Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Oklahoma Issues First Nonbinary Birth Certificate; Governor Issues Threat
Oklahoman: Political Fight Brewing After Oklahoma Issues First Gender Neutral Birth Certificate
Gov. Kevin Stitt and GOP members of the Oklahoma Legislature want to prevent the State Health Department from issuing gender neutral birth certificates after the agency issued this month the state's first nonbinary birth marker. Members of the LGBTQ community rejoiced after an Oregon resident who was born in Oklahoma successfully petitioned the State Health Department to reissue on Oct. 7 their birth certificate with their sex now identified as nonbinary. Nonbinary people do not identify as strictly male or female. (Forman, 10/21)
The (Cleveland) Plain Dealer: Republican Lawmakers In Ohio Unveil Bill Prohibiting Transgender Kids From Beginning Transition
A new bill would prohibit children under age 18 from obtaining hormones treatments, puberty blockers and surgery to transition genders, even with parental consent. House Bill 454, called the Save Adolescents from Experimentation (SAFE) Act, is sponsored by a quarter of the Ohio House. All are Republicans. There are two sponsors — Reps. Gary Click of Sandusky County and Diane Grendell of Geauga County. Twenty-three Republicans are cosponsoring the bill. (10/19)
9news.Com: Colorado Mandates Insurance Carriers Cover Gender-Affirming Care
At ONE Colorado, Nadine Bridges works to change the lives of LGBTQ Coloradans. “We just want folks to live their lives and thrive and survive in this world," the executive director said. In 2023, Bridges said living will get a little easier for some because of a change in Colorado's Essential Health Benefits that will require insurance carriers to cover gender affirming care and surgeries for transgender patients. (Eastman, 10/19)
Bangor Daily News: 78-Year-Old Transgender Woman Says Jonesport Assisted Living Facility Refused Care
A 78-year-old woman is suing a Jonesport assisted living facility for allegedly denying her a room because she is transgender. The woman said Sunrise Assisted Living in Jonesport discriminated against her on the basis of gender identity, transgender status and sex in violation of the Maine Human Rights Act after an administrator allegedly said she wouldn’t admit her after finding out she was transgender. (Marino Jr., 10/21)
In news about suicide —
Salt Lake Tribune: Suicide Rates In Utah Are High — But COVID-19 Pandemic Hasn’t Made Them Worse, Study Says
Utah’s rates of suicides and drug overdoses have not changed significantly since the COVID-19 pandemic began, the state’s health department reported — though, with one Utahn dying by suicide every 13 hours, the rate remains high. In an annual report, the Utah Department of Health said Thursday that the number of Utah deaths due to suicide and accidental drug overdoses stayed constant from March 2020 — when the pandemic started in Utah — through June 2021. And those rates, roughly between 50 and 70 deaths by suicide every month, are consistent with levels going back to 2015, said Michael Staley, suicide prevention research coordinator for UDOH. (Means, 10/21)
KHN: Montana Tribes Want To Stop Jailing People For Suicide Attempts But Lack A Safer Alternative
When Maria Vega was a senior in high school in 2015, she found the body of one of her closest friends, who had died by suicide. A few days later, devastated by the loss, Vega tried to take her own life. After the attempt failed, she was arrested and taken to juvenile detention in Poplar, a remote town on the Missouri River a short drive from the North Dakota oil fields. She was put in a cell and kept under observation for several days until a mental health specialist was available to see her. Her only interaction was with the woman who brought food to her cell. (Reardon, 10/22)
In other health news from across the U.S. —
NBC News: California Family Died From Heat And Dehydration On Sierra National Forest Hike, Officials Say
A Northern California family who were found dead in August died from heat and dehydration during their hike in Sierra National Forest, officials said Thursday. Mariposa County Sheriff Jeremy Briese said at a news conference that investigators considered environmental and other factors before they determined that exposure to the elements killed the family of three. Briese said the cause of death was "hyperthermia and probable dehydration." (Madani and Fitzsimons, 10/21)
Detroit Free Press: Hamtramck Distributes Water Filters As Samples Show High Lead
Hundreds of free water filters were handed out Thursday to residents in Hamtramck, where recent water samples show high levels of lead. About 700 filters from the state Department of Health and Human Services were distributed, City Manager Kathleen Angerer said. Not everyone who showed could get a filter because of limited supplies and high demand. On Tuesday, 900 more filters will be distributed at the same location — Hamtramck Town Center parking lot, 9521 Jos. Campau, Hamtramck. (Warikoo, 10/21)
Health News Florida: AHCA Head Tells Lawmakers A Canada Drug Import Plan Could Save Florida $150 Million
Florida could save up to $150 million in the first year that a prescription drug importation program from Canada is fully in place, Agency for Health Care Administration Secretary Simone Marstiller told a House panel Wednesday. Lawmakers in 2019 approved pursuing a plan to import lower-cost drugs from Canada for government health care programs. The state, which continues to wait for a key approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, expects to import drugs to treat asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes, hepatitis C, HIV and AIDS and mental health conditions. (10/21)
WMFE: Personal Mission And Teamwork Bring A Wheelchair-Accessible Glass-Bottom Boat To Silver Springs
For the first time in more than 30 years, Silver Springs, now a state park, has a new glass-bottom boat. The green-and-white bus-shaped aluminum vessel looks a lot like the others at Silver Springs. But on the inside, it has room for large wheelchairs and foldaway seats allowing people with disabilities to enjoy underwater views with loved ones. (Byrnes, 10/21)
