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Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Opinion: Medicaid cuts will harm children and education in Utah
Federal and local funding cuts to the Medicaid program, as well as unnecessary eligibility requirements, could cost thousands of Utahns access to continual and preventative healthcare. On the surface, it appears that Medicaid is sometimes viewed as a line item on the budget and a candidate for cutting back to save pennies and offset tax cuts. However, I caution our federal and local representatives to not underestimate the benefits of our social programs, like Medicaid, beyond their budgetary justification. My mother enrolled in Medicaid for her three children. When I fell sick, she could afford to take me to a doctor and get the medication I needed. Because she had access to the program, I was able to return to school and I was ready to continue my educational success. Without this public health service, it is likely I would have missed more days of school, and my mind would have often been foggy, interfering with my concentration in school. No school resource, excellent teacher, textbook or private school voucher could have overcome these health-related speed bumps. Not only did having access to healthcare through Medicaid benefit my health, but it also facilitated my academic achievement. My experience with Medicaid is not unique. Any parent knows that children frequently get sick. In addition, the proportion of children enrolled in Medicaid or the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) range from 8% to 43% across school districts in Utah including 27% and 23% of students within Granite and Salt Lake City School Districts, respectively, and 43% within San Juan School District. While these numbers sound like a health-related budgetary challenge, they also play a significant role in our educational system. Although logical on face value, substantial data show that sick children underperform and miss more days of school compared to their peers. For example, the National Center for Health Statistics reported that, in 2022, nearly 6% of students nationwide missed 15 or more days of school because of health-related issues; among those students, around 29% had fair to poor health compared to only 5% among healthy students. Additionally, acute and chronic health conditions, as well as risky health behaviors, have been associated with lower school grades. Children have a greater opportunity at succeeding in school when they can take care of their health. Considering that reading comprehension has dipped, on average, and about 20% of Utah students are considered chronically absent, it is crucial for our decision makers to consider all of the holistic factors that contribute to or impede educational success. So why is public health insurance important for education? In 2023, over 50,000 Utahns under 19 years old were uninsured, a figure that will likely increase with cuts to Medicaid. Children without insurance coverage are less likely to receive preventative care and have access to prescriptions compared to their insured peers, even when insured for part of the year. In fact, prior expansions of Medicaid were associated with increases in healthcare utilization and decreases in preventable hospital visits and mortality, as well as increased reading test scores, greater rates of graduating high school and upward economic mobility. Restricting eligibility to Medicaid will have negative consequences, not only on children's health, but also on their educational journey, undermining our state's investment in public education. The relation between Medicaid eligibility, educational attainment, future health and economic success creates an inter-related cycle; one that can lead to more successful and healthier Utah families. In other words, families eligible for Medicaid can care for their children's health needs and, in turn, these children will have a greater chance of graduating from high school, having higher earnings and being more productive, therefore potentially offsetting the costs of the program. In Utah, we spend billions of dollars on public education. We should be focused on strengthening all social services that get the most out of our constitutional investment. Medicaid is one of those programs. I encourage our federal and state representatives to see Medicaid as more than a budgetary line item. Instead, view it as an investment in Utah's education and an investment in our future.
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
I Asked ChatGPT How Much Money I'll Need To Retire in 5 Years: Here's What It Said
Figuring out how much you'll need to retire is an important step in planning your retirement. You'll need enough money to cover the usual bills, as well as some extra for unexpected expenses. Depending on your lifestyle preferences and what age you plan to retire, you might need much more — or less — than the next person. According to the National Center for Health Statistics, the average American lives to be 77 1/2 years old. If you want to retire in five years and are currently 45, you'll need a lot more cash than, say, someone who's already in their 60s planning to retire. Find Out: Read Next: That's a lot to figure out, so GOBankingRates asked ChatGPT for a quick answer using this prompt: 'How much money will I need to retire in five years?' Here's what it said. Also see five financial factors Americans say they need for a happy retirement. 'Determining how much money you'll need to retire in 5 years depends on several factors, including your desired lifestyle, estimated expenses and current savings,' according to ChatGPT. Basically, there's no one-size-fits-all answer — which probably doesn't come as a surprise. The AI tool did provide a structured approach to help you figure out how much you'll need to retire, though. Be Aware: Here's a breakdown of the steps it provided. 'This includes housing, healthcare, food, transportation, taxes and discretionary spending,' ChatGPT said. 'A common guideline suggests that retirees may need about 70% to 80% of their pre-retirement income to maintain their standard of living.' Say you earn $80,000 now. Expect to spend between $56,000 (70%) and $64,000 (80%) annually in retirement. 'The 4% Rule is a popular method for estimating how much you need to save for retirement,' ChatGPT said. 'It suggests that you can withdraw 4% of your retirement savings annually without running out of money for at least 30 years.' ChatGPT didn't mention this, but be sure to adjust your annual withdrawal amount for inflation. The 4% rule works best when you combine it with the 25x rule, which gives you a general idea of how much money you'll need to save. According to ChatGPT, the formula is annual expenses multiplied by 25. So if your expenses total $60,000 a year, you'll need $1.5 million to retire ($60,000 x 25). 'Given that you plan to retire in 5 years, it's crucial to assess your current savings and the potential growth over this period,' ChatGPT said. Say you have $300,000 in an account with an average annual return of 6% and you contribute $10,000 annually. You'll have nearly $500,000 after five years. Ask yourself whether that is enough to retire. While not directly related to the 4% rule, ChatGPT did suggest adjusting for inflation, which can erode your purchasing power over time. 'Assuming an average annual inflation rate of 3%, your estimated annual expenses in 5 years would increase,' ChatGPT said. ChatGPT also suggested running the numbers yourself using an online retirement calculator. Doing so can help you get a personalized view of your retirement savings and plan. 'Given the complexity of retirement planning, especially with a 5-year horizon, it's advisable to consult with a certified financial planner,' ChatGPT said. 'They can help you develop a personalized retirement strategy, optimize your investment portfolio, plan for taxes and healthcare costs [and] address any gaps in your retirement savings.' Notably, ChatGPT gathered this information from many sources, including AARP, U.S. Bank, Nasdaq and SmartAsset. More From GOBankingRates These 10 Used Cars Will Last Longer Than an Average New Vehicle This article originally appeared on I Asked ChatGPT How Much Money I'll Need To Retire in 5 Years: Here's What It Said
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
I Asked ChatGPT How Much Money I'll Need To Retire in 5 Years: Here's What It Said
Figuring out how much you'll need to retire is an important step in planning your retirement. You'll need enough money to cover the usual bills, as well as some extra for unexpected expenses. Depending on your lifestyle preferences and what age you plan to retire, you might need much more — or less — than the next person. According to the National Center for Health Statistics, the average American lives to be 77 1/2 years old. If you want to retire in five years and are currently 45, you'll need a lot more cash than, say, someone who's already in their 60s planning to retire. Find Out: Read Next: That's a lot to figure out, so GOBankingRates asked ChatGPT for a quick answer using this prompt: 'How much money will I need to retire in five years?' Here's what it said. Also see five financial factors Americans say they need for a happy retirement. 'Determining how much money you'll need to retire in 5 years depends on several factors, including your desired lifestyle, estimated expenses and current savings,' according to ChatGPT. Basically, there's no one-size-fits-all answer — which probably doesn't come as a surprise. The AI tool did provide a structured approach to help you figure out how much you'll need to retire, though. Be Aware: Here's a breakdown of the steps it provided. 'This includes housing, healthcare, food, transportation, taxes and discretionary spending,' ChatGPT said. 'A common guideline suggests that retirees may need about 70% to 80% of their pre-retirement income to maintain their standard of living.' Say you earn $80,000 now. Expect to spend between $56,000 (70%) and $64,000 (80%) annually in retirement. 'The 4% Rule is a popular method for estimating how much you need to save for retirement,' ChatGPT said. 'It suggests that you can withdraw 4% of your retirement savings annually without running out of money for at least 30 years.' ChatGPT didn't mention this, but be sure to adjust your annual withdrawal amount for inflation. The 4% rule works best when you combine it with the 25x rule, which gives you a general idea of how much money you'll need to save. According to ChatGPT, the formula is annual expenses multiplied by 25. So if your expenses total $60,000 a year, you'll need $1.5 million to retire ($60,000 x 25). 'Given that you plan to retire in 5 years, it's crucial to assess your current savings and the potential growth over this period,' ChatGPT said. Say you have $300,000 in an account with an average annual return of 6% and you contribute $10,000 annually. You'll have nearly $500,000 after five years. Ask yourself whether that is enough to retire. While not directly related to the 4% rule, ChatGPT did suggest adjusting for inflation, which can erode your purchasing power over time. 'Assuming an average annual inflation rate of 3%, your estimated annual expenses in 5 years would increase,' ChatGPT said. ChatGPT also suggested running the numbers yourself using an online retirement calculator. Doing so can help you get a personalized view of your retirement savings and plan. 'Given the complexity of retirement planning, especially with a 5-year horizon, it's advisable to consult with a certified financial planner,' ChatGPT said. 'They can help you develop a personalized retirement strategy, optimize your investment portfolio, plan for taxes and healthcare costs [and] address any gaps in your retirement savings.' Notably, ChatGPT gathered this information from many sources, including AARP, U.S. Bank, Nasdaq and SmartAsset. More From GOBankingRates These 10 Used Cars Will Last Longer Than an Average New Vehicle This article originally appeared on I Asked ChatGPT How Much Money I'll Need To Retire in 5 Years: Here's What It Said Sign in to access your portfolio
Time of India
15-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
US overdose deaths fell 27% last year, the largest one-year decline ever seen
New York: There were 30,000 fewer U.S. drug overdose deaths in 2024 than the year before - the largest one-year decline ever recorded. An estimated 80,000 people died from overdoses last year, according to provisional Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data released Wednesday. That's down 27 per cent from the 110,000 in 2023. The CDC has been collecting comparable data for 45 years. The previous largest one-year drop was 4 per cent in 2018, according to the agency's National Center for Health Statistics. All but two states saw declines last year, with Nevada and South Dakota experiencing small increases. Some of the biggest drops were in Ohio, West Virginia and other states that have been hard-hit in the nation's decades-long overdose epidemic. Experts say more research needs to be done to understand what drove the reduction, but they mention several possible factors. Among the most cited: - Increased availability of the overdose-reversing drug naloxone. - Expanded addiction treatment. - Shifts in how people use drugs. - The growing impact of billions of dollars in opioid lawsuit settlement money. - The number of at-risk Americans is shrinking, after waves of deaths in older adults and a shift in teens and younger adults away from the drugs that cause most deaths. Still, annual overdose deaths are higher than they were before the COVID-19 pandemic. In a statement, the CDC noted that overdoses are still the leading cause of death for people 18-44 years old, "underscoring the need for ongoing efforts to maintain this progress." Some experts worry that the recent decline could be slowed or stopped by reductions in federal funding and the public health workforce, or a shift away from the strategies that seem to be working. "Now is not the time to take the foot off the gas pedal," said Dr. Daniel Ciccarone, a drug policy expert at the University of California, San Francisco. The provisional numbers are estimates of everyone who died of overdoses in the U.S., including noncitizens. That data is still being processed, and the final numbers can sometimes differ a bit. But it's clear that there was a huge drop last year. Experts note that there have been past moments when U.S. overdose deaths seemed to have plateaued or even started to go down, only to rise again. That happened in 2018. But there are reasons to be optimistic. Naloxone has become more widely available, in part because of the introduction of over-the-counter versions that don't require prescriptions. Meanwhile, drug manufacturers, distributors, pharmacy chains and other businesses have settled lawsuits with state and local governments over the painkillers that were a main driver of overdose deaths in the past. The deals over the last decade or so have promised about $50 billion over time, with most of it required to be used to fight addiction. Another settlement that would be among the largest, with members of the Sackler family who own OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma agreeing to pay up to $7 billion, could be approved this year. The money, along with federal taxpayer funding, is going to a variety of programs, including supportive housing and harm reduction efforts, such as providing materials to test drugs for fentanyl, the biggest driver of overdoses now. But what each state will do with that money is currently at issue. "States can either say, 'We won, we can walk away'" in the wake of the declines or they can use the lawsuit money on naloxone and other efforts, said Regina LaBelle, a former acting director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy. She now heads an addiction and public policy program at Georgetown University. President Donald Trump's administration views opioids as largely a law enforcement issue and as a reason to step up border security. It also has been reorganizing and downsizing federal health agencies. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said overdose prevention efforts will continue, but some public health experts say cuts mean the work will not go on at the same level. U.S. Rep. Madeleine Dean, a Pennsylvania Democrat, asked Kennedy at a Wednesday hearing "why the hell" those changes are being made when the steep drop in deaths showed "we were getting somewhere." Some advocates made a similar point in a call with reporters last week. "We believe that taking a public health approach that seeks to support - not punish - people who use drugs is crucial to ending the overdose crisis," said Dr. Tamara Olt, an Illinois woman whose 16-year-old son died of a heroin overdose in 2012. She is now executive director of Broken No Moore, an advocacy organization focused on substance use disorder. Olt attributes recent declines to the growing availability of naloxone, work to make treatment available, and wider awareness of the problem. Kimberly Douglas, an Illinois woman whose 17-year-old son died of an overdose in 2023, credited the growing chorus of grieving mothers. "Eventually people are going to start listening," she said. "Unfortunately, it's taken 10-plus years."
Fast Company
14-05-2025
- Health
- Fast Company
Overdose deaths fell 27% in 2024— the largest one-year decline ever
There were 30,000 fewer U.S. drug overdose deaths in 2024 than the year before — the largest one-year decline ever recorded. An estimated 80,000 people died from overdoses last year, according to provisional Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data released Wednesday. That's down 27% from the 110,000 in 2023. The CDC has been collecting comparable data for 45 years. The previous largest one-year drop was 4% in 2018, according to the agency's National Center for Health Statistics. All but two states saw declines last year, with Nevada and South Dakota experiencing small increases. Some of the biggest drops were in Ohio, West Virginia and other states that have been hard-hit in the nation's decades-long overdose epidemic. Experts say more research needs to be done to understand what drove the reduction, but they mention several possible factors. Among the most cited: — Increased availability of the overdose-reversing drug naloxone. — Expanded addiction treatment. — Shifts in how people use drugs. — The growing impact of billions of dollars in opioid lawsuit settlement money. — The number of at-risk Americans is shrinking, after waves of deaths in older adults and a shift in teens and younger adults away from the drugs that cause most deaths. Still, annual overdose deaths are higher than they were before the COVID-19 pandemic. In a statement, the CDC noted that overdoses are still the leading cause of death for people 18-44 years old, 'underscoring the need for ongoing efforts to maintain this progress.' Some experts worry that the recent decline could be slowed or stopped by reductions in federal funding and the public health workforce, or a shift away from the strategies that seem to be working. 'Now is not the time to take the foot off the gas pedal,' said Dr. Daniel Ciccarone, a drug policy expert at the University of California, San Francisco. The provisional numbers are estimates of everyone who died of overdoses in the U.S., including noncitizens. That data is still being processed, and the final numbers can sometimes differ a bit. But it's clear that there was a huge drop last year. Experts note that there have been past moments when U.S. overdose deaths seemed to have plateaued or even started to go down, only to rise again. That happened in 2018. But there are reasons to be optimistic. Naloxone has become more widely available, in part because of the introduction of over-the-counter versions that don't require prescriptions. Meanwhile, drug manufacturers, distributors, pharmacy chains and other businesses have settled lawsuits with state and local governments over the painkillers that were a main driver of overdose deaths in the past. The deals over the last decade or so have promised about $50 billion over time, with most of it required to be used to fight addiction. Another settlement that would be among the largest, with members of the Sackler family who own OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma agreeing to pay up to $7 billion, could be approved this year. The money, along with federal taxpayer funding, is going to a variety of programs, including supportive housing and harm reduction efforts, such as providing materials to test drugs for fentanyl, the biggest driver of overdoses now. But what each state will do with that money is currently at issue. 'States can either say, 'We won, we can walk away'' in the wake of the declines or they can use the lawsuit money on naloxone and other efforts, said Regina LaBelle, a former acting director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy. She now heads an addiction and public policy program at Georgetown University. President Donald Trump's administration views opioids as largely a law enforcement issue and as a reason to step up border security. That worries many public health leaders and advocates. 'We believe that taking a public health approach that seeks to support — not punish — people who use drugs is crucial to ending the overdose crisis,' said Dr. Tamara Olt, an Illinois woman whose 16-year-old son died of a heroin overdose in 2012. She is now executive director of Broken No Moore, an advocacy organization focused on substance use disorder. Olt attributes recent declines to the growing availability of naloxone, work to make treatment available, and wider awareness of the problem. Kimberly Douglas, an Illinois woman whose 17-year-old son died of an overdose in 2023, credited the growing chorus of grieving mothers. 'Eventually people are going to start listening. Unfortunately, it's taken 10-plus years.'
