The New York State Legislature passed two bills aimed at easing medical debt back in May, and a new report indicates they re much needed. The first bill bans medical liens and wage garnishment; the second regulates the billing of so-called "facility fees," and requires that patients be informed about those fees up front. In a report on hospital debt, the Community Service Society of New York found 112 nonprofit hospitals sued more than 53,000 patients across the state between 2015 and 2020. .
Dentists in North Carolina say they are seeing an uptick in patients with mouth problems stemming from teeth grinding at night, including cracked teeth, jaw pain and headaches. Amanda Stroud, president of the North Carolina Dental Society Foundation, said while teeth grinding might seem like a harmless side effect of increased stress, the action can cause serious harm over time. "And that can affect not just the teeth, but the structures that support them and the musculature there," Stroud explained. " .
Housing displacement and emotional trauma from natural disasters in the past year are likely worsening kids mental health in the Commonwealth, experts say, and new data from the Annie E. Casey Foundation s Kids Count Data Book show the state already saw a 28% increase in children s anxiety or depression between 2016 and 2020. Dr. .
As summer draws to a close, experts are reminding parents not to overlook health screenings for kids. Back-to-school time brings a lot of additions to the family schedule, and Missouri parents need to consider medical and dental checkups, too. Steve Douglas, director of marketing and public relations for ACCESS Family Care of Southwest Missouri, said a back-to-school eye exam or hearing check often finds things parents don t know about. .