Health Care
Trump signals he’s open to state limits on contraceptive access, then insists he’s not
WASHINGTON — Donald Trump, the Republican Party’s presumptive nominee for president, suggested during a taped interview with a Pittsburgh TV news station Tuesday that he might be open to states restricting access to contraceptives, though he later appeared to backtrack. “We’re looking at that and I’m going to have a policy on that very shortly […]
Southern Nevada food insecurity increased last year, Three Square says
Food insecurity climbed across Southern Nevada last year with an estimated one in five children uncertain where their next meal is coming from, according to the latest findings from Three Square Food Bank. Data released Thursday as part of the Feeding America’s 2024 Map the Meal Gap Study comes after food pantries and services providers […]
One-shot federal funding for NV behavioral health services is winding down. Now what?
As local governments in Nevada have used one-shot federal recovery relief dollars toward mental and behavioral health services, city and county officials stressed the importance for state lawmakers to figure out a sustainable funding source. During Monday’s Interim Committee of Health and Human Service, officials from Clark County, Washoe County, the City of Las Vegas […]
Nevada’s health care system ranks near the bottom in the U.S.
Nevada’s health care system ranks 41st overall of the 50 states and District of Columbia, according to a report detailing disparities in health care and wellness across racial and ethnic groups. The care afforded to white residents ranks at 39th in the nation, says the report from the Commonwealth Fund, an independent, non-partisan organization dedicated to […]
UnitedHealth CEO savaged for failings in massive cyberattack that’s crippled health care
WASHINGTON — Capitol Hill lawmakers from both parties on Wednesday grilled UnitedHealth Group’s CEO over the largest-ever cyberattack on the U.S. health care industry, which has crippled payments to providers and pharmacies and left millions of patients clueless about whether their information is now on the dark web. A Russia-linked cybercrime organization dubbed “BlackCat” infiltrated […]
Shortage of healthcare providers on Lombardo’s radar
Gov. Joe Lombardo wants the state’s Patient Protection Commission to help find a cure for the state’s shortage of healthcare professionals. In an executive order issued Friday, Lombardo notes the PPC was created to review the health care needs of Nevadans. “In order to achieve its objective, the PPC must now work to address current […]
Nevada one of the most at-risk states for ‘legal looting’ by private equity firms
Nevada is one of the states most vulnerable to the profit-hungry influence of private equity firms, according to a new analysis by a national watchdog group. Nevada ranked 5th overall in the Private Equity Stakeholders Project’s Private Equity Risk Index, which the group launched this week. Only New Mexico, North Carolina, Arizona and Florida are […]
NV childhood immunization, adult vaccination rates both lag behind national averages
A decline in “vaccine confidence” has contributed to a decrease in child immunization rates, Nevada health officials warned state lawmakers on Monday. Vaccine rates among adults, which includes Covid and flu shots for the current season, are also only a fraction of the national average, health officials said at the Interim Committee on Health and […]
Dentists, hygienists among latest professions considered for interstate license reciprocity
Nevada lawmakers last year passed legislation making it easier for teachers and emergency medical services personnel licensed in other states to practice in the Silver State. Now, they are already eyeing another industry for occupational reciprocity: dentistry. The American Dental Association and the National Center for Interstate Compacts on Thursday presented to state lawmakers on […]
Health and Human Services increases loan forgiveness for OBs, midwives who practice in rural areas
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced Thursday a $25,000 increase in loan forgiveness available to primary care providers in designated underserved areas. That means qualifying individuals are eligible for up to $75,000 in forgiveness if they commit to two full-time years of service. The amount is available to medical and osteopathic doctors, […]
Rate of babies born with syphilis in NV remains among nation’s highest
Though Nevada has expanded efforts in recent years to make syphilis testing more accessible, in particular among pregnant people, health officials said people still face barriers accessing medical care, which is leading to rising rates of babies born with syphilis. “That is if they are lucky enough to be born,” said Tabby Edelman, a senior […]
Do we simply not care about old people?
The death toll was shocking, as were reports of chaos in nursing homes and seniors suffering from isolation, depression, untreated illness, and neglect. Around 900,000 older adults have died of COVID-19 to date, accounting for three of every four Americans who have perished in the pandemic. But decisive actions that advocates had hoped for haven’t […]