Watch live: RFK Jr., Oz news conference
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator Mehmet Oz are scheduled to hold a news conference on Monday afternoon.
Aides say Kennedy and Oz will discuss 'a breakthrough in health insurance that will improve access to care for millions of Americans.'
Watch the event, scheduled to begin at 2:45 p.m. EDT, in the player above.
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Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Try 'Japanese walking,' eat dark chocolate for fiber and do these Sunday chores — plus 7 more health tips to help you have a great week
Hello, wellness enthusiasts! My name is Kaitlin Reilly, and I'm here to share the best health tips from around the internet this week. Did your parents make you clean your plate during mealtimes, whether you were hungry or not? Or did you wolf down your food because you grew up with siblings who might eat it all before you had the chance? Did everyone sit down together, or could you eat in front of the TV whenever you pleased? It all makes a difference to your dining habits now, writes Mikaela Conley for Yahoo Life. If you hate sharing food, or insist that the TV be turned off during meals, it probably has to do with the traditions you were raised with. Fascinating, right? Now, take a look at your local weather forecast and check out your horoscope if you're so inclined. Then dive into these small steps you can take to make your week awesome. Want to improve your heart health and overall fitness? Try what the internet has coined 'Japanese walking,' a technique developed by researchers at Shinshu University in Japan. To do this walking workout, alternate three minutes of brisk walking (you'll know you're at the right speed when you struggle to talk) with three minutes of slower walking to recover. Repeat this cycle five times for a total of 30 minutes. The researchers found that this method offers more health benefits than steady walking, and that participants who interval walked had improved heart health, muscle strength and aerobic capacity. They even lowered their resting blood pressure. One reason to get on board? Unlike running, Japanese walking is friendlier on your joints and low-impact overall, meaning you can get your heart pumping with a lower risk of injury. When you think of fiber, you probably think of things like whole grains and prunes — but don't sleep on dark chocolate. Dietitian Wendy Lopez tells Self that cocoa itself is naturally rich in fiber, 'especially the insoluble kind, which helps support digestion and gut health.' The higher percentage of cocoa solids in your dark chocolate, the more of a fiber boost you'll get. For example, Trader Joe's Dark Chocolate Lover's Chocolate Bar contains 4 grams of fiber — about the same as half a cup of dry oats. Since many Americans don't hit their recommended fiber intake (25 grams for women and 38 grams for men per day), a boost from dark chocolate adds up. But you'll really win if you add it to foods that are also fiber-rich. Try shaving dark chocolate over chia seed pudding, topped with blueberries and raspberries, for a sweet, fiber-filled breakfast. Want to get a jump start on the week ahead? Better Homes & Gardens suggests tackling a simple cleaning checklist to get your home organized before the chaos of the week sets in. A tidy home can also do wonders for your mental health; a 2017 study found that clutter is linked to procrastination, feeling overwhelmed and a lower quality of life, so these chores are a way to protect your peace. Start by doing laundry, and make sure to toss in any sheets, towels and kitchen linens. Then, give your fridge a quick clean-out by throwing out expired food and wiping down the shelves. Do some light vacuuming and clean your dishwasher by scrubbing the filter clean, wiping down the interior with soap or vinegar and water, and running a cycle on empty. Lastly, clear off your desk or hobby area so that you can return to it fresh on Monday morning. Mosquitoes are a major summer bummer — and given the prevalence of insect-spread disease like dengue fever, they're more than just a nuisance. The Washington Post has tips to avoid getting bitten. Use EPA-registered repellents like DEET or picaridin, which have both been proven safe and effective. Prefer a natural option? While oil of lemon eucalyptus works, it isn't suitable for kids under age 3. Don't just rely on repellents, though; cover up with long sleeves and pants, avoid the buggiest outdoor times at dawn and dusk and watch out for standing water around the home (like that kiddie pool you forget to dump out). To stop mosquitoes from getting inside, make sure your window screens are intact and place netting around areas like your porch for extra protection. Today caught up with Kansas City 'Shuffle Mamas' Anna Blanc, 42, and Christina Reynolds, 38, who taught themselves how to shuffle dance during the pandemic. Now, their videos are going viral. More importantly, the women say that their dance breaks help support their mental health. 'Shuffling became a safe place to de-stress, heal from trauma and grow in confidence,' the pair wrote in the caption of one of their videos. Science supports it: Dance has been linked to lower depression symptoms, according to a 2024 study. Busting a move releases the so-called feel-good chemicals dopamine, oxytocin, serotonin and endorphins, and listening to music we enjoy helps stimulate our brains. So, next time you're feeling a little blah, consider following in the Shuffle Mamas' footsteps — if you can keep up, that is. If your only experience with rhubarb is in strawberry-rhubarb pie, you're missing out, experts tell Today. This vegetable (you read that right — it's not a fruit) is rich in vitamin K and multiple antioxidant compounds. One way to use it? Dietitian Grace Derocha says she likes to roast rhubarb with a mix of spices, lemon or orange zest and vanilla extract, and then use the mixture as a topping for Greek yogurt, chia seed pudding, overnight oats or even pancakes. Red wine has been touted as the healthier alcohol option thanks, in part, to its levels of resveratrol, an antioxidant that's been linked to heart health and anti-aging benefits. Yet recently, red wine's health halo has been reevaluated, with the World Health Organization stating that any alcohol is harmful to health. You can still get your resveratrol from other foods, however. According to EatingWell, walnuts, blueberries, cranberries, peanuts and grapes are excellent sources. Try crushed walnuts and blueberries over oatmeal or Greek yogurt in the morning, have a peanut butter and banana sandwich for lunch and enjoy some frozen grapes as a replacement for popsicles this summer. Still poking around your ears with a Q-tip? It's time to stop, experts tell Parade. According to Dr. Uma Darji, 'earwax actually serves a protective role as it helps trap dust and debris' — so you shouldn't try to get rid of it in the first place. And using a cotton swab can 'do more harm than good,' Darji adds — like cause a wax blockage or even an injury. If you're really concerned about wax buildup, use a warm, damp cloth to gently clean the exterior of the ear. Or consult an ear, nose and throat (ENT) doc who can address blockages (and irrigate) as needed. We get it: It's easy to nuke your leftover pasta in that same Tupperware container you've had forever. But there's a good reason to stop, Prevention reports: It exposes you to microplastics. While research is ongoing, these tiny particles of plastics — which have been found in the blood, lungs and even the brain — may be linked to inflammation, endocrine disruption and other potential health issues. Instead of microwaving a plastic container, heat your leftovers in a glass container or even plop your portion on a plate — it's an easy swap that could make a big difference. Bonus: Glass containers don't warp after one too many spins in the microwave. Listen: Buffets aren't exactly the biggest sticklers for food safety. But, hey, no judgment if you can't resist the call of all-you-can-eat crab claws or a salad bar with every topping imaginable. While you can't do anything about double-dipping diners, you can cut the risk of contamination by heeding this tip from the Takeout: Take a fresh, clean plate whenever you go up for second (or third, or fourth) helpings of food. Otherwise, the serving spoon you're using to help yourself to another portion is liable to touch a used plate covered in your half-eaten food scraps and the germs that have transferred from your mouth via fork. Using a clean plate helps avoid cross-contamination — so long as every diner plays along.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
How to avoid being soggy and smelly this summer, according to people who sweat a lot
Success may be 10% inspiration and 90% perspiration, but that's less the case when the perspiring in question comes with a serious stank. With so much of the country currently enduring an oppressive heat wave, and with temperatures set to hit over 100 degrees in multiple states, we're all thinking a lot about the best ways to stay cool and fresh. Of course, the most effective strategy for maintaining one's aromatic chill is to shelter in air-conditioned rooms (or at least plant yourself in front of a powerful fan). But even if you are lucky enough to live that AC life, modern adulthood requires engaging with the outside — for work, for errands, just to clean up the darn lawn — and once that heat hits your skin, you can expect to become moist, if not downright ripe. Sweating is the body's way of regulating abundant heat, and if you're one of the millions of Americans who suffer from conditions like hyperhidrosis, this wetness can be constant, excessive and, at least initially, feel impossible to control. But never fear, my funky friends. Heavy sweaters across the internet (including organizations like the International Hyperhidrosis Society, or IHS) have sorted out the precise tools you need to feel dry and smell fresh in even the most intense summer swelter. While these products — plus a few common-sense, dermatologist-approved solutions — may not completely eradicate a sweaty glow, they will help to keep the worst olfactory offenses at bay. Shower frequently. The first, most no-duh thing you're going to want to do is bathe — often. Frequent showers wash away the bacteria that, combined with sweat, cause odor in the first place. "I recommend showering with cooler or even cold water to keep the skin cool and promote better blood flow," says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Dara Spearman. And while you're getting clean, consider shaving your armpit hair, which can store excess bacteria and create a pungent scent. Wear loose-fitting clothing made of breathable fabrics like cotton or silk. "To keep cool and avoid sweat-induced skin irritation in the hot summer months, you should wear loose-fitting clothing made with natural fibers whenever you can," says Los Angeles-based cosmetic dermatologist Dr. Ava Shamban. "And, if you're exercising in nylon and spandex, you should remove your workout clothes as quickly as possible and shower to keep skin from developing rashes and infections." Try a variety of deodorants. The IHS recommends an array of potent deodorants and antiperspirants to get you through the hottest days. Look for a clinical-strength formula that contains more powerful ingredients in higher concentrations than regular versions, helping to block sweat glands and keep you both dry and smell-free. For places on your body like your feet, back, underboobs and groin area, cream deodorants or deodorant wipes can safely — and in some cases, gently — suppress the stink. Wear a moisture-wicking underlayer. After deodorant, sweatproof undershirts are the best line of defense against BO. They work to keep sweat off your skin, which means you'll feel less swampy and the bacteria in your pits won't have time to stew. When all else fails, call in the reinforcements. Look, no one wants to arrive anywhere fully and stench-ily flop-sweated, looking like a debate-stage Richard Nixon or Albert Brooks in Broadcast News. If your deodorant just isn't keeping up, or your sweat is somehow still spilling out of your moisture-wicking tops, these extra-protection pads will for sure soak up the slack. If you have Amazon Prime, you'll get free shipping, of course. Not yet a member? No problem. You can sign up for your free 30-day trial here. (And by the way, those without Prime still get free shipping on orders of $35 or more.) The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.
The Hill
2 hours ago
- The Hill
HHS promotes insurer pledge to scale back prior authorization
Federal health officials on Monday touted pledges they have received from the health insurance industry to streamline and reform the prior authorization process for Medicare Advantage, Medicaid Managed Care and Affordable Care Act Health Insurance Marketplace plans which account for most insured Americans. Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Administrator Mehmet Oz took part in a roundtable discussion with insurers in which the payers pledged commitments to six key reforms to the prior authorization process. Health care providers must obtain approval from an insurer before a specific service is covered, and they've criticized that process for being time-consuming and a drag on providing health care. According to Oz, the roundtable included the CEOs of health insurance companies who cover about 75 percent of Americans. The CMS administrator said he would like fewer services to be subject to preauthorization. Medicare Director Chris Klomp gave the example of colonoscopies or cataract surgeries as procedures that could be moved out of the prior authorization process. Referencing the biblical passage that reads 'the meek will inherit the earth,' Oz said in a press briefing that health insurance companies and hospital systems have 'agreed to sheath their swords, to be meek for a while.' Major health insurers including Cigna, UnitedHealthcare and Aetna said they would be simplifying the process and reducing the number of health care claims subject to prior authorization. The voluntary commitments include standardizing the electronic prior authorization process; reducing the number of claims subject to prior authorization; ensuring continuity of care when patients change plans; enhancing communication and transparency when it comes to determinations; increasing the numbers of real time responses; and ensuring medical review of denied requests. By cutting down on red tape, Oz said 'tens of billions of dollars of administrative waste' could be saved. Kennedy acknowledged that similar commitments have been made by the health insurance industry in the past, but said this instance was different because of the number of insurers who have signed on to the voluntary agreement. 'The other difference is we have standards this time. We have, we have deliverables. We have specificity on those deliverables, we have metrics, and we have deadlines, and we have oversight,' said Kennedy. Oz suggested another difference was a change in Americans' current consensus on prior authorization compared to the past. 'I mean, there's violence in the streets over these issues. This is not something that is a passively accepted reality anymore. Americans are upset about it,' said Oz. 'I think the major factor is the industry realizes that some of the things that are preauthorized just don't make any sense.' 'The health care system remains fragmented and burdened by outdated manual processes, resulting in frustration for patients and providers alike. Health plans are making voluntary commitments to deliver a more seamless patient experience and enable providers to focus on patient care, while also helping to modernize the system,' said Mike Tuffin, president and CEO of the health insurance trade association AHIP. According to a 2024 survey by the American Medical Association, 91 percent of physicians said the prior authorization process can lead to negative clinical outcomes and 82 percent said it could lead to patients abandoning their course of treatment. Acknowledging the voluntary nature of the commitments, Oz said, 'If the insurance industry cannot address the needs of preauthorization by themselves, there are government opportunities to get involved. They might not be as nimble, but they will be used if we're forced to use them.' Actor Eric Dane, who recently disclosed his diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), appeared at the press conference to put his support behind the move. Dane famously played a physician on the show 'Grey's Anatomy.' 'I'm here today to speak briefly as a patient battling ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease. When that diagnosis hits and you find out that you're sick, your life becomes filled with great uncertainty,' said Dane. 'The worst thing that we can do is add even more uncertainty for patients and their loved ones with unnecessary prior authorization.' Sen. Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) and Rep. Greg Murphy (R-N.C.) joined Kennedy and Oz at HHS headquarters. Both lawmakers have previously introduced legislation seeking to reform and streamline the prior authorization process under Medicare. Marshall and Murphy, both physicians, touched on how the prior authorization process has negatively impacted their patients. 'I vividly remember a patient I once had scheduled for an infertility surgery. She'd taken time off work and arranged help at home, only to be told the morning of a procedure that her insurance company had added another step to the prior authorization process, abruptly canceling her surgery,' Marshall recounted. 'Now, whether you need a hip replacement or a heart catheterization, many patients feel their critical care has been delayed by an opaque and burdensome prior authorization process.' The senator from Kansas said he was still committed to codifying preauthorization reforms despite the commitments made Monday. Describing himself as a 'skeptic,' Murphy said he would be keeping an eye on insurers to make sure they're 'doing what they're saying they're going to do.' He touched on the role of artificial intelligence in today's prior authorization process. 'Artificial intelligence should help this tremendously, tremendously, and it should take out a lot of the variances that happen between doctors, hospitals, regions of the country, etc. But remember, artificial intelligence only is as good as what you put into it,' said Murphy. Physicians have previously expressed concerns about the role of artificial intelligence in the preauthorization process, with some evidence suggesting AI-use results in higher rates of denials. In March, Murphy joined with bipartisan House colleagues in reintroducing the Reducing Medically Unnecessary Delays in Care Act. Among other measures, the bill would bar Medicare administrative contractors from denying coverage of health care services solely because it does not meet an evidence-based standard and would require input from practicing physicians prior to establishing clinical criteria for preauthorization review.
