Eight Ways the Government Shutdown Can Affect Your Health
How the government being MIA isn’t good for our health.
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Political Infighting Impacts the Wellness of America - It’s been more than a week since the federal government packed up and shut down because the Dems and the Republicans couldn’t see eye to eye on the budget. With these federal agencies shut down temporarily and some benefits halted, some Americans will suffer more than others when it comes to their health. Read how the government being MIA isn’t good for food security, Obamacare, nutrition assistance and more. —Kellee Terrell (Photo: Charles Dharapak/AP Photo)
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Obamacare Enrollment Could Be Affected - While Obamacare is still in effect, the computer glitches that need to get fixed will have to happen with less folks around given that so many workers have been sent home. This could be a serious problem for younger Americans who strive to buy their health care online if the site isn’t working properly, writes Buzzfeed. (Photo: Jonathan Alcorn/REUTERS)
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No New Patients Added to Clinical Trials - For life-saving clinical trials headed up by the National Institute of Health (NIH), no new patients will be added to the mix during the shutdown. The Wall Street Journal reported that this translates into 200 new patients, including 30 children. (Photo: Rebecca Cook/REUTERS)
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The CDC’s Work Is Very Limited - The good news: The CDC will continue to provide “minimal assistance” to certain health issues such as outbreaks and lab processing. The bad news: They have suspended their annual flu program, which means they will not be tracking where the illness is most prevalent. (You can still get a flu vaccine though. Most vaccines have been shipped to pharmacies and doctors already.)(Photo: Marvin Joseph /The Washington Post via Getty Images)
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Your Prescriptions Could Be More Expensive - Because the Health Resources and Services Administration is on lockdown, the 340B federal drug discount program — a program that requires drug companies to provide drugs at a low cost — isn’t allowing new enrollment for the October 1-15 period. However, for those already in the program, their discounts will still be honored. (Photo: Jeffrey Coolidge/Getty Images)
Photo By Photo: Jeffrey Coolidge/Getty Image
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