Apr 04 Michigan lawmakers are considering a state-level MENA category. Here’s what that would mean By Frances Kai-Hwa Wang Two state bills would work in tandem with new federal guidelines for collecting race and ethnicity data for people with origins in the Middle East or North Africa (MENA). Advocates say it's a long overdue change that would better serve… Continue reading
Apr 03 Largest U.S. fresh egg producer detects bird flu in chickens, halts production By Ken Miller, Associated Press Mississippi-based Cal-Maine Foods said there is no known risk with eggs in the market and no eggs have been recalled. Continue reading
Apr 02 Democrats hope an abortion ballot measure could make Florida a competitive state By Brendan Farrington, Associated Press On Monday, the state Supreme Court energized abortion rights proponents with two rulings: One paves the way for a six-week abortion ban and the other will give voters the opportunity to repeal the ban as they also cast their vote… Continue reading
Apr 02 The VA has vowed to fix how veterans receive disability benefits for this burn pit injury. Critics say it’s taking too long By Dan Sagalyn Because the VA does not have a specific diagnostic code for constrictive bronchiolitis, most veterans with this condition are not awarded disability compensation. But a new revision to the system could change that. Continue reading
Apr 01 Oregon governor signs a bill recriminalizing drug possession By Associated Press The new law rolls back the state's previous decriminalization efforts by making so-called personal use possession a misdemeanor. It also establishes ways for treatment to be offered as an alternative to criminal penalties. Continue reading
Apr 01 Florida Supreme Court upholds 15-week abortion ban, but voters will soon have a say By Brendan Farrington, Associated Press The court ruled 6-1 Monday to uphold the state's ban on most abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy, meaning a ban on six weeks could soon take effect. But under a separate ruling, the court allowed a ballot measure on… Continue reading
Apr 01 U.S. defense official had ‘Havana syndrome’ symptoms during a 2023 NATO summit, the Pentagon confirms By Tara Copp, Associated Press Intelligence assessments have found that it is unlikely that Havana syndrome attacks were conducted by a foreign adversary. But intelligence agencies have varying degrees of confidence in that assessment. Continue reading
Apr 01 Hospitals must now obtain written consent for certain medical exams, new federal guidance says By Devna Bose, Associated Press The guidance requires written informed consent for breast, pelvic, prostrate and rectal exams for “educational and training purposes” performed by medical students, nurse practitioners or physician assistants. Continue reading
Apr 01 Texas patient diagnosed with bird flu after contact with cows presumed to be infected By Mike Stobbe, Associated Press The only reported symptom was eye redness, and the patient is recovering. Health officials say the risk to the public remains low. Continue reading
Mar 31 Watch 10:09 What to know about Georgia’s controversial approach to expanding Medicaid By John Yang, Sam Weber, Kaisha Young Since Medicaid was created 60 years ago, it’s been expanded again and again. Now, it’s the U.S. government’s biggest public health insurance program. For our series “America’s Safety Net,” John Yang reports on efforts to expand it even further with… Continue watching