Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Idaho Governor Expected To Sign Bill Curbing His Office's Emergency Powers
AP: Bill Trimming Emergency Powers Heads To Governor's Desk
Legislation that curbs [Idaho] Republican Gov. Brad Little’s authority during declared emergencies such as the coronavirus pandemic is headed to the governor’s desk. The Senate on Wednesday voted 28-7 to pass the bill that’s a reworked version of previous legislation Little vetoed. Shortly after, the House passed the bill on a 48-8 vote. The earlier version of the bill was vetoed by Little and the Senate was unable to overcome the veto. But Senate leaders said Little worked with them on the latest measure, and they anticipate his approval. (Ridler, 5/6)
Health News Florida: DeSantis' COVID-19 Executive Orders Do Not Affect Schools
The Florida Department of Education advised school districts they won’t be affected by two executive orders that Gov. Ron DeSantis issued Monday to block local governments’ COVID-19 emergency orders. Executive Order 21-101, effective July 1, mandates that “any emergency order issued by a political subdivision due to the COVID-19 emergency which restricts the rights or liberties of individuals or their businesses is invalidated.” (5/5)
South Florida Sun Sentinel: Don’t Pitch Your Mask, Yet. You'll Still Need It In Most Places
Supermarkets, schools, big-box stores, airports, malls and stadiums will require people to wear masks even though the governor has declared that Florida no longer faces a coronavirus emergency. Gov. Ron DeSantis this week wiped away COVID-19 orders that cities and counties had put in place for safety, but many businesses say they won’t bend their policies. They’re still able to require masks, just like they require shirts and shoes. (5/5)
In other news from the states —
Georgia Health News: 3 Nursing Homes Once Ravaged By COVID Are Sold To Atlanta Firm
Three nursing homes that were hit hard by COVID-19 have been sold to an Atlanta-based company. Empire Care Centers, a private firm, recently purchased Westbury nursing homes in Jackson, McDonough and Conyers. Each facility lost a significant number of residents to COVID. State data show that 26 residents died from the virus at Westbury Conyers. Westbury Health and Rehab of McDonough had 16 deaths, and 34 occurred at Westbury Medical Care and Rehab, in Jackson. (Miller, 5/5)
Stat: Indiana County Notorious For HIV Outbreak May Close Syringe Exchange
The Indiana county at the center of a devastating HIV crisis in 2015 may soon close the syringe exchange program widely credited with helping to end its outbreak. For public health advocates in Scott County, home to 24,000, the controversy is all too familiar. Six years ago, the county drew national attention for recording roughly 200 HIV cases in a single year, largely driven by injection drug use. Critics have charged that the state government’s slow response and monthslong refusal to permit needle exchanges only made the crisis worse. (Facher, 5/6)
AP: Nevada Lawmakers Debate Public Health Care Option Proposal
Hospitals and insurance companies clashed with affordable health care advocates in the Nevada Legislature’s first hearing on a proposal to create state-run health insurance plans that could compete with private insurance companies on the state’s health insurance exchange. Nevada is one of many states that is considering some form of what’s called a public option to expand access and make health care more affordable. Washington passed a public option proposal in 2019, and Connecticut and Oregon are also considering similar proposals. (Metz, 5/6)
Houston Chronicle: Texas 'Fetal Heartbeat' Bill Allowing Citizens To Sue Over An Abortion Clears Major Hurdle
The Texas House voted Wednesday to ban abortions as early as six weeks into a woman’s pregnancy and allow anyone to sue her doctor, relatives or any other person who helped her obtain the procedure if it is done after a fetal heartbeat had been detected. The Republican-led measure would amount to the most stifling reproductive restrictions in Texas since abortion was legally protected in the U.S. Supreme Court decision of Roe v. Wade. The vote was 81-63, falling largely along party lines. (Goldenstein and Blackman, 5/5)
North Carolina Health News: Will Lawmakers Address Harmful Chemicals In NC Water?
The public utility for Wilmington and New Hanover County will spend about $46 million to filter out potentially carcinogenic “forever chemicals” from drinking water for an estimated 200,000 people. In neighboring Brunswick County, bids totaling $137 million have been approved for a similar filtration system to remove per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances known as PFAS to be completed within the next two years. (Barnes, 5/5)
AP: House OKs Doing Away With Purchase Permits To Buy Handgun
North Carolina’s long practice of county sheriffs granting permits to local residents before they can buy a handgun would end under legislation approved by the House on Wednesday night. The North Carolina Sheriffs’ Association backed the pistol purchase permit repeal — a change in direction for the group after years of opposing the idea. Sheriffs would still perform reviews of applications for concealed weapons permits. (Robertson, 5/6)
In news about cannabis and marijuana —
Bangor Daily News: ‘Clean Cannabis’ Program Wants More Mainers Choosing Pesticide-Free Pot
Six years after the creation of the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association’s Certified Clean Cannabis program to certify synthetic chemical-free cannabis growers for medical marijuana, Maine cannabis farmers say their product is healthier and less susceptible to disease. But the program has been slow to catch on — so far, only 20 growers have been certified out of nearly 700 providers in the state. Chris Grigsby, director of MOFGA Certification Services LLC, said that the Certified Clean Cannabis program mirrors the national organic certification program available to other growers. That program isn’t available to cannabis growers because of the continued federal prohibition on THC cannabis. (Schipani, 5/5)
AP: Legislation Would Prohibit Marijuana Advertising In Idaho
The Senate on Wednesday approved legislation that would prohibit commercial advertising for marijuana in Idaho, a move that could potentially stymie ballot initiatives to legalize the drug in the state. (Ridler, 5/6)
