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Tara Samples

@tarasamples.bsky.social

Primary Care based Health Psychologist at a FQHC. Chair of BH. Momx4. Clinical Training. Interested in addressing health disparities, culturally relevant evidence based practice, violence prevention and promoting trainee wellbeing.

719 Followers  |  1,077 Following  |  44 Posts  |  Joined: 05.01.2024  |  2.0536

Latest posts by tarasamples.bsky.social on Bluesky

If you ever ask yourself β€œwhat would I have done β€œ if you lived in a time when people were being persecuted. You are doing it now. Are you resisting in ways you can? or complacently ignoring and justifying? Or worse- supporting? You are doing it now.

03.10.2025 11:53 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

I am deeply saddened and angered by news that more NIH RIFs may happen next week. This is unacceptable, especially after NIH staff have worked nights & weekends to dig out from the backlog created by this admin's incompetence.

Tell your Congress people NIH needs its staff to keep delivering cures

14.09.2025 04:07 β€” πŸ‘ 612    πŸ” 213    πŸ’¬ 12    πŸ“Œ 7

It’s outrageous that Sec. Kennedy is trying to fire the CDC Director β€” after only a few weeks on the job β€” for her commitment to public health & vaccines.

The Sen. HELP Committee must hold a hearing with Kennedy & the CDC Director as soon as possible.

Vaccines save lives. Period.

28.08.2025 01:29 β€” πŸ‘ 19614    πŸ” 4880    πŸ’¬ 615    πŸ“Œ 173

β€œThe president cut your health care so he could build himself a golden ballroom” is a pretty easy message to sell

31.07.2025 23:55 β€” πŸ‘ 34616    πŸ” 10027    πŸ’¬ 884    πŸ“Œ 370

I’m just a girl screaming into the void that the destruction of our institutions WAS THE ENTIRE POINT.

This is why @timothysnyder.bsky.social’s *SECOND* (of 21!) lesson in his book On Tyranny is β€œDefend Institutions”

30.07.2025 12:29 β€” πŸ‘ 470    πŸ” 174    πŸ’¬ 8    πŸ“Œ 2

Sixty years ago today, Medicare and Medicaid were signed into law - securing health care for millions and saving countless lives. As GOP politicians try to tear them down, it's up to us to protect and expand these programs for Americans who rely on them today and for future generations.

30.07.2025 19:35 β€” πŸ‘ 12818    πŸ” 3237    πŸ’¬ 336    πŸ“Œ 111
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β€˜1984’ is upon us

30.07.2025 21:39 β€” πŸ‘ 15695    πŸ” 6810    πŸ’¬ 643    πŸ“Œ 407

If we can afford to β€œforce treatment” we can afford housing subsidies, job training and outpatient voluntary health care.

25.07.2025 00:23 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

Forced Institutionalizing isn’t the way. Homelessness is not one thing. It’s former foster kids, AND those facing mental illness AND job loss ANd post incarceration crisis AND affordable housing crisis AND substance abuse. Criminalizing the poor is unjust.

25.07.2025 00:16 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

Clinical Psychologist who regularly works with #unhoused people here- forced treatment against someone’s will is not often successful treatment. There are excellent models that can impact #homelessness that deserve funding and public/private funding and collaboration. We should fund them.

25.07.2025 00:16 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

Most states allow all pregnant women- regardless of documentation- coverage. This is unconscionable to risk the health and safety of pregnant women and infants and children by seeking their incarceration/deportation from health records. Not to mention a HUGE violation of PHI protections in HIPPA

18.07.2025 02:42 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

Incarceration of pregnant women is NOT pro-life. Medical records should not be used to pursue mass incarceration and deportation. Real prolife policies elevate mother child health and safety.

18.07.2025 02:39 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

Most states, including TN only allow undocumented adults on Medicaid during a pregnancy- for the health of mom and baby. This move not only decimates HIPPA protections and potentially destroys confidence in our medical system by vulnerable groups but also endangers women & unborn children.

18.07.2025 02:39 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

This Executive decision will make EDs crowded, patients sicker with communicable diseases and some of our neighbors will be permanently disabled or die from poor healthcare access.

14.07.2025 18:55 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
HHS Bans Illegal Aliens from Accessing its Taxpayer-Funded Programs HHS announced a significant policy shift to restore compliance with federal law and ensure that taxpayer-funded program benefits intended for the American people are not diverted.

As a psychologist working in a FQHC- providing behavioral health support to anyone who needs it is my privilege and joy. It also keeps communities healthier, safer and saves lives. www.hhs.gov/press-room/p...

14.07.2025 18:30 β€” πŸ‘ 3    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
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Even as the Trump administration attacks brown people all over the country, MEXICO shows up to help Texas after the flood…

07.07.2025 03:21 β€” πŸ‘ 2718    πŸ” 706    πŸ’¬ 107    πŸ“Œ 46
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Folds: If we’ve been told our whole lives that we can’t spend money on the arts because they’re not importantβ€”then why was taking over the Kennedy Center and the arts the first thing they did?

It is extremely important. It’s the bedrock of self-expression.

06.07.2025 19:52 β€” πŸ‘ 26387    πŸ” 6354    πŸ’¬ 428    πŸ“Œ 271

It’s World Scleroderma/ Systemic Sclerosis Day. I’ve been diagnosed 7 years, and am so grateful for the scientific community for research and development to increase lifespan and quality of life for those suffering this rare disease

30.06.2025 00:18 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Post image 29.06.2025 19:32 β€” πŸ‘ 43476    πŸ” 12770    πŸ’¬ 680    πŸ“Œ 462

I hate when I go to bed early on a Saturday night and wake up Sunday morning only to discover we’ve gone to war in the Middle East without the consent of Congress. 😑

22.06.2025 21:56 β€” πŸ‘ 53917    πŸ” 7640    πŸ’¬ 1580    πŸ“Œ 279

I’m glad she is safe. I wish our community would find their gun sense and that violence with firearms stops being a constant fear of mom’s every where.

31.05.2025 13:40 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
 quote on a dark blue and purple background from Sudip S. Parikh, CEO of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), criticizing proposed cuts to science funding in the FY26 U.S. federal budget. The quote reads:

β€œIf enacted, the FY26 budget request would end America’s global scientific leadership. The cuts to science would imperil our nation’s future health, security and prosperity. This budget proposal stands in stark contrast to the President’s call for a renewed commitment to American scientific leadership. Congress has demonstrated a bipartisan commitment to investment in research and must do so again to answer the President’s call.”
The quote is attributed to Sudip S. Parikh, CEO of AAAS and Executive Publisher of the Science family of journals. The AAAS logo appears at the bottom right.

quote on a dark blue and purple background from Sudip S. Parikh, CEO of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), criticizing proposed cuts to science funding in the FY26 U.S. federal budget. The quote reads: β€œIf enacted, the FY26 budget request would end America’s global scientific leadership. The cuts to science would imperil our nation’s future health, security and prosperity. This budget proposal stands in stark contrast to the President’s call for a renewed commitment to American scientific leadership. Congress has demonstrated a bipartisan commitment to investment in research and must do so again to answer the President’s call.” The quote is attributed to Sudip S. Parikh, CEO of AAAS and Executive Publisher of the Science family of journals. The AAAS logo appears at the bottom right.

I don't think anyone outside of universities, pharma and biotech, independent research institutions have any idea of what is happening right now. If you haven't sounded the alarm among your friends, family and colleagues, now is the time to do it.

31.05.2025 11:25 β€” πŸ‘ 2865    πŸ” 1519    πŸ’¬ 62    πŸ“Œ 51

There are 6,800+ international medical graduates expecting to start residency on July 1 who may be delayed or unable to start because of the US State Department’s pause on J1 visa interviews.

Residents are the life blood of hospitals and this change will have disastrous impacts on patient care.

29.05.2025 14:25 β€” πŸ‘ 89    πŸ” 34    πŸ’¬ 8    πŸ“Œ 5

If Bluesky is hitting a slight engagement decline, it might have less to do with Bluesky, and more that the politically moderate-to-left population is scared and frustrated and it's hard to post without perseverating about it, but we don't really want to read each other's perserverations.

26.05.2025 12:38 β€” πŸ‘ 77    πŸ” 11    πŸ’¬ 2    πŸ“Œ 1
United States Congress elections, 2026 Ballotpedia: The Encyclopedia of American Politics

Start every day with this reality:

EVERY HOUSE SEAT and 33 Senate seats are up for election in 2026. THAT must be the focus. Let’s get disciplined.
#LeaveNoPowerOnTheTable

ballotpedia.org/United_State...

25.05.2025 01:18 β€” πŸ‘ 14527    πŸ” 5611    πŸ’¬ 614    πŸ“Œ 393

Cutting Medicare and Medicaid neither makes Americans healthy nor America great. But it may make us sick and poor- as health is fundamental for social and economic growth.

22.05.2025 02:45 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

In the song UT is clearly playing Florida or Alabama - and every self respecting GA fan will always cheer for their opponents. Go Dawgs.

10.05.2025 18:15 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
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"This is a threat to every American" - @timmiller.bsky.social on Stephen Miller's sick plan to take away due process from Americans

10.05.2025 18:11 β€” πŸ‘ 2733    πŸ” 808    πŸ’¬ 89    πŸ“Œ 32

Tyree Nichols was a Dad. A Son. A friend. A photographer. A child of God. He didn’t deserve to be beat to death by the people who swore to protect and uphold the law. Memphis deserves accountability & repentance. Peace & Justice demand accountability. But today we grieve in shock and horror again.

07.05.2025 23:48 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Department of Education Eliminates Grant for PBS Children’s Shows

The PBS Kids app is one of the few things you can trust your kids to play around with on a computer. All the shows that you can stream are good and entertaining. Nothing positive comes from getting rid of this, they're just trying to make life worse for everyone www.nytimes.com/2025/05/06/u...

06.05.2025 18:53 β€” πŸ‘ 2848    πŸ” 1022    πŸ’¬ 52    πŸ“Œ 133

@tarasamples is following 20 prominent accounts