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Price caps could help end IVF postcode lottery – The Guardian

There are practicable solutions to restore fertility provision in this country, writes consultant in reproductive medicine Geeta Nargund
Denis Campbell’s reporting that just 27% of IVF cycles in 2022 were funded by the NHS is a damning reflection of the state of fertility in the UK and particularly concerning in light of our plummeting birthrates (Report, 18 July).
Eleven years ago the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence recommended patients receive three full NHS-funded IVF cycles, yet today just 7% of the UK’s integrated care boards (ICBs) meet these guidelines. The IVF postcode lottery is unacceptable and goes against the founding principles of our NHS, which is to offer fair and equal access to healthcare.
Yet there are practicable solutions to restore fertility provision in this country. The first is to tackle the IVF postcode lottery with the introduction of a national IVF tariff. Price caps exist on other medical treatments and a tariff on the upper limit ICBs pay for a single IVF cycle will help the NHS budget go much further and reduce the disparity of access across the UK.
The other critical component is reversing our falling birthrates, which is very important for an ageing society and an economic imperative. For that reason we must see cross-departmental collaboration between the Department of Health and Social Care, the Department for Work and Pensions, the Women and Equalities Committee and the Treasury to address this policy shortfall and financial inequalities so as to secure the future fertility and financial health of the UK.
Geeta Nargund
Lead consultant in reproductive medicine, St George’s hospital, London
Have an opinion on anything you’ve read in the Guardian today? Please email us your letter and it will be considered for publication in our letters section.

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9 tips and tricks on how to win an affordable housing lottery in NYC – Time Out

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Winners and experts share their hacks on how to increase your chances.
You don’t have to make a sacrifice to the gods to win an affordable housing lottery.
When Manhattanites Stephanie Schroeder and her partner Lisa Haas won an affordable housing lottery eight years ago, they simply followed the guidelines. 
The then-Bushwick residents, one of whom lived in a fourth-floor walk-up, were vying for an accessible and affordable apartment of their own after losing their jobs in the 2008 recession and living off freelance work. When they coincidentally saw an ad in Time Out New York, they decided they’d give it a shot (by mailing in their application!) and were contacted several weeks later to begin the vetting process.
Turns out, their hopeful replays of “Movin’ on Up” from the sitcom The Jeffersons didn’t manifest the win, it just made for a fun lead up. 
RECOMMENDED: An affordable housing lottery just opened near Hudson Yards
“It was unbelievable,” Haas recalls about winning the lottery. The couple was offered a corner unit in a new Midtown West building with floor-to-ceiling windows, a doorman, a washer and dryer and an elevator—for under $900 a month.
“It was a relief,” Schroeder adds. “I never win anything, but I would say it’s not luck. It’s half preparation … it’s not going to work at all if you don’t prepare.”
The couple isn’t lucky. Their lotto win isn’t some fortuitous blip. It really comes down to, yes, preparation, but also perseverance and proof.
So with those very wise words in mind, we’ve gathered nine tips on how to increase your chances of winning an affordable housing lottery, based on advice from Schroeder and Haas. 
We also reached out to Aileen Reynolds, the Assistant Commissioner of Housing Opportunity at the NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development. 
To find out about new affordable housing lotteries and be able to apply to them, you need to first sign up for the service on NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development’s (HPD) Housing Connect website. Sure, you can still rely on HPD’s advertisements in local papers or write in to get an application, but those processes will be slower.
Essentially [Housing Connect] is a one-stop shop for finding affordable housing that the city is involved in in some way,” Reynolds says.
Once you’re on Housing Connect, Reynolds says to “take a few minutes [to] browse what’s opening. New lotteries are posted every day. There were 37 today and tomorrow there might be more. I’d recommend checking back and seeing what’s out there.”
It might seem like common sense, but apply only for a lottery you qualify for. Each lottery lists a table of available units and their requirements. For example, the housing lottery for the Marcus Garvey Apartments says that your household’s income must be between $29,555 and $117,390 a year to be eligible.
If you apply for this lottery and fall under or above that range, you’ll automatically be removed from the lottery or not allowed to apply (you should get a warning message on Housing Connect if you don’t seem to qualify).
And don’t think about misrepresenting your income. According to Reynolds, you will be asked for proof of it all.
“We don’t restrict folks from applying,” she says. “The number one [applicant in the lottery] may get called but if they’re not qualified, we’re moving on to number two.”
“It’s admittedly [a] complicated process,” she continues. “It’s helpful if you look at the advertisement when considering the opportunity to see whether you qualify or not. Make sure you’re putting your efforts into a lottery you’re likely to qualify for and not spending your effort and getting emotionally drained applying to things you’re not qualified for.”
And, if you don’t want an apartment, whether because it’s in a neighborhood you don’t like or doesn’t boast a specific feature you are interested in, do not apply. Doing so would only lengthen the process for everyone else.
“Lottery” has a certain connotation. It feels random and unlikely because so many of us have been on the losing end. But according to Reynolds, it works best for HPD.
“We [have] been doing lotteries for decades, back to when Mayor Koch was putting envelopes in a bag and shaking it and pulling out a winner,” she says. “The lottery has been around so long because the demand is so high. A lottery is [the] most equitable and fair way to do this. We admit it’s a challenge and we get inquiries and stories of New Yorkers in need. We empathize with that, but at this moment in time, we have one million users looking for housing. Last year, we housed over 9,000 households through the lottery, which is a huge accomplishment.”
The lottery actually randomizes applicants through an algorithm and then assigns them a number. HPD then starts at number 1 and goes down the list until they find an applicant who qualifies.
Additionally, those with vision, hearing and mobility disabilities/issues as well as veterans, community board members and other city employees are often given priority.
If you fall into any of these categories, it’s a good idea to apply since you’ll be prioritized over other applicants.
And keep trying. Just because you don’t win one, two or even three lotteries, there is still a chance to get the call and find your new home. 
“I think anyone who’s ever won any lottery, but definitely the housing lottery, would say they never thought that they would be selected,” Reynolds says.
“Almost everybody I know, I tell them about the lottery and their response is ‘I make too much’ or ‘too little’ and they never apply,” Haas explains. “Apply! Sign up! It’s easy. It might take somebody a year or five years to win, but it’s really easy to apply. You never know. I’ve been called for three lotteries!” 
It’s important to update your Housing Connect profile with the most recent information, including any disabilities and your household income. If that information is out of date, you could be turned down when you might otherwise be eligible. 
Once you’re contacted via email and Housing Connect, you must submit documentation to support your application and you only have 10 days (two business weeks) to do that.
“You don’t know when you’ll be contacted,” Reynolds says, noting that there are deadlines for HPD requests for information. “After you apply and the application deadline passes, you can be contacted in one month or in one year (if it’s larger building or if they’re still leasing).”
Given the quick turnaround, it’s best to have all your documentation—you can find a full rundown of what you need right here—ready to go, printed and readily accessible digitally. Otherwise, you may miss your opportunity.
“Get a filing cabinet so you can organize your papers,” says Haas. “There is some paper stuff that you need to keep in order so that when you do get called, there’s enough paperwork to go through.”
Did you know you can actually appeal HPD’s decision if they deem you unqualified for an affordable apartment? You’ll need to prove your eligibility by providing the documents we linked to above but, just because you get denied, it doesn’t mean it’s the end of the road. You can always check the status of your application on the dashboard of Housing Connect.
Reynolds, Haas and Schroeder all agree that if you want to win an affordable housing lottery, you shouldn’t be afraid to break your current lease. Losing the opportunity to have a rent stabilized apartment for years to a lease that does not serve you is short-sighted.
“The turnover time [between selection and lease signing] is really fast,” says Schroeder. “You have to move within a short timeline, so sometimes you have to break a lease or find someone to take over your lease, but it’s worth it.”
Reynolds suggests not basing your future around lease terms and not only applying as your lease is about to end.
“It can take some time to actually be contacted and processed,” she explains. “It’s not useful to dictate your housing search around your lease term. That’s kind of counter how the New York housing market works, but it’s important, especially for New Yorkers … to think about the housing lottery in the long term and as a long game.”
If you’re less picky about what neighborhood you live in, you may have a higher chance of winning a lottery, Reynolds says.
“Lotteries are all over the city,” she explains. “You can stay in your community or move to a new one if you’re interested in something new. The more options you’re open to, the higher the chance you have of being selected.”
Haas recalls only having 24 hours to make a decision on whether they wanted to move from Bushwick to the affordable apartment in midtown. They jumped on it and haven’t looked back. Both of them are able to live comfortably and do the work they love. Schroeder works for a non-profit helping older adults apply for housing. Haas is an actor, writer and adjunct professor at CUNY.
“One of the greatest joys of my job is hearing from folks who moved into their apartment, especially hearing from folks who were able to leave a vulnerable situation or start their independence,” Reynolds says. “I personally enjoy when I get to go see the buildings. I’m usually stuck in the office but, once in awhile, I go see a building and the new tenants. It’s always so rewarding to see folks happy in their apartments.”
For more information on what lotteries are open right now, check out housingconnect.nyc.gov and sign up on NYC Housing Connect today.
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Mega Millions jackpot swells to $900 million, eighth largest in history – DeSoto County News

                        Your Source for Desoto County News                      <br>                        <svg class="cm-icon cm-icon--bars" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewbox="0 0 24 24"><path d="M21 19H3a1 1 0 0 1 0-2h18a1 1 0 0 1 0 2Zm0-6H3a1 1 0 0 1 0-2h18a1 1 0 0 1 0 2Zm0-6H3a1 1 0 0 1 0-2h18a1 1 0 0 1 0 2Z"></path></svg>                      <svg class="cm-icon cm-icon--x-mark" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewbox="0 0 24 24"><path d="m13.4 12 8.3-8.3c.4-.4.4-1 0-1.4s-1-.4-1.4 0L12 10.6 3.7 2.3c-.4-.4-1-.4-1.4 0s-.4 1 0 1.4l8.3 8.3-8.3 8.3c-.4.4-.4 1 0 1.4.2.2.4.3.7.3s.5-.1.7-.3l8.3-8.3 8.3 8.3c.2.2.5.3.7.3s.5-.1.7-.3c.4-.4.4-1 0-1.4L13.4 12z"></path></svg>                 <br><strong>JACKSON, Miss. </strong> — The Mega Millions jackpot climbed to an estimated $900 million for Tuesday night’s drawing, making it the eighth-largest prize in the game&#8217;s history.<br>The drawing, scheduled for 10 p.m. Central time on Nov. 11, follows a recent billion-dollar Powerball run that concluded in September. The surge toward $1 billion marks only the third time the Mega Millions prize has reached this level since the record $1.602 billion jackpot was won in Florida on Aug. 8, 2023.<br>Lottery officials estimate the cash value for Tuesday’s grand prize at $415.3 million. If a winner matches all six numbers, they can choose between the lump-sum cash option or the full $900 million annuity, paid out over 30 years.<br>Mega Millions drawings are held every Tuesday and Friday.<br>The lottery excitement is not limited to one game. Wednesday’s Powerball jackpot is an estimated $512 million, carrying an estimated cash value of $239.1 million. The jackpot for Lotto America is an estimated $6.8 million, with a cash value of $3.17 million.<br>Bob Bakken provides content for DeSoto County News and its social media channels. He is an award-winning broadcaster, along with being a reporter and photographer, and has done sports media relations work with junior and minor league hockey teams. Along with his reports on this website, you will find this veteran media member providing sports updates and high school football play-by-play on Rebel 95.3 FM Radio.<br><br><a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMitwFBVV95cUxOQ0o5eW1jMVNIMTBQUDBaTVBYVGpUOFJ3QmllckgxenlVaW1XUUxCTnVMbHhYT21yWHZCcnQtZThIQkc3Rl9pX19FTTNIdUxaLVJKTzBiV1dFbU5PdTNXYzZaYmZJa1c5Y2NCOXFzSEdpTS1tTkZ2UWhET3hQMjRGVTJheDhURlF2MzE2cEZCUDBwZGhrSnpPVDhSSFpWQzFidmduWng1YzdRalpHczRZVUg4MmlCbUU?oc=5">source</a>
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Wisdom Jonny-Nuekpe: Of GHAFTRAM, Nibima and false accusations…the Covid-19 treatment turf war – MyJoyOnline

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The Ghana Federation for Traditional Medicine Practitioners (GHAFTRAM), accusing the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) of misleading the public on the use of the herbal Criptolepis sanguinolenta, locally known as Nibima for the cure of Covid-19 is worrying.
It should be considered as false by those who closely followed recent media attacks and accusations on the FDA by the Federation, concerning the use of Nibima for Covid-19 clinical trial.
The FDA in a press statement on February 1, 2021, mentioned that it has approved Criptolepis sanguinolenta (Nibima) for clinical trials for possible Covid-19 treatment.
Indeed, a related press statement from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology Covid-19 Clinical Team, attested that the herbal medicine in question was not for treatment in its finality but for a phase II clinical trial on Covid-19 patients.
However, a publication in the Informer Newspaper on Friday, February 5, 2021 with the headline, ‘Confusion lingers over Nibima medicine …as Traditional Herbalists expose FDA…’ accused the FDA of misleading and creating misunderstanding within the public, regarding the endorsement of the herbal medicine as a cure for the virus.
False claims
Indeed, no part of the FDA release mentioned that Nibima can cure the dreaded Covid-19.
The statement in part said, “In the search for the treatment for the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, researchers from the School of Public Health at the KNUST submitted a clinical trial application in September 2020 to assess the safety and efficacy of Cryptolepis Sanguinolenta as a potential treatment for Covid-19”.
Conversely, it is unfortunate that the said newspaper alleged that the FDA deceived the public by endorsing Nibima as cure for Covid-19.
The second paragraph of the Informer story reads, “The KNUST statement was to clarify the misunderstanding by the general public regarding Nibima as a cure to the virus, which was fueled by the FDA”.
The paper, however failed to appreciate that both the KNUST and the FDA were communicating same procedure and messages in their separate statements.
The newspaper gave an impression that the FDA by its release, attested to the efficacy of Nibima for the final treatment of Covid-19, which is false, and does not correspond to the Authority’s position in the statement.
The statement was emphatic on ‘possible clinical benefits’ on the basis of initial findings which corresponds with what KNUST said in their statement.
Favoritism
Suspicions and allegations of favoritism to the detriment of GHAFTRAM and herbalists in the same Informer story is also out of place.
GHAFTRAM’s Secretary, Nana Kwadwo Obiri, was quoted as saying that, the association submitted 33 different herbal products to the FDA and the Ministry of Health to be approved for Covid-19 treatment.
GHAFTRAM, he said, was later surprised that the FDA had gone ahead to approve another herbal medicine without the association’s knowledge.
The question here is, ‘must the FDA notify or engage the herbal medicine association before considering and approving clinical trials of that nature?
Indeed, reliable information indicates that the 33 herbal medicines were submitted to the Minister of Health, who later presented it to the Centre for Plant Medicine Research (CPMR), Mampong, for further studies to be done before approval.
Those 33 medicines were not presented to the FDA as the Informer story claimed.
Key questions
Is GHAFTRAM aware that the 33 herbal medicines would have to go through testing at CPMR? If no, then obviously, the Federation does not acknowledge the role of CPMR in such matters.
If yes, then such grievances must be channeled to CPMR for answers and not the FDA. 
Moreover, 33 products will definitely take a long time to go through testing and for the best due diligence.
We must not lose sight of the fact that even the Nibima herbal product, was submitted in September 2020 and it was not until February 1, that it met all the necessary requirements to commence clinical trials.
This is just one product, taking almost six months for answers to be provided. How much more 33 products?
Ghana’s robust herbal medicine industry
It is significant to note that the FDA, through regulations, has made Ghana’s herbal medicine industry an envy to many countries on the African continent.
In testament to this position, my findings revealed that other countries like Rwanda, Ethiopia and Kenya have come to Ghana through the FDA to study our industry.
It is therefore imperative for us as a country to uphold these legacies and build on them.
The impression created by GHAFTRAM in the said articles denote that the FDA was against the indigenous herbal industry.
Bad faith
The Secretary of GHAFTRAM, Nana Kwadwo Obiri, who was a board member of the FDA, per the claims of his Federation, has exhibited some amount of bad faith through assertions in the articles, with full intent to settle matters in the public domain.
Nana Kwadwo Obiri should not have projected his stands as having the interest of GHAFTRAM more than the FDA and vice versa, since he represents both entities.
At best, such allegations and claims, even if they were found to be true, could have been settled indoor without necessarily engaging in public accusations.
Conclusion
As the FDA is more focused in playing its regulatory roles to navigate the country through this pandemic, key stakeholders including GHAFTRAM, can only collaborate and contribute to the national effort to collectively fight the virus.
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