Illinois Mandates Insurance Coverage for EpiPens
Illinois has become the first state to pass a law requiring health insurance companies to cover the cost of medically necessary EpiPen injectors. This is big news in an era when so many families face the daily threat of a potentially deadly allergic reaction. Signed by Governor J.B. Pritzker, the new law will take effect […]
Scientists Find Chronic Brain Inflammation in Children With Autism
Story Highlights A new study out of Tufts University suggests that inflammation may be the “main driver” in the development of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Chronic inflammation, of the brain and the gut, have long been recognized as playing a role in ASD, though the relationships played by each remain unsettled. ASD, along with many […]
Bodily Autonomy and Halacha
Opinion | Is bodily autonomy a Jewish value? Freedom of movement and personal choice is at the very core of liberty. The verse etched on our Liberty Bell is a direct quote from Levitcus 25:10 – “You shall proclaim liberty throughout the land” (on the Jubilee year). “Liberty – דרור” is defined by Rashi to mean “one […]
Flu Shots May Be Even Less Effective This Year
Just as publicity about the need for everyone to get a flu shot ramps up, there are signs that the influenza vaccine for this “flu season” (2019-2020) may be even less effective this year than last year. The strains of the influenza virus selected by the World Health Organization (WHO) and U.S. health officials for […]
The Real Reason for Vaccine Mandates
The argument made for denying a public education to children who are selectively vaccinated or unvaccinated is the risk they pose to the immune-compromised who can’t be vaccinated. It’s a heart-warming story motivated out of compassion for those children who are medically fragile. Or is it? If we take these pro-mandate advocates at their word, […]
USDA Pressured to Create Foot-and-Mouth Disease Vaccine Bank
Representatives from the National Pork Producers Council, the National Milk Producers Federation, the National Corn Growers Association and Iowa State University have urged the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to quickly establish a foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) vaccine bank.1 FMD is a contagious viral disease. The virus causes illness in cows, pigs, sheep, goats, deer, and […]