>> GOOD EVENING, AND WELCOME TO "ARIZONA HORIZON".

I'M TED SIMONS.

A NUMBER OF SCHOOLS ACROSS THE STATE REOPENED TODAY FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE THE PANDEMIC HIT LAST YEAR AT THIS TIME.

THE RE-OPENING COMES AS COVID NUMBERS CONTINUE TO IMPROVE AND THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE PUSHES FOR A RETURN TO IN-PERSON LEARNING.

SOME SCHOOLS WELCOMED STUDENTS BACK TO CAMPUS TODAY, OTHERS BROUGHT TEACHERS BACK TODAY, WITH STUDENTS SET TO RETURN LATER IN THE WEEK.

THIS COMES AS THE CDC IS CONSIDERING A CHANGE TO ITS RECOMMENDATION TO KEEP KIDS 6-FEET APART IN CLASSROOMS.

A HARVARD STUDY PUBLISHED LAST WEEK FOUND NO DIFFERENCE IN COVID TRANSMISSION IN MASSACHUSETTS SCHOOLS THAT ALLOWED FOR 3-FEET OF DISTANCING INSTEAD OF THE RECOMMENDED 6-FEET.

THE STUDENTS IN THE STUDY ALL WORE MASKS.

THE GUIDELINE CHANGES COULD COME IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS.

WE MENTIONED ARIZONA'S IMPROVING COVID NUMBERS.

TODAY THE STATE REPORTED JUST 638 NEW CASES OF COVID-19.

THAT'S LESS THAN HALF OF WHAT IT WAS A MONTH AGO, AND IT HELPED IMPROVE ARIZONA'S 7-DAY AVERAGE FOR NEW CASES TO 32ND HIGHEST IN THE COUNTRY.

AS FOR COVID-RELATED FATALITIES - NO NEW DEATHS ON RECORD TODAY, THAT IMPROVED THE STATE'S 7-DAY DEATH RATE AVERAGE TO 13TH HIGHEST.

THE STATE'S "VACCINE" EFFORT CONTINUES TO PICK UP STEAM, MORE THAN 1.6 MILLION ARIZONANS HAVE NOW RECEIVED ONE DOSE OF THE AVAILABLE VACCINES, WITH CLOSE TO A MILLION COMPLETING THEIR VACCINE REGIMEN.

THIS COMES AMID EFFORTS TO INCREASE VACCINATIONS STATEWIDE, WITH A FOCUS ON UNDER-SERVED COMMUNITIES.

THOSE VACCINATIONS ARE KEY TO KEEPING DOWN THE UK VARIANT, ALSO KNOWN AS B117.

HEALTH OFFICIALS SAY THE VARIANT'S OUT THERE READY TO DO DAMAGE.

>> IT'S NOT EVENLY DISTRIBUTED ACROSS THE UNITED STATES.

WE HAVE SEVERAL REPORTED IN 50 JURISDICTIONS, OVER 4700 CASES REPORTED SO FAR, BASED ON WHAT WAS EVALUATED IN SEQUENCING.

IN SOME STATES, CALIFORNIA, IT'S UP TO 25%.

IN OTHERS STATES IT'S LOWER.

CURRENT MODELS PROJECT.

BUT BY THE END OF MARCH IT WILL BE DOMINANT.

>> THE V.A.

ANNOUNCED THAT IT'S OPENING VACCINATION APPOINTMENTS TO ALL ENROLLED VETERANS REGARDLESS OF AGE.

THE V.A.

HAS FOUR LOCATIONS TO ADMINISTER THE VACCINATIONS.

>> IF YOU ARE WAITING ON YOUR STIMULUS CHECK, YOU ARE NOT ALONE, MAJOR BANKS SAY THEY NEED A FEW DAYS TO PROCESS THE CZECHS.

WELLS FARGO SAY THAT DIRECT GOVERNMENT CUSTOMERS EXPECT TO SEE LESS MONEY IN THEIR ACCOUNTS STARTING WEDNESDAY.

>> AND TWO MEN HAVE BEEN ARRESTED FOR FOR ALLEGEDLY USING CHEMICAL BEAR SPRAY AGAINST CAPITOL POLICE OFFICER BRIAN SICKNICK AND OTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT PERSONNEL DURING THE JANUARY 6TH RIOT AT THE U.S. CAPITOL.

SICKNICK DIED THE DAY AFTER THE RIOT.

THE TWO MEN ARRESTED ARE A 32-YEAR-OLD FROM PENNSYLVANIA AND A 39-YEAR-OLD FROM WEST VIRGINIA.

THEY'RE BOTH IN CUSTODY, BOTH CHARGED ON NUMEROUS COUNTS INVOLVING VIOLENCE AND ASSAULT AGAINST POLICE OFFICERS.

THEY HAVE NOT AS YET BEEN CHARGED WITH MURDER.

THE $1.9-TRILLION FEDERAL STIMULUS IS EXPECTED TO IMPACT HEALTHCARE IN AMERICA IN A VARIETY OF WAYS.

WE SPOKE WITH DR. SWAPNA REDDY OF ASU'S COLLEGE OF HEALTH SOLUTIONS ABOUT THAT AND WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH THE ISSUE OF RE-PRODUCTIVE RIGHTS IN STATE LEGISLATURES AROUND THE COUNTRY.

>> GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN.

ALWAYS A PLEASURE, LET'S TALK ABOUT THE GUIDE BIDEN STIMULUS PLAN, HOW BIG A DEAL IS THIS FOR HEALTH CARE IN AMERICA?

>> PRETTY BIG DEAL.

LAST THURSDAY IT WAS PAST.

AND IS BILLED AS ONE OF THE LARGEST EXPANSIONS FOR HEALTH INSURANCE.

PASSAGE OF THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT IN 2010.

A PRETTY BIG DEAL FOR FOLKS THAT DON'T HAVE INSURANCE, NEED HELP IN AFFORDING INSURANCE, AND THE THOUSANDS OF AMERICANS FINDING THEMSELVES WITHOUT A JOB THROUGHOUT THE PANDEMIC, OR REDUCED HOURS, AND THEY DON'T HAVE HEALTH INSURANCE THROUGH THEIR JOB.

>> LET'S FOCUS ON INSURANCE.

THERE ARE THINGS.

& PANNING VACCINATIONS, BUT THE INSURANCE ASPECT IS INTERESTING, STARTING WITH WHAT, HEALTH OR AFFORDABLE CARE ACT PREMIUMS.

>> YES, ONE OF THE LARGEST PROBLEMS THAT HAVE BEEN HAPPENING WITH THE MARKETPLACES, IS AFFORDABILITY FOR FOLKS THAT DON'T QUALIFY FOR SUBSIDIES.

IN ARIZONA, WE HAVE THREE-QUARTERS OF THOSE THAT USE THE MARKETPLACES QUALIFY, BUT FOR THOSE THAT DON'T PREMIUMS ARE HIGH.

WHAT WE ARE SEEING IS MAJOR INCREASES IN SUBSIDY FOR THE A.C.A.

MARKETPLACE.

THE LARGEST PIECES ARE THOSE THAT ARE LOW INCOME, BUT THIS IS KEY, FOR THE FIRST TIME A FAMILY OF FOUR THAT IS MAKING $100,000, QUALIFIES FOR SUBSIDIES, WE ARE ACROSS THE GAMUT FOR A.J.

A MARKETPLACE AFFORDABILITY, WE KNOW THAT THE PLANS ARE IMPORTANT.

THEY OFFER COMPREHENSIVE HEALTH INSURANCE THAT IS NOT AVAILABLE IN LOTS OF OTHER KIND OF OFF-MARKET PLANS.

>> AND THIS, I THINK, THE GOAL AND ONE OF THE GOALS HERE IS TO ATTRACT MORE PEOPLE TO THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT.

>> ABSOLUTELY TO EXPAND THE MARKETS.

THE RICH OF THE A.C.A.

MARKETPLACES, AND LOTS OF FOLKS NOW FEELING THE PINCH IN TERMS OF AFFORDABILITY IN TERMS OF PREMIUMS.

LOTS OF FOLKS LOST EMPLOYER BASED INSURANCE, THEY ARE NO LONGER QUALIFIED.

THEY SIMPLY NEED MORE AFFORDABLE OPTIONS.

AS WE GO THROUGH A HEALTH CRISIS, INCREASING HEALTH INSURANCE IS MAKING A LOT OF SENSE.

WHAT THE SUB CITY DOES ON AVERAGE.

PAYING $50 PER PERSON PER MONTH.

>> YOU MENTIONED PEOPLE LOSING EMPLOYMENT.

COVID - ARE THEY EXTENDING BENEFITS FOR A LITTLE BIT HERE.

>> YES, IT'S AN A LARGE PIECE OF THE STIMULUS BILL.

FOLKS CAN QUALIFY FOR FREE COVERAGE FOR UP TO SIX MONTH, THIS IS IMPORTANT.

THOUSANDS LOST THEIR EMPLOYMENT.

AND HALF OF THOSE FOLKS THAT DEPENDED ON EMPLOYER BASED COVERAGE HAVE LOST IT.

IT IS EXPENSIVE.

IT'S NOT INTENDED OR AFFORDABLE THROUGH LONG TERM COVERAGE.

UNDER THE STIMULUS BILL IT QUALIFIES FOR SIX MONTHS OF COVERAGE.

SIGNIFICANT THERE.

>> BEFORE YOU GO, I WANT TO TALK ABOUT SOMETHING ELSE THAT IS HAPPENING.

REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS.

A NUMBER MUCH STATES ARE PUTTING IN MORE RESTRICTIONS REGARDING ABORTION, WHAT IS HAPPENING HERE AND WHAT IS THE END GOAL.

>> WHAT WE ARE SEEING FROM SEVERAL SPACES AROUND THE COUNTY, AROUND 14 TO DATE.

AND COUNT OF COURSE, IS SORT OF THIS REACTION TO WHAT WE ARE SEEING AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL.

WHICH IS IN THE FIRST FEW DAYS, PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN SIGNED AN ORDER, FOR WHAT WE KNOW IS THE GLOBAL GAG RULE.

AND HAS VOWED TO REINSTATE MANY OF THE TRUMP ROLL BACKS AROUND REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS.

WHAT WE SEE AT THE STATE LEVELS ARE LOTS OF DIFFERENT LEGISLATIVE BILLS.

SOME DON'T HOLD MUSTER LEGALLY, TO ROLE BACK IN A DRASTIC WAY, A WOMAN'S RIGHT TO CHOOSE.

IN ARIZONA, WE HAD SUB RULES, THAT MAKES IT MURDER, COUNTED AS MURDER FOR THE WOMAN, AND FOR THE PROVIDER, IF THEY SEEK ABORTION THAT IS PUNISHABLE BY DEATH PENALTY, ANOTHER MAKING IT ILLEGAL FOR A HEALTH CARE PROVIDER TO PERFORM ABORTION ON A WOMAN, AND WHAT IS KEY HERE, THESE ARE THINGS THAT ARE ACTUALLY LEGAL, RIGHT.

THESE ARE LEGAL ABORTIONS, LEAGUE AT PRACTICES, REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS THAT HAVE BEEN HARD FOUGHT OVER SEVERAL DECADES.

WHAT WE ARE SEEING IS THE BILLS THAT ARE ROLLING THEM BACK, AND SO THE QUESTION IS IF THEY HAVE NOT BEEN - IF THEY ARE NOT GOING TO HOLD UP AND THE PORT IS TO GET CAUGHT UP AND APPEAL TO THIS SUPREME COURT WITH THE GOAL OF POTENTIALLY BUMPING HOLES OR CHIPPING AWAY OR POTENTIALLY REVERSING.

>> INDEED.

AND SPECIALLY WITH THE COURT, 6-3 CONCERTED MAJORITY.

A LOT OF STATES FIGURE ARKANSAS CAN HAVE A TOTAL BAN.

I THINK THAT THE IDEA IS GET THESE THINGS TO THE SUPREME COURT, AND LET THEM CONSIDER ROE V WADE AS YOU MENTIONED.

>> IT'S ONE OF THE MOST CONSERVATIVE SUPREME COURTS IN RECENT HISTORY, I THINK EXACTLY WHAT YOU SAID, THE GOAL IS TO GET SOME OF THE CASES TO THE SUPREME COURT AND SEE IF THEY CAN CHIP AWAY AT ROE V WADE AND AGAIN, THESE BILLS ARE COMING FAST AND FURIOUSLY ALL ACROSS THE STATE LEGISLATURES.

>> A LOT IS HAPPENING IN THE WORLD OF HEALTH CARE.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU, THANKS AGAIN.

>> UP NEXT, A MOVE TO FIGHT DAMAGING WILDFIRES IN ARIZONA WITH MORE AGGRESSIVE FOREST MANAGEMENT.

[ ] >> SALT RIVER PROJECT IS PUSHING FOR MORE AGGRESSIVE FOREST MANAGEMENT IN RESPONSE TO DAMAGING WILDFIRES THAT HAVE IMPACTED THE SRP WATERSHED.

WE LEARNED MORE FROM SRP SENIOR POLICY ANALYST ELVY BARTON.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US, GOOD TO HAVE YOU HERE, LET'S TALK FOREST MANAGEMENT.

AND WHAT SRP AND YOU FOLKS ARE SAYING THAT OUR FORESTS ARE UNHEALTHY.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME HERE TODAY.

YES, OUR FORESTS ARE OVERGROWN AND STOCKED WITH SMALL SCREENS CREATING LARGE WILDFIRES, AND THE HIGH SEVERITY WILDFIRES CAN CREATE DANGEROUS CONDITIONS ON THE WATERSHED AND AROUND THE COMMUNITY.

>> WE HAVE HAD THE BIG FIRES ON THE WATERSHED THE LAST FEW YEARS.

OBVIOUSLY IT SEEMS AS THOUGH THE FIRES ARE GETTING BIGGER OUT THE TIME.

UNUSUAL FOR FIRES.

>> YES, THEY ARE BIG NOT ON THE IN SIZE, BUT SEVERITY.

NOW, THE IMPACT OF FOREST HEALTH ON THE SRP WATERSHED.

YOU TALKED ABOUT FIRES, YOU TALKED ABOUT - GIVE US A BETTER DEFINITION OF HOW THE WATERSHED IS AFFECTED BY BASICALLY ALL THE LITTLE TREES STANDING AROUND.

>> THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION.

>> YES, SRP - THE SUPPLIES THAT WE DELIVER TO 2 MILLION RESIDENTS ORIGINALLY FROM 8.3 MILLION ACRES OF LAND AND MORE THAN IN EASTERN ARIZONA, AND THE WATERSHED THAT PROVIDE THE CRITICAL WATER SUPPLY ARE THE ONES THAT ARE NEEDED RESTORATION.

AS YOU KNOW, THERE ARE SEVEN RESERVOIRS, FOUR ON THE SALT, TALL ON THE VERDE, AND ONE ON THE CREEK.

YOU HAVE PRECIPITATION EVENT.

THEY ARE DANGEROUS FIRES, FIRE-SPREADING EVENT.

ALLOWING THEM TO BREATHE AND DEPOSIT AND THE RESERVOIRS.

WHEN YOU HAVE THIS IMPACT IT DAMAGES THE WATER INFRASTRUCTURE, BUT LONG-TERM WATER STORAGE CAPACITY.

LONG TERM STORAGE CAPACITY IS NEEDED TO ENSURE THAT WE CONTINUE TO HAVE SUPPLIES TO THE VALLEY.

>> SRP IS SAYING MORE AGGRESSIVE FOREST MANAGEMENT IS NEEDED.

LET'S TALK ABOUT THAT.

FIND PREVENTATIVE THINNING.

WHEN THINNING PROJECTS COME AROUND.

ENVIRONMENTALISTS ARE SET.

NO ONE WANTS THE LITTLE TREES, THOSE ARE THE TREES THAT PEOPLE WANT TO SAVE.

>> THAT'S CORRECT.

ONE OF THE GREAT THINGS HERE ABOUT ARIZONA, IS THAT WE HAVE DEVELOPED A PRESUMPTIVE THAT WE NEED TO GO IN AND TRIM THE TREES THAT CREATE FUEL FOR THE LARGE WILDFIRES, AND THE LARGE AND OLD GHOST TREES REMAIN.

THEY CAN BE A HEALTHIER AND STRONGER FOREST FOR ALL TO ENJOY.

>> YOU HAVE A PROFILE FOR 6-12,000 ACRES FOR THE NEXT 20-ODD YEARS.

>> PARTNERSHIP IS A KEY COMPONENT TO ENSURE RESTORATION, AND ONE OF THOSE IS FOR THE STATE OF ARIZONA, A 20 YEARS REQUESTING FOR PROPOSAL.

TO RELIEVE THE SMALL TREES CREATING THE WILDFIRES.

WE ARE WORKING WITH THE PARTNERS, AND CURRENTLY VALUING PROPOSALS.

THE PARTICIPATED AWARDS THIS SUMMER.

THIS IS AN AMAZING OPPORTUNITY TO TRACK NEW INDUSTRIES IN ARIZONA, WHICH IS A BARRIER THAT WE HAVE.

AND IT'S INDUSTRY CAPACITY TO PROCESS MORE TIMBER, AND BIOMASS, IS THAT THE BIG FEATURE THAT CAN BE USED AS FAR AS SOME OF THE SMALLER TREES.

>> BIOMASS IS DEFINITELY ONE OF THE COMPONENTS THAT YOU HAVE TO CONSIDER.

THERE'S SO MUCH SMALL MATERIAL AND LIMITED MARKET.

THIS IS ONE OF THE EXAMPLES THAT SRP IS TRYING TO FIND UNIQUE AND INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS TO MOVE FORWARD.

>> IS THERE SOMETHING THE LEGISLATURE SHOULD DO, HEALTHY FORESTS.

WORKING WITH US, THE PLAN FOR THE NEXT 20 YEARS, IS LEGISLATURE INVOLVED WITH THIS.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

LEGISLATURE AND THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE HAVE BEEN AN AMAZING PARTNER TO WORK WITH.

THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE HAD AN INITIATIVE TO INCREASE STATE RESOURCES, AND THE HEALTH FUNDS PROJECT.

SRP WORKED WITH A REPRESENTATIVE TO INTRODUCE A BILL THAT WOULD CREATE A HEALTHY SOURCE PRODUCTION TAX PRODUCT.

AND THE INTEND IS TO INCENTIVIZE INDUSTRY, TO VEST IN THE INFRASTRUCTURE, INVEST IN THEIR PROCESSING CAPACITY, AND ALSO TO ATTRACT MORE INDUSTRIES INTO ARIZONA.

THOSE TWO THINGS ARE INCREASING THE ABILITY TO RESTORE EVERY YEAR.

>> WHAT ARE YOU HEARING FROM ENVIRONMENTALISTS ON THESE PLANS.

>> THEY ARE GREAT TO HAVE AT THE TABLE.

PROVIDING DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE TO ENSURE THAT PROJECTS THAT OCCUR ARE TAKEN INTO K. AND THEIR HABITAT.

VOICES ARE HEARD.

EVERYONE IS COMING TO THE TABLE.

EVERYONE IS OFFERING ALL PERSPECTIVES.

GOOD TO HAVE YOU HERE, GOOD CONVERSATION.

WE APPRECIATE IT.

>> THANK YOU.

>> SENIORS HAVE BEEN HIT ESPECIALLY HARD BY THE PANDEMIC, BOTH PHYSICALLY AND EMOTIONALLY.

DEPRESSION IS A MAJOR CONCERN FOR OLDER POPULATIONS AND BECAUSE LOVED ONES ARE OFTEN UNABLE TO SEE OLDER FAMILY MEMBERS IN PERSON, THE SIGNS OF TROUBLE MAY BE HARD TO DETECT.

WE TALKED WITH DR. BRIAN RIVELAND, ARIZONA MEDICAL DIRECTOR FOR DEVOTED HEALTH, ABOUT HOW TO RECOGNIZE SYMPTOMS OF DEPRESSION IN OLDER ADULTS.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US, WE APPRECIATE YOUR TIME HERE.

THE ISOLATION THAT SENIORS PEOPLE DUE TO COVID.

HOW SERIOUS AN ISSUE IS THIS?

>> WELL, THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME, BECAUSE IT IS A VERY, VERY SERIOUS ISSUE, YOU HAVE SOCIAL ISOLATION AND SEPARATION ADVANCED BY COVID.

20% OF ADULTS, 6.8 MILLION PEOPLE, LIVE ALONE.

STUDIES SHOW APPROXIMATELY 25% OF THE MEDICARE AGENTS HAVE SOME DEGREE OF MENTAL HEALTH CONCERNS, AND THAT GOES UP TO 50% WHEN - AT THE END OF THE MEDICAL PROBLEMS, AND SO WE SEE IT AS A SIGNIFICANT ISSUE.

THE OVERLAP MUCH DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY IS VERY, VERY COMMON.

SNOOP AS FAR AS THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS, WHAT DO YOU LOOK FOR HERE?

>> THERE ARE MANY.

AND CERTAINLY THE UNEXPLAINED OR AGGRAVATED ACHES AND PAINS THAT A PERSON MAY HAVE.

LOTS OF INTEREST IN SOCIALIZING.

WEIGHT LOSS, OR APPETITE.

LOSS OF APPETITE.

CERTAINLY SLEEP DISTURBANCES ARE COMMON.

AND WE ALSO FIND THAT EVEN IN ELDERLY THAT WE MIGHT SEE MEMORY, AS BEING ONE OF THE FIRST SYMPTOMS OF DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY.

IF THEY ARE FORGETTING THINGS THAT THREE WEEKS AGO THEY KNEW, THAT COULD BE AN INDICATOR THAT THERE'S MORE GOING ON FROM A MEDICAL STAND POINT AND AN EMOTIONAL STANDPOINT.

>> IT'S ONE THING TO NOTICE THINGS, IT'S ANOTHER TO REALISE THAT SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE HERE.

WHEN DO YOU HIT THAT MARK.

>> SURE, IN THE SIGNS OF WHEN THEY GET MORE SEVERE, WITHDRAWING, NOT WANTING TO REACH OUT.

IF THEY ARE FEELING HELPLESS.

THEY ARE ALL SYMPTOMS THAT WOULD BE INDICATORS FOR THAT PERSON SEEKING OUT CARE WITH THE PRIMARY CARE POSITION TO UNDERSTAND WHAT MAY BE GOING ON.

>> AND BEFORE YOU GET TO THAT POINT.

ARE THERE WAYS TO COMMUNICATE.

TO HELP SOME OF OUR OLDER FOLKS.

FIRST TIME FROM A SELF-HAPPY STANDPOINT: THOSE ARE THINGS THAT ARE IMPORTANT TO ESTABLISH THAT CONNECTION WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY.

EXERCISING, GOING OUT FOR WALKS, BUT FOR FAMILIES AND FRIENDS, IT'S OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO REACH OUT FOR THE FAMILY AS WELL.

BASICALLY, ELDERLY POPULATION MAY NOT BE FAMILIAR WITH TECHNOLOGY.

MAYBE IF THEY HAVE A CELL PHONE OR AN IPAD.

SOMETHING THAT HAS ESTABLISHED AS A VISUAL.

IT MAKES A DIFFERENCE.

>> WHAT ABOUT THERAPY, INPATIENT.

OUTPATIENT THERAPY, WHAT IS OUT THERE.

COMPARE THE TWO IF YOU COULD.

MOST ELDERLY MAY HAVE COUNSELLORS TALKING ABOUT ISSUES THAT ARE GOING ON, THERE'S THE ABILITY TO REACH THE HIGHER LEVEL OF CARE WITH A PSYCHOLOGIST OR PSYCHIATRIST.

OR OTHERS AS NECESSARY.

THE GOOD NEWS ASSIST MANY OF THESE PROPORTIONALS WILL CONNECT WITH YOU VIRTUALLY AS WELL.

MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES ARE COMMON.

IT CAN HAPPEN IN SEVERE CIRCUMSTANCES WHETHER A PERSON MAY BE MORE SEVERE, WITH MANIFESTATIONS OF THEIR ILLNESS.

>> CONCERNS REGARDING POCKET COSTS FOR THESE THINGS.

>> SURE, YOU WANT TO CHECK WITH YOUR INSURANCE, IN FOLKS THAT HAVE REGULAR INSURERS, BOTH WITH PROVIDERS.

MEDICARE DOES COVER INPATIENT AND OUTPATIENT SERVICES.

AND YOU WANT TO CHECK ON THAT.

BACK IN 2008, BASICALLY IT REQUIRES MENTAL HEALTH BENEFITS TO BE COVERED BY ALL INSURANCES.

>> THE LAST POINT, THE BOTTOM LINE IS OLDER FOLKS.

THEY ALREADY ARE AT RISK FOR LONELINESS AND ISOLATION BEFORE THE PANDEMIC HIT.

THIS IS MAKING IT WORSE.

ITSELF COMPOUNDED.

28% EVER OUR SENIORS LIVE ALONE.

WHEN THEY ARE NOT ABLE TO GET OUT OF THE THEIR HOUSE.

THEY ARE ISOLATED FROM OTHERS.

WHICH IS DEVASTATING TO ANY OF US, LET ALONE FOLKS WITH A LOT OF CHRONIC ILLNESS.

>> THIS IS GOOD INFORMATION.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

DEVOTED HEALTH.

WE APPRECIATE YOU ARE JOINING US AT THIS TIME.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> LATER ON CRONKITE NEWS, DISPROPORTIONATE NUMBER OF FILIPINO NURSES ARE DYING FROM COVID-19.

>> INTO THAT IS IT FOR NOW, I'LL TED SIMONS, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US, HAVE AN EVENING.

>> COMING UP IN THE NEXT HALF HOUR OF LOCAL NEWS ON ARIZONA PBS - ON "CRONKITE NEWS" - HOW ASU IS OFFERING ON-LINE TRAINING TO HELP ADULTS JUMP START THEIR CAREERS.

AND ON BREAK IT DOWN: THE ABSENSE OF BLACK COACHES IN THE NFL.

>> THIS HAS BEEN A YEAR FULL OF CHALLENGES AND STRESS.

>> AS STUDENTS HEAD BACK TO CLASS, WHAT ONE SCHOOL DISTRICT IS DOING TO SUPPORT THEIR TEACHERS.

>> PLUS THE EFFORTS AT ASU TO HELP PEOPLE JUMPSTART THEIR CAREERS BY LEARNING NEW SKILLS ONLINE.

>> LATER THIS HALF HOUR ON BREAK IT DOWN.

THE ABSENCE OF BLACK COACHES IN THE NFL.