Trending News Today: Details of ACA Repeal Remain Muddled

In some states, access to treatment at leading cancer centers is limited due to the narrow nature of certain Affordable Care Act (ACA) plan networks. A recent survey discovered that only 13% of National Cancer Institute-designated centers participated in all ACA plans within a specific state, which can leave many patients without optimal care, according to Kaiser Health News. Other studies have suggested that receiving care at cancer centers can improve mortality rates compared with care provided at hospitals or other treatment sites.

The Governor of North Carolina recently legalized syringe exchange programs to prevent injection drug users from re-using dirty syringes, with the goal of preventing the spread of HIV and hepatitis C virus. Many places of worship have voiced growing support for syringe exchange programs that also educate, treat, and test injection drug users, Kaiser Health News reported. The widespread support from these organizations is seen as a valuable asset in the fight against the opioid epidemic.

The conservative agenda of the Republican-controlled Congress will likely allow President-elect Donald Trump to repeal parts of the ACA, lower taxes, and remove certain environmental regulations. However, Republicans have not necessarily agreed on certain important issues, such as investigating alleged Russian interference with the election and how to replace the ACA, according to the Los Angeles Times. Without agreement on these issues, there is no clear plan for the first 100 days of Trump’s presidency.