PAGE 18 | THE VILLAGER • June 11, 2020
Infertility costs will be covered by health insurance starting in 2022 BY FREDA MIKLIN GOVERNMENTAL REPORTER
7 natural ways to help with seasonal allergies I seem to have a little trouble at this time of year, every year. I am most thankful for the neti pot, as it’s the best thing since sliced bread in my option. I will use the Musings with neti pot as maintenance about once a month. But the second I feel like something sinus or allergy is going on, I start using the neti pot, once a day for about 3 days. I haven’t had a sinus infection in a few years now, I feel very confident I can keep them away now!
fruits. Quercetin is a bioflavonoid that stabilizes the release of histamines and helps to naturally control allergy symptoms. Quercetin can be purchased as a supplement. Melinda
Neti Pot Neti pots are a natural remedy for allergies and many respiratory conditions because they help to clear the sinuses and remove congestion. Use of neti pots has been shown to help improve quality of life in sufferers of respiratory illnesses and cause little to no side effects. Clearing the nasal passages of allergens and irritants. Thankfully, this Anti-inflammatory Diet “alternative” approach to preventing First and foremost, start eating an anti-inflammatory diet to reduce congestion and allergies has now your risk for allergies and many other become more mainstream. When you use a neti pot, make sure that the wahealth problems. Caring for your body with nutrient-dense foods gives ter is distilled and as sterile as possible. your immune system the ability to repair itself, bringing it back into Essential Oils - Eucalypbalance so it can fight off common tus and Frankinsense allergies in your environment. Here Essential oils for allergies work by are some of the best foods and reducing inflammation and improving ingredients to incorporate into your detoxification of harmful bacteria, diet to help you beat allergies: parasites, microorganisms and toxGarlic — Garlic is a natural ins that can trigger an attack. You antibiotic that helps ward off infeccan use eucalyptus oil for seasonal tions, viruses and even allergies. allergy relief in a variety of ways: Lemons — As most of us know an You can put several drops of eucaalkaline body means better balance lyptus oil into your neti pot, inhale it and immune function. Lemons and via a diffuser, or use it in your laundry limes are excellent immune boosting detergent as an antimicrobial agent. little fruits and are used for various For an eco-friendly, biodegradable afflictions, including allergies. addition to your natural detergents, add 25 drops of eucalyptus oil to Local Raw Honey each load of wash during allergy Considering how good it tastes, season, especially if you or the kids having some raw honey every day to are running around outside. help control seasonal allergies may If your allergy symptoms are going sound too easy to actually work well, strong, mix eucalyptus oil with cocobut don’t discount this ancient reme- nut oil and rub it on your chest and dy. Taking a tablespoon of local, raw behind your ears and diffuse it in the honey every day will help your body air during the day and while sleeping. build a tolerance to the local pollen Another powerful essential oil for that is running amuck on your sinuses. managing allergies is frankincense oil. To implement it into your natural health regimen, simply Apple Cider Vinegar rub frankincense behind your ears For many years I have recomand on your chest several times mend apple cider vinegar, and now per day, or diffuse frankincense you can find it almost everywhere. essential oil in your home and ofDrinking a glass of water with a fice for about three hours daily. teaspoon of ACV and some fresh lemon juice is one of the best ways to wake up every morning. At the Probiotics first sign of an allergy attack, put one It’s now becoming common teaspoon of ACV in your neti pot knowledge that a strong immune solution for a natural “sinus flush.” system starts with a healthy gut. More than 80 percent of your immune function is stored in your Quercetin gastrointestinal (GI) tract! It should Quercetin is naturally found in plant foods such as cruciferous veg- be no wonder that research keeps etables (like broccoli or cauliflower), surfacing that links probiotic suppleonions/shallots, green tea and citrus ment use to reduced risk of allergies. Melinda Luke Certified Health Coach 720-507-7534 or mail@melindaluke.com Want a product or service review, call me! See more articles on the Aging Gracefully Facebook page!
On April 1 (no fooling) after HB20-1158 passed both houses of the state legislature with bipartisan support as the coronavirus pandemic was winding up, Governor Jared Polis signed this new law into effect that requires that “ fertility treatments be treated on equal footing with other services by insurance carriers by requiring that co-pays and deductibles and prior authorization be comparable” to other covered medical treatments because, he said, “Infertility is clearly and demonstrably a source of significant expense, as well as depression and great sadness for many Coloradans.” The most common treatment for infertility is in vitro fertilization. For those whose health insurance does not cover it, the out-of-pocket cost is usually at least $20,000. Taking into account the coronavirus crisis and the potential negative impact of this new required coverage to the cost of health insurance, Polis said in his
signing statement, “I will not sign any other insurance mandate bills passed by the General Assembly during the 2020 session except where there is an urgent need for additional benefits related to COVID-19.” The new requirement, which takes effect for health benefit plans issued or renewed in Colorado on or after January 1, 2022, covers the diagnosis and treatment of infertility and fertility preservation services. It prohibits the imposition of any limits for fertility medications that are not applicable to coverage for other prescription medicines. It also prohibits the imposition of deductibles, copayments, coinsurance, benefit maximums, waiting periods, or other limitations that are not applicable to other medical services covered under a regular health insurance plan. Religious employers are allowed to request an exclusion from offering “infertility coverage in a health benefit plan offered by the religious employer if the coverage conflicts with the religious organization’s bona fide religious
beliefs and practices.” There is also a provision that Polis asked to have added to the new law to protect the state’s general fund in the event that the state is forced to pick up any increased costs because fertility treatment is deemed to be a new mandate under the Affordable Care Act. If that occurs, “the provisions of the bill impacting the small group and individual market will not take effect.” According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, sixteen other states, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Montana, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Rhode Island, Texas and West Virginia, require some level of infertility coverage be provided to or offered to customers. All Democratic legislators who were present for the final vote in both houses of the general assembly voted for the bill. Also voting in favor were Republicans Mark Baisley (HD39), Don Coram (SD6), Larry Crowder (SD35), Lois Landgraf (HD21), Kevin VanWinkle (HD43), and Perry Will (HD57). Fmiklin.villager@gmail.com
A look at COVID-19 outbreaks in Arapahoe County as business opens up BY FREDA MIKLIN GOVERNMENTAL REPORTER
New reported cases of COVID-19 have been decreasing steadily in Colorado since they hit a high of 970 on April 23. The three-day moving average of new cases reported for the first five days of June is the lowest it has been since March 28. There were seven COVID-19 deaths statewide on May 31, but only six in the first three days of June combined. The trend of the impact of the virus in Colorado is clearly down. As of this week, most business, including health clubs, bowling alleys, playgrounds, and houses of worship have been given the green light to restart operations at some level. Retail stores, restaurants, and offices have been open for a few weeks. Unspoken is the fear throughout our state and many others around the country about how the non-social-distanced demonstrations following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis at the hands of the local police, ongoing for the past ten days (as of this writing) and counting, could affect the possibility of new outbreaks. An outbreak is defined as “two or more confirmed cases of COVID-19 in a facility or (non-household) group with onset in a 14-day period.” Once an outbreak has been identified, it remains on the list. It is considered resolved “when 28 days have passed with no new illnesses.” Outbreak data for the entire state is updated and released every Wednesday. In Arapahoe County, there were 58 places shown on the Outbreak list as of June 3, including 16 that were marked as resolved. Of the remaining 42, 18 nursing homes and other senior living facilities plus 11 assorted businesses reported no increase in total cases or fatalities from the previous week. Most of the 11 locations
listed with new cases were places where senior citizens live. The most significant increase over the previous week was at Garden Terrace Alzheimer’s Center of Excellence at 1600 S. Potomac Street in Aurora, which reported 12 new cases among its residents from the prior week. A statement on its website dated May 29 said, “Our facility is currently COVID-19 free. Altogether, 69 of our residents have been tested for COVID-19. 49 residents have tested positive; 20 residents have tested negative. All of the in-house residents who previously tested positive have recovered per the CDC’s strict guidelines for recovery, and they no longer require isolation precautions. A few of our COVID-19 positive residents have been transferred to local hospitals for more acute care. 16 COVID-19 positive residents have passed away. Our heartfelt condolences go out to the family
and friends of these residents.” GoRight PPL, a manufacturer of plastic containers located at 21250 E. 36th Drive in Aurora reported 20 employees with COVID-19 and one fatality, up from 16 impacted employees and no fatalities a week earlier. ABM Facility Services at 9800 E. Geddes Ave in Englewood was new to the June 3 outbreak list after reporting 10 cases of COVID-19 among its employees on May 29. ABM Facility Services is a provider of building maintenance services in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, and Puerto Rico, with 140,000 employees worldwide. Also on the Arapahoe County outbreak list for the first time on June 3 was Chick-fil-a at 5600 S. Parker Road in Aurora, after reporting three employees had the coronavirus on June 2. Fmiklin.villager@gmail.com
