ALBANY, N.Y. – Starting Sunday, many low- and moderate-income New Yorkers will be able to enroll in a new health-insurance plan that‘s more affordable than what's currently offered through the marketplace.

State officials say 2 million people have enrolled in the state's health-insurance marketplace since the Affordable Care Act took effect. But some New Yorkers who don't qualify for Medicaid still can't afford private insurance.

Insert the Essential Plan here.

Advocates such as the Children's Defense Fund's policy associate for health, Andrew Leonard say the plan targets working families and individuals who don't qualify for Medicaid but can’t afford private insurance.


"The Essential Plan is really applicable to those consumers who find the existing premiums for qualified health plans or private plans in the marketplace too out of reach," said Leonard, "considering the limited resources they might have that typically have to go toward their housing, food or child care."

Those who qualify for the Essential Plan will pay a premium of either zero or $20 depending on their income. Enrollment in the Essential Plan begins Sunday for coverage beginning Jan. 1.

Elizabeth Swain, chief executive of the Community Health Care Association of New York, said the plan will help the state continue enrolling as many people as possible — especially the uninsured — while offering more medical services.

"They are eligible for a comprehensive package of services that will make getting access to services that we don't provide at our health centers," she said. "Specialty care and imaging services, some of the non-primary care services. It will make those services accessible to them."

Eligible individuals include those who earn too much to qualify for Medicaid but earn less than 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Level - roughly between $14,000 and $23,000 for a single person. Immigrants with legal status at this income level, including green-card holders and those seeking refugee status, also are eligible to apply for the Essential Plan.


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DES MOINES, Iowa -- People across the Midwest, including Iowans, have dealt with a series of heat waves this summer.

Health experts say hotter weather is harder on the heart, and outdoor construction workers need to be extra mindful.

Cities like Des Moines, Waterloo and Sioux City are expected to see temperatures well above 90 degrees in the next several days, prompting reminders for vulnerable populations to protect themselves from the hot and humid conditions.

Lisa Leighton, senior project controls manager for the construction firm Ryan Companies, said workers on building sites should know the dangers, too.

"Construction workers are more susceptible to heat strokes and heat exhaustion, due to the fact that they're working outside," Leighton explained. "And workers in the construction industry have a higher prevalence of cardiovascular disease than employees in other fields."

She cited findings from the American Heart Association (AHA), which works with companies like Ryan on the "Hard Hats with Heart" campaign, an outreach to construction workers about their elevated health risks.

During heat waves, Leighton suggested starting the day earlier to avoid the hot afternoon sun, as well as taking regular breaks, staying hydrated and wearing lighter clothing.

The AHA said construction workers with heart disease are already 60% more likely to retire on disability and to retire early because of poor health.

Leighton asserted it is especially important to protect themselves in hot weather, and hopes site managers take extra notice as well.

"Making sure they're watching for some of those signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke, and possibly even tell the workers that they need to take that break," Leighton urged.

She added even though staying on schedule is important for construction projects, safety is the biggest priority.

Some symptoms to look out for include headaches, dizziness, muscle cramps, and fast and shallow breathing. If a worker displays these signs, they are advised to find a shady spot, douse themselves with cold water, get rehydrated and possibly seek medical attention.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Amid mixed national messaging on COVID-19 and masks, the Ohio Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends students wear masks to school during the upcoming school year.

While the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance recommends masks for the unvaccinated, the American Academy of Pediatrics suggests universal mask wearing, regardless of vaccination status.

Melissa Wervey Arnold, CEO for the Ohio Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, said getting kids back in class is crucial for their mental, physical, emotional and academic health. She contended masks are the safest route, since kids younger than 12 cannot get a COVID vaccine.

"Kids themselves might not spread the virus as readily as we've seen adults do it, or might not have the same negative health consequences," Wervey Arnold explained. "We still know that they can spread it, and they can spread it to people who are more vulnerable, especially the older population."

Meanwhile, Senate Bill 209 was introduced last week to prohibit schools and businesses in Ohio from mandating masks. An exception would be made for those with certain health conditions.

Wervey Arnold said regrettably, mask wearing during the pandemic has become politicized.

"It became an argument around freedom versus public health," Wervey Arnold observed. "And people have the right to their own personal choices, but sometimes those personal choices harm others. In that case, it's our opinion, you really have to focus on public health then."

Ohio's public health order requiring a facial covering in public settings expired in June. Wervey Arnold pointed out some kids did not mind wearing them, and for many others it simply became routine. She noted pediatricians noticed a difference masks made in preventing COVID and other illnesses.

"We saw a really low rate of flu infection this past year, and other things like RSV and other respiratory infections," Wervey Arnold recounted. "As the mask mandates have lifted, we're seeing a lot of ill visits from families. "

Gov. Mike DeWine indicated he does not plan to implement another mask mandate. He recently signed a bill banning public schools from requiring vaccines that have not received full FDA approval, which the COVID-19 vaccines have not.

Reporting by Ohio News Connection in association with Media in the Public Interest and funded in part by the George Gund Foundation.

FLINT, Mich. - Michigan health officials are prioritizing equity as they continue to urge more residents to get vaccinated against COVID-19.

The Delta variant now accounts for the majority of infections across the country, and it's making its way through Michigan.

Dr. Joneigh Khaldun - Michigan's chief medical executive and the chief deputy director for health for the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services - pointed out that while more than 40% of white Michiganders have been fully vaccinated, meaning it's been two weeks since their last dose, that number is much lower among the state's Black population.

Just around 30% of Black residents are protected.

"We're working with churches, neighborhood-based organizations, and social service-oriented organizations to make sure we are bringing vaccines into neighborhoods," said Khaldun. "These vaccines are available and accessible, and that's something that we have prioritized across the state."

Khaldun added that for some Black communities and communities of color, there's distrust of the health-care and medical-research systems because of historical discrimination and abuse. She said she wants people to know that these vaccines are effective and proven to be safe.

Aurora Sauceda is public health navigator program manager for Michigan United in Flint.

She said some people don't have access or don't know how to use the internet to make a vaccine appointment, especially older residents, and others don't speak English as their primary language and have trouble accessing information about the vaccines.

She added that lack of transportation and ability to take time off work have been additional barriers for some people.

"All the people that wanted to come and get it and were anxious to get it have gotten it," said Sauceda. "Now it's reaching out to those that are still waiting for somebody to tell them something about the vaccine or still aren't fully convinced that the vaccine is a protection for them."

Health officials in Michigan also are urging parents of 12- to 15-year-olds to prioritize getting them their vaccines. So far, about a quarter of Michigan teens younger than 16 have been fully vaccinated.