Denver, CO – Esta es la “National Health Centrer Week” (Semana del Centro Nacional de Salud), durante la que las clínicas festejan más de 50 años de servir a las comunidades de bajos ingresos a lo largo y ancho de los Estados Unidos. La celebración tiene por objeto reconocer a estas clínicas, que sirven a más de 23 millones de estadounidenses.

Laurie Larrick, vicepresidenta de recursos humanos del “High Plains Community Health Center” (Centro High Plains de Salud Comunitaria), dice que un enfoque importante este año es ayudar a la gente de muchas maneras nuevas que no pueden darse en un consultorio.

Comenta que luego de escuchar a numerosas familias con dificultades económicas, la clínica decidió dar mochilas, “backpacks” llenas de material escolar para aliviar un poco el estrés que implica el inicio de un nuevo año escolar.

“El material escolar ya es muy caro, las listas son muy largas, regalemos algunos ‘backpacks’. Pongamos dentro algo de útiles escolares, ayudemos a nuestra comunidad escuchando realmente que necesita ayuda.”

La clínica también está repartiendo botiquines de primeros auxilios y otros insumos en cada punto donde se celebra el evento, incluyendo un cine nocturno en el parque, opciones de bocadillos saludables en la feria del contado, una feria infantil y la búsqueda de un tesoro.

Las mochilas gratuitas también se están dando en la “Back-to-School Healthy Kids Fair” (Feria Sabatina del Saludable Regreso Infantil a Clases) en el Centro de Salud de la calle Stout Sábado por la, de agosto de 20, en Denver.

Cathy Alderman, presidenta de comunicación y políticas públicas de la “Colorado Coalition for the Homeless” (Coalición de Colorado a favor de la Gente Sin Hogar), grupo que maneja el centro, dice que muchos niños que sobreviven gracias a los regalos que les pasan, tendrán una oportunidad única.

Los niños que viven en la pobreza y los que viven sin un hogar frecuentemente no eligen cosas para ellos. Y las “backpacks” contienen material escolar –plumas, lápices y papel– y todo lo que puedan necesitar para tener un feliz principio al comenzar el año escolar.

Agrega que junto con los bocadillos y la pinta de caras, el centro también ofrece revisión de inmunidad sin costo, cuidado dental y exámenes de oído y vista durante el evento.

Alderman menciona la falta de vivienda a precios accesibles como una razón por la que las familias con hijos están entre los segmentos de crecimiento más rápido de la población sin hogar. Agrega que los efectos en la salud física y mental son especialmente duros para los pequeños.

“La inestabilidad de los sin hogar significa que habrá inestabilidad en su capacidad de asistir regularmente a la escuela, de conservar la amistad de sus compañeros de clase, y conservar la relación con sus maestros.”

La “Colorado Coalition for the Homeless” (Coalición de Colorado a Favor de la Gente Sin Hogar) recibe donaciones de material escolar hasta este viernes, en su oficina principal.

Más información sobre el evento, en: http://bit.ly/2aTodoG


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After more than 50 years of use, some Michigan lawmakers say naloxone may not be the best choice in an overdose situation.

Naloxone is sometimes called the "Lazarus drug" because of its powerful ability to seemingly resurrect people after a drug overdose.

Sen. Kevin Hertel, D-St. Clair Shores, and some of his colleagues have introduced a bill which would open the door for what they say are more costly, but more powerful, antidotes.

"Given the prevalence of fentanyl in our communities, and how much stronger some of these drugs that we're now seeing are, we believe -- and in talking with others -- that there should be other tools to respond to an overdose," Hertel explained. "To make sure we're doing everything we can to save somebody's life."

Not everyone is on board with the proposed legislation, Senate Bill 542. Opponents argued the more expensive naloxone alternatives are not necessary, and using them would only increase profits for the pharmaceutical industry.

Jonathan Stoltman, director of the Opioid Policy Institute in Grand Rapids, said while the naloxone alternatives do help in overdose situations, they can also cause nasty side effects.

"The newer approaches, they put people into more severe withdrawal," Stoltman pointed out. "That's a pretty profound negative side effect. The one approach is very inexpensive and works great; the other approach is far more expensive and has this strong negative side effect."

Sponsors of the bill say they're hoping to give Michigan residents a chance to chime in on the issue in a public hearing sometime in June. Michigan saw more than 3,000 opioid overdose deaths in 2021.


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New Mexico saw record enrollment numbers for the Affordable Care Act this year and is now setting its sights on lowering out-of-pocket costs - those not reimbursed by insurance. More than 56,000 New Mexicans are enrolled in a medical health insurance plan on the state exchange - an increase of 12,000 people overall.

Colin Baillio, deputy superintendent with the state's Office of Insurance, said the state has boosted its outreach and made efforts to improve the overall consumer experience.

"We saw a 40% year-over-year increase, and New Mexico saw the biggest percentage increase during the open-enrollment period among all of the state-based marketplaces," he explained

Part of the enrollment increase is due to what's called the "unwinding" - a federal directive that required all states to redetermine Medicaid eligibility following a three-year pause on checks during the COVID pandemic. He said by using expanded tools made available by the federal and state government, 8% of New Mexico's population is now uninsured - down from 23% in 2010.

Following approval by lawmakers in the 2024 legislative session, the New Mexico governor signed seven health care-related bills into law - one of which requires annual reporting of prescription drug pricing. Baililo said the Affordable Care Act built the foundation that has allowed the state to pursue additional affordability initiatives.

"I'm really glad to see that there's so much interest in the next step of health reform, really leaning into these out-of-pocket cost issues and making it easier for people to afford to stay covered and see their doctors," he continued.

Two years ago, the state also passed a one-of-a-kind law that did away with behavioral health co-pays for people in certain insurance plans.

New York's medical aid-in-dying bill is gaining further support. The Medical Society of the State of New York is supporting the bill. New York's bill allows terminally ill people with only six months to live to use this option, with safeguards requiring two physicians' approval.

The bill's Assembly sponsor Amy Paulin, D-Westchester, said despite the growing support, other hurdles lie ahead.

"Now we have what I believe, if it came to the floor, a majority. There's still a hesitation on the part of leadership. You know, we need members to assure leadership that they no longer have reservations," she said.

Other newly resolved concerns center on making sure insurance companies and doctors who don't support this aren't held liable. She's optimistic the bill will pass after nine years in the Legislature. New York would be the 11th state along with Washington, D.C. to have medical aid in dying legislation.

Corinne Carey, senior New York campaign director with Compassion and Choices finds the pandemic drew a vivid picture of a person's end-of-life experience. There were images of people dying on ventilators, apart from loved ones, and unable to communicate. She said people began thinking about a "good death."

"And, what is a good death is being surrounded by loved ones, having some measure of control, experiencing the touch of your loved ones, and being the one in the driver's seat," she explained.

Now people have different options for end-of-life care, each of which presents various challenges. Polls show medical aid in dying has garnered considerable support since being introduced in 2015. A 2022 Compassion and Choices poll finds 57% of nurses support medical aid in dying professionally, although fewer support it personally.