Latest news with #Christianvalues
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Doctor Denies Woman Prenatal Care Because She's Unmarried
A Tennessee medical provider allegedly refused to provide prenatal care to an unmarried pregnant woman because it went against the doctor's 'Christian values.' Speaking at a town hall in Jonesborough, Tennessee, last week, an unnamed 35-year-old woman claimed that she was forced to seek care in Virginia after her local medical provider effectively claimed religious exemption. 'I just found out that I'm pregnant again,' the woman said. 'I've been with my partner for about 15 years though we're not married. 'I just had my first visit and that provider told me that, thanks to that fact, they were not comfortable treating me because I am an unwed mother and that went against their Christian values,' she continued. The woman and her partner have a 13-year-old child together. The woman underscored that she's 'lucky enough' to live along the Virginia state border, allowing her to receive out-of-state care. Still, she said she was 'scared out of her mind' regarding the complications of the long drive. Tennessee's Medical Ethics Defense Act went into effect in late April, allowing medical providers to opt out of participating in specific procedures that conflict with their 'conscience'—a legally defined term in the Volunteer State that refers to sincerely held ethical, moral, or religious beliefs. The aggrieved woman had her first prenatal visit less than three months after the measure was implemented. Speaking with the Nashville Banner on the condition of anonymity, she recalled that 'instantly, I felt my stomach drop and I knew this wasn't right, this wasn't okay.' 'I didn't want to react in a place of anger, because I felt like that was just going to support any judgment that the provider already had against me,' she told the paper. 'I said 'thank you for your time' and left, because if you're not willing to provide the best care to me, regardless of the reason, I don't want any part of this.' She has since filed complaints with the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance and the American Medical Association, according to the Banner. At the town hall, the woman said she had called Senator Marsha Blackburn's office twice a day since the incident happened, but believed that she was either blocked or that Blackburn 'had all calls going directly to voicemail.' 'I've never even reached a staffer,' she said. Senator Bill Hagerty, however, did answer—though his staffers had bad news: 'I was told he's not obligated to listen to his constituents,' the woman said. Just living in Tennessee as a pregnant woman, in the wake of the state's total abortion ban, terrifies her. Speaking with the Banner, the mother recalled what happened to Adriana Smith in Georgia and feared that the same could happen to her in her home state. Smith, a 30-year-old woman, was declared brain dead in February after developing multiple blood clots in her brain. But because she was about nine weeks pregnant at the time—past Georgia's six-week limit on abortions—the state opted to use her body as an incubator until the fetus was viable. 'The fear for me is if something [high risk] happens, I can't guarantee that the provider I see is going to value my life over the life of this fetus,' the Tennessee woman said. 'And while we do very, very much want this baby, I have one here already who very, very much relies on me.' Tennessee has the highest maternal mortality rate in the country, with more than 41 deaths per 100,000 births, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It also has a staggeringly high infant mortality rate—two factors that, combined, contributed to its ranking as the worst state to live in in the U.S., according to a CNBC ranking. State Republicans pushed for the passage of the Medical Ethics Defense Act, bargaining that the legislation would help the state retain its medical professionals, but that hasn't been the case. Tennessee has been bleeding its medical expertise since the state's abortion ban went into effect in 2022, and the state's future isn't much brighter. A 2024 study from the Association of American Medical Colleges found that overall medical residency applications in the state had plummeted by more than 12 percent between 2023 and 2024, with obstetrics facing the worst decline, falling by 20.9 percent. Solve the daily Crossword
Daily Mail
14-07-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Iconic US fast food joint hiding 'sky high' calories and salt levels behind 'wholesome image'
Chick-fil-A is one of the nation's unhealthiest fast food restaurants, despite holding the title of America's favorite fast food chain. The 58-year-old chain known for its meaty menu offerings is, according to WorldAtlas, a company that 'masks calorie-dense fried-chicken fare behind a wholesome image.' Its original chicken sandwich and medium waffle fries are fan favorite orders at its many locations across the US. However, the two of them together contain 750mg of sodium, which is around one-third of a day's limit, plus 800 calories. WorldAtlas also pointed to the sky-high sugar count in the chain's lemonade and milkshakes. But what could be the most surprising for fans is the number of calories that go into Chick-fil-A's Market, Spicy Southwest, and Cobb salads. The Market starts with 550 calories, Spicy moves up to 680 calories, and the Cobb calorie count rises to a whopping 830. Despite the high-calorie counts of many of its menu items, Chick-fil-A is often perceived as wholesome due to its focus on quality ingredients and Christian values. With over 3,000 restaurants nationwide, Chick-fil-A has shown itself as a force to be reckoned with in the fast food industry. It debuted a new Peach Frosted Lemonade and brought back Peach Milkshakes last month. The chain also launched its limited-time Chick-n-Strips combo, giving fans to order chicken strips paired with one of Chick-fil-A's signature sauces. By the time these items came, Chick-fil-A had dialed back its 'No Antibiotics Ever' pledge while keeping its 2026 cage-free-egg goal intact. Before the company released these summer offerings, it finished 2024 with over $22 billion in revenue, over $1 billion more than the year before, according to QSR. It's also one of three restaurant brands to reach $20 billion in US systemwide sales, the others being Starbucks and McDonald's. Revenue could potentially rise thanks to a string of new restaurants that opened in the US this year, and plans to open eight restaurants across Ontario and Alberta. Chick-fil-A is also looking to build a strong presence in the UK and Puerto Rico and will open its first restaurant in the Asian market in Singapore later this year. Chick-fil-A's Market and Spicy Southwest salads have 550 and 830 calories, respectively While Chick-fil-A may seem concerning to some, its calorie counts are nothing compared to offerings from its competition. Wendy's took the top spot on WorldAtlas' unhealthy chains list with its Triple Baconator meal with large fries and medium Frosty reaching about 2,160 calories. Sonic, the second most unhealthy chain, is currently offering a selection of sweet summer deals, including a 1,720 calorie Reese's Peanut Butter Cup Master Shake. Taco Bell, Dairy Queen, and KFC round up the list's top five with menu items that can be up to 2,500 calories. Quiznos' 1,300 calorie 12-inch Classic Italian sandwich is a reason why the chain was ranked sixth. The Italian sandwich calorie count is the same as what's in a large Big Mac meal with a soda from McDonald's, the financially struggling chain ranked seventh on the list. Smashburger ranked eighth, with select milkshakes and burgers starting at 930 calories. Little Caesar's pizza empire came in ninth, and while its backed by NFL sponsorships, its 2,140 calorie $5 Hot-N-Ready pepperoni pizza packs aren't the healthiest meal options.
