Health Issues / Public News Service

More than 2.8 million Americans signed up for health insurance coverage through the online marketplace during the 2021 Special Enrollment Period. (onephoto/Adobe Stock)

Wednesday, December 8, 2021

Mainers Could Get Help Paying ACA Marketplace Plan Premiums

AUGUSTA, Maine -- With open enrollment deadlines for the Affordable Care Act marketplace approaching, groups are urging Mainers to make sure they've …

There are currently 80,000 Colorado college students eligible for full SNAP benefits, the program formerly known as food stamps. (Adobe Stock)

Wednesday, December 8, 2021

Colorado Struggles to Get Students Back into College

DENVER -- Women and low-income students disproportionately put their college careers on hold during the pandemic, according to a new report. Of the 1…

More than 300 health-care workers at McKenzie-Willamette Medical Center began their strike on Monday. (SEIU Local 49)

Wednesday, December 8, 2021

OR Health-Care Workers on Strike Front Line Call for Greater Protections

SPRINGFIELD, Ore. -- Strikes that erupted in what became known as "Striketober" aren't over yet. After a two-day strike in October, health-care …

The city of Ann Arbor recently implemented a policy to provide free menstrual products in public restrooms. (photoguns/Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, December 7, 2021

Groups: Removing Tax on Menstrual Products a Step Toward More Accessibility

LANSING, Mich. -- One in five teens in the U.S. struggle to afford period products, and Michigan organizations are working to make pads, tampons…

Oil and natural-gas production is the largest industrial source of methane pollution in the country. (Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, December 7, 2021

Pennsylvanians Make Voices Heard During EPA Methane-Rule Hearing

PITTSBURGH -- Pennsylvanians were overwhelmingly present during three days of virtual public testimony to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) la…

Groups like the American Heart Association report thar nearly half of American adults have high blood pressure, which is a leading cause of heart disease. (Adobe Stock)

Monday, December 6, 2021

New Research Links Pandemic with Higher Blood Pressure

ST. PAUL, Minn. -- High blood pressure among Americans was already a concern before the pandemic. Researchers now say the crisis has created greater …

About one in 10 births in the U.S. happens in Texas, but the state's maternal mortality rate is 6% higher than the U.S. rate overall. (regina_zulauf/Pixabay)

Monday, December 6, 2021

Build Back Better Would Close Gap in TX Kids' Health Coverage

HOUSTON -- Children's advocates say the difficulty in providing health coverage for poor families in Texas could be largely solved if the Build Back B…

Florida KidCare is the umbrella brand for the four government-sponsored health insurance programs - Medicaid, MediKids, Florida Healthy Kids and the Children's Medical Services (CMS) Health Plan. (Semevent/Pixabay)

Monday, December 6, 2021

FL Health Groups Urge Senate Passage of Build Back Better

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Healthcare reform advocates are asking U.S. senators to pass the Build Back Better Act, saying it would provide a federal fix for …

The three laws that advocates say restrict reproductive rights won't go into effect before the Montana Supreme Court makes a ruling, due to an injunction filed by District Judge Michael Moses. (Gayatri Malhotra/Unsplash)

Monday, December 6, 2021

Advocates: MT Abortion-Restriction Laws Hurt Rural Residents Most

By Claire Carlson for The Daily Yonder.Broadcast version by Emily Scott for Big Sky Connection reporting for The Daily Yonder-Public News Service Col…

The Build Back Better Act contains provisions that would bolster coverage through the Children's Health Insurance Plan (CHIP) and Medicaid. (Arlette/Adobe Stock)

Monday, December 6, 2021

Children's Advocates: Build Back Better 'Crucial' for UT Kids' Health

SALT LAKE CITY -- Health-care reform advocates in Utah are pressing the U.S. Senate to approve the Build Back Better Act. They say it would improve …

Advocates for children and families say the Build Back Better Act would improve Medicaid and CHIP, the federal Children's Health Insurance Program (Evgeniy Kalinovskiy/Adobe Stock)

Monday, December 6, 2021

Report: Build Back Better Would Help NH Children, Families

CONCORD, N.H. -- Health advocates are pressing the U.S. Senate to pass the Build Back Better Act, after it cleared the House last month. It would …

New York City launched a community schools initiative in 2014. A study three years later found it had a positive impact on student attendance and credit accumulation. (Adobe Stock)

Teachers’ Union Issues Recommendations for NY Public Schools

ALBANY, N.Y. -- New York State United Teachers (NYSUT) has released a new report this week, with recommendations from educators about how best to …

Healthcare provisions in The Build Back Better Act would increase Medicaid and CHIP coverage for people after a pregnancy, from 60 days to one year postpartum. (Adobe Stock)

Report: 'Build Back Better' Could Shrink NC Health Coverage Gap

RALEIGH, N.C. -- Many low-income North Carolinians without health insurance would quality for 'zero-dollar' out-of-pocket health coverage under a new …

From left, Andrea Comer, committee chairwoman, Connecticut Social Equity Council, and Carlton Highsmith, Joseph Carbone and Fred McKinney announce the Alliance for Cannabis Equity on Tuesday in Hamden, Conn. (The Narrative Project)

Alliance: Prioritize Racial Justice in CT Marijuana Industry

NEW HAVEN, Conn. -- Connecticut is among several states working on what its new recreational marijuana industry will look like, and a new coalition …

Research shows that only 50% of kids who experience a gap in coverage in a given year will see a doctor. (Drazen/Adobestock)

Health Groups Press for Senate Passage of Build Back Better

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Children's advocacy groups are calling on senators to pass the Build Back Better Act, saying it will protect millions of …

Every year, about 66,000 New Yorkers are diagnosed with diabetes, and experts say eye exams are one of the first lines of defense in early detection. (Adobe Stock)

An Eye Exam May Reveal COVID Mortality Risk

ALBANY, N.Y. -- Symptoms of diabetes are often first noticed by optometrists, and eye experts say a preventive exam can also help determine a …

Most families of four making up to $300,000 per year would be eligible for savings on child care if the U.S. Senate passes the Build Back Better Act. (lordn/Adobe Stock)

IL Groups: Build Back Better Would Improve Children's Health

CHICAGO - Children's advocates in Illinois are pressing the U.S. Senate to pass the Build Back Better Act, after it passed the House last month…

Families of three making less than $45,000 a year are eligible for Missouri's Medicaid and CHIP programs. (H_Ko)

Groups: Build Back Better Could Improve Health Outcomes for MO Children

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - Health advocates are pressing the U.S. Senate to pass the Build Back Better Act after it passed the House last month. The bill …

At the start of 2020, nearly 25,000 Ohioans had been diagnosed with HIV, according to state data. (Adobe Stock)

In Ohio, Telehealth Makes HIV Care More Accessible

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Today marks World AIDS Day, observed internationally to remember those lost to the HIV/AIDS epidemic and raise awareness about the …

Potential in Congress to Close TN Health-Coverage Gap

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Many low-income Tennesseans without health insurance would quality for 'zero-dollar' out-of-pocket health coverage under a new …

Healthcare advocacy groups say increasing Medicaid postpartum coverage up to one year after a child's birth can help decrease maternal mortality rates, which disproportionately affect people of color. (Adobe Stock)

Advocates: Build Back Better's CHIP, Medicaid Changes Support NY Families

ALBANY, N.Y. -- The $1.75 trillion Build Back Better Act will soon get a vote in the U.S. Senate, and in New York, advocates say it could mean major …

Wisconsin's Black infant mortality rate is the highest in the country. Backers of the Build Back Better Act say it's one priority the legislation could address. (Adobe Stock)

Report: BBB Could Help with Maternal Care Needs in WI

MADISON, Wis. - As Congress debates the Build Back Better plan, a new report shows how it could address health coverage needs for children and …

Black women in the Commonwealth are three to four times more likely to die from a pregnancy-related complication than are non-Hispanic White women, according to the Kentucky Department for Public Health. (Adobe Stock)<br /> — Black women in the Commonwealth are three to four times more likely to die from a pregnancy-related complication than are non-Hispanic White women, according to the Kentucky Department for Public Health. (Adobe Stock)

Experts: Lack of Coverage, Child Care, School Funding Affect Health Outcomes

FRANKFORT, Ky. -- In a few weeks, Kentucky lawmakers will convene the General Assembly, and health advocates are calling for new policies to address …

Experts say eye exams do more than just help patients find the right prescription for glasses. (Dario Lo Presti/Adobestock)

Experts: Eye Exams Help Determine COVID Mortality Risk

CARSON CITY, Nev. -- Eye exams can help determine your risk of dying from COVID, according to experts, because optometrists are often the first …

Traveling nurses found improved quarters in Houston thanks to a pandemic-loan program designed to help small minority-owned businesses rebuild. (voltamax/Pixabay)

SOAR Fund Lifts Up Small Businesses Hit by Pandemic

HOUSTON, Texas -- Minority-owned businesses across the South are benefitting from a program designed to help them get back on their feet post-…

The Build Back Better Act would require states to provide 12 months of postpartum health coverage and 12 months of continuous health coverage for children, as well as making federal funding for CHIP permanent. (didesign/AdobeStock)

Children's Advocates See Build Back Better Act Improving AZ Kids' Health

PHOENIX -- Health advocates in Arizona and across the country are pressing the U.S. Senate to approve the Build Back Better Act, because it would …

Groups representing 77,000 physicians and more than 200 hospitals issued a declaration of a national children's mental health emergency. (Robert Hainer/Adobe Stock)

Mental-Health Summit to Raise Awareness of Challenges in Maine System

AUGUSTA, Maine -- Advocates for access to mental-health services are holding a Behavioral Health Summit today at the Augusta Civic Center. They are …

Without health-care coverage, children are more likely to have unmet health needs and a regular source of care. (Rido/Adobe Stock)<br /><br /><br /> — Without health-care coverage, children are more likely to have unmet health needs and a regular source of care. (Rido/Adobe Stock)

New Research Highlights Child Health Benefits in Build Back Better

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Health advocates are pressing the U.S. Senate to approve the Build Back Better Act, because it would improve Medicaid and the …

When it comes to health coverage, 36% of Iowa children are enrolled in public assistance programs. (Adobe Stock)

Report: BBB a Win For Kids' Health Coverage

DES MOINES, Iowa -- As Congress continues to debate the Build Back Better Act, a new report shows how it would address health coverage and access …

The <a href= — The 2021 Nevada Children's Health Report from the Children's Advocacy Alliance found that only 56 percent of uninsured kids receive regular medical attention. (Rawpixel/Adobestock)

Advocates Tout Child-, Maternal-Health Aspects of Build Back Better Act

CARSON CITY, Nev. - Health advocates are pressing the U.S. Senate to approve the Build Back Better Act, because it would improve Medicaid and CHIP - …

Children are most likely to see gaps in health coverage if they live in the South, according to a new brief from Georgetown University's Center for Children and Families. (Adobe stock)

Advocates Laud Virginia-Style Maternal Health Care in Biden Plan

RICHMOND, Va. -- Virginia has led the nation in expanding health care for pregnant women and children, and now health advocates there are urging the …

If passed, nearly 24,000 New Hampshire residents would save hundreds of dollars on average per year in healthcare costs, according to White House estimates. (Adobe Stock)

Potential Savings for NH Seniors in Build Back Better Healthcare Reforms

CONCORD, N.H. -- The $1.7 trillion Build Back Better Act heads to the U.S. Senate after passing the House last week. The bill attempts to lower …

Despite gasoline costs as high as $5 a gallon, AAA says more than 53 million Americans still plan to travel over the 2021 Thanksgiving holiday. (rawpixel.com/Adobe Stock)

AZ Health Officials Urge Precautions for Safe Holiday Gatherings

TUCSON, Ariz. -- With the holiday season beginning and family gatherings planned, Arizona public-health officials have some tips for staying safe…

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says eating outdoors when possible is safer than indoors when hosting a holiday gathering. (Adobe Stock)

Amid COVID Uptick, Gov. Cautions AR Families Gathering for Holiday

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - As Arkansans prepare to spend time with family for Thanksgiving, Gov. Asa Hutchinson is warning folks to be cautious as …

California's 6.4 million Medicare recipients could see significant savings on prescription drugs if the Build Back Better Act passes. (Rawpixel.com)

Health Advocates Work to Push Build Back Better Act Over Finish Line

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- The Build Back Better Act, now headed to the U.S. Senate, would be a huge win for consumers, according to groups fighting for …

Oil and gas companies dispose of liquid waste in injection wells. (eleonimages/Adobe Stock)

Groups Say Ohio Needs to Strengthen Rules for Oil and Gas Waste

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Groups say new draft rules proposed by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) do not go far enough to properly regulate …

Only one-third of respondents said they felt that the needs of the LGBTQ community in Connecticut were represented in government programs and other services in the state, according to the survey. (Adobe Stock)

Survey: LGBTQ Community Health-Care Access Needs Improvement

NEW HAVEN, Conn. -- Advocates said a first-of-its-kind survey of the health and human-service needs of Connecticut's LGBTQ community, published this …

AARP recommends checking if your drug store is a preferred pharmacy under your chosen Medicare plan. It means you'll pay less for prescriptions there. (Adobe Stock)

Tips for Picking Medicare Plan This Open-Enrollment Season

HARRISBURG, Pa. -- Choosing the right Medicare plan can be confusing, and during the open-enrollment period, it is recommended Pennsylvanians take …

The Providence R-N Medical Advice Line has been a valuable tool during the pandemic, where people can ask about COVID-19 symptoms. (Courtesy of Heidi Sweeney)

OR Nurse Advice Line Plagued by Understaffing

PORTLAND, Ore. - Nurses provide a range of care, and not all of it is delivered in person. The Providence RN Medical Advice Line is a phone number …

Of the 142,176 veterans living in Nebraska, only 33% have utilized their earned benefits at VA health care, according to U.S. Census data. (Adobe Stock)

New Online Navigator Aims to Streamline Access to Veteran Health Benefits

LINCOLN, Neb. - November is National Veterans and Military Families Month, and AARP has launched a free, one-stop online resource to help more …

Nancy Hagans, president of the New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA), speaks to nurses, lawmakers and community supporters rallying outside New York Presbyterian Hospital in Washington Heights. (Michayla Savitt)

NY Nurses Speak Out, Alleging Hospital Staffing Shortages

NEW YORK -- Members of the New York Nurses Association (NYSNA) union are sounding the alarm about what they say is a nursing shortage at hospitals in …

Currently, Medicare Part D does not have a hard cap on the amount people pay out-of-pocket for prescription drugs; the Build Back Better Act would change that. (Mensatic/Morguefile)

Older Nevadans Excited for "Build Back Better" Vote

CARSON CITY, Nev. -- Groups that advocate for older Americans are pressing for passage of the Build Back Better Act, Build Back Better Act which is …

The CDC found drug overdose deaths increased by more than 28% over the past year ending in April compared with 2019. (felipecaparros/Adobe Stock)

CT Treatment Pilot Trains Providers on Addiction Stigma, Pain Management

HARTFORD, Conn. -- Drug overdose deaths across the country are on the rise, and a new pilot program kicks off this month in Connecticut to help …

A small-town Virginia woman is almost three times more likely to die as a result of domestic violence than a woman from a metropolitan area, according to a discussion of health disparities at the Rural Health Virginia Conference. (Adobe Stock)<br /> — A small-town Virginia woman is almost three times more likely to die as a result of domestic violence than a woman from a metropolitan area, according to a discussion of health disparities at the Rural Health Virginia Conference. (Adobe Stock)

Rural Resiliency Key to Improving Virginia Health Inequities

CORRECTION: The presentation took place at the Rural Health Voice Conference hosted by the Virginia Rural Health Association. The article incorrectly …

The United States is one of six countries in the world with no federal family paid-leave program. The Build Back Better Plan could change that. (Adobe Stock)

Paid Family Leave on Forefront as Build Back Better is Finalized

ALBANY, N.Y. -- Congress is finalizing the Build Back Better plan, and proponents of paid family leave are pushing for the provision to remain in the …

Early studies have shown that about 25% of people who went to the hospital with severe COVID-19 infections had diabetes, according to WebMD. (Adobe Stock)

Experts: Lifestyle Changes Can Stem Onset of Pre-Diabetes, Diabetes

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- November is Diabetes Awareness Month, and state health experts say they are working to educate individuals on ways to reverse pre-…

The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 prohibits discrimination based on disability. (Adobe Stock)

All Eyes on New Douglas County School Board Over Masks

DENVER -- Students with disabilities in Douglas County won some time after a federal judge ruled last week a new county health department order making…

Unpaid family caregivers take on many common support roles, such as transportation to their love one's appointments, therapies and daily activities. (Adobe Stock)

WI Family Caregivers Have Helpline Support into 2022

MADISON, Wis. - November is National Family Caregivers Month, and Wisconsin residents are being reminded about an extra resource they can lean on as …

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Health

Mainers Could Get Help Paying ACA Marketplace Plan Premiums

Colorado Struggles to Get Students Back into College

OR Health-Care Workers on Strike Front Line Call for Greater Protections

Groups: Removing Tax on Menstrual Products a Step Toward More Accessibility

Pennsylvanians Make Voices Heard During EPA Methane-Rule Hearing

New Research Links Pandemic with Higher Blood Pressure

Build Back Better Would Close Gap in TX Kids' Health Coverage

FL Health Groups Urge Senate Passage of Build Back Better

Advocates: MT Abortion-Restriction Laws Hurt Rural Residents Most

Children's Advocates: Build Back Better 'Crucial' for UT Kids' Health

Report: Build Back Better Would Help NH Children, Families

Teachers’ Union Issues Recommendations for NY Public Schools

Report: 'Build Back Better' Could Shrink NC Health Coverage Gap

Alliance: Prioritize Racial Justice in CT Marijuana Industry

Health Groups Press for Senate Passage of Build Back Better

An Eye Exam May Reveal COVID Mortality Risk

IL Groups: Build Back Better Would Improve Children's Health

Groups: Build Back Better Could Improve Health Outcomes for MO Children

In Ohio, Telehealth Makes HIV Care More Accessible

Potential in Congress to Close TN Health-Coverage Gap

Advocates: Build Back Better's CHIP, Medicaid Changes Support NY Families

Report: BBB Could Help with Maternal Care Needs in WI

Experts: Lack of Coverage, Child Care, School Funding Affect Health Outcomes

Experts: Eye Exams Help Determine COVID Mortality Risk

SOAR Fund Lifts Up Small Businesses Hit by Pandemic

Children's Advocates See Build Back Better Act Improving AZ Kids' Health

Mental-Health Summit to Raise Awareness of Challenges in Maine System

New Research Highlights Child Health Benefits in Build Back Better

Report: BBB a Win For Kids' Health Coverage

Advocates Tout Child-, Maternal-Health Aspects of Build Back Better Act

Advocates Laud Virginia-Style Maternal Health Care in Biden Plan

Potential Savings for NH Seniors in Build Back Better Healthcare Reforms

AZ Health Officials Urge Precautions for Safe Holiday Gatherings

Amid COVID Uptick, Gov. Cautions AR Families Gathering for Holiday

Health Advocates Work to Push Build Back Better Act Over Finish Line

Groups Say Ohio Needs to Strengthen Rules for Oil and Gas Waste

Survey: LGBTQ Community Health-Care Access Needs Improvement

Tips for Picking Medicare Plan This Open-Enrollment Season

OR Nurse Advice Line Plagued by Understaffing

New Online Navigator Aims to Streamline Access to Veteran Health Benefits

NY Nurses Speak Out, Alleging Hospital Staffing Shortages

Older Nevadans Excited for "Build Back Better" Vote

CT Treatment Pilot Trains Providers on Addiction Stigma, Pain Management

Rural Resiliency Key to Improving Virginia Health Inequities

Paid Family Leave on Forefront as Build Back Better is Finalized

Experts: Lifestyle Changes Can Stem Onset of Pre-Diabetes, Diabetes

All Eyes on New Douglas County School Board Over Masks

WI Family Caregivers Have Helpline Support into 2022