Cross-sectional estimates suggest that one-third of children are enrolled in Medicaid or other public insurance programs. The percentage of children enrolled in Medicaid at any point during childhood, and which children use Medicaid as a longer-term insurance source, is unknown.

Over a 5-year period, 41% of children were enrolled in Medicaid at some point. Of those children, 51.5% were enrolled during all 5 years. Children with sociodemographic risk factors are more often enrolled for longer periods of childhood. (Read the full article)

Use of behavioral health (BH) screens in pediatrics have increased identification of children with BH issues. Screening rates increased in Massachusetts after it was mandated, as did the volume of some mental health services.

This is the first study of children after Massachusetts mandated behavioral screening began. Almost 40% of children who screened positive were newly identified. Being male, having a BH history, and being in foster care predicted a positive screen. (Read the full article)

Demographic data concerning health care providers working long-term in resource-limited areas with religious groups or other government or nongovernment organizations are limited. Health outcomes from these programs vary with the focus of the individual program.

This study describes the composition and evaluation of a long-term global health corps program. Other groups interested in long-term physician placement in resource-limited areas will be able to use these data while developing their program. (Read the full article)

Previous analyses have documented that the prevalence of children with chronic conditions is growing and is responsible for increased growth in hospital charges; however, such utilization trends have not been documented in Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program.

From 2007 through 2010 in Illinois, children with chronic conditions became Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program recipients at a higher rate than healthy children. In contrast to studies of hospital data, this analysis found per-member spending decreases in most chronic condition groups. (Read the full article)

Clinical decisions must be medically necessary to be approved by insurers. There is a federally mandated medical necessity standard for children in Medicaid, but not in private plans. American Academy of Pediatrics policy calls on pediatricians to help define pediatric medical necessity.

This study reviewed pediatric medical necessity definitions in Medicaid state statutes, regulations, and provider manuals. The federal standard was not replicated on all levels, and provider manuals were least likely to have it. Pediatricians should engage in defining pediatric standards. (Read the full article)

Behavioral health (BH) screening is known to increase identification of children with BH issues, but in small-scale studies, rates of follow-up after screening have been reported to be low.

This study examines the relationship between BH screening and the receipt of BH services in Massachusetts Medicaid children. Nearly 60% of children identified with BH problems received BH services, but only 30% of newly identified children received BH services. (Read the full article)

Although the rates of antipsychotic medication treatment are rising for children and adolescents, little is known about the factors associated with this practice.

This study provides some of the first data regarding when and why clinicians decide to use antipsychotic medications. It reveals clues as to how prescribing might better follow best practice guidelines. (Read the full article)

Medicaid made substantial investments in enhanced prenatal and postnatal care programs to address maternal and infant health, including infant mortality. Evaluations of population-based programs are few, and although some have reported reductions in infant mortality, they have methodological limitations.

A population-based home visitation program can be a successful approach to reduce infant mortality. The reduced risk of infant death is consistent with previous findings on the effects of the program on health care utilization and birth outcomes. (Read the full article)

A program in Howard County, Md., is built on the insight that children can have strong emotions around academics, and those emotions can sabotage learning.

U.S. Department of Education money will help public television develop projects promoting math and literacy for children ages 2 to 8.

Nationally, at least five million children have at least one parent who is undocumented. Supporting those children should be a priority if the threat of a raid is not imminent, advocates said.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has “blood on his hands” in the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, a top aide to Turkey’s president said, in his country’s first direct accusation against the power behind the Saudi throne.

Two of Penn State’s most generous supporters and prominent alumni leaders have made a new commitment to support students impacted by the COVID-19 crisis. Helen S. Hintz, 1960, and Edward “Ed” R. Hintz, 1959, have directed $100,000 to the Student Care and Advocacy Emergency Fund.

The two national teachers' unions and other prominent groups are seeking $175 billion for state K-12 budgets, $13 billion in dedicated aid for special education, and more to help schools deal with the coronavirus.

When Penn State decided in early March to cancel all in-person classes, staff at the Dutton Institute were already weeks into a plan to assist faculty members with the transition. They had the snow-day protocol complete with teaching tools from hundreds of learning designers with decades of experience creating courses for the virtual world.

House Democrats are demanding that companies return federal dollars that they say were intended for smaller businesses

CNA Staff, Mar 27, 2020 / 11:19 am (CNA).- Four men working in Iraq for the French humanitarian organization SOS Chrétiens d'Orient who went missing in Baghdad in January have been released by their kidnappers, the French president announced Thursday.

Emmanuel Macron announced March 26 that he “welcomes the release of our three nationals Antoine Brochon, Julien Dittmar, Alexandre Goodarzy and Iraqi Tariq Mattoka.”

The men disappeared Jan. 20 after they made a trip to an appointment by car. SOS Chrétiens d'Orient tried to contact them the following day, unsuccessfully.

The missing employees had gone to Baghdad “to renew their visas and the registration of association with the Iraqi authorities and to monitor the association's operations” in the country.

Macron's office said it had made “every effort” to secure their release, and he expressed “gratitude to the Iraqi authorities for their co-operation.”

SOS Chrétiens d'Orient said last week that they had received no ransom demand, and no group had claimed responsibility for the abduction.

The organization works to support Eastern Christians with humanitarian material aid; it has permanent missions in Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, and Egypt.

Christians in Iraq have suffered persecution in recent years, especially during the invasion of the Islamic State.

Prior to the United States invasion of Iraq in 2003, there were about 1.5 million Iraqi Christians. Today, that number is believed to be fewer than 500,000.

Finance Minister Tito Mboweni is delivering his mini budget, just days after being appointed to the post. What his speech live.

In a case from Montana, conservative justices suggested they were inclined to rule for parents who seek to reinstate a state tax credit funding scholarships for use at religious schools.

Ultimately, the payment of municipal utilities and taxes is the responsibility of the property owner, explains an attorney.

If you have lost your income due to the lockdown, your options are limited.

The Heritage Foundation says current federal programs supporting things like after-school centers don't work and their funding should be redirected for education savings accounts.

An AIDSLink Brazil team holds an AIDS awareness workshop at a centre for the rehabilitation of drug users and sex workers in São Paulo.

THE MEZZANINE GALLERY TO EXHIBIT HUGH PHIBB’S “WHAT THE WATER SAID…” WATERCOLORS Wilmington, Del. (January 24, 2018) – What the Water Said…Flowers, Places & Faces will be on view in the Mezzanine Gallery from February 2-23, 2018. A free opening reception to meet the artist will be held on Friday, February 2 from 5-7 p.m. […]

Javier Sotomayor talks to Sonam Saini about entering the hinterlands, rising ticket prices, and the threat from OTT players.

Jio Rs. 2,399 prepaid recharge plan brings 2GB daily high-speed data benefits along with unlimited voice calling benefits for 365 days. Jio has also introduced new add-on packs at Rs. 151, Rs. 201,...

Since, baking flours are flying off the shelves of grocery stores, we thought of saving some flour for our kitchen stock, and dug out these desert recipes that can be tried without using any kind of...

Agency: HSS Closing Date: 7/9/2020

DOVER (Nov. 29, 2018) — December 1, 2018, marks the 30th annual World AIDS Day. For three decades, this day has united people around the world in the fight against Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and AIDS. World AIDS Day encourages support for those living with HIV and remembrance for those who have died of AIDS-related […]

NEW CASTLE (Aug. 1, 2019) – As a way to improve the health of Delawareans who are covered by Medicaid, while potentially reducing overall health care spending, the Department of Health and Social Services’ two Medicaid managed care organizations are making the YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program available to their members who meet eligibility criteria. The […]

DHSS Secretary Dr. Kara Odom Walker says, “In the midst of the opioid crisis we are facing in Delaware and across the country, (these facilities) are another resource we can use to better serve our Medicaid clients in need of treatment for substance use disorder.” NEW CASTLE (Aug. 5, 2019) – The Department of Health […]

NEW CASTLE (Sept. 26, 2019) – The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently awarded the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services a $3.58 million planning grant to increase the treatment capacity of Medicaid providers to deliver substance use disorder treatment and recovery services to Delawareans in need. Delaware was one of 15 […]

India, which was among the last set of nations where the Covid-19 spread its tentacles, has announced a Rs 1.7-lakh-crore (0.8% of GDP) relief package for the poor and the vulnerable and is planning to calibrate its reponses to help the economy over the coming weeks.

Former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) chief N Chandrababu Naidu on Friday wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, requesting a scientific probe into Vizag gas leak...

Attorney General highlights domestic violence awareness amid emergency orders  Attorney General Kathy Jennings and the Delaware Coalition Against Domestic Violence announced Monday that more than 100 cell phones with prepaid calls, texts, and data will be made available to Delaware domestic violence survivors as the result of a public-private-nonprofit collaboration between the Delaware Department of Justice, the […]

The Covid-19 pandemic has dealt a severe blow to the already grounded and insolvent Jet Airways. About 40 people who were a part of Jet’s asset preservation team were let go earlier this week.

SaaS major Zoho has introduced targeted programmes and tools to help businesses and communities severely impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has said that evidence will soon reveal the US leader himself was behind the failed incursion attempt, noting that Washington severed all remaining ties with Caracas thereafter.
Read Full Article at RT.com

US President Donald Trump has dismissed claims the foiled plot to kidnap Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro had government backing, insisting he’d have done it differently – as a proper “invasion” with an “army.”
Read Full Article at RT.com

The White House asked reporters to wear face masks after a second staff member in two days tested positive for the coronavirus. Critics of President Donald Trump reacted with joy after finding out who it was.
Read Full Article at RT.com

Opposition leader Juan Guaido continues to deny any link to a failed armed incursion into Venezuela, despite his own allies handing over a lengthy contract to American media naming him as the commander of the operation.
Read Full Article at RT.com

The Odisha government’s direct benefit transfer (DBT) scheme for farmers, Kalia, which was announced a few months before the Assembly elections last year, may be curtailed and subsumed in the PM-Kisan scheme run by the Centre.

The Congress has mandated that the H1-B visa has an annual limit cap of 65,000 visas during each fiscal year. Moreover, the first 20,000 petitions filed by beneficiaries having a US master's degree get an exemption from the cap.A few major changes Presently,…

Commerce, energy secretaries & NSA are part of team to India

The Tamil Nadu government has sought a special assistance of Rs 4,000 crore and a slew of other financial support from the Centre to help the state fight the Covid-19 pandemic.