(Bloomberg) — UK Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves has told ministers to seek savings in their departmental budgets, as Keir Starmer’s government grapples with tough choices on public spending against the backdrop of a difficult fiscal picture. Kicking off the government’s latest spending review — which will allocate budgets for 2026 onwards, and which is expected to conclude in June next year — Reeves said she would take an “iron fist” to waste and that she expected ministers to stop spending on areas that don’t contribute to the government’s main priorities. “We will inspect every pound of government spend so that it goes to the right places,” Reeves said in an e-mailed statement from the Treasury. “By totally rewiring how the government spends money, we will be able to deliver our ‘Plan for Change’ and focus on what matters for working people.” The spending review is another politically tricky moment for Starmer, who faced a backlash from his own cabinet at the last spending round in October when ministers pushed back on allocations that they felt were too miserly. This review is set to be even tougher because Reeves has only allocated an average 1.3% real terms increase in overall departmental spending for the period, meaning ministries outside of priority areas like health, education and defence are likely to face cuts. Reeves will tell departments that they “cannot operate in a business-as-usual way” and that their spending plans will be subject to a “line-by-line review,” according to the Treasury statement. The government’s priority areas for spending include boosting economic growth, fixing the National Health Service, fighting crime and investing in clean energy, the statement said. Another pressure impacting the spending review is the government’s tight fiscal position, which gives Reeves little room for maneuver. Some economists predict that the Office for Budget Responsibility, the government’s official forecaster, will say that Reeves is on course to breach her main fiscal rule when it delivers its next set of fiscal forecasts in the spring, due to a deterioration in the public finances linked to higher borrowing costs and a weaker growth outlook. Should that occur, Reeves would seek to rectify the government’s position through spending cuts, people familiar with the matter have said. Further complicating matters is that Starmer and Reeves have promised to set out a timeline for when the government will spend 2.5% of GDP on defence, and Reeves has warned that hitting that target would mean eating into other departments’ budgets. Speaking at the CBI’s annual conference last month, Reeves said that the overall spending envelope had been set for this Parliament and that ministers would have to live within their means. She also said she wouldn’t be coming back with more borrowing or more taxes, after her controversial first budget hiked levies by more than £40 billion ($51 billion) and spurred a wave of criticism from businesses.
NoneThe would-be assassin of former President Ronald Reagan has a new business venture, he announced Monday. John Hinckley Jr., who shot and wounded Reagan in 1981 and was acquitted by reason of insanity, had spent decades in a Washington mental health hospital after the assassination attempt. Since being freed from court oversight in 2022, Hinckley has spent recent years posting videos of his music and promoting live shows. And on Monday, Hinckley announced he would be opening up a music store. “I’ll be opening a music store in Williamsburg, Va. The address is 455 Merrimack Trail. Grand opening is in a week or two!” he wrote on social media platform X. I’ll be opening a music store in Williamsburg, Va. The address is 455 Merrimack Trail. Grand opening is in a week or two! Hinckley has also promoted his live music shows on X, but has noted that some venues have cancelled on him in the past. He also posts his music to his YouTube channel. After the 2024 election, Hinckley told his followers to stop with the “negative” comments. “A lot of the comments on my Twitter/X feed have been alarming, so I have to keep reminding people that I am a changed person from the way I was in 1981,” he wrote in a blog post. “My songs are about peace and love and overcoming hard times. A lot of people have told me that listening to my songs helps them get through their day. I strive for positive vibes, not the negativity you see everywhere today,” he added. Hinckley told The New York Times in a July interview that he uses music to “redeem” himself. “People have different definitions of redemption,” Hinckley told The New York Times. “My definition of redemption is to make amends for all the negativity that I created in 1981. I’m trying to redeem myself through positive music, through a thing that people really like — as opposed to the things they really hated about me, in 1981.” He also said in the interview that while he enjoys living in Williamsburg, Va. because people do not bother him, he has thought about living in more music-centered cities like Nashville, Los Angeles or New York. “I’m basically a struggling musician,” he told the Times. “I’ve had a lot of people say to me, ‘John, you’re like so many other struggling musicians.’ And it’s true. I am.” Hinckley did not provide any other details about his music store on social media on Monday. Stories by Lauren Sforza Who would Trump FBI nominee Kash Patel target? He compiled a lengthy list Trump supporters called out for hypocrisy after Biden pardon ‘Utter bull---t’: Biden allies, Trump rip move to pardon Hunter Biden Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com .
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Foldable MacBook won’t be ready before 2028, new leak claimsWe are closer toestablishing peace between Azerbaijan and Armenia, Turkish ForeignMinister Hakan Fidan said during a discussion of the 2025 budget ata meeting of the Turkish Grand National Assembly, reports. The minister noted that there is hope that peace will beestablished in the South Caucasus region, which is important forTürkiye. "We are getting closer to establishing peace between Azerbaijanand Armenia. Achieving peace will contribute to the development ofthe region and open up new opportunities. Türkiye supports allefforts in this process," Hakan Fidan.
For their last holiday season in the White House, President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden decked the halls with a theme of "A Season of Peace and Light." When guests first enter the White House for holiday tours, they're greeted by a massive, rotating starlight above the East Wing. The first tree on the tour is dedicated to Gold Star Families. It's made of six oversized and stacked stars representing the branches of the military. Names of fallen service members are written on gold star ornaments on the four accompanying Christmas trees around the room, according to the White House website . Brass-colored bells suspended from archways down the East Colonnade surround guests with the "peaceful sounds of the holiday season." The White House Library is a forest of vintage ceramic Christmas trees. RELATED STORY | Capitol Christmas tree arrives in Washington after 4,000-mile journey from Alaska The ceiling of the East Room is wrapped in a canopy of reflective medallions that mimic the feeling of a peaceful snowfall. This is where guests will find the Nativity scene that has been displayed during every White House holiday season since 1967. In the Blue Room, guests will find the official White House Christmas Tree, a Fraser fir from North Carolina, on display in the center of a whimsical carousel. Every year the room's chandelier is removed to accommodate the tall Christmas trees. Military families from the USS Delaware and the USS Gabrielle Giffords, Navy vessels that First Lady Biden sponsors, made dazzling paper garlands that wrap around the State Dining Room. One of the most anticipated features every year is the Gingerbread White House. The sugary replica features a large starburst and a cheerful scene of ice skaters this year. The White House said the gingerbread masterpiece took 25 sheets of gingerbread dough, 10 sheets of sugar cookie dough, five pounds of pastillage, 45 pounds of chocolate, 50 pounds of royal icing and 10 pounds of gum paste to come to life. In total, there are 83 Christmas trees throughout the White House adorned with approximately 9,810 feet of ribbon and over 28,125 ornaments. Over 165,075 lights decorate the trees, garlands, wreaths and displays. RELATED STORY | Experts share tips on how to have a bugfree Christmas "It has been the honor of our lives to serve as your President and First Lady. Our hope is for the Nation to be blessed with the peace and light of the holiday season. We wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays," the president and first lady wrote in the welcome letter for the commemorative White House Holiday Guide. It took over 300 dedicated volunteers from across the country a full week to decorate the inside and outside of the White House, who the first lady thanked during a special event to mark the holiday season. The first lady invited National Guard families to be the first to experience this year's magical decorations and had their children on stage at the special event.
AP Sports SummaryBrief at 6:06 p.m. ESTZIMBABWE’S new Heritage-Based Curriculum has been hailed as a transformative step in providing inclusive, high-quality primary and secondary education. The curriculum, designed to foster critical thinking, problem-solving, and teamwork among learners, is set to equip students with essential skills to navigate the challenges of a rapidly evolving world. Speaking about the achievements in Zimbabwe’s education sector this year, Primary and Secondary Education Minister, Torerai Moyo, emphasised the significance of the curriculum. “Another milestone that we have achieved as a ministry is to review the competence-based curriculum and introduce the Heritage-Based Curriculum. We want learners to have a deep understanding of their heritage, and their surroundings so that they can identify challenges they face at home, schools, and communities,” he said. “They can then do research based on the problem and try to proffer solutions through the power of digital tools.” Minister Moyo highlighted that the Government is committed to enhancing educational experiences through the establishment of innovation hubs in schools. These hubs are aimed at equipping students with 21st-century skills necessary for innovation and technological advancement. Minister Moyo said the Heritage-based curriculum, coupled with the establishment of innovation hubs, is expected to redefine Zimbabwe’s educational landscape, nurturing a generation of learners equipped to thrive in an increasingly complex and interconnected world. “We have established innovation hubs in several schools across the provinces. In Victoria Falls, for instance, three schools now have innovation hubs, and more are in Harare and other areas,” he said. “We want our students to dream big, discover new knowledge, and address real-world challenges. The goal is to inculcate critical thinking and problem-solving skills, enabling learners to invent new technologies and solutions pivotal for development,” he said. The Heritage-Based Curriculum integrates local culture and history with modern educational practices, encouraging students to research community-specific challenges and develop solutions. This approach aligns with Zimbabwe’s broader National Development Goals and Vision 2030, which prioritise innovation and sustainable development. “These initiatives are part of a larger national strategy to promote innovation in education. By preparing our students to think critically and solve problems creatively, we are positioning Zimbabwe to achieve its developmental aspirations,” said Minister Moyo. The Government is also keen to overhaul vocational training programmes so that students have the skills needed for their future careers. The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education has pointed to schools like St Columba’s High School in Bulawayo as an example of the practical benefits of this educational model. Learners at St Columba’s are not only acquiring valuable skills but also learning to monetise these abilities even before completing Form 4. The objective is to equip students with the skills and knowledge necessary to embark on their careers immediately upon completing their education, thereby transforming them from job seekers to job creators. Minister Moyo said several schools have already begun producing learners who possess problem-solving skills, which is proof to the effectiveness of this new educational approach. Chronicle Writer A Bulawayo-based organisation which raises awareness on various cancers has donated 600 packets of sanitary pads and cotton wool to cervical cancer patients at Mpilo Central Hospital (Mpilo). Dr Tatenda Chingonzoh, chairperson of the Leading Initiatives Fighting Cancer Together (LIFT) Trust and head of Mpilo’s radiotherapy centre said cancer treatment is very expensive [...] Patrick Chitumba, FERROCHROME producer Zimasco Private Limited is prioritising the optimisation of one of its furnaces, which is under maintenance, while keeping a close eye on global market trends. Should market conditions continue to deteriorate, the company may defer further optimisation of its second furnace, potentially resulting in its temporary closure. In a press [...] Nqobile Tshili, THE Zimbabwe Gender Commission (ZGC) has raised concern over the prevalence of teenage pregnancies in mining communities and the deteriorating state of maternity waiting shelters in rural areas. These findings emerged from a recent study conducted by the commission to assess the experiences of pregnant women across six rural provinces, including Matabeleland [...]
However, some state workers failed to return to their jobs and a United Nations official said the country’s public sector had come “to a complete and abrupt halt”. Meanwhile, streams of refugees crossed back into Syria from neighbouring countries, hoping for a more peaceful future and looking for relatives who disappeared during Mr Assad’s brutal rule. There were already signs of the difficulties ahead for the rebel alliance now in control of much of the country. The alliance is led by a former senior al-Qaida militant, who severed ties with the extremist group years ago and has promised representative government and religious tolerance. The rebel command said they would not tell women how to dress. “It is strictly forbidden to interfere with women’s dress or impose any request related to their clothing or appearance, including requests for modesty,” the command said in a statement on social media. Nearly two days after rebels entered the capital, some key government services had shut down after state workers ignored calls to go back to their jobs, the UN official said, causing issues at airports and borders and slowing the flow of humanitarian aid. Rebel leader Ahmad al-Sharaa, who was known by his nom de guerre Abu Mohammed al-Golani, also met with Prime Minister Mohammad Ghazi Jalali for the first time. Mr Jalali stayed in Syria when Mr Assad fled and has sought to project normalcy since. “We are working so that the transitional period is quick and smooth,” he told Sky News Arabia TV on Monday, saying the security situation had already improved from the day before. At the court of Justice in Damascus, which was stormed by the rebels to free detainees, Judge Khitam Haddad, an aide to the justice minister in the outgoing government, said that judges were ready to resume work quickly. “We want to give everyone their rights,” Mr Haddad said outside the courthouse. “We want to build a new Syria and to keep the work, but with new methods.” But a UN official said some government services had been paralysed as worried state employees stayed at home. The public sector “has just come to a complete and abrupt halt,” said Adam Abdelmoula, UN resident and humanitarian co-ordinator for Syria, noting, for example, that an aid flight carrying urgently needed medical supplies had been put on hold after aviation employees abandoned their jobs. “This is a country that has had one government for 53 years and then suddenly all of those who have been demonised by the public media are now in charge in the nation’s capital,” Mr Abdelmoula told The Associated Press. “I think it will take a couple of days and a lot of assurance on the part of the armed groups for these people to return to work again.” In a video shared on a rebel messaging channel, Mr al-Sharaa said: “You will see there are skills” among the rebels. The Kremlin said Russia has granted political asylum to Mr Assad, a decision made by President Vladimir Putin. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov declined to comment on Mr Assad’s specific whereabouts and said Mr Putin did not plan to meet with him. Damascus was quiet Monday, with life slowly returning to normal, though most shops and public institutions were closed. In public squares, some people were still celebrating. Civilian traffic resumed, but there was no public transport. Long lines formed in front of bakeries and other food stores. There was little sign of any security presence though in some areas, small groups of armed men were stationed in the streets.ST. SIMONS ISLAND, Ga. (AP) — PGA Tour rookie Patrick Fishburn played bogey-free for an 8-under 64 for his first lead after any round. Joel Dahmen was 10 shots behind and had a bigger cause for celebration Friday in the RSM Classic. Dahmen made a 5-foot par putt on his final hole for a 2-under 68 in tough conditions brought on by the wind and cold, allowing him to make the cut on the number and get two more days to secure his PGA Tour card for next year. He is No. 124 in the FedEx Cup. “I still got more to write this weekend for sure,” said Dahmen, who recently had said his story is not yet over. “But without having the opportunity to play this weekend, my story would be a lot shorter this year.” Fishburn took advantage of being on the easier Plantation course, with trees blocking the brunt of the wind and two additional par 5s. He also was helped by Maverick McNealy, who opened with a 62 on the tougher Seaside course, making two bogeys late in his round and having to settle for a 70. Fishburn, who already has locked up his card for next year, was at 11-under 131 and led McNealy and Lee Hodges (63) going into the weekend. Michael Thorbjornsen had a 69 and was the only player who had to face Seaside on Friday who was among the top five. What mattered on this day, however, was far down the leaderboard. The RSM Classic is the final tournament of the PGA Tour season, and only the top 125 in the FedEx Cup have full status in 2025. That's more critical than ever with the tour only taking the top 100 for full cards after next season. Players like Dahmen will need full status to get as many playing opportunities as they can. That explains why he felt so much pressure on a Friday. He didn't make a bogey after his opening hole and was battling temperatures in the low 50s that felt even colder with the wind ripping off the Atlantic waters of St. Simons Sound. He made a key birdie on the 14th, hitting a 4-iron for his second shot on the 424-yard hole. Dahmen also hit wedge to 2 feet on the 16th that put him on the cut line, and from the 18th fairway, he was safely on the green some 40 feet away. But he lagged woefully short, leaving himself a testy 5-footer with his job on the line. “It was a great putt. I was very nervous,” Dahmen said. “But there's still work to do. It wasn't the game-winner, it was like the half-court shot to get us to halftime. But without that, and the way I played today, I wouldn't have anything this weekend.” His playing partners weren't so fortunate. The tour put three in danger of losing their cards in the same group — Zac Blair (No. 123), Dahmen and Wesley Bryan (No. 125). The cut was at 1-under 141. Blair and Bryan came to the 18th hole needing birdie to be assured of making the cut and both narrowly missed. Now they have to wait to see if anyone passes them, which is typically the case. Thorbjornsen in a tie for fourth and Daniel Berger (66 at Plantation) in a tie for 17th both were projected to move into the top 125. Dahmen, indeed, still has work to do. Fishburn gets a weekend to see if he can end his rookie year with a win. “I've had a lot of experience playing in cold growing up in Utah, playing this time of year, kind of get used to playing when the body’s not moving very well and you’ve got to move your hands,” said Fishburn, who played college golf at BYU. “Just pretty happy with how I played.” Ludvig Aberg, the defending champion and No. 5 player in the world competing for the first time in more than two months because of knee surgery, bounced back with a 64 on Plantation and was back in the mix. Aberg played with Luke Clanton, the Florida State sophomore who looks like he belongs each week. Clanton, the No. 1 player in the world amateur ranking who received a sponsor exemption, had a 65 at Plantation and was two shots off the lead. Clanton already has a runner-up and two other top 10s since June. “Playing with him, it's pretty awesome to watch,” Clanton said. “We were kind of fanboying a little it. I know he's a really good dude but to be playing with him and to see what he's done over the last couple years, it's pretty inspirational.” AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf
Eagles look to clinch NFC East title while Cowboys hope to play spoilerBy Lindsay Shachnow Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Connecticut Sen. Richard Blumenthal sent a letter to President Joe Biden and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin Sunday, urging them to issue a policy directive which would prevent the deployment of military personnel against Americans “unless specifically authorized.” Warren, a member of the Armed Services Committee, asked that the Insurrection Act — which allows the president to deploy the military for civilian law enforcement — be “narrowly applied and that the President must consult with Congress to the maximum extent practicable.” “In instances when federal forces are necessary to protect or prevent violations of individuals’ civil liberties, federal forces should only be authorized when state, local, or federal civilian law enforcement personnel are unable, fail, or refuse to protect their rights,” the letter , dated Dec. 1, says. For years, advocates have been calling to reform the Insurrection Act , calling it “dangerously vague” and “ripe for abuse.” “In theory, the Insurrection Act should be used only in a crisis that is truly beyond the capacity of civilian authorities to manage,” according to New York University’s Brennan Center for Justice . “However, the Insurrection Act fails to adequately define or limit when it may be used and instead gives the president significant power to decide when and where to deploy U.S. military forces domestically.” In his first term, Donald Trump considered using military force in response to Black Lives Matter protests and was encouraged to invoke martial law after losing the 2020 election, according to NBC News . And recently, Trump has promised to lean on military forces when launching the “ largest deportation program in American history .” In an October interview with Fox News’ Maria Bartiromo on “Sunday Morning Futures,” Trump was asked about fears of “chaos” ensuing on Election Day. “We have some very bad people. We have some sick people, radical left lunatics,” he said. “It should be very easily handled by, if necessary, by National Guard or, if really necessary, by the military.” Ahead of Trump’s inauguration, the senators hope the directive will serve as a preventive measure against the former president whose advisers are drafting plans to potentially invoke the Insurrection Act on day 1 in office, The Washington Post reported last month . Vice President Elect J.D. Vance has reportedly defended Trump’s pledge to use military force against certain Americans deemed “the enemy from within.” Warren has also taken aim at Trump’s choice of Fox News host Pete Hegseth as his secretary of defense, calling for the appointment to “be rejected.” In the letter, Warren and Blumenthal raised concerns about the U.S. Supreme Court’s Trump v. United States decision which “significantly expanded presidential immunity for official acts.” “Given the disagreement amongst scholars on the serious implications of the recent Supreme Court decision, it is reasonable to assume that service members, other DoD personnel, and the broader military community may not be aware of or fully understand their rights and responsibilities,” the letter says. “If unaddressed, any ambiguity on the lawful use of military force, coupled with President-elect Trump’s demonstrated intent to utilize the military in such dangerous and unprecedented ways, may prove to be devastating.” Lindsay Shachnow Lindsay Shachnow covers general assignment news for Boston.com , reporting on breaking news, crime, and politics across New England. Boston.com Today Sign up to receive the latest headlines in your inbox each morning. Be civil. Be kind.
The Bayelsa State Police Command has announced the arrest and detention of a 22-year-old man, simply identified as Godwin from the Elebele Community near Yenagoa in Ogbia Local Government Area for allegedly stabbing his mother to death. PUNCH Metro gathered on Tuesday that when Godwin murdered his mother in late November, neighbours were attracted by the noise of a struggle between the woman and her son. When they rushed in, they found the woman in a pool of blood while the son was apprehended and tied with fetters. The gruesome incident that took place sometime in late November only came to light when two videos surfaced on social media this week. Community sources told PUNCH Metro that some weeks ago, Godwin returned to the town from Benin City, Edo State, where he had been receiving training at a Yahoo centre popularly referred to as HK. Another source, who spoke with our correspondent on the condition of anonymity, said a cleric had warned the deceased mother of the impending danger to her life from an offer of a strange gift from the son and was told to reject any such gift from the son. A source said when Godwin returned to the community, he was behaving strangely and kept away from his childhood friends while saying that one ‘Baba’ had warned him that his destiny and wealth were being held back by his deceased mother. The youth president of Elebele Community, Precious Okala, who confirmed the incident on Tuesday, told our correspondent that his attention was drawn to the incident around 6.00 pm on the fateful day. Related News Bayelsa’s plans to reverse years of neglect, dormant agric potential Bayelsa accuses APC of diverting FG flood palliatives TCN promises power restoration to Bayelsa in 48 hours Okala said: “On getting to the scene, we saw the bloodied corpse of the deceased woman and his son who had been tied by the youths of the community. “We were told that since the boy came back from Benin City, Edo State, he had been behaving strangely. On the fateful day, he was reported to have had a struggle with his mother and stabbed her in the stomach with a knife. “The boy was heard saying that one ‘Baba’ had told him that the mother was in possession of his destiny and wealth.” Another community youth who refused to mention his name told PUNCH Metro that Godwin’s strange behaviour since his return included distancing himself from his friends and cooking food for the mother which he had done before, which she refused to eat. The killer-son was however handed over to policemen from the Kolo Division of the Bayelsa State Police Command. Confirming the incident on Monday night, the state’s Police Public Relations Officer, Musa Mohammed, said the matter had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for a detailed investigation. He said, “The case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for detailed investigation.”
Renuka Rayasam | (TNS) KFF Health News In April, just 12 weeks into her pregnancy, Kathleen Clark was standing at the receptionist window of her OB-GYN’s office when she was asked to pay $960, the total the office estimated she would owe after she delivered. Clark, 39, was shocked that she was asked to pay that amount during this second prenatal visit. Normally, patients receive the bill after insurance has paid its part, and for pregnant women that’s usually only when the pregnancy ends. It would be months before the office filed the claim with her health insurer. Clark said she felt stuck. The Cleveland, Tennessee, obstetrics practice was affiliated with a birthing center where she wanted to deliver. Plus, she and her husband had been wanting to have a baby for a long time. And Clark was emotional, because just weeks earlier her mother had died. “You’re standing there at the window, and there’s people all around, and you’re trying to be really nice,” recalled Clark, through tears. “So, I paid it.” On online baby message boards and other social media forums , pregnant women say they are being asked by their providers to pay out-of-pocket fees earlier than expected. The practice is legal, but patient advocacy groups call it unethical. Medical providers argue that asking for payment up front ensures they get compensated for their services. How frequently this happens is hard to track because it is considered a private transaction between the provider and the patient. Therefore, the payments are not recorded in insurance claims data and are not studied by researchers. Patients, medical billing experts, and patient advocates say the billing practice causes unexpected anxiety at a time of already heightened stress and financial pressure. Estimates can sometimes be higher than what a patient might ultimately owe and force people to fight for refunds if they miscarry or the amount paid was higher than the final bill. Up-front payments also create hurdles for women who may want to switch providers if they are unhappy with their care. In some cases, they may cause women to forgo prenatal care altogether, especially in places where few other maternity care options exist. It’s “holding their treatment hostage,” said Caitlin Donovan, a senior director at the Patient Advocate Foundation . Medical billing and women’s health experts believe OB-GYN offices adopted the practice to manage the high cost of maternity care and the way it is billed for in the U.S. When a pregnancy ends, OB-GYNs typically file a single insurance claim for routine prenatal care, labor, delivery, and, often, postpartum care. That practice of bundling all maternity care into one billing code began three decades ago, said Lisa Satterfield, senior director of health and payment policy at the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists . But such bundled billing has become outdated, she said. Previously, pregnant patients had been subject to copayments for each prenatal visit, which might lead them to skip crucial appointments to save money. But the Affordable Care Act now requires all commercial insurers to fully cover certain prenatal services. Plus, it’s become more common for pregnant women to switch providers, or have different providers handle prenatal care, labor, and delivery — especially in rural areas where patient transfers are common. Some providers say prepayments allow them to spread out one-time payments over the course of the pregnancy to ensure that they are compensated for the care they do provide, even if they don’t ultimately deliver the baby. “You have people who, unfortunately, are not getting paid for the work that they do,” said Pamela Boatner, who works as a midwife in a Georgia hospital. While she believes women should receive pregnancy care regardless of their ability to pay, she also understands that some providers want to make sure their bill isn’t ignored after the baby is delivered. New parents might be overloaded with hospital bills and the costs of caring for a new child, and they may lack income if a parent isn’t working, Boatner said. In the U.S., having a baby can be expensive. People who obtain health insurance through large employers pay an average of nearly $3,000 out-of-pocket for pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum care, according to the Peterson-KFF Health System Tracker . In addition, many people are opting for high-deductible health insurance plans, leaving them to shoulder a larger share of the costs. Of the 100 million U.S. people with health care debt, 12% attribute at least some of it to maternity care, according to a 2022 KFF poll . Families need time to save money for the high costs of pregnancy, childbirth, and child care, especially if they lack paid maternity leave, said Joy Burkhard , CEO of the Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health, a Los Angeles-based policy think tank. Asking them to prepay “is another gut punch,” she said. “What if you don’t have the money? Do you put it on credit cards and hope your credit card goes through?” Calculating the final costs of childbirth depends on multiple factors, such as the timing of the pregnancy , plan benefits, and health complications, said Erin Duffy , a health policy researcher at the University of Southern California’s Schaeffer Center for Health Policy and Economics. The final bill for the patient is unclear until a health plan decides how much of the claim it will cover, she said. But sometimes the option to wait for the insurer is taken away. During Jamie Daw’s first pregnancy in 2020, her OB-GYN accepted her refusal to pay in advance because Daw wanted to see the final bill. But in 2023, during her second pregnancy, a private midwifery practice in New York told her that since she had a high-deductible plan, it was mandatory to pay $2,000 spread out with monthly payments. Daw, a health policy researcher at Columbia University, delivered in September 2023 and got a refund check that November for $640 to cover the difference between the estimate and the final bill. “I study health insurance,” she said. “But, as most of us know, it’s so complicated when you’re really living it.” While the Affordable Care Act requires insurers to cover some prenatal services, it doesn’t prohibit providers from sending their final bill to patients early. It would be a challenge politically and practically for state and federal governments to attempt to regulate the timing of the payment request, said Sabrina Corlette , a co-director of the Center on Health Insurance Reforms at Georgetown University. Medical lobbying groups are powerful and contracts between insurers and medical providers are proprietary. Because of the legal gray area, Lacy Marshall , an insurance broker at Rapha Health and Life in Texas, advises clients to ask their insurer if they can refuse to prepay their deductible. Some insurance plans prohibit providers in their network from requiring payment up front. If the insurer says they can refuse to pay up front, Marshall said, she tells clients to get established with a practice before declining to pay, so that the provider can’t refuse treatment. Related Articles Health | Which health insurance plan may be right for you? Health | California case is the first confirmed bird flu infection in a US child Health | UC campus and hospital worker strike continues across university system Health | Phillips 66 indicted on charges it dumped tainted water from Carson refinery into sewer system Health | US towns plunge into debates about fluoride in water Clark said she met her insurance deductible after paying for genetic testing, extra ultrasounds, and other services out of her health care flexible spending account. Then she called her OB-GYN’s office and asked for a refund. “I got my spine back,” said Clark, who had previously worked at a health insurer and a medical office. She got an initial check for about half the $960 she originally paid. In August, Clark was sent to the hospital after her blood pressure spiked. A high-risk pregnancy specialist — not her original OB-GYN practice — delivered her son, Peter, prematurely via emergency cesarean section at 30 weeks. It was only after she resolved most of the bills from the delivery that she received the rest of her refund from the other OB-GYN practice. This final check came in October, just days after Clark brought Peter home from the hospital, and after multiple calls to the office. She said it all added stress to an already stressful period. “Why am I having to pay the price as a patient?” she said. “I’m just trying to have a baby.” ©2024 KFF Health News. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
AP Sports SummaryBrief at 2:06 p.m. EST
NEW YORK , Nov. 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Today the Sexual and Reproductive Justice Hub (SRJ Hub) at the CUNY Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy (CUNY SPH) launched the newest iteration of the civil society-led Global 16 Days of Activism to End Gender-based Violence campaign. For more than 30 years, feminist activists and movements around the world have used the 16 days between the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women ( November 25 ) and Human Rights Day ( December 10 ) to advocate for an end to gender-based violence. With the help of the SRJ Hub, the campaign now will transition into a year-round initiative, reflecting the 365-days-a-year efforts of feminist activists to shift norms, secure accountability, and transform power structures that oppress women, girls, and gender-diverse people. The 2024 campaign responds to requests from grassroots organizers who asked for more flexible and diverse campaign messages, illustrations, and resources. Their perspectives are complemented by insights from the campaign's Advisory Council composed of scholars and organizers with deep experience in gender, economic, racial, reproductive, and environmental justice. Bodily autonomy, the 2024 campaign theme, makes visible the ways different causes and manifestations of gender-based violence are linked. By avoiding a uniform, standardized approach, the campaign will enable local partners to adapt materials according to their unique needs, prioritizing authenticity and safety in local activism. "Women's and feminist gender justice organizations and movements have always been at the forefront of the push for bodily autonomy, and now more than ever we need to support the efforts of grassroots organizers who know what works in their contexts," said CUNY SPH Senior Associate Dean for Academic and Student Affairs Terry McGovern . "The campaign materials will allow organizers to mix and match sample images and messages or use their own." The SRJ Hub continues to encourage funders to support the requests of grassroots organizers for multi-year, trust-based core funding that advances their efforts to promote bodily autonomy and end gender-based violence. This includes support for local events and strategic resources or organizers in restrictive environments. Addressing Urgent Global Trends A confluence of global trends threaten previously enshrined protections and push equality farther out of reach for far too many women, girls, and gender-diverse people across the globe. These include femicide and restrictions on abortion access; exclusion and marginalization of LGBTQI+ people; growing gender inequality as debt crises, austerity measures, and corruption crowd out social expenditures; conflict and occupation enabled by disregard for international law; increasingly frequent and devastating climate crises; and failure to fully engage with patriarchal practices driving the popularity of anti-gender movements. Bodily Autonomy Theme Connects Movements At a time when equality remains out of reach for far too many women, girls, and gender-diverse people across the globe and many previously enshrined protections are being rolled back, the 2024 campaign theme will amplify the efforts of feminist grassroots groups to resist and counter the impacts of gender-based violence by framing bodily autonomy as a fundamental human right. The campaign defines bodily autonomy as the freedom to express every thought, feeling, need, and desire through our bodies, each uniquely shaping who we are . "Too often campaigns focus on suffering and victimization," said SRJ Hub consultant Oriana López Uribe, who led the campaign strategy design process. "We want people to imagine what life could be like if everyone had the power and right to make choices about our physical selves, and to feel empathy and solidarity with others who want the same thing." This approach is reflected in the campaign's principles, which emphasize positivity, bravery, and collective care for all: Grassroots organizers who reviewed and contributed to the sample messages told us, "I like the different levels of messaging, the intentional counter-messaging for some of the more dominant narratives, and some really simple questions that can lead to rich conversations. Many messages were a refreshing change from NGO comms which I appreciate," and "I appreciate the nuances in the design of the framework and in the messaging. It has been a long time since I encountered those layers in a global campaign. And I love that the messaging is evoking emotions and not dictating policy solutions. I think this is a tactic that progressive movements have abandoned and that anti-rights groups are good at." The campaign is on Instagram, 'X' and TikTok as @365toEndGBV and c ampaign materials are available for download after submitting individual or collective information in this form . The campaign materials include sample templates, illustrations, and messages in Arabic, English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, and Russian, as well as tips for designing campaigns and activities, and examples from other campaigns. The SRJ Hub plans to update and expand materials throughout the year based on user feedback. Media contact: Clarisa Bencomo Clarisa.Bencomo@sph.cuny.edu 917-702-0998 About the Sexual and Reproductive Justice Hub In 2024, the City University of New York Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy (CUNY SPH) began hosting the Global 16 Days Against Gender-Based Violence campaign following the closure of its founding host, the Center for Women's Global Leadership at Rutgers University . The campaign is housed at the Sexual & Reproductive Justice Hub (SRJ Hub) at CUNY SPH, which coordinates solutions-oriented scholarship, training, and advocacy, centering the lived experiences of women of color and funding their and other marginalized people's work. Our work is informed by our experience as part of the United States' largest, oldest, and most diverse urban public university system, with faculty, staff, and students connected to communities and populations around the world. Origin of the Global 16 Days Campaign The Global Campaign was launched in 1991 at the first Women's Global Leadership Institute held by the Center for Global Women's Leadership (CGWL), with the goal of raising awareness of GBV as a human rights violation. From the beginning, the Campaign brought together a diverse group of activists and researchers working at all levels from grassroots to international, and united in their belief that ending GBV requires local and global work to change the norms and systems that drive GBV in all its manifestations. Under CGWL's stewardship the Global Campaign gained traction in more than 187 countries, with participation from over 6,000 organizations and a reach of over 300 million. It played a pivotal role in gaining recognition of GBV as a human rights violation in the 1993 Vienna Declaration and Program of Action and the 1995 Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action . Early campaign themes addressed health impacts of GBV, cultural drivers, racism, sexism, and militarism, among others. More recent campaign themes have included femicide (2021-2022), violence against women working in the informal economy (2020), and violence and harassment in the world of work (2018 – 2019). The latter included advocacy in support of the adoption of the historic International Labor Organization (ILO) Convention 190 , concerning the elimination of violence and harassment in the world of work (2019). In August 2022 , CGWL sadly closed its doors after 31 years of collaborative and transformative global work. The 16 Days Campaign is now housed at CUNY SPH, ensuring that the important work of CGWL will continue going forward. About CUNY SPH The CUNY Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy (CUNY SPH) is committed to promoting and sustaining healthier populations in New York City and around the world through excellence in education, research, and service in public health and by advocating for sound policy and practice to advance social justice and improve health outcomes for all. 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