Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Arkansas, WVa Transgender Restrictions Blocked By Federal Judges
AP: Federal Judges Block Transgender Restrictions In 2 States
Federal judges on Wednesday temporarily blocked an Arkansas law banning gender confirming treatments for transgender youth and a West Virginia ban on trans athletes in women’s sports, two major victories for LGBTQ advocates against a wave of restrictions approved by Republican legislators. The ruling in Arkansas prevents the state from enforcing the law that made it the first state to forbid doctors from providing gender confirming hormone treatment, puberty blockers or sex reassignment surgery to anyone under 18 years old. The law, which was to take effect July 28, also banned doctors from referring the minors to other providers for such treatment. (DeMillo and Raby, 7/22)
AP: Mississippi To File Arguments In Landmark Abortion Case
The Mississippi attorney general’s office is expected to file briefs with the U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday to outline the state’s arguments in a case that could upend nearly 50 years of court rulings on abortion rights nationwide. A 6-3 conservative majority, with three justices appointed by former President Donald Trump, said in May that the court would consider arguments over a Mississippi law that would ban abortion at 15 weeks. Justices are likely to hear the case this fall and could rule on it in the spring. (Wagster Pettus, 7/22)
In updates from across the U.S. —
Stateline: States Braced For A Wave Of COVID Lawsuits It Never Arrived
In a legislative flurry, 30 states instituted liability protections in late 2020 and early 2021 designed to protect businesses from COVID-19 lawsuits, out of fear that companies would be sued for exposing workers, clients or vendors to the swiftly spreading, deadly disease. Those lawsuits haven’t materialized. Proponents of the new laws say that’s because the statutes have scared off potential litigation. But critics say the actions have created a solution in search of a problem, because most employees who sue do so under existing workplace safety regulations, such as those enforced by the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration, or under union rules. (Povich, 7/21)
Detroit Free Press: Michigan House Repeals Emergency Powers Law Whitmer Used
A 76-year-old Michigan law crafted in the wake of Detroit race riots and used more recently to combat a generational health crisis is officially dead. The Republican-controlled state House on Wednesday voted 60-48 largely along party lines in support of initiative petition language that repeals the Emergency Powers Act of 1945. The vote came one week after the state Senate also approved the initiative. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer used the law to issue sweeping health and safety restrictions in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, moves that eventually garnered pushback from Republicans and other opponents. (Boucher, 7/21)
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: How Police And Counselors Respond To Mental Health Calls In Milwaukee
"There's one." Milwaukee Police Officer Chandra Fuller pointed to a pending 911 call on her department laptop. A woman in her 50s told a dispatcher she was homeless and feeling suicidal. She had harmed herself in the past but not today. She had not been taking her medications. It was exactly the kind of call Fuller and her partner, Jordan Hoeft, a county mental health clinician, are trained to answer. (Luthern, 7/21)
And in news on health threats —
Fox News: Michigan Reports Uptick In Legionnaires' Disease
Michigan health officials are investigating a recent uptick in cases of Legionnaires' disease, or a severe form of pneumonia. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services noted 107 cases reported across 25 counties between July 1 and July 14, translating to a 569% surge over the same period in 2020 and a 161% increase over the same period in 2019. (Rivas, 7/21)
Fox News: Florida Town Hit By ‘Triple Threat’ Of Respiratory Illnesses
Tampa Bay, Florida, is battling a unique combination of three separate respiratory illnesses, causing mass hospitalizations. Area doctors are calling it a "triple threat". Red tide, COVID-19 and bronchitis are "waging war" on the area, doctors told WFLA. Red tide is a harmful algal bloom that can cause respiratory system issues in humans. Doctors say that the symptoms usually include a short-lived but intense cough that can sometimes be fatal. Experts said this year's bloom is the worst the area has seen since 1971. (Lewitas, 7/21)
Oklahoman: Norman Parks, Cleveland County Health Partner To Fight Mosquitoes
Those who have been trying to enjoy outdoor activities also probably [have] been faced with trying to swat away pesky mosquitoes. The city of Norman Parks and Recreation Department and Cleveland County Health Department have partnered to help curtail the city’s growing mosquito population and raise awareness of ways to prevent their spread within the community. After record rainfall in June, Norman has seen an increase in the mosquito population, including flood mosquitoes, a city news release stated. In response, Norman is activating its Vector (Mosquito) Monitoring program, which identifies 14 districts across Norman that will receive daily monitoring through the use of light-based mosquito traps. (7/21)
