Health Care
Awash in federal money, state lawmakers tackle worsening youth mental health
The pandemic accelerated a yearslong decline in the mental health of the nation’s children and teens. The number of young people experiencing sadness, hopelessness and thoughts of suicide has increased dramatically, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In response, states, cities and school districts are using COVID-19 relief dollars and their own money to […]
Cross contamination reported at state drug lab
More than 50 criminal drug tests at the state’s drug lab may be the subject of cross contamination involving cocaine, the Rhode Island Attorney General’s Office announced Friday afternoon. The incident was reported to the AG’s office by the state’s Department of Health on March 14. The disclosure comes after health officials held a routine […]
Why it’s hard for the US to cut or even control Medicare spending
President Joe Biden’s 2024 proposed budget includes plans to shore up the finances of Medicare, the federal health insurance program that covers Americans who are 65 and up and some younger people with disabilities. His administration aims to increase from 3.8% to 5% an existing Medicare tax that’s collected on the labor and investment earnings […]
How the judge who could ban the abortion pill won confirmation in the U.S. Senate
WASHINGTON — The U.S. District Court judge who could end more than two decades of legal access to medication abortion underwent extensive questioning about LGBTQ equality at his December 2017 confirmation hearing — and very little about his views on abortion. Matthew Joseph Kacsmaryk, appointed by former President Donald Trump earlier in 2017, spent much […]
Governor appoints new chair to Council on Behavioral Health
The chief impact and equity officer for the United Way of Rhode Island has been appointed chair of the Governor’s Council on Behavioral Health. Gov. Dan McKee announced Wednesday the appointment of Larry Warner to lead the 22-member council, made up of representatives from a variety of interests within the mental health field. Warner replaces […]
As COVID protections end, patients classified as ‘medically needy’ fear new barriers to care
Courtney Blake and her 10-year-old daughter live on their own in Ypsilanti, Michigan. Both of them struggle with chronic mental health issues and have been using Medicaid to help pay for their behavioral health care needs. But like millions of people across the country, Blake is worried that at the end of this health emergency […]