ST. PAUL, Minn. - Lawmakers return from their spring break next week, and among the budget decisions still to be resolved is whether to continue funding the Statewide Health Improvement Program (SHIP). The program has already seen its budget slashed by more than two-thirds.

Julie Seiber, SHIP coordinator, St. Paul Ramsey County Public Health, said the cuts are short-sighted, because the return on investment is huge when the growing obesity epidemic is reduced.

"We'll do that by making healthy food and opportunities for physical activity available to all the residents of Minnesota and also work to reduce exposure to tobacco," Seiber said. "Both of those things are related to reducing the incidence of chronic diseases like heart disease, cancer and diabetes."

In its first two-year cycle, SHIP received $47 million. That was cut to $15 million for the current biennium, and some lawmakers now want the funding totally eliminated, saying it has not had any measurable effect.

Since its inception, the Statewide Health Improvement Program has contributed to hundreds of projects each tailored to a community's needs, supporters said, from smoke-free policies to workplace wellness programs. Seiber said it has also helped get locally grown food into more than 400 schools and into the hands of those who may not always have access to fresh produce.

"As far as SHIP is concerned, we've been trying to bring it in to the families through the St. Paul Farmer's Market," she explained, "and having the market venders accept electronic benefit transfer (EBT) payment from the SNAP supplemental food program so that low-income families could have access to it."

Similar efforts are under way across the state, including in Jackson County. That's where longtime farmer Bill Brandt is working with SHIP to get fresh, healthy foods into schools and to the business community.

"The health of our citizens has gotten worse over time," Brandt said, "and with the growing of vegetables, I see how important it is to bring them more into our diet."

The Minnesota Department of Health has warned that obesity is one of the most serious public health concerns facing the state today. Nationally, more than two-thirds of adults and almost one-third of children are considered overweight or obese.

More information is available from the Minnesota Department of Health at http://www.health.state.mn.us/ship/.




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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.