President Trump’s nominee for Labor Secretary provided a peek during his confirmation hearing on his approach to running the Labor Department. Several things he said made me ask myself: “will employees at the Labor Department challenge Alex Acosta to keep his word on that?”
California farmworkers living in fear of deportation; Ontario health care workers call on officials to address violence in the workplace; West Virginia legislators consider dramatic loosening of mine safety standards; and thousands of workers get ready to strike on May 1.
Recent pieces address US healthcare, pollution enforcement in Iowa, maternal mortality in Texas, and more.
There’s a lot at stake for women’s health in the Republican plan to replace the Affordable Care Act, which eliminated out-of-pocket costs for birth control and has been highly successful in breaking down barriers to affordable family planning. The cost-sharing changes alone are saving individual women hundreds of dollars each year on their choice of contraception.
Senators preparing for next week’s confirmation hearing for Trump’s Labor Secretary should study National COSH’s newly released Agenda for Action. “Protecting Workers’ Lives & Limbs” makes dozens of recommendations to improve occupational health and safety policies and practices which will fall under the purview of the future Labor Secretary.
As the Republicans push forward their abysmal Affordable Care Act replacement, much of the talk surrounding its impact focuses on insurance numbers and premium hikes. Those things are certainly important. But this is more important: The Republican plan will cause unnecessary suffering and preventable death.
Government
Exaggerating the cost of workplace safety penalties, instead of limbs, lungs, lives saved
It bothers me when politicians try to rile up employers by exaggerating the cost of OSHA penalties.
The House Republicans’ healthcare bill’s Medicaid provisions would cut federal contributions and shift substantial healthcare risks from to states and low-income families.
Government
Fatal work injury that killed Rick Simer, 64, was preventable, OSHA cites K.B.P. Coil Coaters
The fatal work-related injuries that killed Simer, 64, could have been prevented had K.B.P. Coil Coaters, Inc. followed worker safety regulations.
Food Safety & Nutrition
More soda tax success: Study finds Mexico’s tax reduced sugary beverage buys two years in a row
Another day, another study that shows soda taxes work to reduce the consumption of beverages associated with costly chronic diseases in children and adults.