State Highlights: More Regions Scrutinize Drug-Free School Zones; Doctor-Nurse Practitioner ‘Turf Wars’ In Tenn.
Outlets report on health news from Delaware, Indiana, Kentucky, Utah, Tennessee, Maryland, Massachusetts, Illinois, Georgia, California, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Ohio.
Stateline:
Why States Are Taking A Fresh Look At Drug-Free Zones
The idea behind the “drug-free school zones” was to deter dealers at the height of a national crack cocaine epidemic from peddling drugs to children where they could be found most days. Now those laws are undergoing new scrutiny, as states revisit long sentences for drug crimes that have led to mass incarceration and as they face a new drug epidemic, this time opioid addiction. (Wiltz, 9/15)
Nashville Tennessean:
'Turf War' Pits Tennessee Doctors Against Nurse Practitioners
The dispute centers on exactly what types of treatment can be provided by advanced practice registered nurses (APRN), and under what level of oversight. Tennessee is among the dozen states with the most restrictive scope of practice laws — and the reform debate is a recurring flashpoint in legislative sessions. The nurses contend they are equipped to administer many of the same primary care and preventative treatments as doctors. Further, they point to a growing primary care physician shortage across the region. (Fletcher, 9/14)
The Baltimore Sun:
Students In Baltimore Region Without Required Immunizations Will Be Barred From Schools
Baltimore school officials are warning parents that their children will be prohibited from attending school starting next week if they have not received immunizations for certain diseases. The policy could mean that thousands of students will be barred from classes. Neighboring Baltimore County barred hundreds of children from school this week after failing to meet a Tuesday deadline for required vaccinations. (Green, 9/14)
Boston Globe:
State Moves To Make It Easier For Patients To Get Medical Marijuana
State regulators moved Wednesday toward making it significantly easier for patients to gain access to medical marijuana, proposing an overhaul of a program hobbled by missteps when it dawned three years ago. The rules would allow nurse practitioners to certify patients for marijuana use, similar to the way such nurses already write prescriptions for other medicines. Now, only physicians can certify patients for medical marijuana use. (Lazar, 9/15)
Chicago Tribune:
Cook County To Start Program To Help Uninsured Get Health Care
The program will allow uninsured Cook County residents earning up to twice the federal poverty level — in other words, $48,600 a year for a family of four — to get primary care physicians within the Cook County Health and Hospitals System who could also refer them to specialists within the system. The program is expected to help nearly 40,000 people in 2017. Patients will have access to the system's two acute care hospitals, Stroger Hospital and Provident Hospital, and more than a dozen clinics where they will be able to present a special membership card to receive services. (Schencker, 9/14)
Atlanta Journal Constitution:
How To Get Health Care In Atlanta Without Leaving Your Home
Whether you're sick or just need a checkup, it can be inconvenient to go to the doctor. Especially if you're not feeling well, you may not want to navigate traffic and flip through old magazines in the waiting room while surrounded by other sick people. And if you have mobility issues, getting out could be difficult. A few options are available that will let you get health care in Atlanta without leaving your home. (Caldwell, 9/14)
Los Angeles Times:
Majority Of Californians Support Initiative To Require Actors In Adult Films To Use Condoms
A majority of Californians support an initiative on the November ballot to require performers in adult films to use condoms during sex scenes, according to a new USC Dornsife/Los Angeles Times poll of registered voters conducted by SurveyMonkey. Fifty-five percent said they would back Proposition 60 if the election were held today, the survey found. (Panzar, 9/15)
The Wall Street Journal:
Beverage Industry Sues To Block Philadelphia’s Sweetened-Drink Tax
Beverage companies and retailers on Wednesday sued to try to halt Philadelphia’s special tax on sweetened drinks slated to go into effect in January. Philadelphia become the first large U.S. city to pass such a measure in June, when the city council approved a levy of 1.5 cents per ounce on non-alcoholic beverages with added sweeteners ranging from soda to sports drinks and energy drinks. (Esterl, 9/14)
ABC News:
Official Didn't Publicly Report Flint-Area Disease Outbreak
Michigan's former state epidemiologist acknowledged in a plea deal Wednesday that she was aware of dozens of cases of Legionnaires' disease in the Flint area around the same time the city changed its water source, but that she didn't report it to the general public. (Karoub, 9/14)
Chicago Tribune:
Home Health Care Boss Admits To Kickbacks
The owner of one of the state's largest home health care companies admitted in federal court Wednesday that he paid nearly $790,000 in bribes to doctors in exchange for patient referrals. His Lemont-based firm, Home Bound Healthcare Inc., has also agreed to pay $6.8 million to the government related to Medicare reimbursements the company received, the U.S. Attorney's Office said in a news release. (Nolan, 9/14)
Cincinnati Enquirer:
Miami Township Bans Smoking In Parks
Miami Township has become the first the first local government in Clermont County to outlaw all tobacco products and electronic cigarettes — which contain nicotine but no tobacco – on its property. The prohibition extends to the 277 acres of the five township parks. (Houck, 9/14)
Los Angeles Times:
Oral Infection Outbreak Appears Linked To An Anaheim Dental Office, Officials Say
As if visiting the dentist wasn’t scary enough, Orange County health officials are alerting parents to an outbreak of oral infections that appear linked to a children’s dental office in Anaheim. At least one case of a Mycobacterial abscessus infection has been confirmed in a patient who visited the Children’s Dental Group, in the 2100 block of East Lincoln Avenue in Anaheim, according to the OC Health Care Agency. The infection was detected after the child underwent a pulpotomy procedure to remove or treat an infected tooth, health officials said. (Rocha, 9/14)
Columbus Dispatch:
Sharing Health Data In Franklin County Is Focus Of National Challenge
Franklin County is one of 50 U.S. communities chosen to participate in the 2016 Healthiest Cities and Counties Challenge. The county has been awarded $10,000 to develop ideas to contribute to improving residents’ health; areas include income, poverty, nutrition, violence, education and decreasing stress. (Perry, 9/15)