Category: states

Delta Variant Surges in Colorado as the Bands Play On

Mesa County is a breeding ground for the covid-19 delta variant, but few would guess with tens of thousands of people flocking to the state’s largest country music festival.

A Family Wellness Check: California Invests in Treating Parents and Children Together

The state will be the first to offer comprehensive counseling services to parents during pediatric visits as part of Medicaid.

Most Inmates Have Had Their Covid Shots — But Their Guards Likely Haven’t

Hesitancy about the vaccines among prison staffers has led to a striking disparity: Inmates are better protected than corrections officials.

As Covid Vaccinations Slow, Parts of the US Remain Far Behind 70% Goal

Vermont and Massachusetts lead the nation, with more than 70% of adults having had at least one dose of a covid-19 vaccine. Southern states like Tennessee lag far behind.

Rural Ambulance Services Are in Jeopardy as Volunteers Age and Expenses Mount

Experts say rural communities must find new models to keep emergency services afloat as more 911 calls go unanswered.

Unprecedented Lobbying Effort Scores Big Win for California Public Health

After years of unstable funding, California’s 2022-23 budget will include a dramatic new investment in public health. Insiders say a powerhouse lobbying campaign made all the difference.

California Lawmakers Push Feds to Allow a Therapy That Pays Meth Users to Abstain

The approach, known as contingency management, has helped thousands of veterans kick the methedrine habit, but a federal government ruling has limited its use. California hopes to challenge that and make the treatment a Medi-Cal benefit.

Damage to Children’s Education — And Their Health — Could Last a Lifetime

Black and Hispanic students have lost up to 12 months of learning, which could lead to lower incomes and shorter, sicker lives.

How One Rural Town Without a Pharmacy Is Crowdsourcing to Get Meds

As more independently owned community pharmacies close, a Colorado town is crowdsourcing ways of getting prescription medicines delivered to those who can’t travel the long distance to the closest pharmacy. But even those stopgap measures don’t always work.

Desperate for Home Care, Seniors Often Wait Months With Workers in Short Supply

The covid pandemic and President Joe Biden’s agenda — a planned $400 billion infusion of support — have focused national attention on the need to expand home- and community-based long-term care services designed to keep people out of nursing homes. But the need far outpaces the staffing.