Health
Whole Woman’s Health closes South Bend abortion clinic
Whole Woman’s Health Alliance has closed its South Bend clinic for good amid “politically driven and medically unnecessary abortion restrictions,” the nonprofit announced late Monday night. The clinic has not seen patients for several months and surrendered its license back to the Indiana Department of Health this week. The license was set to expire June […]
U.S. judge blocks Florida’s ban on gender-affirming care for minors
A federal judge in Tallahassee has blocked a state ban on administration of gender-affirming therapies, including puberty blockers, hormone therapies, or surgery, for any patient under the age of 18. The order also addresses legislation recently signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis (SB 254) that codifies Florida state Board of Medicine and Osteopathic Medicine rules blocking […]
Workers at federal health care call center hold 1-day strike outside of Tampa
Since 2014, Katherine Charles has worked as a customer service representative for the federal contractor Maximus, answering telephone calls related to Medicare and the Affordable Care Act. But Monday morning, she stood marching outside Maximus’ offices in the Hillsborough County town of Riverview east of Tampa, joining dozens of her colleagues and labor allies in […]
Missouri AG had no authority to inflate cost of abortion amendment, auditor argues
Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey overstepped his authority when he demanded changes to the cost estimate of an abortion-rights initiative petition, state Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick argued in a legal brief filed in Cole County Court last week. Fitzpatrick, Bailey and Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft, all Republicans, were sued last month by the Missouri ACLU over delays […]
Florida prisons detain the highest number of HIV-positive people in the nation
Florida’s state and federal correctional institutions hold the most prisoners in the country living with HIV, and also the highest percentage with HIV, of any prison system in the country. That’s according to a report compiled by the U.S. Department of Justice as documented in a new study from the Prison Policy Initiative. The report shows […]
FL medical board poised to extend transgender care for minors for six months
With a deadline looming, a state medical licensing panel has agreed to recommend an emergency rule allowing transgender minors who are taking puberty blockers or hormone therapy to continue to do so for an additional six months. Gov. Ron DeSantis signed legislation two weeks ago that bars doctors from providing gender-affirming treatment to minors, but […]
Half a million people in less than a dozen states have lost Medicaid coverage since April
More than 500,000 people across 11 states have lost their Medicaid coverage since the unwinding of a policy that allowed people to stay in the program throughout the pandemic. The data, reported by the states and tracked by health policy researcher KFF, shows that of the five states providing data on people who lost Medicaid coverage […]
FL Supreme Court closer to abortion ruling, and maybe deciding DeSantis’ political future
The Florida Supreme Court is drawing nearer to deciding whether the Florida Constitution protects the right to abortion. If the justices conclude it does not, they could boost Gov. Ron DeSantis’ standing among Republican presidential primary voters. Or not. Political observers tend to agree that a ruling along those lines could alienate the governor from […]
New work requirements for some SNAP recipients included in debt limit deal
WASHINGTON — The holiday weekend debt ceiling deal struck by President Joe Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy preserves in part new work requirements for some food stamp recipients but now with exceptions for certain populations, including veterans. The agreement released late Saturday night showed concessions from both sides — from GOP members, who wanted […]
Rosalynn Carter, former first lady and lifelong mental health advocate, diagnosed with dementia
Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter has been diagnosed with dementia, the Carter family announced through the Carter Center Tuesday. In a written statement, the family did not share details, such as exactly when Rosalynn Carter was diagnosed or what type of dementia she was diagnosed with. But the letter did point out that one in 10 […]
Debt limit deal hits turbulence in Congress as leaders prep for vote
WASHINGTON — Congress began moving the bipartisan debt limit package forward Tuesday, though frustrations with provisions in the bill could make for narrow passage in the U.S. House and U.S. Senate. Conservative Republicans and progressive Democrats both aired their disappointment with the agreement forged over the weekend, but only GOP lawmakers are looking to possibly remove […]
Billboard outside Orlando airport warns travelers of DeSantis’ anti-abortion policy
Following travel advisories warning visitors that Florida might not be a welcoming place for Black, Hispanic, and LGBTQ+ people, now comes a warning that anyone capable of getting pregnant might also be better off in another state. Michigan, to be precise, according to a billboard just erected outside Orlando International Airport. It features Dr. Tim […]