State Highlights: 3 In 10 Ariz. Kindergartners Have Not Been Vaccinated For Measles; Nurses Could Strike At In The Twin Cities, Boston
Outlets report on health news from Arizona, Minnesota, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Texas and New York.
The Associated Press:
State Health Officials: Vaccine Laws Still Being Avoided
Arizona health officials say about three in every 10 kindergartners who enrolled during the most recent school year without measles vaccines didn't have exemption forms. According to Arizona Department of Health Services data, hundreds of Arizona schools did not require all parents to turn in signed waivers when they enrolled their unvaccinated children in 2015, The Arizona Republic reported. (6/14)
The Associated Press:
No Progress In Talks To Avoid Twin Cities Nurses Strike
Negotiators have returned to the bargaining table but report no progress in contract talks to avoid a strike by nearly 5,000 nurses at five hospitals in the Minneapolis area. Representatives from the Minnesota Nurses Association and Allina Health met Monday at the request of a federal mediator.
Minnesota Pubic Radio:
Allina, Nurses Break Off Contract Talks; Strike Still Planned For Sunday
The union that represents 4,800 nurses at Allina Health in the Twin Cities said negotiators made no progress in talks with a federal mediator Monday. The Minnesota Nurses Association said nurses at Abbott Northwestern, Mercy, United, and Unity hospitals and Phillips Eye Institute still plan to walk off the job Sunday at 7 a.m. and will picket all five facilities. (Septic, 6/13)
Boston Globe:
Brigham And Women’s Nurses Union Votes For One-Day Strike
The union representing 3,300 nurses at Brigham and Women’s Hospital voted Monday to authorize a one-day strike, setting the stage for a possible walkout this month. The vote comes after nine months of increasingly acrimonious contract negotiations between the Massachusetts Nurses Association and Brigham, one of the flagship teaching hospitals owned by Partners HealthCare. (McCluskey, 6/14)
New Hampshire Public Radio:
Despite Recommendations, N.H. One Of Few States With Psychiatric Unit On Prison Grounds
New Hampshire has become the first state to launch a campaign solely aimed at breaking down the stigma around mental illness and improving treatment and prevention. (Sutherland, 6/13)
Texas Tribune:
Lawsuit Won, Texas Moves to Cut Therapy Programs
One year after state lawmakers decided to slash $350 million in funding for pediatric therapy services provided to children with disabilities, Texas is finally poised to move forward with the planned cuts that were delayed for months after in-home therapy providers sued to stop them. They lost that court battle in April but have vowed to continue putting up a fight. (Walters, 6/14)
The Associated Press:
New York Poised To Expand Access To Breast Cancer Screening
New York is poised to expand access to breast cancer screening under an agreement reached by top state lawmakers and Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who made combating the cancer a priority after the successful cancer treatment of his girlfriend, Food Network star Sandra Lee. Under the deal, the state would order hospitals to expand hours when mammograms are offered and require insurance companies to eliminate deductibles and co-pays for the screening and some other diagnostic tests. Lawmakers are expected to formally approve the proposal this week. Cuomo listed the item as one of his top priorities for the final days of the 2016 session, which is expected to end later this week. (Klepper, 6/13)
