Tag: health
Major changes in Medicaid threaten Virginians’ healthcare
As a result of major changes in the federal Medicaid program, Virginians who receive health coverage through Virginia’s Medicaid Expansion program could lose eligibility if they are not citizens or could face new work requirements and more frequent reviews. According to the Virginia Health and Human Resources Department, the new work requirements would potentially affect … Continued
Health & Wellness: Step outside
By Rachel Martin Did you know that the average American spends only one to two hours outside each day? That’s anywhere from just 4 percent to 8 percent of our day. That’s a pretty dramatic shift when you consider that much of human history (300,000-plus years) was spent living and moving at least 90 percent … Continued
Health & Wellness: Top 5 cooling and healthy eats in Annandale
By Rachel Martin Summer may be winding down, but we’re not quite done with the heat yet. Most mornings may start with temperatures in the 70s, but by afternoon, Annandale can still feel like the middle of summer. So, before we trade our iced drinks and fresh salads for soups and comfort foods, I wanted … Continued
Mental health hospital in Seven Corners sold
HCA Healthcare has sold Dominion Hospital in Seven Corners to Hill Valley Healthcare for $25.2 million, the Washington Business Journal reported on Sept. 1. The 116-bed Dominion Hospital, located at 2960 Sleepy Hollow Road, provides behavior and mental health services for children, teens, and adults. It offers treatments for eating disorders, psychological trauma, and alcohol … Continued
Culmore families come together for Unity in the Community
Free toys for kids, resources for adults, and free food for everyone: that’s the concept of the Unity in the Community event in Culmore. George Mason University’s Place-Based Initiative and the Mason Police District sponsored the event, which took place on Aug. 10 just a few hours after an ICE raid in Culmore. The Unity … Continued
Thousands of Virginians will lose Medicaid coverage
The Trump administration’s cuts to the Medicaid program are expected to threaten healthcare coverage for some 300,000 Virginians. While the state government is taking steps to fill the gap, it won’t come close to making up the difference. Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” (H.R. 1), passed by Congress in 2025, cuts the federal Medicaid program … Continued
Three constitutional amendments will be on the Nov. 3 ballot
Virginians will have an opportunity to vote on three constitutional amendments in November: to protect reproductive rights, voting rights, and marriage equality. Reproductive rights Virginia’s Constitution currently does not explicitly give citizens a right to reproductive freedom, nor does it explicitly protect or prohibit certain kinds of healthcare procedures or decisions. Ballot question #1 asks … Continued
Providence lifeguards honored for saving swimmer’s life
The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department honored four lifeguards at the Providence Rec Center on July 16 “for their extraordinary actions during a water emergency,” the Park Authority reports. Lifeguards Michaela Zawadzki, Juliet Raimando, and Anna Parker, along with Manager on Duty Jeremy Alexander, responded immediately after a swimmer became unresponsive in the pool in … Continued
The Culmore Clinic is moving for the second time this year
Five months after the Culmore Clinic moved to a temporary location in Bailey’s Crossroads while a new permanent space is being constructed, it’s being forced to move again. The Culmore Clinic relocated to the Bailey’s Crossroads branch of the Columbia Crossroads Baptist Church at 3253 Glen Carlin Road in February. In May, Columbia Crossroads sold … Continued
Heat and air pollution affect Fairfax County
Fairfax County activated its Heat Plan for today, July 18, while the air quality remains at unhealthy levels due to smoke from the Canadian wildfires. The National Weather Service expects a heat index value of around 105 for today. Fairfax County Public Schools has canceled all outdoor activities scheduled on school fields and courts from … Continued
Happy Independence Day! but try to stay cool
While many of you will be celebrating outdoors today, it’s going to be healthier to stay inside. The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality’s air quality forecast for Northern Virginia for Saturday, July 4, is 209, which puts it in the “very unhealthy” category. (A “good” air quality index is 50 or less.) The DEQ says … Continued
County activates heat plan
Fairfax County has activated its Heat Plan for Wednesday, July 1, through Friday, July 3, due to extreme heat. The National Weather Service predicts “dangerous, record-breaking heat” with a high temperature for Annandale of 99 degrees and a heat index as high as 106 today. On Thursday, the temperature could reach 102, with a heat … Continued
Styrofoam banned for food sellers
Beginning July 1, all food establishments in Virginia are required to eliminate the use of Styrofoam containers. This ban applies to restaurants, cafeterias, food trucks, and other food service operations, regardless of size. A law passed by the Virginia General Assembly in 2021 banned single-use Expanded Polystyrene (EPS), commonly known as Styrofoam, for food vendors … Continued
Health & Wellness Hub offers services under one roof
Bailey’s Crossroads residents have a one-stop center for health and educational services for children and adults at a church in Bailey’s Crossroads. The following organizations are providing free services at the Health & Wellness Hub established by the Place-Based Initiative (PBI), a project of George Mason University’s School of Public Health: It’s more convenient for … Continued
Annandale clinic offers a holistic approach to health
A relatively new clinic in Annandale focuses on a holistic approach to wellness, combining non-traditional therapies with primary care services. Happy Health & Wellness, located at 4304 Evergreen Lane, #104, in Annandale, accepts most health insurance carriers, says lead provider Kristin Brockler, who has a doctorate in medical science from the Yale School of Medicine. … Continued