TN WOMAN FIRED FOR REFUSING EMPLOYER’S COVID-19 VACCINE MANDATE WINS ALMOST $700K
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — A federal jury has determined a woman who was fired for refusing to get a COVID-19 vaccine mandated by her employer, BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, is due a settlement worth almost $700,000. The jury found that Tanja Benton ‘proved by a preponderance of the evidence” that her refusal
STOMACH PARALYSIS POSSIBLE FOR PEOPLE USING POPULAR WEIGHT LOSS/DIABETES DRUGS
Injected medications that treat diabetes and obesity increase the risk of a rare but serious side effect: stomach paralysis, according to new data on the real-world use of the drugs. At least three new studies based on large collections of patient records show that the risk of being diagnosed with
FDA: SIX BRANDS OF GROUND CINNAMON FOUND TO HAVE HIGH LEVELS OF LEAD
FDA: SIX BRANDS OF GROUND CINNAMON FOUND TO HAVE HIGH LEVELS OF LEAD The US Food and Drug Administration has expanded its investigation into tainted cinnamon products, and its experts now say that the lead contamination extends beyond the cinnamon applesauce pouches that were recalled in October. Officials sent a
NEW SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT LOCATOR WESBITE FOR TENNESSEE
A new substance abuse treatment locator website from the Tennessee Department of Health is available now at FindHelpNowTN.org. This site links individuals directly to care and help if they are struggling with a substance use disorder. “There is an immediate, critical point, where those struggling with substance abuse and misuse are
THIRD CONFIRMED PEDIATRIC FLU-RELATED DEATH IN TN
The Tennessee Department of Health confirmed a third pediatric influenza-related death in Tennessee on Tuesday. Nationwide, six flu-associated pediatric deaths were reported during the second week of the new year — totaling 85 pediatric flu deaths so far this season. Two children were in the East Tennessee area and one
ADULTS ON TENNCARE NOW ELIGIBLE FOR DENTAL BENEFITS
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Adults on TennCare are now eligible for extensive dental benefits as of January 2023. This will affect over 600,000 adults across the state. In 2022, Governor Lee proposed a $25 million investment to offer dental care to adults 21 years and older on TennCare. Children on TennCare,
OPEN ENROLLMENT FOR 2023 HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE STARTS NOVEMBER 1ST
NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance (“TDCI”) reminds Tennesseans to review and update their health insurance coverage on the Federally Facilitated Marketplace (“FFM”) when the Open Enrollment period for 2023 opens on Tuesday, November 1, 2022. Consumers will have at least two insurance choices on the FFM
BANANA BOAT RECALL DUE TO CANCER-CAUSING CHEMICAL
On Friday, Edgewell Personal Care Company stated that Banana Boat’s Hair and Scalp sunscreen are being recalled after tests detected trace levels of the carcinogen benzene. According to the release, “While benzene is not an ingredient in any Banana Boat products, the review showed that unexpected levels of benzene came from
FREE DENTAL, VISION AND MEDICAL CARE IN COALFIELD SATURDAY
Remote Area Medical will host a pop-up clinic in Coalfield on Dec. 18 to provide free dental, vision, and medical care to underserved and uninsured individuals. The clinic will be open for one day and will be located at 1720 Coal Hill Road, Coalfield, TN 37719.
TN DEPT OF HEALTH STATEMENT ON NEW COVID-19 VARIANT, OMICRON
TENNESSEE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH PRESS RELEASE: OMICRON VARIANT We are monitoring the situation closely. Dr. Piercey has been briefed by both the CDC and White House within the last 48 hours. There are no confirmed cases of the omicron variant in Tennessee. There is routine variant surveillance via sample sequencing
CUMBERLAND COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT UPDATE
The Cumberland County Health Department is currently offering the Pfizer COVID 19 Vaccine and Booster. The State of Tennessee has recognized certain Health Departments as Pfizer only. Unfortunately, the Moderna Booster is not available at the Cumberland County Health Department at this time. There are several other local facilities that
BCBS SETTLEMENT OFFER IS REAL, BUT DON’T COUNT ON A WINDFALL
Are you among the millions of people who received a letter or email from Blue Cross Blue Shield about a settlement? Did you stop to wonder if it’s legitimate? It is, but it’s not any kind of windfall to get too excited about. The proposed settlement resolves claims that Blue Cross
