Health and Medicine
A less invasive surgery for a common heart valve disease performed at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital recently reached a milestone as WFIR’s Gene Marrano reports:
The General Assembly reconvenes tomorrow to tackle the budget issue – and looming large is Medicaid expansion. WFIR’s Gene Marrano spoke with a local healthcare system leader:
Carilion Clinic President and CEO Nancy Agee joined WFIR’s Gene Marrano and Joey Self live in studio this morning for a wide ranging discussion.
A key Virginia Republican has signaled support for Medicaid expansion, a move that gives pro-expansion lawmakers a majority in both chambers of the General Assembly. Virginia Beach Sen. Frank Wagner said in a statement Friday that he favors expanding Medicaid, enacting a new tax on hospitals, and using part of the extra money raised to give tax credits to lower income Virginians. Wagner has previously voted against Medicaid expansion and his new support could end a deadlock over the state budget. Lawmakers have been unable to pass a spending plan because of Republican infighting over whether it should include Medicaid expansion. But it’s not immediately clear if Wagner’s proposal will find broad support. The only other Republican senator who supports expansion, Sen. Emmett Hanger, opposes the proposed hospital tax.
Virginia’s hospitals and health care providers face a common problem: finding enough qualified workers. Many of those employers will be present in one place tomorrow, hoping to attract more candidates. The Healthcare Career Fair runs from 1:00 to 6:00 pm tomorrow at the Salem Civic Center, and there are hundreds of openings to fill. WFIR’s Evan Jones has more:
Click here for more Healthcare Career Fair information.
Rep. Morgan Griffith
A bill that would allow terminally ill patients to try experimental drugs is now half-way through Congress, and one of its orignal co-sponsors is Congressman Morgan Griffith. It’s called “Right to Try” legislation, the idea being that people already facing terminal illness should have the option of trying medications not yet fully approved by the Food and Drug Administration. The bill passed the House last week and now heads for the Senate. WFIR’s Evan Jones has more:
Celebrating science, wellness and the arts is the concept behind a second annual – and expanded – family-friendly program tomorrow in downtown Roanoke. WFIR’s Gene Marrano has the story:
Shana Brown/G. Marrano photo WFIR
We recently told you about a gluten and nut-free bakery in Salem that draws in many with severe allergies. Now the owner of “Corbin’s Confections” has started a petition she hope will be noticed in Washington. WFIR’s Gene Marrano has the story:
See the link to petition below:
https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/require-cross-contamination-food-allergen-labeling-manufacturers
State health officials say at least 19 students and staff members at James Madison University have the mumps, and lab results are pending for three other students. The Health Department urges members of the JMU community to review their immunization status and to contact their health care providers as needed to receive a vaccine.
From the Virginia Department of Health: The Harrisonburg-Rockingham Health Department continues to investigate an ongoing mumps outbreak at James Madison University (JMU). To date, mumps infections have been confirmed by lab testing in five staff members and 14 students. Lab results are currently pending for three additional students. The health department also is investigating several additional cases in the region that are apparently unrelated to JMU.
Mumps is an acute viral disease that is transmitted from person to person through direct contact with respiratory droplets spread by coughing and sneezing, or through contact with saliva from an ill person. Persons with mumps may have body aches, fever and swollen glands in the jaw. Most people recover from the illness in a week, but serious complications are possible. To protect yourself from diseases like mumps that are spread through droplet contact, wash your hands frequently, cover your nose or mouth when you cough or sneeze and avoid droplet contact with people who are ill. Don’t share cups or utensils and avoid close contact with people who are ill.
The health department is advising students and community members to review their immunization status and contact their health care provider to receive vaccine as needed. The Measles, Mumps and Rubella vaccine (MMR) is usually given when a child is 1 year old and again between the ages of 4 and 6 years. The mumps vaccine is 88 percent effective in people who receive two doses, but some fully immunized individuals may still develop mumps. A third dose of MMR vaccine may be recommended for individuals at high risk for infection due to close contact with someone who has mumps.
People exposed to mumps may not show symptoms for 12 to 25 days, but infected individuals are able to transmit the infection to others up to two days before symptoms appear. If you have mumps-like symptoms or questions about your mumps immunizations, contact your health care provider. The health department and JMU will provide additional updates as new information becomes available or recommendations arise.