RI's dentists are at the breaking point; Trump eluding deportation
With the recent announcement of Anchor Medical's closure, Rhode Island is witnessing the inevitable outcome of years of unheeded warnings about our collapsing health care infrastructure.
Dentistry is on the same path ‒ and we're dangerously close to the breaking point.
For years, dentists have sounded the alarm about inadequate insurance reimbursements. Compared to our neighboring states, dentists in Rhode Island are paid, on average, 30% less ‒ some rates are over 50% lower. These disparities aren't just numbers on a spreadsheet; they're the root of a growing access-to-care crisis.
Delta Dental of RI and Blue Cross & Blue Shield of RI have failed to keep pace with regional standards for nearly two decades. This stagnation has real consequences. Rhode Island struggles to attract new dental professionals as seasoned dentists retire. The result? Months-long waits for appointments, especially for oral surgery and pediatric care.
The issue doesn't stop there. Because dentists in Massachusetts and Connecticut can offer more competitive wages to dental assistants and hygienists, Rhode Island practices are losing essential staff ‒ further straining our system.
And perhaps most troubling: fewer dentists are able to participate in the state's dental assistance program. Without fair reimbursement, many can no longer afford to serve Rhode Island's most vulnerable patients.
The time to act is now. What once were warning signs are now full-blown alarms demanding immediate action. If reimbursement rates don't change, dentistry in RI will sink just like another anchor.
Dr. Andrew 'Andy' Gazerro, West Warwick
The writer is a 28 year practicing dentist, president of the Rhode Island Dental Association, and a former member of the American Dental Association Council on Dental Benefit Programs.
Donald Trump was recently overheard telling El Salvador's president, Nayib Bukele, 'Homegrowns are next. …You've got to build about five more places.' By 'places' Trump meant more prisons like the notorious mega-prison in El Salvador known as CECOT. By 'homegrowns' he meant native-born Americans who have committed crimes.
Some Trump officials have suggested that Trump's deportation plans may be expanded to include 'homegrowns,' especially those who have been critical of Trump.
If that happens, it should include our most famous native-born convicted felon. He would be easy for ICE to find. He lives at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave., Washington, DC.
Gordon Rowley, Wakefield
Every day my inbox fills with emails from the Democratic National Committee begging for money to help them fight President Trump's billionaires. Enough!
The Democratic Party is funded by the wealthy, same as Republicans. Democratic 'leaders' don't pursue real solutions to our economic problems because they won't bite the hands that feed them. Everyone knows that. Maybe they think that because their billionaires are less nasty than Republican billionaires it's okay. However, either way you cut it the rich don't care about us.
Trump won because the Democrats ran a "stay the course, things are basically fine" campaign. Things are not fine and they haven't been for decades. Most of us can't afford rents or mortgages, health care, child care or higher education. Those of us who grew up middle class remember that our parents or grandparents had more disposable income and less debt with just one working spouse than we do with two. For the less fortunate, things continue to grow more desperate.
If we want real change ‒ a government and economy dedicated to widely shared prosperity and the nurturing of human potential ‒ we need to take to the streets and demand it. With their anti-oligarchy tour Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez have demonstrated that they understand this. My money is going to them, not the DNC. We can't rely on the Democratic Party to save us.
Steve D'Amico, Seekonk
Secondhand smoke is killing people. Workers at casinos that still allow indoor smoking are at elevated risk. I have worked at what is now called Bally's in Lincoln since 1979. During my workday, my clothes would accumulate the stench of secondhand smoke to the point that I would need to launder them every day. I retired at age 63, due to health reasons at my doctor's request.
When you inhale secondhand smoke you are inhaling over 7,000 volatile organic compounds, of which at least 70 of them are proven to cause lung cancer, respiratory illness, heart attacks and more. These chemicals include formaldehyde, benzene, naphthalene, and acetaldehyde.
According to the American Cancer Society, exposure to secondhand smoke increases the chances of developing lung cancer by 20%. Imagine, if you will, what that number would rise to if you are there to maintain your livelihood 40 hours per week for years!
Proponents of smoking indoors at casinos would argue that revenue would decline if there was no smoking on the casino floor. This is, in most cases, a fallacy. The cost of insurance, absenteeism, cleaning, and lawsuits add up. Recent surveys suggest that the second most important factor when choosing a casino is a 100% smoke-free environment. In my personal experience at Bally's, I notice that the big spenders are more often non-smokers than smokers.
Joseph Morin, Coventry
In response to the Trump Musk Demolition Crew, John Anderson ('Trump Fixes Problems, Democrats Do Nothing,' Letters, April 20) says about President Trump 'He might fix the problem, he might not. But he's doing something.' Mr. Anderson admires the devastation this administration is causing as it fires civil servants and abolishes programs that feed the starving and aid the suffering.
I am a retired master plumber and I wonder if Mr. Anderson might have a leaky faucet or a slow drain somewhere. I can come over with my chain saw and sledge hammer, my acetylene torch and jackhammer. I'll tear out every pipe and open walls, rip out the water service to the street and toss out his sinks and toilets. It might fix the problem, it might not. But at least I'll be doing something.
Richard Donelly, Providence
If I were ever the target of antisemitism, I could write with more authenticity about the current confusion. Criticizing the elected leaders of Israel is not in itself antisemitism.
Antisemitism is chanting 'Jews will not replace us' and affirming the chanters. Attacking synagogues and worshippers within is antisemitism and much more. Saying "Hitler should have finished the job" and affirming those who say it is antisemitism. If I criticize elected leaders of our own country, that does not mean I hate the United States, but rather, it is love.
Lawrence H. Bradner, Providence
It's that time of year when kind individuals, such as yourselves, can help the less fortunate in your area. How? By leaving non-perishable food by your mailbox or on your porch, to be picked up by your local letter carriers or their helpers by 8 a.m. on Saturday, May 10.
Each year, for the past 33 years, on the second Saturday in May, letter carriers from all 50 States, Puerto Rico, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands, deliver mail and pick up non-perishable food left by their postal patrons.
This yearly venture, known as "Stamp Out Hunger," is the biggest one-day food drive in this country. All the non-perishable food that will be picked up in each individual city or town will be delivered at the end of that day to their local food pantries. For instance, in our town of Bristol, the food will be gladly accepted at the East Bay Food Pantry, on Wood Street. According to Jocelyn King, the pantry's food program manager, the items that they desperately need are; cereal, pasta, rice, jelly and canned ravioli.
You can make a difference. All you need to do is to inspect your cupboards and donate non-perishable food that is NOT outdated. Or, purchase non-perishable food at your favorite grocery store and place it near your mailbox or on your porch by 8 a.m. on Saturday, May 10. Your postal carrier, or helper, will do the rest. Please make a note so you won't forget this very important day to help your area's needy.
Thank you and, together, we can make a difference in someone's life.
Gerry Payette, Bristol
The writer is an East Bay Food Pantry volunteer and retired USPS letter carrier.
This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: RI's dentists are at the breaking point; Trump eluding deportation | Letters
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New York Post
22 minutes ago
- New York Post
IVF parents are spending thousands to predict their babies' chances of having Alzheimer's, cancer and heart disease
Maybe she's born with it, maybe it's … genetic optimization? Prospective parents using in vitro fertilization (IVF) will soon be able to select embryos based on their potential risk for diseases — including illnesses that develop later in life — thanks to a groundbreaking $5,999 service announced this week by a US biotech company. 'Before there's a heartbeat, there's DNA,' Kian Sadeghi, founder and chief executive of Nucleus Genomics, said in a statement. 'One file containing DNA and genetic markers can tell you more about your baby's future than any other test a doctor could possibly run at this stage.' 4 Supporters say screening could prevent chronic illness, but critics warn it may fuel stigma and inequality. New Africa – What is IVF? The popular fertility treatment involves removing eggs from a woman's ovaries and fertilizing them with sperm in a lab. The resulting embryo — which could be frozen or fresh — is placed into the uterus, where it hopefully implants in the uterine wall and sparks a pregnancy. Before implantation, many IVF clinics already screen embryos for genetic abnormalities — such as extra chromosomes or gene mutations — that can lead to failed implantations, miscarriages, birth defects or inherited disorders. But the first-of-its-kind service from Nucleus Genomics takes things a step further. Build-a-baby The company just launched Nucleus Embryo, a new software platform that lets potential parents dig deep into the full genetic blueprint of their embryos before choosing which one to implant. 4 The number of Americans using IVF has skyrocketed over the last decade. – The tool lets IVF patients compare the DNA of up to 20 embryos, screening them for more than 900 conditions — including Alzheimer's, Type 2 diabetes, heart disease and several forms of cancer. It doesn't stop there. The program also flags potential mental health conditions like depression and schizophrenia and even ranks cognitive traits like IQ. Parents can also get a look at cosmetic and physical features, from height, baldness and BMI to eye and hair color. The company isn't promising perfection. Instead, the software generates a so-called polygenic risk score that will give parents the probability of how likely it is an embryo might develop certain traits or diseases. 4 Many IVF clinics already screen for certain genetic risk factors, like an abnormal number of chromosomes. Charlize Davids/ – Ultimately, it's up to the parents to decide which qualities matter most to them. For those looking to decode the results, genetic counseling sessions are available. 'Lifespan has dramatically increased in the last 150 years,' Sadeghi told the Wall Street Journal. 'DNA testing to predict and reduce chronic disease can make it happen again.' A new era of reproductive tech The practice, known as polygenic embryo screening, is already highly controversial in the medical world, according to a report published by Harvard Law School's Petrie-Flom Center. Critics warn that allowing parents to screen embryos for risks like depression or diabetes could deepen stigma and discrimination against people living with those conditions. Meanwhile, disability advocates argue it promotes the harmful idea that disability is something to be fixed, not a natural part of human diversity. And when it comes to choosing embryos for traits like intelligence or athleticism, critics say we're sliding into designer baby territory — a modern form of eugenics that favors the rich, reinforcing social and healthcare inequalities. 4 Few Americans approve of using the technology to predict traits unrelated to disease. Gemyful – Still, the public appears open to some aspects of the tech. A 2023 survey found that 77% of Americans support using it to screen embryos for the likelihood of developing certain physical conditions, while 72% back screening for mental health risks. Proponents argue it's no different from vaccination — a preventive tool, not a judgment on those with the condition. But when it comes to non-medical traits, support drops fast: only 36% back screening embryos for behavioral traits and just 30% for physical features like height or eye color.
Newsweek
27 minutes ago
- Newsweek
Most Republicans Enrolled in Medicaid 'Worried' About Funding Cuts—Poll
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. While Republicans in Congress have been pushing for major Medicaid cuts in the new budget, many Medicaid enrollees are worried about what this means for their health coverage — including those who identify as Republican. A new poll from KFF revealed that 76 percent of Republicans enrolled in Medicaid are worried about potential funding cuts. The survey also shows that 17 percent of Republicans identify as Medicaid enrollees. This didn't come as a surprise to experts who spoke with Newsweek. "Many of the heavily Republican-controlled states are often the highest per capita recipients of government assistance," Kevin Thompson, the CEO of 9i Capital Group and the host of the 9innings podcast, told Newsweek. Why It Matters Republican lawmakers have advanced sweeping changes to Medicaid as part of their budget reconciliation package, known as the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act." The bill, which passed the House in late May 2025, proposes to cut over $700 billion in federal Medicaid spending, threatening coverage for millions of Americans. The Congressional Budget Office estimated that more than 10 million people could lose Medicaid coverage if the proposal becomes law. Beds and medical equipment are seen inside the US Navy hospital ship USNS Comfort while docked at the Port of Miami, Biscayne Bay, Miami, Florida on June 3, 2025. Beds and medical equipment are seen inside the US Navy hospital ship USNS Comfort while docked at the Port of Miami, Biscayne Bay, Miami, Florida on June 3, 2025. CHANDAN KHANNA/AFP via Getty Images What To Know Potential Medicaid reductions under the new legislation target several key areas, including the federal match for Medicaid expansion, spending caps, new work requirements, and more frequent eligibility checks. While the GOP viewpoint has historically been pro-Medicaid reductions, cuts at this level could significantly impact the nearly 80 million Americans who rely on the program for health insurance, including a significant number of Republicans. In the new KFF report, 76 percent of Republicans enrolled in Medicaid said they were worried about potential funding cuts. Additionally, more than a quarter of Medicaid enrollees are Republican, including one in five who identify with MAGA. "As a government program, Medicaid provides benefits to millions of Americans in 'red' and 'blue' states," Alex Beene, a financial literacy instructor for the University of Tennessee at Martin, told Newsweek. "As such, it should come as no surprise a sizable number of Republicans either receive benefits from the program or know someone who does." The federal government currently pays 90 percent of Medicaid expansion costs, but proposed reductions would lower this rate, threatening financial stability for states that expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act. Changes could also introduce per-capita caps or block grants, limit the use of provider taxes to finance Medicaid, and roll back simplified enrollment rules implemented under President Biden. Together, these measures could force states to limit enrollment, reduce benefits, or impose new costs on enrollees. Republican leaders have tied these reductions to broader budget goals, including $4.5 trillion in tax cuts championed by former President Donald Trump. "Many of the heavily Republican-controlled states are often the highest per capita recipients of government assistance," Thompson told Newsweek. "That's not meant to be disingenuous—it simply shows where the power lies: with the wealthy who control the districts and seats in those regions. The truth is, people often vote for their party and don't believe these policies will ever impact them personally—until they do." House Republicans identified more than $880 billion in savings from Medicaid, with much of the debate focused on whether Medicaid should continue to support able-bodied adults without dependents, or remain narrowly focused on children, seniors, and people with disabilities. The bill would also restrict Medicaid funding for certain health care providers, such as Planned Parenthood, and prohibit federal matching funds for gender-affirming care for minors. Nationally, 54 percent of U.S. adults are worried that reductions in federal Medicaid spending would negatively impact their own or their family's ability to get and pay for health care, the KFF report found. "It's a wake-up call for anyone who thinks Medicaid is just a Democratic issue," Michael Ryan, a finance expert and the founder of told Newsweek. "Medicaid isn't red or blue. It's the safety net stretched under millions of American families, including a significant slice of the GOP base." What People Are Saying Alex Beene, a financial literacy instructor for the University of Tennessee at Martin, told Newsweek: "Over the last three election cycles, the Republican base has expanded far past the days of simply promoting tax cuts and has a large number of supporters who rely on programs like Medicaid for essential services. And while cuts to the program could occur, we've already seen blowback to any proposed reductions. That's more than likely because some Republican members of Congress know cuts could dramatically affect their reelection chances." Michael Ryan, a finance expert and the founder of told Newsweek: "There's a real disconnect between the political talking points and reality. Many Republican voters may not realize just how much their communities (especially rural ones) depend on Medicaid to keep hospitals open and doctors in town. The myth that Medicaid is for 'someone else' is crumbling fast." Kevin Thompson, the CEO of 9i Capital Group and the host of the 9innings podcast, told Newsweek: "There will be a significant number of people kicked off the Medicaid program—either because they didn't submit their work requirements on time, were removed due to the rollback of Medicaid expansion, or simply no longer qualify." What Happens Next Ryan said if the cuts are enacted, rural hospitals will close, and working-class families will lose their health coverage. "The fallout will land squarely in the heart of Republican country," Ryan said. "You can't gut the safety net and expect your own voters to walk away unscathed." "Medicaid cuts are political dynamite. History shows voters punish politicians who take away health coverage. Just ask Missouri and Tennessee. If Republicans push too hard, they risk alienating their own base."
UPI
42 minutes ago
- UPI
Long-lasting HIV prevention shot heads toward approval
June 6 (UPI) -- A new vaccine to prevent HIV is expected to be approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration later this month. If approved, the shot -- lenacapavir -- would be given twice a year and could be a big step forward in the fight against HIV. Drugmaker Gilead Sciences tested the shot in a study of women and girls. None of the participants who received the injections got HIV. That early success helped boost Gilead's stock by 73% over the past year, The Wall Street Journal reported. "We know it's challenging to take a daily pill for prevention, and we see an incredible opportunity here," said Johanna Mercier, Gilead's chief commercial officer Right now, more than 400,000 people in the United States use pills to prevent HIV, The Wall Street Journal added. These medications are referred to as PrEP, short for pre-exposure prophylaxis. Gilead expects the number of users to top 1 million by the next decade. Many people already say they'd prefer a shot over daily pills. In one survey of more than 500 PrEP users, 95% said they would switch to a long-acting injection. Sales of other long-acting options, like the shot Apretude from GSK, have risen sharply - up 63% in the past year. Even with strong results, Gilead faces several hurdles. One is reaching the people who need PrEP the most. Black Americans represent 39% of new HIV cases but only 14% of current PrEP users. Many people still face stigma or lack insurance coverage, which can limit access. Gilead says reaching underserved groups is a top goal. Most current PrEP users have commercial insurance, but Medicaid will be key for expanding access to lower-income communities. Another concern: Some experts worry the new shot may simply replace current Gilead products, like the daily pill Descovy, which now holds about 40% to 45% of the market. But Gilead says the shot should help expand the overall number of people using PrEP in both the U.S. and abroad. "We're thinking globally about the public health impact we can have," Mercier said. The company is working with governments and health groups in the United Kingdom and low-income countries to raise awareness and make these products more available. More information The National Institutes of Health has more on Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP). Copyright © 2025 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
