Local Health Alert | Brian “Weence” Bateman | Activity https://weence.com/members/weence/activity/ Activity feed for Brian “Weence” Bateman. Mon, 27 Jul 2026 22:02:18 -0500 https://buddypress.org/?v= en-US 30 hourly 2 9d1cc1e2ad8c79075d109c5550097f56 Brian “Weence” Bateman wrote a new post https://weence.com/?p=1156079 Mon, 27 Jul 2026 22:02:18 -0500 If You Have Maternal Venezuelan Ancestry: What the FDA’s July 2026 Anesthesia Safety Alert Means for FamiliesIf you (or your child) have maternal Venezuelan ancestry, an FDA alert in July 2026 may sound alarming—but it can also help families plan ahead. The key s […]

]]> 0 46f6fab04f56f29ef29002fcf3df2575 Brian “Weence” Bateman wrote a new post https://weence.com/?p=1156077 Mon, 27 Jul 2026 21:23:03 -0500 Nara Organics recall: infant botulism signs and when to get urgent careCDC and FDA say a multistate investigation is linked to an outbreak of infant botulism associated with a recalled powdered baby formula from Nara Organics. […]

]]> 0 de3fcb065bf5d6c14fbe93c1eebbce47 Brian “Weence” Bateman wrote a new post https://weence.com/?p=1156075 Mon, 27 Jul 2026 20:53:27 -0500 Positive at-home HPV tests: next steps and 2027 follow-up coverageGetting a positive result from an at-home HPV self-collection test can be stressful. But in most cases, a positive result is not a cancer diagnosis—it’s a s […]

]]> 0 ee6a7c525dc806c10d4680cb65e0b2b4 Brian “Weence” Bateman wrote a new post https://weence.com/?p=1156073 Mon, 27 Jul 2026 18:16:24 -0500 Can’t Find Hospital Prices Online? CMS Price Transparency Steps for 2026If you live in rural America, it can be especially frustrating to look up a hospital’s prices online and come up empty—especially when you’re trying to pl […]

]]> 0 6764215aea23728f2be0f4293009b583 Brian “Weence” Bateman wrote a new post https://weence.com/?p=1156071 Mon, 27 Jul 2026 15:55:08 -0500 FDA Kidney Warning for Orlistat (Alli/Xenical): Symptoms to KnowThe FDA approved new warning language for the OTC weight-loss drug alli (orlistat 60 mg) on June 10, 2026. The update highlights a rare risk of acute kidney […]

]]> 0 b6fc8940e8d0260922b0958506b1b521 Brian “Weence” Bateman wrote a new post https://weence.com/?p=1156069 Mon, 27 Jul 2026 14:27:55 -0500 VFC for Underinsured Kids (2026–27): Where to Go and What Fees to ExpectIf your child is underinsured—meaning their insurance doesn’t fully cover some recommended vaccines—you may still be able to get VFC vaccines. For eligi […]

]]> 0 b5deab6cafe50bbeee87b2d3a3e3ec3b Brian “Weence” Bateman wrote a new post https://weence.com/?p=1156067 Sun, 26 Jul 2026 22:03:40 -0500 Sunburn With Blisters: How Long It Lasts, Normal vs. Warning SignsBlistering sunburn means your skin was exposed to enough UV radiation to cause deeper injury—not just mild redness. The most common pattern is that s […]

]]> 0 e4ecaa9cf2c77fa125bc01b74e95ec14 Brian “Weence” Bateman wrote a new post https://weence.com/?p=1156065 Sun, 26 Jul 2026 20:08:14 -0500 Long COVID Brain Fog: July 2026 Trial on Goal-Focused RehabIf you live with Long COVID “brain fog,” a key question is practical: is cognitive rehabilitation actually helpful, and what should you ask for? A ran […]

]]> 0 b2cc1ba396203d6429d1c66e8313b71f Brian “Weence” Bateman wrote a new post https://weence.com/?p=1156063 Sun, 26 Jul 2026 18:07:02 -0500 Andes Virus Hantavirus After a Cruise: How Long to Monitor, What Symptoms Mean, and When to Seek CarePractical takeaway: If you were told you had a potential exposure to Andes virus (a rare hantavirus that can cause severe respiratory illness), CDC’s m […]

]]> 0 42431f9fcf2dc1d7f1ce73eb097bf42e Brian “Weence” Bateman wrote a new post https://weence.com/?p=1156061 Sun, 26 Jul 2026 17:37:56 -0500 CMS’s April 1, 2026 HPT Enforcement: 10th/Median/90th Percentiles ExplainedCMS’s Hospital Price Transparency enforcement for updated requirements begins April 1, 2026. For hospitals and health systems, that date is a practical d […]

]]> 0 7aa0d595b54806a5607990b0c15389cc Brian “Weence” Bateman wrote a new post https://weence.com/?p=1156059 Sun, 26 Jul 2026 16:26:03 -0500 Watery Diarrhea? Cyclospora Linked to a Taylor Farms Lettuce RecallCDC and FDA are investigating a Cyclospora outbreak linked to recalled iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms de Mexico. If you have watery diarrhea after eating […]

]]> 0 ecd6583b617f88cb69f1ad0cc93ac655 Brian “Weence” Bateman wrote a new post https://weence.com/?p=1156057 Sun, 26 Jul 2026 13:07:23 -0500 Measles Exposure at School: When MMR (or Immune Globulin) Can HelpAfter a possible measles exposure at school or daycare, families often feel stuck waiting. The most helpful step is to act quickly—because post-exposure p […]

]]> 0 8bbc7f452ced231a85a4f2f63b5bb2a9 Brian “Weence” Bateman wrote a new post https://weence.com/?p=1156055 Sat, 25 Jul 2026 23:02:47 -0500 Medicare’s $50/month GLP-1 Bridge for Obesity: Who qualifies July 1, 2026Starting July 1, 2026, Medicare will offer a new temporary option for some people with obesity: the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge. If you qualify and have Medicare […]

]]> 0 035862298e92b40e80c36ecba323cde5 Brian “Weence” Bateman wrote a new post https://weence.com/?p=1156053 Sat, 25 Jul 2026 21:33:55 -0500 Starting in 2026: Faster Prior Authorization Timelines—What Families Should Do If Care Is DelayedPrior authorization is that extra step some health plans require before they cover certain prescriptions, therapies, procedures, or medical services. When […]

]]> 0 1d3829239b051037028259f5fe889366 Brian “Weence” Bateman wrote a new post https://weence.com/?p=1156051 Sat, 25 Jul 2026 20:35:27 -0500 FDA Approves TREGZI to Reduce Chronic GVHD After Matched Donor TransplantsIf you or a loved one is facing an allogeneic (donor) stem cell transplant, one long-term worry is chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD). cGVHD can […]

]]> 0 e54d16f9de2a77d973e22d7af07bff65 Brian “Weence” Bateman wrote a new post https://weence.com/?p=1156049 Sat, 25 Jul 2026 19:06:52 -0500 Use CMS hospital price data to estimate costs—and what to do if missingIf you’re trying to estimate what a hospital visit could cost, CMS’s Hospital Price Transparency requirements give you a starting point: posted standard cha […]

]]> 0 eaed50db67bf2dc821e703268104a0ce Brian “Weence” Bateman wrote a new post https://weence.com/?p=1156047 Sat, 25 Jul 2026 16:45:57 -0500 Check your Omnipod Pod lot: FDA correction and DKA stepsIf you use an insulin pod system, an FDA-published voluntary medical device correction is a good reason to double-check your Pod lot number. On May 26, […]

]]> 0 d211bc76e2da6f5f584b3cbe1e00642f Brian “Weence” Bateman wrote a new post https://weence.com/?p=1156045 Sat, 25 Jul 2026 14:38:32 -0500 Return to school/work after respiratory symptoms: CDC’s 24-hour fever-free ruleWhen a child (or worker) has respiratory symptoms, the hardest part is often figuring out when it’s reasonable to go back to school or work. CDC’s gui […]

]]> 0 198960408568c10a8ddcc0a42e610934 Brian “Weence” Bateman wrote a new post https://weence.com/?p=1156043 Fri, 24 Jul 2026 22:41:01 -0500 If Someone May Be Suicidal: Call 988 or 911 and What to Do NextIf someone may be thinking about suicide, the most important thing you can do is help them get support right now—and keep them safe while you’re wai […]

]]> 0 fddda36d4abd28235f4930335d4baa42 Brian “Weence” Bateman wrote a new post https://weence.com/?p=1156041 Fri, 24 Jul 2026 20:50:39 -0500 If You Ate Recalled Soft Ricotta While Pregnant: What CDC SaysPractical takeaway: If you’re pregnant (or caring for a newborn/young infant) and you ate recalled soft ricotta/requesón cheese tied to the Clover Hill Da […]

]]> 0 59ead434a83ea8d6766623514400da33 Brian “Weence” Bateman wrote a new post https://weence.com/?p=1156039 Fri, 24 Jul 2026 18:59:49 -0500 What CMS’s 2027 QHP Certification Letter Means for ACA Marketplace ShoppersWhen you shop on the ACA Marketplace, you’re comparing things like monthly premiums and cost sharing. But there’s also a less visible step that can aff […]

]]> 0 28f82987db6e910fb8ae3e1d1fd16b34 Brian “Weence” Bateman wrote a new post https://weence.com/?p=1156037 Fri, 24 Jul 2026 13:30:24 -0500 When CDC Wastewater Data Shows a Rise: What Families Should Do NextIf you’re watching community health updates, you may have noticed a new data point: CDC’s wastewater monitoring for SARS‑CoV‑2 (the virus that causes […]

]]> 0 27722a1154d6146f4a5033d8265dea21 Brian “Weence” Bateman wrote a new post https://weence.com/?p=1156035 Thu, 23 Jul 2026 22:55:52 -0500 What CMS’s New Risk-Based Nursing Home Surveys Mean for Families (Starting Sept. 2026)Starting September 8, 2026, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will begin using a new risk-based survey approach for some nursing homes. CMS […]

]]> 0 c1019cc808da9f145d57da0213420a6a Brian “Weence” Bateman wrote a new post https://weence.com/?p=1156033 Thu, 23 Jul 2026 19:57:54 -0500 Prediabetes and Multimorbidity: What a 21-Year Trial Follow-Up SuggestsFor many adults with prediabetes, the goal has shifted from “prevent diabetes” to “protect healthspan”—keeping daily life healthier for longer. A new long- […]

]]> 0 792bb63b124ccb1c75323c3a6ae32349 Brian “Weence” Bateman wrote a new post https://weence.com/?p=1156031 Thu, 23 Jul 2026 19:11:23 -0500 Medicaid & CHIP: Read Hospital Price Transparency and Vaccine Bills in 2026Starting April 1, 2026, CMS begins enforcing updated Hospital Price Transparency requirements. If your family is enrolled in Medicaid or CHIP, this may help […]

]]> 0 d05c9a9886db0a70a759191eee4a3f44 Brian “Weence” Bateman wrote a new post https://weence.com/?p=1156029 Thu, 23 Jul 2026 18:00:03 -0500 Cyclospora Taco Bell Linked to Shredded Iceberg Lettuce: What to Do (July 2026)Quick take: If you or someone in your household developed watery diarrhea after eating at Taco Bell—especially within the last 2 weeks—contact a hea […]

]]> 0 7f712f7a1626e59ab243a3558d3aa212 Brian “Weence” Bateman wrote a new post https://weence.com/?p=1156027 Thu, 23 Jul 2026 13:23:47 -0500 Whooping Cough Still Circulating This Summer: Keep Kids HomeWhooping cough (pertussis) is still circulating this summer in the United States, even though levels are lower than earlier post-pandemic peaks. For […]

]]> 0 4b0f5a1221f72490a505f087c9060847 Brian “Weence” Bateman wrote a new post https://weence.com/?p=1156025 Wed, 22 Jul 2026 23:06:33 -0500 Nara Organics powdered formula recall: what to do and infant botulism warning signsIf you have Nara Organics powdered infant formula at home, stop using it. The FDA says the company is recalling all lots due to a potential risk of […]

]]> 0 3acf48bdaf42f0e0f87f3cb5b8ddd65b Brian “Weence” Bateman wrote a new post https://weence.com/?p=1156023 Wed, 22 Jul 2026 22:08:19 -0500 Cetirizine Recall: Check Your Lot and Know When Allergy Symptoms Are an EmergencyThe FDA has posted a voluntary nationwide recall for four lots of cetirizine hydrochloride tablets USP 5 mg (generic Zyrtec) because the product may have […]

]]> 0 b64c23a3c671eee1e63b368e72b19e55 Brian “Weence” Bateman wrote a new post https://weence.com/?p=1156021 Wed, 22 Jul 2026 20:44:45 -0500 Lung Cancer Screening and Quit Support: What CASTL Tests for ValueIf you qualify for annual lung cancer screening with a low-dose CT scan (LDCT), that visit can be more than just a scan. It can also be a practical moment […]

]]> 0 fc063f88f94c576ff1a120564fb8c929 Brian “Weence” Bateman wrote a new post https://weence.com/?p=1156019 Wed, 22 Jul 2026 18:38:07 -0500 CMS Enforces Updated Hospital Price Transparency April 1, 2026—Medicare TipsStarting April 1, 2026, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) begins enforcing updated hospital price transparency requirements. For Medicare […]

]]> 0 5d677344205cd44762fdcaff8b82684d Brian “Weence” Bateman wrote a new post https://weence.com/?p=1156017 Wed, 22 Jul 2026 16:44:43 -0500 FDA Seeks Input on “Non-Device” Clinical Decision Support and AIFDA is collecting public input for a 2026 report on patient-safety impacts of certain “non-device” software functions under the 21st Century Cures Act […]

]]> 0 2cd61bbc61c7cb0ca91d29a39b2c0408 Brian “Weence” Bateman wrote a new post https://weence.com/?p=1156015 Wed, 22 Jul 2026 12:49:23 -0500 Andes Hantavirus After-Exposure: Symptoms to Watch For and “Monitoring Ended”Public-health monitoring for potential Andes virus exposure linked to the M/V Hondius outbreak has finished. The U.S. Department of Health and Human […]

]]> 0 ecd7bd4366c1bf08c8cc130ffa65cfc6 Brian “Weence” Bateman wrote a new post https://weence.com/?p=1156013 Tue, 21 Jul 2026 22:52:21 -0500 At-Home HPV Self-Collection for Cervical Cancer Screening: Who It’s For and What Happens NextYes—some FDA-cleared at-home HPV self-collection kits let you collect a vaginal swab privately at home and send it to a lab for HPV testing. In most c […]

]]> 0 a17ad1248fed27625e07ec6fb26085c2 Brian “Weence” Bateman wrote a new post https://weence.com/?p=1156011 Tue, 21 Jul 2026 22:25:52 -0500 Hot Days, Higher AQI: Use CDC’s HeatRisk Tool to Prevent Asthma FlaresHot days don’t just raise temperatures—they can also worsen asthma through dehydration, heat-related changes in breathing, and air pollution (including ozo […]

]]> 0 023da8338213078820e3dc175c3ce4bd Brian “Weence” Bateman wrote a new post https://weence.com/?p=1156009 Tue, 21 Jul 2026 20:48:20 -0500 What FDA’s Draft “Master Protocols” Guidance Could Mean for Trial ParticipantsIf you’re considering (or already enrolled in) a clinical trial that tests more than one disease, subtype, or drug, the paperwork and procedures you see m […]

]]> 0 15925aea8e93f680ebf1f025ddc7c0d6 Brian “Weence” Bateman wrote a new post https://weence.com/?p=1156007 Tue, 21 Jul 2026 18:26:50 -0500 CMS Is Enforcing Hospital Price Transparency: Estimate Costs and Know LimitsCMS’s hospital price transparency enforcement is ramping up in 2026. CMS says updated hospital price transparency requirements took effect January 1, 2 […]

]]> 0 c31fa58c46796edaeab534f1fce31ecb Brian “Weence” Bateman wrote a new post https://weence.com/?p=1156003 Tue, 21 Jul 2026 15:15:55 -0500 FDA kidney warning update for orlistat: What to do if kidney stones or diseaseThe FDA updated labeling for the over-the-counter weight-loss medicine alli (orlistat 60 mg) to add warnings about rare kidney-related side effects, […]

]]> 0 6d3d24c166dbb6100aa77e7b42c7337a Brian “Weence” Bateman wrote a new post https://weence.com/?p=1156001 Tue, 21 Jul 2026 14:36:15 -0500 Measles Exposure at School: What to Do Within 72 HoursMeasles spreads extremely easily in indoor settings like classrooms. If your child’s school or daycare says someone may have measles, the safest next step i […]

]]> 0 347fedfaffaffd7871807e34b68d88cd Brian “Weence” Bateman wrote a new post https://weence.com/?p=1155999 Mon, 20 Jul 2026 21:54:53 -0500 FDA Impella Controller Correction: What Families Should AskIf your loved one is in the hospital with an Impella heart pump, you may have heard the word recall. The FDA’s latest communication is a Class I recall c […]

]]> 0 0d2185d3ae7d1b1906d892f3351b7cfa Brian “Weence” Bateman wrote a new post https://weence.com/?p=1155997 Mon, 20 Jul 2026 18:56:31 -0500 Can’t Find a Hospital’s Prices? What to Request—and CMS Enforcement in 2026If you’re uninsured or paying out of pocket, a hospital bill can feel like a surprise—especially when it’s difficult to find clear pricing information onlin […]

]]> 0 0e42abdfa61f1fb083e5d1a0f18e0d47 Brian “Weence” Bateman wrote a new post https://weence.com/?p=1155995 Mon, 20 Jul 2026 16:07:14 -0500 Cyclospora in Taco Bell Lettuce: What to Do in 5 StatesIf you ate shredded iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, or West Virginia and you develop diarrhea—particularly if s […]

]]> 0 74c9a8d06baa4ede83d7c004ec696335 Brian “Weence” Bateman wrote a new post https://weence.com/?p=1155993 Mon, 20 Jul 2026 13:00:17 -0500 Medicaid’s New Community Engagement Rules and Vaccine AccessPractical takeaway: Starting July 31, 2026, some non-pregnant adults on Medicaid may need to meet a monthly “community engagement” standard to qualify for […]

]]> 0 ff29ecb1ac38a105c8a93ec10c80df02 Brian “Weence” Bateman wrote a new post https://weence.com/?p=1155991 Sun, 19 Jul 2026 21:54:08 -0500 FDA Clears First OTC CGM for Children: What Families Should KnowOn June 12, 2026, the FDA cleared the first over-the-counter (OTC) continuous glucose monitor (CGM) for children age 2 and older who do not use insulin. […]

]]> 0 6e2d875659191af82ea077888158486e Brian “Weence” Bateman wrote a new post https://weence.com/?p=1155989 Sun, 19 Jul 2026 20:15:47 -0500 Goal-Focused Cognitive Rehab for Long COVID Brain Fog: Trial FindingsQuick takeaway: In a new randomized clinical trial, adults with long COVID–related “brain fog” who received goal-focused cognitive rehabilitation throu […]

]]> 0 5fa732c6e497f836d5eafae8e55d7511 Brian “Weence” Bateman wrote a new post https://weence.com/?p=1155987 Sun, 19 Jul 2026 17:31:23 -0500 Using 2026 Hospital Price Transparency for Rural Cost Planning (Apr 1 Enforcement)For many rural families, planning scheduled outpatient care can be harder than it sounds. Options may be limited, travel can be costly, and switching […]

]]> 0 581fdf40617b07bd9e3830d0e385b325 Brian “Weence” Bateman wrote a new post https://weence.com/?p=1155985 Sun, 19 Jul 2026 16:07:36 -0500 Wisconsin Medicaid Postpartum Coverage: What Changes After 60 Days in 2026Quick takeaway: If you have Wisconsin BadgerCare Plus coverage tied to pregnancy, the state has extended the postpartum coverage window. For many […]

]]> 0 fdb51e421a1a36eeb7fce00537a4736d Brian “Weence” Bateman wrote a new post https://weence.com/?p=1155983 Sun, 19 Jul 2026 15:11:30 -0500 Volara Class I Recall Update: What to check (July 14, 2026)Before the next Volara System breathing therapy session at home, pause and do two quick checks. The FDA’s updated Class I correction explains a potential s […]

]]> 0 5f87f1d5fd9b725fa4fc15629f9a5056 Brian “Weence” Bateman wrote a new post https://weence.com/?p=1155981 Sun, 19 Jul 2026 13:32:42 -0500 Measles Outbreaks: Do You Need an Extra MMR Dose If Your Child Has Only One Shot?If a school or child care notice mentions a possible measles exposure, it’s normal to wonder: “My child only has 1 MMR shot—do they need an extra dose? […]

]]> 0 96788bea00723081bd840b6151cdf1fc Brian “Weence” Bateman wrote a new post https://weence.com/?p=1155979 Sat, 18 Jul 2026 23:37:25 -0500 Whole milk is returning to federal school meals: What to askWhole milk is starting to show up again on menus at many schools and child-care programs that participate in federal child nutrition. The shift is tied to […]

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