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Japan PM faces resistance to replacement of health insurance cards with digital ID

The Japanese government’s troubled My Number digital ID program has done little to quell concerns about incidents of mishandled personal data, particularly those related to disability certificates. The issue has sparked objections over to the planned replacement of health insurance cards next year with My Number IDs. Japanese doctors have taken the government to court to fight the mandatory replacement of health insurance cards, arguing it is expensive to implement. Part of that unease arose when some residents discovered their ID cards linked to unrelated personal information. This has intensified pressure on Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, who has suffered a…
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Calgary senior with terminal illness receives refund after calling out Manulife over denied claim

**UPDATE: Manulife reached out to Global News on Thursday to advise “we are very sorry to hear of this situation. We strive to do everything within our power to serve our customers. We have investigated and are actively working to resolve this situation.” A short time later, Bob Choquette also reached out to let us know that the situation had been resolved. Not only did Manulife refund his money, it also refunded the premium he paid for the insurance coverage he had originally bought. Original story appears below. A Calgary senior is calling out Canada’s largest insurer, Manulife, after his…
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Florida is not doing enough to keep children on Medicaid, health advocates warn

Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain Health care advocates are sounding the alarm over how Florida is handling last month’s end of emergency Medicaid, which they color could force thousands of eligible children to lose medical coverage because their parents don’t know they must apply to the federal program. One reason they don’t know, according to advocates, is that Florida officials haven’t done enough to reach out to families and that some of its messaging is causing confusion. Some advocates are also asking why Florida isn’t taking advantage of a federal waiver that would ensure stable health coverage for their youngest and…
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Rochester family urges lawmakers to pass MinnesotaCare for undocumented Minnesotans

This story comes to you from Sahan Journal through a partnership with MPR News. By Ansari Grant | Sahan Journal Marco Loera Alvarez’s father, Daniel, started losing weight at an alarming rate after his family immigrated to Minnesota in 2004 from Guadalajara, Mexico. Daniel Loera, 60, also became irritable and often experienced a sudden loss of energy. MPR News is Member supported public media. Show your support today, donate, and ensure access to local news and in-depth conversations for everyone. He was later diagnosed with diabetes and hyperthyroidism, and put on prescription medication to control the illnesses. But Loera has…
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Massachusetts’ Misguided Middle-Class Health Insurance Subsidy Expansion

Proposal to Expand Subsidies Up to $150,000 for a Family of Four Will Have Huge Unintended Consequences The average annual family health insurance premium in Massachusetts costs more than buying a new compact car (over $21,000/yr), so it is understandable that some are calling for ways to shield patients from this ever-increasing expense. However, the latest proposal on Beacon Hill to expand insurance subsidies up to 500 percent of the federal poverty level (FPL) (ie $150,000 for a family of four or $73,000 for an individual), could have long-term irreversible impacts that merit its rejection . (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty…
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Neighborhood health clinic plans to open in this northeast Wichita church and school

A neighborhood clinic opening Saturday at a northeastern Wichita church and school aims to offer close-to-home primary care and reduce costs for people without health insurance. The grand opening of the Holy Family Fairmount clinic will be part of a community health fair that will include diabetes and blood pressure checks in addition to music, food and face painting from 10 am to 2 pm The clinic, at Holy Savior Catholic Church and Academy, 3000 E. 13th St. N., will offer primary care services to patients of all ages. It is a satellite office of Holy Family Medical and offers…
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State alleges Health Partners illegally denied mental health coverage, says the company is cooperating

Updated: 2:00 p.m Minnesota officials hit Bloomington-based insurance and health care company Health Partners with a consent order for allegedly violating laws related to mental health parity. State and federal laws prohibit health insurance companies from evaluating mental health diagnoses or treatments more stringently than they do for other forms of care. “This is one example of our commitment to enforcing mental health parity laws and making sure that Minnesotans can get access to the coverage that they’ve paid for,” said Commerce Commissioner Grace Arnold. “We want to make sure that people have fewer barriers, and this is a way…
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Sun Life’s innovative approach to mental health treatment

“Becoming a first-time mother has been incredibly exciting and fulfilling. However, I found myself needing extra support for my mental health,” she said. “There were several barriers preventing me from getting this, including cost. I was able to navigate my situation by working with a Mental Health Coach. A quick response and an action plan were what I needed and helped me to feel better.” Half of all disability claims for people under 44 are for mental diseases, making younger Canadians the group most affected by mental health problems. With MHC’s individualized and proactive approach, participants can take control of…