentially ease rules on “association health plans’’ and on the sale of short-term, low-cost insurance policies. Because federal agencies must develop the regulations and guidance for these changes, no significant changes will occur for months. Trump Trump said Thursday that “with these actions we… Read more
From a media release: October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and Hospitality House for Women is prepared to heighten Rome-Floyd County’s knowledge of such violence and break down barriers for victims. Hospitality House invites the community to get involved about the issue of domestic violence; after all, silence only fuels the violence. Some opportunities include:… Read more
How to recognize the signs of alcohol dependency and opioid addiction and where to get help will be the focus of two, free community education events organized by \ in Polk County and Floyd County in November. The event in Polk County will take place on Thursday, Nov. 2, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at… Read more
On radio: Dr. Courtney Cash, the new Vice President of Development and Community Engagement for Global Impact International, parent ministry of Restoration Rome, joins us at 8:40 a.m. Wednesday on the Hometown Headlines Radio Edition on WRGA 98.7 FM and online at wrga.streamon.fm. Media release: Global Impact International, the parent ministry of Restoration Rome, has announced… Read more
Media release: For those experiencing the symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease, Harbin Clinic’s newest diagnostic test can help answer tough questions, optimize treatment regimens and give patients peace of mind. Home to the only imaging equipment in Northwest Georgia that performs this type of scan, Harbin Clinic Imaging Rome is now offering DaTscan Imaging for those… Read more
By Andy Miller, Georgia Health News While suicide rates have increased across the United States, the highest percentages are in rural counties, a new CDC report reveals. That differential may reflect not only economic factors, but also insufficient access to mental health treatment in rural areas, experts say. Overall, suicide death rates for rural counties… Read more
By Melanie Dallas, LPC, and CEO of Highland Rivers Health Mental illness is sometimes called the invisible illness – but for very different reasons than people might call high blood pressure a silent killer. While both invisible and silent would seem to imply stealthy, secretive diseases, hypertension is referred to as a silent disease because… Read more
Mandalay Bay Massacre: For the latest from Las Vegas, we recommend the Review-Journal website. Click Updates On radio: Mandy Perry of Blood Assurance’s Rome office will join us at 7:40 a.m. Tuesday on Hometown Headlines Radio Edition on WRGA 98.7 FM or listen at wrga.streamon.fm. Media release: Blood Assurance is on standby to send blood… Read more
By Andy Miller, Georgia Health News State insurance officials Wednesday gave approval to premium increases of more than 50 percent for the four insurers participating in next year’s insurance exchange in Georgia. The officials said that the huge rate hikes assume that subsidies for insurers to lower consumers’ out-of-pocket costs will not be paid next year by… Read more
Harbin Clinic breaks ground on new Adairsville office. Tuesday’s ceremony marks the formal start of what’s on the way: A 10,000-square-foot building at the corner of North Central Avenue and U.S. 41 expected to open in May 2018. Planned within the mostly brick-and-stucco building are a lab, a family medicine wing with 10 exam rooms… Read more
State Sen. Chuck Hufstetler met Monday with Lt. Governor Casey Cagle and Sens. Renee Unterman, Dean Burke, Ben Watson, Kay Kirkpatrick, Jack Hill and Doc Rhett, for the fourth meeting of Georgia’s Health Care Reform Task Force. Members discussed solutions to address the opioid crisis in our state while elevating Georgia as a leader in… Read more
Media release: The Floyd County Health Department at 16 E. 12th St., Rome, is offering flu vaccines on a walk-in basis during regular business hours. Public health experts say now is a good time for people to consider getting vaccinated for the upcoming flu season. “Get your flu vaccine as soon as it is available… Read more