Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
California Bill Makes 'Stealthing' Illegal
The Washington Post: Removing A Condom Without Consent Would Be Illegal If This California Bill Passes
The act of removing a condom during sex without consent — also known as “stealthing” — could become illegal in the state of California. A bill introduced this week by California Assembly member Cristina Garcia (D) would classify nonconsensual condom removal as sexual battery and would allow a victim to pursue a claim for damages under the state’s civil code. If passed, experts say, the measure would be the first such law in any state to explicitly address nonconsensual condom removal. (Firozi, 2/10)
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette: Senate Committee Votes To Ban Nearly All Abortions
A Senate committee voted unanimously Wednesday to advance a proposal to ban nearly all abortions in Arkansas. The legislation, Senate Bill 6, would prohibit any abortion except those performed to protect the health or life of the mother. Its sponsor, state Sen. Jason Rapert, R-Conway, said the intent of the bill is to create a law that will force the U.S. Supreme Court to reconsider its precedents upholding the right of a woman to receive an abortion. (Moritz, 2/10)
AP: Evers Renewing Call For Medicaid Expansion Opposed By GOP
Gov. Tony Evers will try again to expand Medicaid coverage in Wisconsin, announcing Wednesday that his state budget proposal will also have more than $150 million in other health initiatives, including bolstering student mental health support, addressing the opioid crisis and increasing telehealth accessibility. “The COVID-19 pandemic has only further exacerbated the need for and underscored the urgency of making sure we have affordable, accessible services available to folks when they need it most, and that’s why it’s a top priority in our budget,” Evers said in a statement. (Bauer, 2/10)
The Boston Globe: The Mashpee Wampanoag Had Long Held COVID At Bay. Then, Tragedy Struck
The Mashpee Wampanoag tribe has gained national praise for its early, decisive efforts to prevent and contain COVID-19, held up by the federal government as a model for Native Americans across the country. ... But after nearly a year of holding the virus at bay, the tribe is grappling with an outbreak that followed a heart-rending tragedy. More than 10 positive cases were reported last week, the most the tribe has recorded in any week since the pandemic began, following a funeral and gatherings held to grieve a 4-year-old boy who died in a traffic accident. (MacQuarrie, 2/10)
The Baltimore Sun: Baltimore To Restart COVID Relief Program, Distributing Debit Cards To 15,000 Households
After a failed start under a previous administration, Baltimore is again kicking off a $6 million program to distribute debit cards to city residents affected economically by COVID-19. (Opilo, 2/10)
AP: Bill Would Make Mental Health Studies Mandatory
Lawmakers in North Dakota are considering a proposal to make mental health and wellness studies mandatory for middle and high school students. According to health officials, North Dakota’s rate of teen suicide is well above the national average. While some schools have elements of mental wellness in the classroom, a proposed bill would have mandated resources to help them and schools would be given standards on how to handle students who need help. (2/10)
In updates on the Minnesota health clinic shooting —
AP: Documents Show Several Red Flags For Clinic Shooting Suspect
The suspect in the fatal shooting at a Minnesota medical clinic was able to enter the building despite threatening violence there two years earlier, posting a sign near his home about a doctor he disliked and frightening a nurse at a nearby hospital so much that a colleague hit a panic button for help. Despite these red flags, Gregory Paul Ulrich entered an Allina medical clinic northwest of Minneapolis on Tuesday and opened fire, killing one staff member and injuring four others before he was arrested, authorities said. Authorities also found a suspicious device at the clinic and other devices at a hotel where Ulrich, 67, had been staying. (Forliti and Ibrahim, 2/11)
