Aug 23 Justice Department announces charges against hundreds of alleged COVID-19 fraudsters By Richard Lardner, Associated Press The May-through-July operation underscores how pervasive the fraud was and the time it takes for law enforcement officials to hunt down, charge and convict people who stole money during a national emergency. Continue reading
Aug 22 Fake Arizona rehab centers scam Native Americans from across the country, officials warn during investigations By Anita Snow, Associated Press Arizona's Medicaid program has now suspended payment to more than 300 providers pending investigations. Government and tribal officials in other states are warning people in their areas as the fraud's reach becomes better known. Continue reading
Aug 22 Some states reject federal money to find and replace millions of dangerous lead pipes By Michael Phillis, Associated Press Experts say some states and communities may be hesitant to take out loans to search for lead pipes. Activists say declining the money could mean failing to address an important public health issue. Continue reading
Aug 22 New PrEP medication recommendation adds options for HIV patients By Laura Santhanam A set of new recommendations from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force endorsed two additional medications approved for PrEP: an oral medication and a long-acting injectable, choices that could help narrow existing disparities and enhance access, particularly in communities of… Continue reading
Aug 21 Judge blocks Georgia ban on hormone replacement therapy for transgender children By Sudhin Thanawala, Associated Press The law allows doctors to prescribe puberty-blocking medications, and it allows minors who are already receiving hormone therapy to continue. But it bans any new patients under 18 from starting hormone therapy. Continue reading
Aug 21 Watch 9:45 States look to involuntarily hospitalize people to confront growing mental health crisis By Stephanie Sy, Lena I. Jackson Across the country, states are trying to tackle the growing mental health crisis. Some are enacting laws and policies that would make it easier to hospitalize or detain the severely mentally ill against their will or through voluntary court-ordered treatment. Continue watching
Aug 20 Watch 5:38 Ukrainian nonprofit helps thousands of amputees injured in the war get artificial limbs By Nick Schifrin, Lorna Baldwin, Kaisha Young As the war in Ukraine rages on, a critical need has emerged, with some 20,000 to 50,000 Ukrainians forced to amputate one or more limbs. The Ukrainian non-profit Superhuman Center is helping survivors move forward, offering reconstructive surgery and physical… Continue watching
Aug 19 Watch 6:30 How communities can improve warning systems and disaster responses By John Yang, Harry Zahn The head of the Maui Emergency Management Agency resigned this week amid criticism for not activating warning sirens during the wildfire that killed more than 100 people. It has put a spotlight on how communities respond to emergencies. Tricia Wachtendorf,… Continue watching
Aug 19 Watch 6:05 What a new Montana law means for transgender children and their families By Joe Lesar, Montana PBS Families and medical providers in Montana are preparing for a new law set to take effect in October that bans certain medical treatments for minors with gender dysphoria. Proponents of the bill say the law protects children from making medical… Continue watching
Aug 17 The No Surprises Act left out ground ambulances. Here's what's happening now By Laura Santhanam After lawmakers dropped ground ambulances from the No Surprises Act in 2021, the price of an ambulance trip can still vary widely for reasons that no patient can reasonably foresee or control. Now, experts need the public's help to fix… Continue reading