Health

RI Baby Names 2022: Popularity contest

In a New Year’s tradition, the Center for Vital Records at the RI Department of Health this morning announced the most popular names chosen for male and female babies born in 2022, based upon preliminary statistical data; the final results will be compiled in February. “Charlotte” skyrocketed in popularity for girls, while “Liam” maintained leadership […]

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RI Gov. McKee Tests Positive for COVID-19: Reports mild symptoms, isolating and working from home

RI Gov. Daniel McKee has tested positive for COVID-19, his office announced in a statement Sunday afternoon, saying the positive test was conducted Saturday night. Matt Sheaff, spokesman for Governor Dan McKee, said in the statement: “Late yesterday evening, Governor McKee tested positive for COVID-19. He only has minor symptoms because he is vaccinated and […]

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Additional COVID-19 vaccine booster dose: For everyone age 50+ and immunocompromised age 12+

Today, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended a second booster dose of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine (that is, either Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna) for everyone age 50 and older at least four months after their prior booster dose, with a strong recommendation for everyone […]

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RI COVID-19 Test Standing Order: Allows direct billing insurance at pharmacies

Under a new standing order, every person in RI with either Medicaid or private health insurance should be able to pick up COVID-19 rapid antigen test (RAT) kits from any pharmacy without having to pay up-front. Despite a federal government mandate that health insurers must cover up to eight kits per month for every covered […]

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News Analysis – Failure on COVID-19 rapid testing availability: Insurers game the system

A federal mandate issued by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) requires health insurers to either directly cover or indirectly reimburse each insured individual for up to eight at-home over-the-counter COVID-19 rapid antigen test (RAT) kits per month, up to $12 per test. Families on the same insurance plan are eligible for RAT […]

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Alexander-Scott not running for Congress: Former RI health director bows out of politics for now

Dr Nicole Alexander-Scott, who resigned from her post as director of the RI Department of Health a few weeks ago (“RI Health Director Alexander-Scott resigns: Led state’s COVID-19 response from the beginning”, by Michael Bilow, Jan 13, 2022), sent Motif a statement ending speculation that she would be a candidate for the open seat being […]

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