Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Mental Health Help Expanded
AP: Maine To Expand Mental Health Help For Farmers
Maine is using a federal grant to try to help the state’s farmers deal with stress. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has given the state $500,000 toward the effort. Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Commissioner Amanda Beal said Wednesday the grant would support the Maine Farmer and Rancher Stress Assistance Network. Farmers in Maine and beyond have had to contend with the coronavirus pandemic, droughts and supply chain difficulties in recent months and years, Beal said. She said the stress assistance network will provide direct service for farmers as well as referrals for farmers anticipating stress and conflict. (11/12)
AP: With US Aid Money, Schools Put Bigger Focus On Mental Health
In Kansas City, Kansas, educators are opening an after-school mental health clinic staffed with school counselors and social workers. Schools in Paterson, New Jersey, have set up social emotional learning teams to identify students dealing with crises. Chicago is staffing up “care teams” with the mission of helping struggling students on its 500-plus campuses. With a windfall of federal coronavirus relief money at hand, schools across the U.S. are using portions to quickly expand their capacity to address students’ struggles with mental health. (Thompson, Hollingsworth and Belsha, 11/11)
On Texas' abortion law and undocumented immigrants —
The Texas Tribune: How Texas’ Abortion Restrictions Impact Undocumented Immigrants
Laura Molinar sounds very calm for someone expecting to be sued. Her San Antonio-based organization, Sueños Sin Fronteras de Tejas, offers reproductive health education and assistance to asylum-seeking and undocumented women — including information and assistance for those seeking abortion. Under Senate Bill 8, Texas’ new abortion law, if that education or assistance is perceived as “aiding and abetting” a person in obtaining an abortion, private citizens can sue them for up to $10,000. (McNeel, 11/12)
LGBTQ matters are also in the news —
The Hill: Republican Oklahoma Governor Orders Halt To Nonbinary Birth Certificates
Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt (R) signed an executive order on Monday halting the state from issuing nonbinary birth certificates. The order mandates the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) to “cease amending birth certificates” in any way that is inconsistent with state law, and to “remove from its website any reference to amending birth certificates” that doesn’t align with state law. Stitt further urged the Oklahoma state legislature to “immediately pass legislation that will clarify, to the extent necessary, that changes in sex or gender on a birth certificate, or a designation of non-binary is contrary to Oklahoma law.” (Williams, 11/11)
