Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Meals On Wheels Steps Up To The Plate As Indiana Residents Suffer Nearly 2 Weeks Without Power
Post-Tribune: Meals On Wheels Provides Lifeline During Historic Indiana Power Outages
In the months since Pam Edwards started volunteering at Meals on Wheels of Northwest Indiana, she grew fond of John Ruiz, 85, a “chatty” client on her Friday Merrillville route. After the Aug. 11 storms, luckily, she was told he was ok. (Colias-Pete, 8/23)
The New York Times: ‘It's Been Terrible’: Thousands In Indiana Remain Without Power
It was Day 11 without power in Gary, Ind., and Pierre Ervin was beyond fed up. He could not eat breakfast in his dark, storm-damaged home because he had thrown out all the food rotting in his refrigerator. So he headed to work hungry on Saturday, threading his way past the snapped trees and downed power lines littering the industrial city as frustration grew with the agonizingly slow process of restoring power. “It’s been terrible,” Mr. Ervin, 46, said. About 30,000 customers across northern Indiana were still without electricity on Saturday evening, nearly two weeks after thunderstorms flooded neighborhoods and pummeled the region with hurricane-force winds. (Chiarito, Healy and Graff, 8/22)
More climate and health news —
AP: Firefighters Warned About A Supplement For Smoke Exposure
Fire and medical officials have issued warnings about a supplement offered to Western wildland firefighters who have been exposed to toxic chemicals while battling some of the country’s biggest blazes. The supplement glutathione, given through an IV or an inhaler-like machine called a nebulizer, has not been proven to be safe or effective and could expose firefighters to illness if there is contamination while it’s produced, experts say. (Bellisle, 8/23)
The Washington Post: A Woman Was Lost And Confused In Extreme Heat. This Teen Came To Help.
Royal Cothrun was riding his bike near his home in Gilbert, Arizona, when he noticed a woman struggling to walk. It was over 100 degrees outside, and her face was bright red. Royal, 14, pulled over. “I knew it was a serious situation,” he said. He asked the woman — who was carrying a large shopping bag — where she was headed. She said she was trying to get home to her apartment but wasn’t sure where it was. Royal checked his phone, and the closest apartment was about three miles away. He walked with her into the shade. As they talked, her words became harder to follow. (Page, 8/23)
Other news from across the U.S. —
AP: Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs Won't Face Criminal Charge Over Pay-To-Play Allegations
State prosecutors declined to file criminal charges against Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs over allegations that she took part in a pay-to-play scheme with a group home company that received a rate increase from the state after contributing $100,000 to her inaugural celebration, Attorney General Kris Mayes announced Friday. The Democratic governor has been accused of giving preferential treatment to Sunshine Residential Homes after the Arizona Republic revealed the private company contributed to the inaugural fund and Arizona Democratic Party and later received a 30% payment increase. Only Sunshine and one other company were given increases during the 2022-2023 contracting period. (Billeaud, 8/21)
ProPublica: Oregon Is Spending More Than Ever on Low-Income Housing. A State Law Keeps the Details Secret.
Oregon’s spending on low-income housing has exploded in the past five years. The state has given developers an unprecedented $1.4 billion, and the cost of developing each apartment has nearly doubled, to $540,000. Dozens of projects are lined up for an additional $850 million in future state funding. Federal tax credits, which the state oversees, will bring even more money to bear. Yet one thing has remained constant: The public isn’t allowed to see the details of how all these dollars are being spent. (Davis, 8/21)
The New York Times: He Was Wrongly Convicted Of Attempted Rape. He’s Suing The DNA Analysts.
Alexis Rodriguez claims technicians at the New York City medical examiner’s office fabricated DNA evidence, leading to his wrongful conviction in 2014 for attempted rape. (Nerkar, 8/23)
Honolulu Civil Beat: Dozens Of Hawaiʻi’s Mentally Ill Inmates To Move To Waiawa Prison
The head of the state prison system plans to overhaul part of the minimum security Waiawa Correctional Facility in Central Oʻahu to create a new space for prisoners with mental illness who are now being held in the state’s largest prison. The men who would qualify to transfer from Hālawa Correctional Facility to Waiawa would be minimum-security prisoners who are stabilized on their medications and are approaching their parole or release dates, according to Tommy Johnson, director of the state Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. (Dayton, 8/21)
Maryland Matters: Maryland Launches Court-Ordered Mental Health Care
Maryland health officials are launching a controversial program to help those with severe mental health challenges adhere to their treatment by using a court order to mandate that some patients comply with their medical plans. (Brown, 8/23)
The Washington Post: Anne Arundel School District Amends Gender Policy After Federal Threat
A Maryland school district has updated its gender identity policy that a lawsuit and the Trump administration claimed improperly prevented parents from accessing information about their child. The policy from Anne Arundel County Public Schools classified a student’s gender identity as confidential medical information, which the Trump administration said violated a federal law over student education records and threatened legal action if it were not changed. (Staton, 8/22)
Also —
Axios: Alcohol, AI And Aging: Theories On Why Violent Crime Is Down
The U.S. is experiencing one of the steepest and most widespread crime declines in modern history. Researchers aren't exactly sure why — but they have theories. Early research points to a mix of factors — declining alcohol and drug use since the COVID pandemic, AI-fueled policing technology that's making it easier for cops to catch suspects, an aging population, tougher prosecutions, and more. (Contreras, 8/24)
The Wall Street Journal: Mold Is Driving America’s Homeowners Crazy—And They Want Builders To Pay
It is in showers, behind walls, and deep in linen closets. It is black and slimy, white and fuzzy, or green and spongy. It is making homeowners struggle to breathe and costing them millions in repairs and healthcare bills, they say. Mold is driving Americans crazy, and they want their home builders to pay. (Miller, 8/24)
