Current:Home > ScamsAfter being bitten by a rabid fox, a congressman wants cheaper rabies treatments-DB Wealth Institute B2 Expert Reviews
After being bitten by a rabid fox, a congressman wants cheaper rabies treatments
View Date:2024-12-23 19:36:45
Rabies deaths are rare in the U.S. A lot of that is thanks in part to vaccines, but it's also because of the effective treatment available to those who have been exposed to the viral, deadly disease.
But that lifesaving treatment is expensive, especially for those without health insurance, and can leave people saddled with thousands of dollars of debt.
After his own encounter with a rabid fox on Capitol Hill in April, Rep. Ami Bera, D-Calif., is trying to change that. He introduced legislation on Wednesday that would lead to the creation of a government program that would reimburse health care providers who administer the treatment to people who are uninsured.
The introduction of the legislation, the Affordable Rabies Treatment for Uninsured Act, coincided with World Rabies Day, which aims to raise awareness about the disease worldwide.
"Despite being a fatal disease, rabies is preventable if treated quickly," Bera said in a statement. "After being bit by a rabid fox, I was fortunate to have access to readily available and low-cost vaccines. But for too many Americans, the costs of treatment would break their banks. My legislation would seek to reduce the high costs of treatment for uninsured Americans, ensuring that no one has to choose between receiving treatment or not because of high costs."
Typically, people who are exposed to rabies receive a five-shot regimen of rabies immunoglobulin and the rabies vaccine over the course of two weeks. But those shots are expensive. Earlier this year, drug pricing data from GoodRx estimated the cost of this treatment runs between $4,868.35 to $5,930.83 — not including the cost to administer the drugs, or the markups frequently charged by hospital emergency rooms, where treatment usually begins.
On average in the United States, 60,000 people are thought to be exposed to rabies yearly, but fewer than three people die from the disease because of post-exposure treatment, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But globally, that's not the case. Approximately 60,000 people die from rabies every year, and many of those deaths result from dog bites.
Most of the rabies cases in the U.S., though, are linked to wild animals, including foxes, bats, skunks and raccoons. If you are bitten by a wild animal or a domestic pet with an unknown vaccination status, it's a good idea to get checked out by a doctor as soon as possible. The post-exposure treatment is extremely effective, but it needs to take place before symptoms set in; when that happens, rabies has an almost 100% fatality rate.
veryGood! (37682)
Related
- Disruptions to Amtrak service continue after fire near tracks in New York City
- In a win for Mexico, US will expand areas for migrants to apply online for entry at southern border
- After Navajo Nation Condemns Uranium Hauling on Its Lands, Arizona Governor Negotiates a Pause
- Boxing fiasco sparks question: Do future Olympics become hunt for those who are different?
- Mississippi rising, Georgia falling in college football NCAA Re-Rank 1-134 after Week 11
- USA's Jade Carey wins bronze on vault at Paris Olympics
- Screw the monarchy: Why 'House of the Dragon' should take this revolutionary twist
- Who are the Americans still detained in Russian prisons? Here's the list.
- Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson weighs in on report that he would 'pee in a bottle' on set
- Class is in Session at Nordstrom Rack's 2024 Back-to-College Sale: Score Huge Savings Up to 85% Off
Ranking
- Stop smartphone distractions by creating a focus mode: Video tutorial
- Transgender woman’s use of a gym locker room spurs protests and investigations in Missouri
- Forecasters expect depression to become Tropical Storm Debby as it nears Florida’s Gulf Coast
- Netherlands' Femke Bol steals 4x400 mixed relay win from Team USA in Paris Olympics
- Tuskegee University closes its campus to the public, fires security chief after shooting
- U.S. defense secretary rejects plea deal for 9/11 mastermind, puts death penalty back on table
- 3 dead including white supremacist gang leader, 9 others injured in Nevada prison brawl
- IBA says it will award prize money to Italian boxer amid gender controversy at Olympics
Recommendation
-
Minnesota man is free after 16 years in prison for murder that prosecutors say he didn’t commit
-
Indianapolis man sentenced to 145 years in prison for shooting ex-girlfriend, killings of 4 others
-
Minnesota Settles ‘Deceptive Environmental Marketing’ Lawsuit Over ‘Recycling’ Plastic Bags
-
Top 13 Must-Have Finds Under $40 from Revolve’s Sale: Featuring Free People, Steve Madden, Jordan & More
-
Vegas Sphere reports revenue decline despite hosting UFC 306, Eagles residency
-
Iran says a short-range projectile killed Hamas’ Haniyeh and reiterates vows of retaliation
-
San Francisco Giants' Blake Snell pitches no-hitter vs. Cincinnati Reds
-
Teddy Riner lives out his dream of gold in front of Macron, proud French crowd