Latest news with #Javadi
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Oregon ‘freedom to read' library bill heads to governor's desk
Gender Queer, a graphic memoir by Maia Kobabe, was the most challenged book in America in 2022, according to the American Library Association. (New Jersey Monitor) A bill to protect access to school library books that discuss different religions, sexualities, disabilities and a number of other topics, and to ensure they are not banned on the basis of those themes, is headed to Gov. Tina Kotek's desk, where she's expected to sign it. Senate Bill 1098 passed the Oregon House of Representatives Monday on a 34-21 vote. It would prohibit school libraries from removing books on the basis of their being about, or by, a member of a protected class as defined in Oregon's anti-discrimination in education law. Those protected classes include: race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, marital status, age and disability. Under the bill, parents, guardians or school staff would still be able to file complaints about textbooks or library material. Oregon would join at least eight other states — including Colorado, California, Illinois, New Jersey, Vermont, Minnesota, Maryland and Washington — who have adopted similar legislation either protecting library workers from lawsuits or prohibiting libraries from restricting access to books with diverse viewpoints, according to the American Library Association. State Rep. Travis Nelson, a Portland Democrat and co-sponsor of the bill, said on the House floor it is about celebrating the freedom to read and standing against discrimination, censorship and the erasure of diverse voices. The bill already passed the Senate in March in a 18-10 vote. All House Democrats present Monday voted in favor of the bill. Only one Republican, state Rep. Cyrus Javadi, of Tillamook, voted in favor. Javadi on the House floor shared the story of his son, who grew up in rural Oregon and who read books to help him understand his identity as a young gay man. 'You can remove a book if the content is too graphic,' Javadi told lawmakers. 'You can remove it if it's not age appropriate, but you can't remove it just because the author is gay or Muslim or Black or because the story centers someone that makes you uncomfortable.' In 2024, 151 books were challenged in Oregon schools and libraries — the greatest number since 1987, when the Oregon State Library began tracking attempts to remove books. According to the American Library Association, the most challenged books in the country are books with LGBTQ+ characters or themes related to sexual assault. While lawmakers in Idaho, Missouri, Tennessee, Arkansas and others have adopted policies meant to prevent minors from accessing some of those books, Oregon's bill seeks to maintain the availability of them in public libraries. 'Let's not teach our kids that their stories are too controversial to belong on the shelf,' Javadi said. Multiple Republicans spoke in opposition to the bill, sharing concerns that it undermines family values, the public school system and existing non-discrimination policies. 'The entire bill is redundant, unnecessary, inflammatory, politically, sexually motivated and a threat to family values,' Rep. Boomer Wright, R-Reedsport, said. 'Preventing books that promote radical ideologies with regard to gender and sexuality from getting into the hands of minor children is an obligation, not an option. This bill is not in the best interest of children and families.' SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Forbes
11-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
There's Good And Bad News About ‘The Pitt' Season 2
The Pitt The Pitt ended its stellar first season run last night which some, was its most 'relaxing' episode of the series (well, comparatively). It was the end of shift, and this is a series that like an end of an actual ER shift, can wind down and after a day like that, everyone needs to process and cool off, especially Dr. Robbie. Season 2 is coming. That's the first bit of good news, but there is both good and potentially bad news about The Pitt season 2 that I thought it was worth going through after the finale ended here. The Pitt Not only does season 2 exist, but WB realizes that they've caught lightning in a bottle, and cannot waste it. Production is already spooling up because the stated goal is to get these 15 episode Pitt seasons (provided it stays that long) out every year, so January 2026, just under nine months from now. In the streaming era, that's impressively short and along the lines of what we see from The Bear, which you might argue is a similar series focused on the reality of a job, in that case, the stressful restaurant business. Here, much more stressful work in Emergency Departments. And both are some of the best shows on TV. The idea that they want a new Pitt show 'every year' also implies they are viewing this as a long term project, so season 3 is almost certainly guaranteed already, even if we have not heard anything official about a double renewal. The Pitt A portion of this has to do with the cast, and it seems likely that at least some measure of fan-favorite characters (and almost everyone has their own fanbase) are likely to depart. The most 'in danger' characters are doctors Javadi, Santos, Whitaker and Mel King, where this was their first day of their ER rotation. The key word there is 'rotation,' and we know that the next season will take place 10 months later. Meaning most, if not all, should be rotated out by then, unless they come back for another run. I think the most likely character to be lost would be Javadi, as she did not seem wild about the ER experience compared to the others. Maybe Whitaker too? Unclear. I bet Santos and Mel stay for sure. Another potential departure is Dana, who very much made it seem like this was going to be her last day, even taking her photos down, so she may not return. Then of course there's the question of Dr. Langford. There's no way that Dr. Robby is going to ignore this and not report him. But he does give him an out which is an extensive rehab and drug testing program. That could finish by the ten months mark, and I do think he'll be back. One final uncomfortable out-of-show situation is a lawsuit brought against those behind the show by Sherri Crichton, widow of Michael Crichton, who believes that The Pitt is an 'unauthorized reboot of ER' that doesn't credit Crichton or pay his heirs. Warner Bros. has said this is 'baseless' and that The Pitt is a 'new and original show.' It's not clear if this case will go anywhere, but if it does, it's possible it could affect production. But I very much doubt it. So, mostly good news, but we may lose a few cast members along the way here, which will be very sad for their fans. Follow me on Twitter, YouTube, and Bluesky Pick up my sci-fi novels the Herokiller series and The Earthborn Trilogy.
Yahoo
10-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Medicaid reimbursement rates may be best tool to ensure dental care access in Oregon
Changing the Medicaid reimbursement will help ensure that everyone in Oregon has access to the dental care they need, an industry leader says. (Getty Images) Oregon doesn't have enough dental providers. Roughly 1 million Oregonians — including myself — live in a federally designated dental health professional shortage area. And more than 1.4 million Oregonians rely on the Medicaid-funded Oregon Health Plan (OHP). That's roughly one in three of us and one in two children across every county in our state. Despite these large numbers, less than half of dentists in the state accept Medicaid as a form of dental coverage. Yet, many providers would be interested in doing so if they could make it financially worthwhile. Nationwide, Medicaid pays significantly less than commercial dental insurance. And Oregon providers say that reimbursement from ALL carriers has not kept pace with the cost of doing business. Specifically, in the Evaluation of Oregon Health Plan Dental Provider Enrollment study from October 2024, researchers from the Oregon Clinical & Translational Research Institute noted: Providers who accept OHP shared that they were 'in the red' – not making money – for any service beyond routine dental exams. For providers who accept OHP, the challenge of low reimbursement was compounded by the variability in fee schedules… This financial strain makes it difficult for practices to maintain profitability while delivering high-quality care. I recently became president of Advantage Dental+, the leading dental program for more than 470,000 eligible OHP Medicaid members; I spend a lot of time thinking about ways to increase access to care and the impact this can have on one's overall health. Dental providers are struggling to provide the basic preventive services we all need to live healthy and feel well. Right now, our state legislators are in session and they are in a position to help with this challenging situation. The newly proposed House bill 2957, sponsored by Representatives Javadi, Nosse and Pham, uses a data-based approach to reimbursing dental care providers, creating a better and more appealing payment mechanism to specifically address the issue. This is a step in the right direction. It will help reduce rate volatility for dental providers, alleviating some of the financial unknowns associated with caring for the Medicaid population. The bill proposes aligning rate review and payment with the general process already used by commercial dental payors when determining rates for network providers. This includes adjusting to current market conditions, which is a key element providers have been missing. The state's 2024 evaluation of OHP also proposes addressing reimbursement rates to promote access to care, as inadequate payment was the most common barrier to accepting Medicaid among providers. Dental offices are simply businesses that can only stay open if they can survive financially. The proposed change can only help ensure that everyone in our state has access to the care they need to live a healthy and happy life. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
